Help me decide on a tent

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BBQ BOY

BBQ BOY

10 Year 15 Year
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Im in the market for a good tent. I've researched and researched until my eyes have bleed. I have narrowed it down to a few and could use some insight for my family of 5. My tent, which I lent to my nephew was taken to a week long teenage outdoor party/concert. I don't think I want to know what happened in that thing, so, i told him to keep it.
It's between the Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8, REI Kingdom 8 and the Springbar Family Camper 7. Now I know there is some controversy with REI and them being anti-gun and supporting the closure of offroad areas that we so much love. I'm not sure if I really care about that determine my decision make, after all, I love my Apple products and Starbucks coffee and have a boat load of guns.
The Plus of the Big Agnes are many but the only downfall when comparing to the other two is the head room and overall spaciousness. I'm only 5'8" but can appreciate a lot of space, but don't want o sacrifice quality to obtain it. Having never seen any of these tents first hand makes it hard for to discriminate as to what's build quality is better than he other or if one is just on par. I do wish it had a garage like the Kingdom or the Big Agnes Big House 6, which I don't care for the Big House models much.
Next, is the REI. I love just about everything about this tent, except for the price with all of its options. It's about $700 whereas the BA is around $560 with footprint and shipping. Awesome amount of room and that makes me worried that it won't fit on most camp site pads. I wish this tent had better ventilation when the fly is on and when the fly is off, 60% of the tent has no windows, rendering my view useless. The best part is the garage. I can set my kitchen up in there and be done with it and sit under there on a rainy day.
Last but not least, the Springbar. Honestly, I just learned of these today and there isn't a whole lot out there about them. It seems to be well made but are heavy as my mother-in-law and ugly as she is. That's all I have to say about that(the tent that is, since I'm new to he brand.) there's the Kodiak as well.
Oh, this tent will be used for car camping in the southeast. No snow(maybe) or desserts( would love to try that one day).
I may opt for a Moutain Harware or Nemo for when it's just me or me and the older two kids.
 
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I have a Kodiak 10x10. Its awesome, goes up fast, stays up. Excellent water repellency and air flow. I've been very happy win it. You might need the 10x14.
 
Have you heard anything about the Kodiak cabin tent? There's the 12x9 that can have a Screened enclosure added, which could serve as another room for people to sleep in if need be. I think that I read somewhere that the cabin tents were a lot harder to pitch and has less floor space??
 
We've got an REI 5 man and really like it. The best time to buy though is when they have 20% off.

The Springbar's are locally made (SLC). They're heavy and take up a lot of room when traveling or storing them. A lot of hunters and others (emergency preparedness) who need an extended stay typically use them. Good quality though.
 
Just bought a Kelty Parthenon 8. It is embarrassingly huge. I love it. Sports Chalet had it on sale for $350. Got a footprint online for about fifty more. I'm 6'4" and can stand up easily in most of the tent.
 
Uggghh. I was just introduced to Turbo tents. I remember last year having a 3 day trail ride with about 4 clubs and here a couple of guys there with them. They are pretty damn awesome and take seconds to set up. I'm leaning towards that one now.
 
I've got a North Face Trailhead 8. I think they've been discontinued (you may still find stock, though), but it's a decent tent at a decent price. Nothing too exotic, but packs relatively small and is roomy.

Tents like the Springbar are durable, but if you need to accommodate 5 people, plus gear in a vehicle, the expedition quality tents take up a lot of room versus lighter stuff.
 
I am seriously considering this model of the Turbo Tent. I just wonder how hard it is to put the enormous fly on. Also, how is the waterproofness of the Turbos since the fly doesn't cover a lot of the tent?
http://www.turbotent.com/turbotent/supreme.html
 
I have never camped in bad weather with my turbo tent, but I have given it the garden hose test and handled it fine. I have the 8 X 8 tent and the fly is easy for me to handle, but I'm 6'4.

It's ripstop canvas, so it should handle bad weather fine.

When camping at some local mtns, my tent did get a little attention from the Rangers etc saying they have never seen a tent like it.
 
I have the Springbar 10x10 and love it. Buddy has the 10x7 and the 10x14. The later is HUGE. They aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.
 
SanDiegoCruiser said:
I have never camped in bad weather with my turbo tent, but I have given it the garden hose test and handled it fine. I have the 8 X 8 tent and the fly is easy for me to handle, but I'm 6'4.

It's ripstop canvas, so it should handle bad weather fine.

When camping at some local mtns, my tent did get a little attention from the Rangers etc saying they have never seen a tent like it.
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How is it in cold weather? It seams the canvas tents like Springbar and Kodiak stay warmer on the inside.
 
Brentbba said:
I have the Springbar 10x10 and love it. Buddy has the 10x7 and the 10x14. The later is HUGE. They aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.
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You know, if Springbar would just make some updates and modifications that the Kodiak has,I'de buy it and call it a day. I don't understand why Springbar can't add vents at the top, some storage solutions like a overhear locker net abda canvas floor. It seems to me if I were to put a bunk cot with two people sleeping in them, that would place a lot of weight in small areas causing wear and punctures.
So, I am still up in the air on the Turbo Tent, Springbar and Kodiak.
 
How old are your kids? The reason I ask is that you may want to consider 2 smaller tents, one for the adults and toddler(s), one for the older kids. My Kelty is 11x13, and while it made an excellent 2-man tent for an 8-day Scout camp, sometimes it gets hard to find a large enough flat place to set it up. If you'll have teenagers in a few years you might not want to have them in the same tent with you anyway.
 
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re_guderian said:
How old are your kids? The reason I ask is that you may want to consider 2 smaller tents, one for the adults and toddler(s), one for the older kids. My Kelty is 11x13, and while it made an excellent 2-man tent for an 8-day Scout camp, sometimes it gets hard to find a large enough flat place to set it up. If you'll have teenagers in a few years you might not want to have them in the same tent with you anyway.
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7,6 and 1.5. I may get a screened room set up next to the tent for all of the gear and kitchen stuff, which will free up almost all of the clutter.
 
BBQ BOY said:
7,6 and 1.5. I may get a screened room set up next to the tent for all of the gear and kitchen stuff, which will free up almost all of the clutter.
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Moving the cooking area away from the sleeping area is a good idea. If you are in bear country do you really want to be cooking right next to where you sleep?

This is an interesting design, I've seen others like it before this just happened to be the first result Google turned up

The Camping Equipment Company Australia: Modular Tent System (MTS)


It might be a nice tent the family can grow into since the "bedrooms" can be used as stand alone units.
 
tent

Not sure if you would like a geodesic tent but I have had my Cabela alaskan tent for several years. Extremely durable has never leaked no matter how strong a storm. It definitely isn't a low quality tent!

I own the 4 person, but comes in 6 andy 8 person.
 
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