Advice on buying first ground tent

I actually just purchased this today.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-8-Person-Instant-Hexagon-Cabin-Tent/54644004

Haven’t used it yet as I just ordered it online.

 

You need a lot of flat ground plus it will catch a lot of wind.

 

Calculate the approximate size you think you need ... and then double it...

 

https://www.ganderoutdoors.com/nort...ing/tents-canopies/camping-tents/family-tents

 

Something like this may fit your needs. It is 6'2" at center height. It has a vestibule that doubles as a porch, so it will give your rain protection. It should be plenty big.
I think the issue with most of the cheaper tents like the colemans and ozark mountain is the lack of rain protection. From what you are saying about the conditions you will be possibly facing, you need to find a tent with a large rain fly and protected vestibule.
Price is good on this one too.

$131 NTK Indy GT 5 to 6 Person Tent for Camping and Hiking| Lightweight & Portable | 100% Waterproof Dome & Breathable Mesh | 3 Season Outdoor Tent| High Performance Family Tent…

https://www.amazon.com/NTK-Waterpro...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

If it were me and my money I'd find/save a little more and get a decent tent. For car camping, it's tough to beat a Spring Bar or for a little cheaper, a Cabellas Kodiak. These tents will withstand any kind of storm you get caught in, wind is no problem, provide plenty of space for two people and a couple dogs. I've had a Spring Bar for more than 20 years and never had any problems with it, it still looks nearly new. https://www.cabelas.com/product/cam...s-deluxe-flex-bow-x-tent/1546688.uts?slotId=4

 

This one looks nice, but only 2 pics. Do you own this one?

 

My only beef with the walmart tents is the rain flys are always so small. Great if the rain is coming straight down I guess. Once the walls get wet though, you get water on the inside of the wall, and then if you bump it you get wet.


@TacoTim85 Whatever tent you get, it can be worth it to seam seal and waterproof it first. Some come taped which is okay, but a good coat of sealant can be helpful.

 

Another alternative from Cabellas (I love that store, got my sleeping bag there) is this tent. A little more than what the OP wanted to spend, but with the huge vestibule, it would be perfect for the dogs and gear. Also tall center height.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/cam...las-westwind-p-dome-tent/2437124.uts?slotId=5

 

I prefer summer tents. These have a netting on the ceiling and usually have a cover that goes over it to prevent rain from getting in. Though I still put a canopy or tarp over it as extra protection if I’m expecting rain. I prefer summer tents for winter camping as well so that you don’t have moisture build up in the tent. Winter camping is a different ball game all together and you need a whole set of supporting gear to get you through the night. I would get something where the tent clips onto the fiberglass rods(frame). They’re the easiest to setup. 4 man tent should suffice, but if you want extra room for gear I’d look into a 6 person tent.

 

Seam seal and waterproof how exactly? Could y'all explain to me as if I were a 5 year old exactly how to do this?

Is there a separate product for seam sealing vs aerosol cans of Scotch Guard or Camp Dry for waterproofing?

 

I haven't done it in a while. But, there's a bottle with sort of a sponge under the cap that you just run over the seams. The goo inside squeezes out and seals all the stitches.

Regular waterproofing is just a spray on affair.

You might wait and just see how it performs. I find that most tents tend to let water in in some places, seams especially.

 

Gazelle Tents (OverlandBound members get a discount)

or one of the instant up tents from Walmart/online/etc.

Once you have a tent you can set up in seconds you don’t want to spend minutes again ha doesn’t sound like much, but if every single thing in your camp is quick and easy it takes set up and take down from a huge repetitive chore to enjoyable.

 

Check out Craigslist for a tent. Also if you are going to live on the ground, go to Harbor Freight and buy a moving blanket, works good for when you take your shoes off.

 

My recommendation is get an REI Half Dome tent. Fairly cheap, from my experience well built, & have got me through typical Washington weather no problem. They also usually have a good return policy if you change your mind, but not sure what it is now with all the covid stuff going on. A few other things I would look for:​

-3 season tent w full rain fly.
-I’ve had 3-4 of the tall stand up style tents in as many years to try to make our camping easier with kids. None of them have lasted a summer, even the high end ones had issues with poles snapping. Back to the old school dome tents...
-Upgrade your tent stakes like a lot of others have said here
-get the footprint w the tent or a cheap tarp. Keeps the water out & prolongs the life of the tent floor
-large vestibule on the rain fly is nice for leaving all your dirty stuff out of the tent
-also, depends how your dogs are, but mine have been really good at destroying tents. Everything from running thru the mesh to chewing new doors in them

https://www.rei.com/product/128694/rei-co-op-half-dome-4-plus-tent

 

Gazelle T4. Nuff said.

 

https://store.*****************/products/gazelle-t4-hub-tent-4-person

$280 Gazelle T4 Waterproof 4 Person Portable Polyester Outdoor Pop Up Camping or Beach Tent with Removable Floor, Mesh Screens, and Rain Fly, Orange

https://www.amazon.com/Gazelle-22272-Portable-Camping-Overlanding/dp/B01C6CS7P4

 

OP, keep in mind that these are pretty long when packed up and people have been mentioning 6 person tents not 4. I can speak from experience that a tent of this size will "fit" you and the dogs, but that is all it will fit.

 

This is a good recommendation. Neighbor bought one a couple years ago and its pretty nice. You could probably down size to the 6-man (

$122 Coleman Evanston Screened Camping Tent, 6/8 Person Weatherproof Tent with Roomy Interior Includes Rainfly, Carry Bag, Easy Setup and Screened-in Porch

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-6-Person-Evanston-Camping-Screened/dp/B004E4AW1K).


You could also consider these (6 or 4 person) which have screened porches but have an optional rainfly to go over them for when it pours;
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/..._PageElement_pdplanding_rr_1_32833_&rrec=true
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...h-20colutnt4pscrndccata/20colutnt4pscrndccata
Dicks almost always has a coupon going for 10-25% off.


Here is my #1 tip for new campers:
Always sleep with your head higher or even with your feet. Sleep with your feet higher and you will wake up with a headache like you have never had before.

Have fun out there.

 

whatever you do don't get something you "think will work" but will be too small...