tents

[the gimpey one]

School me on tents. I have a 12 x11 Coleman. We are a family of 6 and space was perfect. My thing is even with rainfly on lots of room for cold air to come in thru screen. So do i need a different type of tent for cooler weather or is that normal? I believe we have a Coleman vela.

 

[Southeast Overland]

You might be looking for a 4 season tent. Better construction, stronger, more weather proof, and more $$$.

 

[the gimpey one]

Yeah always more money

 

[LouisianaFJ]

Depends where your camping too.
Wife and I have used a small Coleman tent in all conditions, January and May. We set it up behind cover to block wind in colder months or on a hill/clearing in warm months to catch the breeze. That along with appropriate sleeping bags makes us comfy.

Granted if you want to spend more, OZtent makes some great ground tents for multiple seasons or kodiac/springbar as well

 

[Corbet]

Looking at your location, South Carolina, I'm guessing your definition of colder weather is much different than mine. Define cold. Does it include snow?

 

[the gimpey one]

No snow! 40's is as low i i would venture out with the family. I need to update our equipment. I am hoping to buy a pop up next year but not holding my breath....

 

[Corbet]

With no snow I'd buy a Springbar tent of your choosing on size. http://www.springbar.com

A good tent is an investment and should be looked at it that way. But if you have children who can not be trusted to treat it as such, then I'd just get a Coleman whatever and deal with it in bad weather rather than get upset at little Jimmy for what ever reason.

A pop-up is great with a family. I definitely have no regrets there. Happy to be off the ground and crap in the trailer out of the truck.

Deals can be had online at places like Steapandcheap.com or Sierra Trading Post on large tents too. I have a Sierra Designs 6-person that I have to say. I've never been so disappointed in a outdoor purchase as that.

 

[Corbet]

This thing interests me too personally and could be an option: http://www.hilleberg.com/home/products/altai/altai.php For more details we have a dealer locally www.BCEXP.com Call and ask for Ben if you have questions.

 

[the gimpey one]

Wow that is huge. The tent we have size wise is perfect. I can get 2 queens side by side and a single going across at the bottom and still have close to three feet at the entrance for changing clothes etc... i am going to concentrate on better sleeping bags etc and go from there. Hoping to Get a popup next year and a small trailer for possible camping build as well. As always i will run out of $$$ before i run out of idea's..

 

[rusty_tlc]

Sleeping bags are a good investment, you can use them in a pop-up or trailer when you move up to that. We find sleeping bags a lot more convenient than regular bedding in our pop-up.

Until you upgrade check Craigs list for a decent canvas cabin style tent. This is the type of tent a lot of people grew up with in the 70's and 80's. They are still around and you can find one in good shape for cheap.

 

[NMMATTC]

My family of 5 just went through the same thing. We ending up getting a cabelas west wind dome 6 person, it has a garage in the front to keep wet muddy stuff out and it is perfect for size, pretty bomber tent for the money.

 

[rusty_tlc]

My family of 5 just went through the same thing. We ending up getting a cabelas west wind dome 6 person, it has a garage in the front to keep wet muddy stuff out and it is perfect for size, pretty bomber tent for the money.

That's a decent price for that much tent. How long does it take to set up and take down?

 

[Mace]

Unless you have super thick walls, a big tent will always be colder than a small tent. Get some nicer sleeping bags.
Good bags are important.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Unless you have super thick walls, a big tent will always be colder than a small tent. Get some nicer sleeping bags.
Good bags are important.

I agree with that, the bigger the tent the harder it is to heat.

 

[alia176]

School me on tents. I have a 12 x11 Coleman. We are a family of 6 and space was perfect. My thing is even with rainfly on lots of room for cold air to come in thru screen. So do i need a different type of tent for cooler weather or is that normal? I believe we have a Coleman vela.

Pardon me if this sounds like too much of a red neck but if camping in colder climate, throw a tarp between the tent and the rain fly. Basically, turn a 3 season tent into a 4 season tent.

Ok, I'm a redneck but this works great for my needs.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Yeah always more money

Typically if you want something nicer it will cost more. I haven't found a consistent way around that yet.

 

[Southeast Overland]

40 isn't cold. A big tent will be cold. Buy good bags and you will be warm at 40 and you can also use the bags elsewhere.

 

[profro]

I have had good luck with REI's tents. We have a Kingdom 4 and rear enjoy it.


Scratch that. I called REI to get a vestibule for a 3 year old tent and was told that they no longer support tents that old. how crappy is that? Screw them.

 

[charlestonfj60]

Kelty makes some great tents. I have the Trail Ridge 4.


http://www.kelty.com/p-401-trail-ridge-4.aspx

 

[the gimpey one]

I actually just picked this up of craigslist for $75. Gonna field test it next weekend. Came with a rainfly but i am bringing a tarp.