BIG tent

[dreddd2000]

I have to buy a big tent (like 6-8 people) and I have to do it immediately. I'm not rich so I'm trying to keep cost in reason. I'm seeing Coleman, Wenzell and Eureka with models I can afford. Tell me your thoughts on these brands in general. I'm wanting to see if there is any consensus on which brand is generally better.

[Trekker]

I love my Eureka tents and use a Sunrise 9 for family camping. Campmor is a great source with decent prices.

[DAS]

I have a big (10x14 IIRC) Wenzel that I bought at COSTCO about 15 years ago. It did a great job for many camping trips over the years but time and UV have gotten to it and it's about done in now.

[Ranger314]

Cabelas is another great source. They have their private label brand and many of the other companies out there. I have their Alaskan Guide Geodesic that sleeps at least 6 people. I really like it, keeps my dry and is a snap to put up.

[BigTom]

Eureka was verrry good 20 years ago. I really don't have a current comment.

I do have a small Wenzel tent, and a Coleman bag. Both are very servicable, the only ***** I have is I can't re pack everything back in the tent bag after it has had real air in it....Gotta leave the hold down pegs out, or it won't go in:)

[Ranger314]

"the only ***** I have is I can't re pack everything back in the tent bag after it has had real air in it...."

Then, might I suggest filling with fake air? :)

[BigTom]

I do. I pack it in the living room, works fine. I put it up out in the real air, and not so good. :)

I think I might buy one of those really cheap fold up camp chair. Slightly larger bag than my tent, ought to do the job:)

It's really not too bad with the pegs in a bag beside the tent bag:) I must be having a really good day if the most I have to ***** about is my tent bag size....

[Ranger314]

I'm just fooling with ya. I don't think there is a tent made that goes back in the bag the same way it was packed when you bought it. I think it's some kind of sick joke from tent makers.

[mjhenne]

If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods store near you - they have a pretty big tent or two on sale this week. Don't rememebr the brand(s) or exact size. I THINK they were 50% or so off.

[dreddd2000]

I checked out Dick's Sporting Goods today. They do have several of their tents on sale. But the ones I like were still pretty pricey.

Add a brand. Anyone got feedback on Coleman tents?

[forgitaboutut]

I'm just fooling with ya. I don't think there is a tent made that goes back in the bag the same way it was packed when you bought it. I think it's some kind of sick joke from tent makers.

+ 1 on that!!!
they have the thing machine made and design a bag that fits it right off the machine!...of course there is not ANYONE after that who has tried to put it in the bag but YOU!!

Joe,I would consider just how much your going to use it!...
The walmart brands are not that bad....and theyre fairly cheap!

[dreddd2000]

Maybe 1 week per year max. Not much really.

[Tankereng]

I use a smaller 4 person Coleman tent...Good quality....low cost...

[mstgsaly269]

Joe,
every tent I have ever bought was from walmart, I have owned mainly ozark tent, colman are good and wendel are good, i have never had a problem, they have all held up great in weather and size and price is great from wal mart.I usually use ours a good 3 or 4 times a year. you can get some realy good deals there.for what ahd how often your going to use it, go to wal mart.

[therider]

I use a coleman 3-person tent on moto trips. I am happy with it. Might choose a lighter tent later on.

[ChipSTer]

I'm just fooling with ya. I don't think there is a tent made that goes back in the bag the same way it was packed when you bought it. I think it's some kind of sick joke from tent makers.

Eureka tents come with bigger bags.... Never had a problem putting a Eureka tent back in it's bag...

All I have are Eurekas... I've got two and looking to get a family sized one soon (in a week or so)... Probably get the 1310 nErgy (13 X 10)... The sides are more straight up/down... and we'll be getting cots as well... two adults one 5yo are going to spend a week in it... :D
:cool:

[dreddd2000]

I ended up buying the Coleman Bayside. Target had it on sale for $88. I'll report in a couple of weeks what I think of it. It's NOT for moto-camping though. I can get away with it because I'm caravanning and the cars will carry the big stuff for me.

[Ranger314]

I ended up buying the Coleman Bayside. Target had it on sale for $88. I'll report in a couple of weeks what I think of it. It's NOT for moto-camping though. I can get away with it because I'm caravanning and the cars will carry the big stuff for me.

I would buy a can of spray or brush on "waterproofer" and put it on thick, especially on seams. Can't hurt and it's a cheap way to make sure you stay dry.

[dreddd2000]

Thanks for the pointer, Ranger. I've already got some and I'll do that when I set the tent up for Practice on Saturday.

[Ranger314]

No problem, have fun on your trip. Wish I had a trip planned for the outdoors, but worbk has me by the unmentionables.

[elk2112]

I know you already bought a tent, but I HAD to use this opportunity to plug KELTY. I have a 4 season tent from them that is BOMBPROOF! (I took it ELK hunting once at about 11000 ft, had to dig my way out of the snow every morning, and stayed toasty warm and dry every night) The original poles that came with it started to bend, and I sent them back to KELTY in the tent bag it originally came with (which I had torn). They sent me a brand new set of poles along with a brand new tent bag, free, no questions asked. I also have a lighter weight tent from them that I use for motorcycle camping, and I love it!

[dreddd2000]

The Keltys do look nice, but boy do they have a price tag on them! :eek:

[Gti20vturbo]

Glad you found a tent that fits your need. Please report back on your thoughts. I have a Cabelas Alaskan Guide model 6 person and its been nothing short of outstanding. I have owned it for about 15 years and it sees 4 to 5 family trips a year. I wanted to get a XL vestibule for it but Cabelas no longer makes them for my old tent. :mad: I would like to replace the tent with a "cabin like" tent with vertical walls but not sure what to get that will be as impressive as the AGM has been.

I also have a Kelty Dome 4 for motocamping and its a fantastic tent as well. No complaints at all other than the door is difficult to zip shut if you dont pay attention to what your doing.

[dreddd2000]

Well, the tent did acceptably in my opinion. The first night there was a toad strangler and we found that there is a design flaw in this model. Aside from that, a severe storm will get rain into the tent.

The design flaw is that the little gear pouches are made of screen material and are sewn into the seams at the bottom of the windows. This means that rain wicks into the seam from the window screens and then wicks into the tent via the gear pouches. Minor leekaage/annoyance value only.

After that night, we did three things. 1) took everything not inherently waterproof out of the tent and put it in one of the vehicles. 2) ran all the wet stuff into a laundromat and dried it. 3) bought $18 cots with little stub legs for all people in my tent. Problems sovled.

Second night was moderate rain and the only moisture we took in was the annoyance leak at the gear pouches. Third night was light rain and even the annoyance leakage was missing. I'm going to contact Coleman on that "guarranteed to keep you dry" logo and see what they'll tell me.

Hey, those cots were nice additions, but prolly not for motocamping. I've got pictures coming, and maybe even a news clip where I was interviewed for the 40/29 news that I might be able to get posted later. I even made sure the interviewed me next to my ST. :) More to come after I get some post-trip relaxing done. I just got home. :)