Tents - Help me decide

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
I'm in the market for a replacement tent. the wind at OX13 pretty much killed my Columbia poly/nylon tent.

my requirements:

Canvas walls/roof
5-6 person (usually tents listed as 6 person fit two XL cots and clothing lockers comfortably)
Around 10x10
3 season. Not that I'm going out in three seasons, but I hate being cold when I sleep, and 3 season tents are usually warmer.
Must be able to stand up inside.
Poles fold down to less than 4ft for travel
Competitive price.
Easy for one person to assemble. No matter who I'm with, I always seem to end up doing it myself.

Weight isn't too much of an issue, as I'm not hiking with it. All car camping. It's gonna mostly ride in my utility trailer.

So Far I've looked at Kirkham's SpringBar and Kodiak, but am open to other brands.

I've looked at the Springbar Traveler 5: http://www.kirkhams.com/deluxe-tents/traveler-5-springbar-tent/

And the Kodiak 6051: http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/detail.aspx?ID=1558
There are several Kodiak tents that are close to each other, with minor differences (6010,6011,6051, etc)

I've also looked at the Kodiak Cabin tent, which I fell in love with at Cabela's. It's slightly harder for one person to put up, but has some nice features with the enclosed screen room. Competitive edge has a slightly different version with just an awning.

Cabela's http://tinyurl.com/kpf58e9

CE: http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/detail.aspx?ID=905

What do you all think?
 

rnewman

Well-known member
Apr 27, 2011
320
0
Unionville, Va
A good buddy just picked up the Kodiak Cabin tent and loves it. Like you said, a bit of a challenge for one person but can be done. We go camping all year and we agree it should handle just about any weather we go in.
 

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
"Doctor, I have these Dreams... Sometimes I'm a Wigwam and some times I'm a Teepee!"

doctor: You're too Tense.



( I know, better when spoken aloud...)
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
springbar, excellent construction, most excellent service. I've had a sinlge tent that is 20 years old and for the first 15 it saw a lot of use. When ever I needed repairs, I had mods done and they never charged for the repairs. Great company.
 

emmodg

Well-known member
Apr 17, 2006
4,273
1
Springbar.

Are you looking for a wall tent? The one we use that Garrett is eluding to is nice but HEAVY AS HELL as its a big canvas wall tent and they're hard to assemble alone. Springbar makes a cool tent - they're canvas as well....
 

Nomar

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
6,078
13
Virginia
I have a Kodiak.
Heavy.
One person setup in 5-10 minutes.

Used only twice but love it so far.
 

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
I bought the Kodiak tent last Christmas. I wanted canvas instead of nylon or polyester. I know they weigh a ton less, but the warmth and longevity of canvas should pay for itself over 10 years or better.

Just need to rearrange the trailer to balance things out.
 

LRflip

Well-known member
Oct 8, 2006
5,741
25
none of your fucking business
fwiw, I bought a tentcot for Uwharrie Safari, and will never go back to a regular tent as long as I'm camping alone. setup is sub 2 minutes, and allows me to get to the important things like drinking and starting a fire.

When my wife comes along, I'll setup our 2 room tent-mahal...takes 30 minutes with 3 people and 3 bachelor degrees.
 

rovercanus

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2004
9,643
244
fwiw, I bought a tentcot for Uwharrie Safari, and will never go back to a regular tent as long as I'm camping alone. setup is sub 2 minutes, and allows me to get to the important things like drinking and starting a fire.

When my wife comes along, I'll setup our 2 room tent-mahal...takes 30 minutes with 3 people and 3 bachelor degrees.

I have a tent cot also. For when I'm on my own it's great!
If you camp in colder weather, do yourself a favor and get a sleeping bag mat. It will insulate you from the cold coming in from the bottom and is more comfortable.
 

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
I have a tent cot also. For when I'm on my own it's great!
If you camp in colder weather, do yourself a favor and get a sleeping bag mat. It will insulate you from the cold coming in from the bottom and is more comfortable.

a Fleece sleeping bag works well for insulation below your sleeping bag or sheets and blankets.