| Author | Message | ||
     Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 607 Registered: 05-2003 |
I could really use some tent suggestions, if anyone has recommendations. I have been told that I need to get a 3 season tent that is AT LEAST 12' x 12'. In addition, (if possible?) I need to find something that is: -EASY (and quick??) for one novice person to put up and take down -As indestructible as possible -STRONG flooring (that will take dog nails, gear, and tools being thrown in and out) -Flooring that won't leak when sitting in rain water -Weatherproof (especially gusty HEAVY rains) -Big enough to have a small workspace during stormy weather (and also to leave unneeded gear back in the tent when out on the trail in inclement weather) -Tall enough for humans to stand up in (at least in part of the tent, the entire height doesn't need to be that tall) -Would like to see the stars from inside the tent (screen top?), but also be able to totally close off the top in rain I've been looking at catalog after catalog and I can't make heads or tails out of the way they describe the tents. Need help PLEASE. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Jamie | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 77 Registered: 08-2003 |
That's a tall order Jamie  - you may have to sacrifice easy or tall. I was always a fan of the Himalayan Hotel from North Face - this is a really good size tent though and is a bit of a struggle for one person to put up. Kyam make great easy up tents - http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Megastore_Ridgi_Dome_Range_31 .html But I'm not sure where you can get these in the USA. If you want a simple tent thats really strong you can't go far wrong with a Vango Force Ten - again I'm not sure if they sell these in the US. But they've been provent to withstand winds up in the himlaya's, arctic etc. Hope that helps Jeff | ||
| John Kruger (Johnnyk) Senior Member Username: Johnnyk Post Number: 268 Registered: 02-2002 |
Check out Cabelas Alaskan Guide Tent, it is close to what you are looking for. John | ||
| Tyler kinghorn (Flippedrover) New Member Username: Flippedrover Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'd second the Himalayan Hotel. The Kelty Grand Canyon 11 is a fairly large tent. I have friends that have the smaller backpackable sizes and they love them. There is the option of an awning mounted to your roof rack. Wouldn't be able to leave gear but you'd have the ability to set it up while on the trail if you need it. Tyler | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 86 Registered: 08-2003 |
The trick is wether you are going to pack it in - and what the requirements are - Base, or peak assault ? If it's packing it in then you have to consider a) how fit am I ? b) Do I really need to stand up ? (believe me when I say that at the end of a day in the peaks the last thing you want to do is stand up) c) Am I going to sacrifice longevity (in a decent storm) for ease of erection (steady - i mean putting the tent up ) d) If I get into trouble can I be seen ? Just a few startig points Jeff | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 617 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks, I'll take a close look at your suggestions. Hopefully, I'll also be able to find instructions for setting the tents up online - so I can get an idea of how much effort each tent takes. Good "food for thought" questions Jeff. It will be base and I'm driving it in. I liked c) and have decided I will take longevity over ease of putting up. I'm smiling at d) because I'd like to say no, I'll be warm, safe, and cozy inside my tent I do understand what you really meant by question d) I'll just have to paint the tent top bright neon pink then everyone will know exactly where I am (ha ha)! Thanks for all the input, Jamie | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 243 Registered: 08-2003 |
Jamie - 12'x12' is pretty big - are you sure you will be able to keep warm inside? But then i guess it depends on what temperatures you looking at. We had 6 person (3 room) / 3 season tent, that was very nice on hot days (June, July) at summer but it turned out to be nearly impossible to keep warm in, as soon as we hit trails with it in August.. So we swapped for Marmoth Swallow 3 person tent, that is way smaller but built VERY solid and it kept us going when temperatures were below freezing. But if you looking for really big, strong tent that will keep you warm - check out expedition tents from Mountain Gear - those are awesome.. Unfortunately they are also very pricey. (campmor.com, rei.com) | ||
| Tim (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 626 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jamie- I would suggest finding someone who knows how to set up tents and practice with them in your yard. Sometimes experienced campers can share tips that written instrcutions do not include. I also second that a 12 x 12 is very big but very roomy for two people. Tim | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 626 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks for more suggestions and input! I need all the help I can get!! Jamie | ||
