I often go camping alone, so a tent that I can set up myself is important. I am a pro at 2-3 pole tents; I just prop one side against a tree, rock,
or car tire to bend the poles and insert into the opposite end.
However, I came across a tent that requires none of that. The poles are built-in to the tent sides already. It is a simple expansion concept that
puts the tent together.
One lays the tent out flat on the ground; steps into the middle and lifts a "hub." A few shakes and the four pole legs are up. A quick pulling down
on the hub and the tent is up. One just needs to then put on the fly with its poles, and stake the tent.
I set it up about 5 times in a row to test it. After the first time, which took a bit to figure it out given bad directions, well, after that it was
a cinch. Quickest tent I've ever set up.
And the best part of it is that it is roomy inside. I can stand inside at the center. And I can put a Cabela's cot, actually 2 of them, inside if I
wish. Not all dome tents will fit the Cabela's cots.
So, if you are looking for a tent, here is the info:
[Edited on 6-26-2009 by BajaNomad]Hook - 6-26-2009 at 10:06 AM
Hmmmm.........wonder if it has a "season" rating, like 3- season or 4 season.
The proof in the pudding of any dome is how well it withstands strong winds from one direction. GENERALLY, it takes a rather low ceiling with four
poles to stand up to serious winds. Otherwise they can flatten and render the rain fly useless on one side of the tent. The amount of bend strong
winds creates, especially on high profile domes, can also lead to pole failure.
Also, good quality tents will have attachment points inside the rainfly that attach to the poles in places. This helps create an even stouter
structure once you use guy wires and stakes on the rainfly as well. A RAINFLY THAT CAN BE STAKED SEPARATELY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to keep the rain
from torrentials from coming through to the tent material. It also provides better ventilation in dry conditions.
I still have a four person Eureka! that I use for car camping. It has aluminum poles that are about 1/2 inch thick and an aluminum cap that is shock
corded to the top of the tent. This accommodates the poles. About 6 feet inside height. Very sturdy.
My backpacking tent is still my venerable old North Face VE-23 Skeeter. The entire top of the tent body is no-see-um netting. Nice on steamy nights
with no rain. Typical NOrth FAce quality.
I believe in spending more and getting a good, proven brand when it comes to tents. Northface, Sierra Designs, Moss, Eureka, etc.
The Coleman domes I have seen are absolute trash.Hook - 6-26-2009 at 10:08 AM
Oh yeah, what are you going to use to protect the flooring of the tent from the cot feet? I carry strips of thick shag carpet.GeoRock - 6-26-2009 at 10:10 AM
Hook, I can guarantee that you would consider this tent trash as well. I understand your wanting quality products, and usually, I am of the same
mind. It's just that I have gone through so many tents that have the zippers fail that I am finally of the mindset that I don't want to spend
hundreds every couple years for a tent.
You are right in that this tent will not withstand strong winds well. I believe it will do alright with a few rains, but not serious pounding
sustained rain and NOT with strong winds.
For the type of camping I do, which is good weather summertime, the tent is fine.DENNIS - 6-26-2009 at 10:16 AM
Yeah...for sure....agree with all you say, Hook. That's why my tent has a Marriot label on it.Hook - 6-26-2009 at 10:29 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Yeah...for sure....agree with all you say, Hook. That's why my tent has a Marriot label on it.
Dennis, an even chattier answer would have been " for sure, my tent is a Four Seasons". BajaGeoff - 6-26-2009 at 12:41 PM
My tent is a 4Runner model. It has air conditioning, a stereo and is already set up when I park at my campsite. toneart - 6-26-2009 at 12:54 PM
I like tents with the Embassy Suites label. They have an atrium and glass cage elevators. I even had a bar, and aTea Dance with band in my lobby, but
that is another story. Crusoe - 6-26-2009 at 04:04 PM
Great subject....It really most depends on what kind of weather you are anticipatingand where you are going. The new cheap Colemans are pure rubbish.
Will last only a few months in the sun and the U.V. eats them alive and they are not designed to withstand any wind. For car camping and Baja windy
beaches and a rainy atmosphere like here in ther Pacific Northwest the new Base Camp series from R.E.I. gets ratings far and above any others. Ive had
one going on 5 years now and used it alot and still love it. The best!... Also, for backpacking the new M.S.R. line is very very durable well
engineered and quick to set up. I have a Hubba 1, and a Hubba 2. Some of the older Northfaces and Eurekas were great tents also but just a bit heavy.
Have fun! ++C++Skipjack Joe - 6-26-2009 at 04:05 PM
I bought the alaskan guide tent from cabelas for all the reason Hook mentions. It rained torrentially up there for days at a time without a drop
entering inside. Best tent I've ever owned.
But like Georock says, those tents have little purpose in baja. I would think you'd want a tall, bedouin type of thing with good ventilation and
shade. Only problem would be those BOLA winds that could reduce you tent to tatters in 30 minutes.
That's when you curl up in your sleeping bag under the truck until morning.
[Edited on 6-27-2009 by Skipjack Joe]
Packoderm - 6-26-2009 at 04:30 PM
I've used my North Face Starfire for about 13 years or so. I can't imagine it ever needing to be replaced. It cost big bucks way back when.
David K - 6-26-2009 at 04:52 PM
Gee Suzanne, isn't the Hummer big enough to turn part of into a bedroom?SKIDS - 6-27-2009 at 08:49 AM
Geo Rock,
I noticed a REI 4- person tent on San Diego craigslist sporting goods section. Says like new. $ 100.00.
