Advice on buying first ground tent

agreed. Mine is huge and it was pretty pricey if I remember correctly

 

You dont remember what you paid for it?

CANT HIDE MONEY!

 

It was a while ago

 

Looks like 350 is the cheapest option for those setups.

 

Whatever you buy, seam seal the fly. Also get a cheap waterproof tarp to put the tent on.

 

I absolutely love my kodiak canvas 14x10 flex-bow tent. It’s totally bomber, but it does weigh a ton. I got the 14’ “8-person” because we are a family of 5, but I probably should have gone with the 10x10.

I just got it last summer, but we’ve already spent some very rainy nights in it and it’s bone dry. They say it’s good for 4 seasons.

They aren’t cheap but will last a long time.

 

What are yall using to seam seal with?

 

Glad to hear this. Can't wait to take mine out for it's first run.

 

Camp dry or Kiwi dry. Theres a few different aerosol seam sealers. I used to do the whole rain fly once a year.

$25 KIWI Camp Dry Fabric Protector 10.5 Ounce (Pack of 3)

https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Repelle...ocphy=9016277&hvtargid=pla-320946760941&psc=1

 

I have some cans of Scotch Guard I never used. Will that one work just as well?

 

What do y'all think about this one? It's huge, but I like the "front porch" and the height and space inside.

Concerns are the footprint being 17 ft wide and is the rain fly sufficient?

https://grocery.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-10-Person-Modified-Dome-Tent-with-Screen-Porch/171995710

 

The only issue I see is the screen porch has no rain protection. Could get messy in there. Walmart carries some similar colemans. My 3 person is a eureka. They make great tents for the money. I think I paid <$100 for it.
https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat...m_occupancy_tents:8+Person&query=coleman+tent

 

Yeah, that 17 ft width is bigger than I realized after seeing some 10 ft tents and canopies set up in the store just now. I like the screened in front, but I could also position a smaller tent partially under a canopy to create an entry area. That setup could be made a little more sheltered from weather vs the screened front entry area. Although, then I won't have any screened area/ bug free zone anywhere. Hmmm. There would be challenges in getting that to fit together.

I feel like I'm gonna end up buying a 10x10 canopy either now or later anyway.

 

All I can say is, get one you can easily stand up in.

 

If it wasn’t for covid you could easily find a great deal on a returned rental during one of the REI garage sales. I’ve been happy with my rei half dome, just need to look at your budget and their sizes.

 

Take a look at the Coleman Evanston 8 man with screen porch. It was 130 at Amazon a couple weeks ago. Worked well for us, 2 adults, 1 kid and a Lab. Screened area does get wet in rain but has a mesh drain towards the front. We liked sitting in it with a couple chairs with our morning coffee.

 

Yes sir, most I've seen so far around 10x10 or 12x8 and are about 72ish inches tall in the center. I'm 73ish inchesbtall so that is my minimum.

 

Hope you get a better response with your suggestion than me.

When I mentioned it, I got reamed for having a death wish. That was 5 years ago, but I'm still alive!

Strange that these heaters were discontinued, and hard to find now. They work wonderfully.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ing-heating-needs.392705/page-2#post-10831151

 

Ive camped with Eureka tents for 10+ years in scouting and my personal tent is a Eureka. Nothing ruins a trip like a leaking tent.

factor in an extra person if you want comfort for the size of the tent also

 

First tent, wife, dogs. Wow! That my go great or might be a disaster. Good luck!

For a trial run with the wife and dogs, go cheap. Get something rated for 4 people that has two doors and a rain fly. Don't spend a lot. Figure out your likes and dislikes and then get a good tent that better fits you. Lightweight camping tarps are really nice as you can use them for many different things.

I've got several and used a lot over the years from cheap stuff to expedition quality. The more you use it and the more specialized your needs will require a better, more expensive tent, but do that after you've camped a few times to see what you really need.

I'm taking the son and son-in-law to Montana next month for a week of back country camping. I just had the tents and tarp out in the rain to check for leaks. These are some lower cost options for light duty summer backpack camping. REI quarter dome 1 and 2 man plus a tarp with trekking poles