| Chad Mayes (Cmayes) Member Username: Cmayes Post Number: 107 Registered: 04-2003 |
Not to be too nosy but what will you be using the tent for? This would help in providing good recommendations. Also where and when will it be used (Climate)? | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 966 Registered: 08-2002 |
http://www.kirkhams.com/ http://davistent.com/ I also agree with the comment on Cabelas. Get this to keep you warm, I have no problem in a 14'x16' tent. http://davistent.com/index.cfm?id=F0156944-2239-40EB-986AE48672DDF15B Likely with your rover, you'll have to get something that is not canvas due to size and weight. | ||
| michael a. kerr (Ethanrover98) New Member Username: Ethanrover98 Post Number: 27 Registered: 11-2003 |
Jamie already has two stoves........... as long as she keeps them fed they will work just fine!!! | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 749 Registered: 05-2003 |
My two "heat sources" were soakinig wet last weekend and had fur full hundreds of those round sticky things from the woods. What a mess they were to clean up...   Has anyone tried the Apache Instant Tent? Thanks, Jamie | ||
| Tim '92 RR (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 657 Registered: 12-2002 |
I see they like a nice cold Diet Coke after a day of playing . | ||
| Rob Soetewey (Robbert) New Member Username: Robbert Post Number: 23 Registered: 01-2003 |
Have a look at http://www.karstententen.nl/ There inflatable tents are pretty much what you're looking for. Don't know about getting them to the US though. | ||
| Chris DeJesus (Mudy_ovl) Member Username: Mudy_ovl Post Number: 91 Registered: 02-2002 |
Rob, Those inflatable tents are pretty cool. I wonder if they have one that would fit on an adventure rack or any full-length roof rack. It would set up quickly and you could cover it (when flat) with a board and store stuff on top. Do you have an idea of footprint dimensions and pricing? If they are cheaper than Hannibal tents, that may be an option for some people. Chris | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 178 Registered: 08-2003 |
Not to burst your bubble Rob - but we had one of these for a while - It didn't stand up to a night on Snowdon in Wales - having said that this was a few years back now - I'm sure the inflatables have improved over the years with better materials. Jeff | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) New Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 30 Registered: 01-2004 |
I would have to second the opinion that John had above for the Cabelas Alaskan Guide Tent. I have 4 person one and it is a great tent. The only draw back to it is that it takes a while to set up and take down. Not too bad if there are two of you but, takes forever if you are doing it by yourself. Getting the floor saver and vestibule (sp) are also good ideas for the extra storage and thicker floor. It's a four season tent and has more poles and guy-outs then you would ever probably need to use. The damn tent will stand up to 50 mph winds with 75 mph gusts of wind. I know this due to when we had the huricane come through here last year I had my tent set up in the back yard drying out from a camping trip. I staked it in really good using all the guy-outs and put some sheets in it to see if they would get wet. The only thing that happened was one of the fiberglass poles cracked. So I would get it with the aluminum poles ( which I ordered seperatly later ). | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 807 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks all for your help, I chose the Cabelas Alaskan Guide Tent. Eric - your post broke my indecision - hurricanes I understand (not that I ever want to be tenting in one ) I did get the floor saver and the deluxe vestibule for more flexibility/options when camping. Do you have the standard vestibule or the deluxe vestibule? The guy at Cabelas I talked to didn't know how it is used. The standard vestibule is used with one tent. The pics in the catalog of the deluxe vestiblule look like it can be used for one tent OR for attaching 2 tents together?? He didn't know if there was flooring available for either of the vestibules. I was able to confirm the advice given here that quick set up/easy tents aren't as sturdy as the more complicated set ups. I suppose set up is going to be an interesting challenge Thanks again, Jamie | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) New Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 32 Registered: 01-2004 |
The deluxe vestibule can be used to attach two Alaskan Guide tents together if they are the same size (you can get an adapter if they aren't). Neither of the vestibules have a floor. I just use a tarp for things that I put in there that I don't want on the ground. I have the standard vestibule which is big enough for my camp stove, 2 coolers, and other misc. stuff. You may want to get the floor liner as well. I have both the floor saver and the floor liner. The floor saver is some plastic that goes under the tent to keep it off the ground (sticks, rocks, ect.) and the floor liner goes inside the tent to keep dog claws and such off the floor. If you go to the Cabelas web site they have pictures and descriptions that give you an idea. It surprises me that the person on the phone didn't know. All the times that I have ever talked to them they knew every thing and more then I ever needed to know. | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 187 Registered: 08-2003 |
