Family Expedition Tent

[Shahram]

We use a Kelty Green River 4 person tent...

Wow, you had a much different experience with your Kelty Green River than I did, that's for sure. I wrote a scathing review of the thing this last summer here on MUD before I took it back: LINK. I can certainly see why it would be a great tent on muggy, buggy, humid nights, but for cool, wet weather, it didn't work for me at all.

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I think I may go with the Eureka Equinox 6 as recommended. It looks like exactly what I need: a simple, truly free-standing aluminum frame dome tent with full fly, with room for a family and a tall roof.

 

[slosurfer]

Wow, you had a much different experience with your Kelty Green River than I did, that's for sure. I wrote a scathing review of the thing this last summer here on MUD before I took it back: LINK. I can certainly see why it would be a great tent on muggy, buggy, humid nights, but for cool, wet weather, it didn't work for me at all.

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Wow, I read your experience that sucks. We actually used it in June at Silverton, CO where it was getting down to 30 degrees at night w/ no problems. Although our sleeping bags are -40degree bags. My son was also in a down sleeping bag w/ blankets. I just tied a knot in the sleeping bag so that he couldn't slide down into it and suffocate. Worked out really good and he was only 20 months at the time. I got a really good deal on it also, which was the deciding factor at the time. I also put dirt on the flaps of the rain fly that touch the ground so that the wind wouldn't come from under them. Also w/ everything tight, the curtains in the vestibule will stretch tight over the screens and seal up pretty good. It took a couple times of me setting it up to figure out how tight to get the rain fly.

 

[BPMOU]

Shahram,

I know that the Cabelas tent is close to $500, but I have used this tent elk hunting in Colorado and it is the cats meow. I haven't got around to buying one yet as I can always borrow it from a buddy. They are worth the extra money. I would rather buy a quality tent first then buy a lower price one only to upgrade later.

Plus, Cabelas has great customer service.

 

[AJP]

You might find a used Springbar tent for $250... have slept in a lot of tents over the years from poncho's to marquee's ... these US made tents are pretty close to what you want... not for backpacking though... but my current family tent and the best yet...

 

[Yorker]

http://www.eurekatent.com/

Look into the Eureka tents, they have some great models and you can buy factory seconds and thirds from their website at a significant discount. I bought a Condo last year at their factory sale and it is actually too huge but a great tent- very well made and heavy construction.

Don't be scared off by the factory seconds- oftentimes these are tents that some dork used for a weekend then returned because they didn't "like" them. In other words a tent that someone scammed a free weekend out of.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I got a Coleman Sundowner 10'x10' new off Ebay last year for under $100. It's been a great family tent, sets up quickly, waterproof, I'm 6'3" and I can almost stand up in it.

A friend has an REI family tent, vestibule, etc. It's way nice, think it was around $300.

 

[C6H12O6]

I was looking for about the same last summer but never ended up pulling the trigger on it. I looked around a lot and read a lot of reviews and I really like the REI Base Camp 6. For anything where wind and wet weather are an issue, a real rain fly with a vestibule area is essential up here in the PNW. Most of the cheaper car camping tents of this size have really crappy rain flies. Only $350-ish, and I saw it on sale at REI last year for $249. Should have bought it.

 

[expat]

FWIW, I've had an Equinox 6 since 1992 or 3. It's dirty but not delaminated. Still use it regularly for car camping type stuff. Should works fine for your application. The only thing about it for small children is that the interior is white and it reflects/refracts a lot of light and stays bright inside. Keeps kids up late and wakes them up early, but hey, you're camping, so what the heck...

I do wish I had a vestibule on occasion.

 

[expat]

Oh, I forgot. It's very free standing. I've actually carried mine on my back from one campsite to another while it was completely assembled. Surprisingly good in wind too.

 

[Shahram]

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

I picked up a Eureka Equinox 6, and although I haven't used it yet, I'm looking forward to it.