Searching for new family tent soon

[Midnight cry]

I am searching for a good size family tent for myself, wife and two teenage daughters. I have been considering the Browning Big Horn tent which has great reviews on amazon.Com and lifetime warrantee, also looked at the Eureka Titan. I live in Wichita Falls Tx., the hell hole of Tx. sorry if your from here but ain't much here and being from Illinois want to head back up North. I'm looking for a tent that will run about 400 to 500 dollars max., need a good tent that will survive an occasional rain storm without leaking. Any advise would be appreciated, looking to buy in March. My 15 yr old said she would like a tent that has screen on top to watch the stars, I thank that's a good idea. Will probably camp 10 to 15 days a year at the most.

 

[MacGyver]

Right off the top of my head, I can't think of any tents to recommend, but I do know, if you want a tent for four people, you're actually looking for what's called a six person tent. You'll want room for more than just four people in sleeping bags. Unfortunately, when you get into a tent that size, durability and the ability to stand up to rain doesn't come all that cheap. $500 might actually be at the low end of the scale to get what you want. Neither of the two tents that you mentioned have a full rainfly - something good to have if you're likely to be out in the rain. You could get by without the full rainfly if you put a large tarp over your tent, but that only adds to setup time - especially if you're not familiar with setting a tarp so that it won't collapse in wind or rain.

Having said all that, please keep in mind that I'm a big fan of overkill. I tend to buy heavier gear than I probably need with the idea that they might just outlive me.

 

[Midnight cry]

Would the Eureka Titan 8 person tent be a better option, due to aluminum poles instead of fiberglass as the Browning tent? Putting up extra canopy over tent is not big deal, have been doing this with my older tent. My biggest consideration is the floor and water getting in. My Coleman that my wife and I bought in the 90s went bad, no bathtube flooring, however for 18 years it did it's job just wasn't rain proof, however we didn't seal it like we should. I like the Browning tents specs, floor space and reviews, I too wish it had a better canopy that protected it from the rain more. With our budget this is the best I've seen for our needs at under 300.00, just don't want to waste my money on a tent that will be useless in a few years of use. I want my kids to have their own tent but they are girls and they still are a little afraid sleeping by themselves without us in the same tent. I also will probably in time by a smaller tent for gear, we like to play cards, games and watch some tent TV while camping (Ruffin it ), I figure a bigger tent will help our family time better when weather is not so good.

 

[MacGyver]

It was a long, hard day at work when I read your post, I'm pretty tired, so forgive me if I'm misreading you. You said you don't want to waste your money on a tent that will be useless in a few years but it seems you're looking at a $300 tent. That isn't quite registering right now. A large, durable tent for a family of four, one you can stretch out in, play cards or watch TV in when the weather is bad is more than likely going to cost considerably more than $300. One of the reasons I'm "into overkill" is because I learned a long time ago that "you buy cheap, you buy twice". So now, at least as I see it, you have a few options. Buy a very cheap tent to get by in, with the intent to sock away as much money as you can for the tent you need, buy an "OK" tent to get you through a few years while saving up for it, or put it all off until you can buy the bulletproof tent you'll wear out in 20-30 years. Figuring you want to get out camping now, the third option isn't likely. I would go with the Eureka because, as you said, it's got aluminum poles. They make a decent tent at a decent price, one you won't have to exactly treat with kid gloves too much.

Edit: A fourth option would be to rent a tent if there's somewhere in your area that has them.

 

[Midnight cry]

Ya, I never thought about it that way. Have been thinking that if I do go more money I would and probably will either get the Big Agnes 8 or the Kodiak Canvas tent. Would either one of these have plenty of space for two queen mattresses and space left over? Figure with income tax might be able to spring for one of these.

 

[MacGyver]

OK... keep in mind that I'm a big Kodiak fan, so this might have some bias. The Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 (which I assume is the tent you're referring to) and the Kodiak 10 x 14 or basically the same size. But - the BA is a dome which means considerably more slope to the walls all around than the Kodiak. The Kodiak has a higher ceiling than the BA, good if you're tall. The Kodiak has a lot less poles to deal with but isn't freestanding like a dome. In fact, I find the hardest part of putting up the Kodiak is putting in all the pegs. I solved that problem by using a specialized bolt from a company called Spax, but that requires carrying a cordless drill. Canvas, in my opinion, is a better all around fabric for tents than nylon or polyester because it insulates from heat and cold better and, due to it's thickness is just more durable all around. BUT, it requires a lot more care than synthetics. Canvas blends aren't like the leaky cloth of the past, but it is still prone to mildew if not stored completely dried.

Two queen size mattresses in either tent will leave you about a two foot aisle between them and roughly three feet on the end which may or may not be enough room for your extra gear.

 

[briansnat]

Between the Browning and Eureka, I'd go with the Eureka. It has more fly coverage and Eureka is known for making quality, inexpensive tents. The best by far of what you are considering would be the Big Agnes if your primary criterion is staying dry. The full fly coverage will stand up to heavy rain from a variety of angles. The dome shape of the Big Agnes will limit headroom though. And if you want to see outside when the weather is nice, constantly removing and installing the fly may be a bit of a pain.

I'd stay away from tents that are not free standing. You never know when the ground may be too rocky to drive stakes where you want to. At least if it's free standing you can pick it up intact and move it to a better spot. I'd also stay away from canvas. First it's really heavy. Second they have to be bone dry when you pack them away, lest the canvas rot. It isn't a good idea putting away damp nylon tent either, but the worst you will get is mildew and a musty odor. Also, definitely go with aluminum poles over fiberglass. I've seen too many fiberglass poles shatter under windy conditions.

Another tent you might want to check out is the LL Bean King Pine 6 I don't own one, but I've owned several Bean tents and they are always well made, and have a lifetime guarantee. Another you might consider is the REI Kingdome 6 (on sale right now). It has the mesh top that will allow your 15 year old to watch the stars and REI tents are excellent values.

 

[briansnat]

After looking at reviews online I'm really liking the REI Kingdom and thinking of getting one myself. It comes in 4, 6 or 8 person and has an optional "garage" addition to keep your gear dry in extended rainy conditions. I like that the fly can be rolled back so the mesh section is open, but if rain is on the way it only takes a minute or so to cover the mesh section, which also has a full floor. With the divider in place the kids can sleep in one section and the adults in the other. Or everyone can sleep in the main section and used the mesh section as a protected "front porch". The optional garage is a nice feature. The 8 has a lot of room, but the Kingdom 6 is on sale right now and a really good deal.

This Marmot Limestone 8 is a really fine looking tent. Marmot makes some high quality tents but you will pay for them.

 

[TFerg]

After growing up with a Spring bar tent and knowing how durable they are I talked my husband into one we found the Kodiak it was a bit less expensive,had more ventilation and a heavier duty bottom it only takes a few minutes to set up. We love it.

 

[ddbck]

Check out Grizzly Dave's out of Colorado Springs. They are awesome canvass tents with a bottom made of very heavy rubber raft material it extends up the side of the tent about 8in so the bottom is water/rain proof. We have set ours up in the snow before. They have different size tents. I think mine was 8x12. With a buddy heater in it you could sleepin very cold climates.

 

[ppine]

I grew up camping with my family. The parents always slept in their own tent so they could have privacy. We camped in our tent so we could learn to be independent.