Just a thought about the Alaskan Guide tents - and those in the same arena - if you are unfortunate enough to be incapacitated and your tent is either covered or semi covered in a drift - will anyone see you ???? They are great tents but I have always questioned the wisdom of coloring a tent white - especially if you are going to do anything in snowy conditions JMHO Jeff | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 810 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Eric, I did get both the floor saver and the floor liner. Rachel suggested I get both of them since the dogs travel with me. A tarp sounds like a good idea for the vestibule floor and I already have 2 of them - so that's even better. The guy I talked to said that they usually do have someone there that knows all about the products they sell. They were out, and he wasn't a camper. Jeff, the tent is green, not white. Thanks again, Jamie | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 188 Registered: 08-2003 |
my bad - I was thinking of the classic wall tents Jeff | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 822 Registered: 05-2003 |
Just wanted to say thanks for your help. Tent arrived, we got it set up in the backyard. We've never set up a tent before and it wasn't as difficult as I expected. We don't need all this room, but the vestibule will make a nice mud room or screened porch when the misquitos are thick. She is holding steady as a rock in 35 mph gusts. They'll climb higher tonight along with the storms expected with the squall line. Curious to see how dry it stays inside the tent during the heavy rains (we will be inside the house dry and warm) My kids are so happy that I just had to post pics to show you (they are smiling!) Thanks again for your help Jamie    | ||
| Jeffery Joel Smith (Wolfman) New Member Username: Wolfman Post Number: 20 Registered: 09-2003 |
Jaime, Cool tent! Spending more time backpacking this was a little out of my experience. I would offer a little advice based on my experience thogh. I would recomend that you take some time and seal the seams right off the bat. I have waited until leaks have shown up and sealed when tent was brand new. Sealing when new seams to keep it dryer longer. I have Eureka 3-season 2-person with vestibule. My vestibule has no floor but I use a custom cut tarp. Be careful with cooking supplies, ice chests and such in bear country if you go there. Hate to see your new tent shredded by bear (or knives running from bear). | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Senior Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 302 Registered: 08-2003 |
She got two dogs Bear should VERY hungry or stupid to get anywhere close. In either case they will work as early alarm system. Jamie - congratz on purchase. One thing you will find out, if you never dealt with tents before - setting it up is not as hard as packing it all back. Thats where true art starts | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 49 Registered: 01-2004 |
Well, Jamie, did your tent hold up in the winds? How did the vestibule do? I've always wondered if the big vestibule would act like a sail and blow the rest of the tent away since it doesn't have a floor and the wind could get under it easier then the tent itself. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 831 Registered: 05-2003 |
Tent has held up great. Wind is still gusty, we're in a geographical wind tunnel here (or whatever it's called) and it's staying totally steady. The rain missed us though! Tent is now totally covered in pollen from the wind. It would be hard for wind to get under the vestibule unless maybe you were on an extremely uneven surface? The entire tent and vestibule have strong loops for the stakes and an abundance of guy lines. The vestibule loops and stakes keep it extremely secured to the ground the way they have been designed. Our temps are dropping fast today and it is very cold outside (for us). We went outside and went in the tent and it's nice and warm in there. The first 2 days it was up our temps were in the 80's and it stayed cool enough inside. I am dreading taking it down, I have been wondering about the packing it all back process. Each section of the tent came with properly sized strong storage bags for the tent, the tent stakes, the tent poles, the vestibule, the vestibule stakes, and the vestibule poles. I'm hoping that will help fit all of it back in. Do you know how tight a tent should be when placing the stakes in the ground and tying out the guy lines and stakes? The instructions didn't say and I haven't found any reference to figure that out. I moved them around several