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Looking for advise on a tent

MIPublic

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Messages
1,009
Location
SW MI
The wife and I are looking to do some camping this summer with and I’m looking for advise on a middle of the road tent. I’m down for something nicer than the $65 Coleman tent or Costco special, but not looking to drop $700+ either, at least not right now.

Needs
-Sleep two people comfortably(this means a queen air mattress lol, she’s not sleeping on the ground hahaha) + gear
-Relatively easy setup
-Good waterproofing and bug netting
-Durable, I tend to be rough on stuff so while this isn’t a need, it’s a want for sure.

I don’t need anything ready for a hot stove, we’ll only be fair-ish weather camping. Again down the road this may be a want, then I can use it for hunting too.

If I’m missing another key feature let me know. @longbowwoman feel free to chime in, you seem to be the resident camping/tent expert.

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
I have the attached Gazelle tent. It is a hub style so it sets up in 30 seconds. I've owned mine for around 5 years and its still going strong. Priced around $340.00 for the single and $570 for the double hub. I have put this tent through a lot. I use it every year during the 9 day Wisconsin rifle season, so it has seen rain, snow and a lot of wind. Its not insulated but a Mr. Buddy heater paired with a carbon monoxide detector and it keeps me toasty in the winter. This tent is not light! so not a good choice if you are packing in anywhere.
 

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The 2 person 4 season tent @longbowwoman was selling is the bomb. They are rigged for sure but I dunno that you’d fit a queen mattress in there lol. My wife also requires a few creature comforts such as an inflatable queen mattress so I went with a cabin style tent. Can stand up and lots of room. I have the Coleman one which is entree level so can’t help there but the advice I would offer is to waterproof whatever you buy. I’ve camped most of my life both as a civilian and for our country and I’ve yet to use a tent that was actually waterproof. For my cabin I used seem sealer on all the seems and then waterproofing spray on the entire rest of the cabin and I’ve not had one leak since doing that and we’ve camped in downpours.
most cabin tents are pretty easy to set up and I’d think if you went with a 4 person you could fit a queen in there no problem with plenty of room left over for activities and gear.
for durability look at canvas tents. They are on the heavier side but are much more durable so if you aren’t humping your gear in long distance it’s a none issue.
i like the Kodiak canvas flex. It may be a bit large for your needs but I think it can be had in a 9x9.
 
The 2 person 4 season tent @longbowwoman was selling is the bomb. They are rigged for sure but I dunno that you’d fit a queen mattress in there lol. My wife also requires a few creature comforts such as an inflatable queen mattress so I went with a cabin style tent. Can stand up and lots of room. I have the Coleman one which is entree level so can’t help there but the advice I would offer is to waterproof whatever you buy. I’ve camped most of my life both as a civilian and for our country and I’ve yet to use a tent that was actually waterproof. For my cabin I used seem sealer on all the seems and then waterproofing spray on the entire rest of the cabin and I’ve not had one leak since doing that and we’ve camped in downpours.
most cabin tents are pretty easy to set up and I’d think if you went with a 4 person you could fit a queen in there no problem with plenty of room left over for activities and gear.
for durability look at canvas tents. They are on the heavier side but are much more durable so if you aren’t humping your gear in long distance it’s a none issue.
i like the Kodiak canvas flex. It may be a bit large for your needs but I think it can be had in a 9x9.

Yeah, I’ve been keeping an eye on posts to see if any good deals come up. I wouldn’t be opposed to larger like a 6 person. Weight isn’t really an issue either as 98% of what we’re doing is car camping in the forester.

thanks for the tips!
 
I have 1 of the Bushnell tents....I don't remember which make/model....I think the 9 person...I can set it up relatively easy after looking over the instructions to get familiar with it again....it's supposed to be an "instant tent" whatever that means....It's a 1-2 room with dividing wall and with small porch area. I've always had cheapos before this 1. It's pretty nice. Rainfly has some special material that blocks uv and supposed to be cooler. I got it on a sale for 250 if I remember correctly. The only gripe is there are 2 entrance doors but they both go into 1 room...so if u in the back room u have to step into the front room to get out....not sure why they wouldn't have separate entrances for the separate rooms....it's pretty heavy but it is great for truck camping..stands up to Florida storms. I've had it maybe 6 years but it only gets used a handful of times a year so I can't really comments on hard use. It's normally wifey and I in 1 room and the kids in the other and they haven't broke it yet
 
Check out Kelty, Marmot, Big Agnes. They have some great designs at really fair prices.
 