We have one just like it. We camped out at La Gringa 2-weeks ago for 7- days. Beautiful days but really windy at night ! I reccommend you get sand
bags and fill them up there and tie back at all angles. Held up fine. But take the rain fly off at night. I prefer to sleep in my rack hammock on my
Toyota Tacoma.
Skids
P.S While we were in BOLA we stopped by GECKO and talked to Dr. Abraham and checked out the outside of your property you have for sale.
NICE ! Still have a few years till I can retire.GeoRock - 6-29-2009 at 01:59 PM
Thanks Skids, we did a lot of yard work while at the Rock Casa in June and cleaned it up nicely. Abraham has a key for the house so he can show
people the inside if they wish. Next time, check out the inside. You never know.....perhaps your freedom years will come sooner then later!
Thanks for the tip on the tent, but I just went ahead and bought the one I mentioned at the start of this thread. It should last at least 3 years.jimgrms - 6-29-2009 at 06:36 PM
I use a tent cot just a large cot with a tent attached works great around 150,00 at gander mountain and cabellas ,Skipjack Joe - 6-30-2009 at 12:26 PM
I have found it interesting in life that most people who ask for advice often end up doing exactly what they had intended to do from the very start.pappy - 7-1-2009 at 11:51 AM
depending on what size/type of legs your cot has, i found plastic caps that go on exposed rebar works good for floor protection....GeoRock - 7-4-2009 at 07:29 AM
Thanks for the tips about the cot legs.
A friend of mine bought this tent. She set it up last night, in under 3 minutes and was delighted with the size and ease of set up.
It is a good deal for an inexpensive fair weather cheapo tent.Hook - 7-4-2009 at 09:37 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by pappy
depending on what size/type of legs your cot has, i found plastic caps that go on exposed rebar works good for floor protection....
What are approximate dimensions of these plastic caps? I am always looking for a better answer to protecting the floor from cot legs.
You need something that will spread the weight of a cot out to AT LEAST 6"x 6" and doesnt have sharp corners.
Good, heavy gauge cardboard can also work; the kind that serious shipping boxes are made of. I have made strips that go from foot to foot width-wise
and are about 6-8 inches wide.BooJumMan - 7-6-2009 at 06:09 PM
The tent cot looks awesome. I have been wanting to buy one for a few years now.
Anyone who has them : is it comfortable? I have an inflatable thermarest I would use.AcuDoc - 7-6-2009 at 07:02 PM
I've used many tents over the years. At one time a hardcore backpacker to more car camping now in Baja.
I've found dome tents hold up the best under wind etc. I have two tents I use in Baja. One is a 8x8 Dome Tent and the other is a 10x12 Dome Tent with
a 4x6 room connected on the back made by Cabelas. It ran around $150. That is where I put my Coleman air mattress now, tired of the cot thing. An air
mattress is much more comfortable.
It has held up very well under very strong winds. I love how big it is and I camp by myself. I use the back room as a bedroom, the left side of the
main tent for clothes etc and the right side for fishing gear. It's seven feet high so I can stand easily. It really makes a difference as I usually
camp for a couple months at a time.John M - 7-7-2009 at 06:59 AM
We just received this tent. We put it up in the back yard and it really easy. The size is great, looking forward to using it.
We own a smaller size and it is also great, it came from Target about 12 years ago. and still hold up.
Thanks for recommending it.bog - 7-7-2009 at 08:11 AM
try looking for a cot tent. quick and easy, and packs well.jimgrms - 7-9-2009 at 06:03 AM
The tent cots are as comfy as the mattress you select . they come in a couple of sizes and i have the small one and i am 6 ft and weigh 180 i like it
as i make a lot of overnite fishing trips in colorado and it is easy to pack in the jeep taking up almost no roomwoody with a view - 7-9-2009 at 06:09 AM
[Edited on 7-9-2009 by woody in ob]Hook - 7-9-2009 at 08:25 AM
I guess those could work IF you cut a side channel in the area where the rebar goes. My cot legs touch the ground at a 45 degree angle rather than
straight down. But these look like they would work great and the price is right.Crusoe - 7-9-2009 at 03:57 PM
For what its worth.....I used 2 pieces of good grade 1/2 " plywood 5 inches in width and 4 ' long. I rounded off hard edges and painted them. They
hold tight with the weight on them and have workd out well and stow easy. ++C++Cypress - 7-9-2009 at 04:12 PM
Tent cots will get you off the ground, but are like sleeping on a piece of plywood. You will need some sort of cushion, unless you're real
tired/exhausted/ comatose. Crusoe - 7-9-2009 at 05:24 PM
Again for what its worth..... I use a 2" foam pad with an old wool Mexican blanket on top of the Slumberjack cot. Wow!!!!... Is it ever a comfy
bed!!!...I think its better than my $1500 bed I have in my house. ++C++Hook - 7-9-2009 at 07:44 PM
We use Thermarests (well, actually the REI knockoffs) on top of our Slumberjacks. Yeah, the cot alone is not enough.
Nice suggestion about the plywood, Crusoe. I've got some scrap lying around.woody with a view - 7-9-2009 at 07:54 PM
i went and measured and they're 4" square. ours have a smooth "foot" that sits on the ground in this application. when they are on a stick of rebar
they actually pivot fairly well, but cutting a slit would be ideal.