times. If I placed them where there didn't seem to be stress on the tent and vestibule, it looked kind of baggy. But, if I placed them where the tent didn't look baggy, it looked like too much stress on the material. I am most concerned about stressing out the floor and eventually ripping the seams. Our grass is cushy so when we walk on the tent floor, it might be putting more pressure on the seams as the floor goes down to the ground surface when we walk on it. Any opinions or advice on this? This is the funniest thing: the tent has pockets in the wall for storing stuff and it has 4 cup holders(!) so we won't have to make a big mess spilling drinks in it. I haven't seen any bears in my backyard. I wonder if they can climb over fences? Oh well, if one does I'll just have to shoot it with my rubber band gun | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Senior Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 303 Registered: 08-2003 |
Jamie - they should stress material - thats entire point of thing. Reason is - thats how it reflects water and water isnt collected in some goofy pockets. Overwise even best material will eventually absorb water and leak. So stretch that thing good. Unless you fancy to put totally waterproof but not breathing tarp over. Then its ok until moment when you getting cold shower in morning. And yeah - bears can climb pretty good They also can run pretty good - if i remember correctly up to 50km/h. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 832 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Sergei, relieved to know it's ok to stretch it out without breaking it. There was an awesome article in Cabela's magazine last winter by a man who survived a bear attack. It was pretty cool how the man handled it and then the bear left him alone. I'm thinking when I go into bear country I'll just carry a sealed container of honey as a peace offering and practice up on my Winnie The Pooh songs. I'll sing the songs to the bear while he eats his honey | ||
| Art Bitterman (Aardvark) Member Username: Aardvark Post Number: 84 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jamie- Best Bear cure is to go with a partner. And make sure you can out run him! | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 838 Registered: 05-2003 |
The bear or the partner?? | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 839 Registered: 05-2003 |
It looks like I'm about to find out how easy it is to disassemble and repack - my neighbor behind me has his chainsaw out and has a good bonfire going to burn whatever he's cutting down (even though it is illegal)- the winds are beginning to shift - uh oh, I wonder how fast I can get it down? | ||
| Tyler kinghorn (Flippedrover) New Member Username: Flippedrover Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2003 |
Be able to outrun the partner. :-) | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 861 Registered: 05-2003 |
I have not taken the time to look up the "outrun" idea. However, I don't think that it will pass any of the tests of "good trail etiquitte" in my instruction manuals. I have only seen a bear in the zoo, but if someone were to ask me my opinion on being prepared for bear encounter, I would say to choose a trail/camping partner with very good aim. If you are alone, I would definetely try giving the bear a brand new big jar of honey (open it before you give it to the bear though). I'm thinking that the best Winnie The Pooh song to sing to the bear would be "I'm Just A Little Black Rain Cloud". It's worth a try - you never know, the bear may believe you | ||
| Clif Ashley (Cta586) Senior Member Username: Cta586 Post Number: 508 Registered: 04-2002 |
oh my | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 192 Registered: 01-2003 |
WTF? | ||
| Tyler kinghorn (Flippedrover) New Member Username: Flippedrover Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2003 |
Haha. Too funny. | ||
| Eric N (Eric_n) Member Username: Eric_n Post Number: 56 Registered: 01-2004 |
Jamie, I would suggest that you get a bear bell to go with your jar of honey. That way you can ring the bell to let the bear know that his dinner is ready and to come and get it. If you ever go to a state that has lots of bears (Alaska for instance) you can find them at almost any gift shop. They will have a picture of a brown bear on them and they will be called a Dinner Bell. They will be right next to the Mosquito trap and skinning kits. They also might have some Moose Poop chapstick too so that you don't get chapped lips. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 866 Registered: 05-2003 |
I like that!! A bear dinner bell!! Perhaps I could also use the chapstick as camaflouge paint when I'm singing to the bear that I am a rain cloud It would be too perfect if I could find a gift shop that also sells helium balloons just like Winnie the Pooh had! Speaking of sky things, I had a blast taking down my tent in the high winds. The tent fly was great fun and just like playing with a parachute in the wind. It also responded well when turned like a kite It was really pretty flying thru the air |