I have the attached Gazelle tent. It is a hub style so it sets up in 30 seconds. I've owned mine for around 5 years and its still going strong. Priced around $340.00 for the single and $570 for the double hub. I have put this tent through a lot. I use it every year during the 9 day Wisconsin rifle season, so it has seen rain, snow and a lot of wind. Its not insulated but a Mr. Buddy heater paired with a carbon monoxide detector and it keeps me toasty in the winter. This tent is not light! so not a good choice if you are packing in anywhere.
I like mine too when I'm glamping with the wife and kid. There's plenty of room for a queen air mattress plus gear and a little room to move around still.
 
If you're just car camping, honestly any 6-person tent from Wally World will last you a long time. I've had (probably still have) a Coleman 4-man... fits a queen air mattress but can only stand in the exact center (I'm about 6ft). Then with 2 kids, we got a nice big 3-room Cabelas tent we liked, but it was hard to put up and eventually one of the zippers broke past fixing. When the kids hit about age 12 we got a cheapo Ozark Trail tent, and honestly the Ozark Trail is just as comfy, easier to set up, and less regret if something breaks or rips, but nothing ever did.

Get a cheap Harbor Freight tarp and put it under the tent to protect against sharp rocks. Make sure you don't pitch it in a low spot to avoid soaking, dampness, eventual rot. For a week at a time, once or 3 times a year, they're just not going to get used up enough to warrant spending big money on them. If you get a cheap Ozark Trail tent, also consider getting a matching cheap screen tent to put over your picnic table if bugs are a hassle.
 
Kodiak Flexbow tents are the tits. A 10x10 would work well for you. Heat them with a Mr. Buddy indoor safe heater in the winter, open up all the window coverings for good breeze in the summer, and canvas breathes way better than any nylon tent ever made.


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Get a tarp for sure to protect the tent as ground sheet.

Take five minutes to remove sharp rocks and sticks before you set it down.

Take five extra minutes to make sure everything is guyed out correctly and won’t flap or billow in the wind.

Take your shoes off outside of fair weather and by the door if nasty.

Get the dust and dirt out with a small soft bristle hand broom before rolling up to store.

Don’t store it wet.

Store it in an airtight, UV protected location.



Do all these things, without really thinking, consistently, and a Walmart or academy tent the size you want will last you ten years and cost you almost nothing.

They apply for fancy ones too.
 
Also, no idea what it does to cost, but if you’re definitely mostly fair weather camping, a tent that has a removable fly over the bug net is cool. Allows for some stargazing, the lady will appreciate.
 
I've been very happy with Kelty tents

just got this in my email BTW if you want a coupon

Time for the crew to dust off the gear and rendezvous at your secret spot! Gear up for summer with camp furniture, camping blankets, sleeping bags, and more. Use code MEMORIAL2022 for 25% off full-priced items, and get free shipping* on orders over $49.
 
The cabelas alaskan guide series tents are bomb proof. We have the 4 person. I had it in 50mph winds and it doesnt budge. You can literally lean on it. never get wet. Plenty of room for 2 people and a kid. And cup holders with outside access incase you leave your beer inside. Theyre pricey. I think the 4p is like 350 but you can get them on sale for 275 if you wait. Lots of reviews from guys that still have them after like 20yrs. Theyve been building them for a long time
 
The cabelas alaskan guide series tents are bomb proof. We have the 4 person. I had it in 50mph winds and it doesnt budge. You can literally lean on it. never get wet. Plenty of room for 2 people and a kid. And cup holders with outside access incase you leave your beer inside. Theyre pricey. I think the 4p is like 350 but you can get them on sale for 275 if you wait. Lots of reviews from guys that still have them after like 20yrs. Theyve been building them for a long time
Have you ever used this in warm weather? How much does it trap heat when it's not needed?

David

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I have the attached Gazelle tent. It is a hub style so it sets up in 30 seconds. I've owned mine for around 5 years and its still going strong. Priced around $340.00 for the single and $570 for the double hub. I have put this tent through a lot. I use it every year during the 9 day Wisconsin rifle season, so it has seen rain, snow and a lot of wind. Its not insulated but a Mr. Buddy heater paired with a carbon monoxide detector and it keeps me toasty in the winter. This tent is not light! so not a good choice if you are packing in anywhere.
This. I have two of them.
 
Have you ever used this in warm weather? How much does it trap heat when it's not needed?

David

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They’re not the coolest tents.

Canvas is where it’s at.


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They’re not the coolest tents.

Canvas is where it’s at.


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So if canvas is the way to go for staying cool in warmer temps, how waterproof are they? And do they constant upkeep to re-waterproof every year?

David

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So if canvas is the way to go for staying cool in warmer temps, how waterproof are they? And do they constant upkeep to re-waterproof every year?

David

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

They’re not the coolest tents.

Canvas is where it’s at.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Extremely waterproof. As in, I’ve been in torrential rains and not gotten wet at all. And it breathes.

Just make sure they are dry before you store them. You don’t have to retreat them at all to my knowledge, but they make stuff to retreat them with if you feel the need.


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