Best Tent For Camping?

[100%Disney]

My DH and DS are going on a boyscout camping trip in October. We need a tent, at least a 3 to 4 person tent that is weatherproof. The place where they are camping will probably be chilly at night, 30-40 degree range. I just don't want to go broke on a tent, but I want them to be dry. I am currently bidding on a Kelty Trail Dome 6 and a Northface Airfloor 33 on Ebay. Any suggestions?

 

[Aimeedyan]

We just bought a tent this weekend at Sears. I love EBay too, but found their tent prices were outrageous once shipping was added on. I looked at other places and the prices were not any better, and the S&H was so high. (checked brand and style to other stores in comparison) We'd rather just buy it in the store and take it home =)

Sears had some online that were on sale last week... they had a 4 person, 65 sq ft tent (9x11 I think) for $40, marked down from $70. Decided to go to the store adn check it out, and they had lots of tents onsale, and we found one on clearance that we bought - its 120 sq ft, 7 person, 3 room for $46 - marked down from $159.99. We were amazed! Much larger than we need, but easy setup, same price as the ones half the size, and we can never have too much space! Esp in the rain!

I honestly don't know anything about good tents for harsh conditions, but this one is really nice, has a rain tarp, etc. I would think the sleeping bags would be more crucial for the warmth aspect than the tent itself... But i could be wrong.

Anyways, check out bass pro shop, target, academy sports and outdoors, sears, etc. Lots of good deals! =)

 

[parrothead365]

One that doesn't leak I prefer mine with wheels and an engine but hey that just me. Roughing it to me is not having a cable hook up. On the serious side though Amieedyan covered all of my thoughts. The only thing I would also concider is portability. If they have to carry it very far you don't want it too heavy.

 

[MichDISer]

My DH & DS are Boy Scout/Cult experts (my DD and I call it "the CULT" because they eat, sleep, and breathe Boy Scouts and Venture Crew.
I asked my husband and he said to go to:
www.cheaperthandirt.com

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Just don't pay attention to the Manufacturer's claims as to how many people the tent "sleeps". Buy one that's at least 10x12. DH and I sleep in a 9X9 that was billed as 4-person. LOL!! NO WAY! As for weatherproof, I haven't met a tent yet that stays 100% dry in torrential rain. And a tent will never keep you warm. It's just fabric, no R factor there.

Sears tents are great. I've had several.

 

[MichDISer]

100%Disney:

My husband and son are so into it that they went on a POLAR BEAR Campout last winter.
It got as cold at 25 degrees BELOW ZERO!
They built their own IGLOOS to sleep in (like the Eskimos).

I think they're nuts.

 

[CajunDixie]

My DH and DS are going on a boyscout camping trip in October. We need a tent, at least a 3 to 4 person tent that is weatherproof.

Why a 3-4 person tent? A smaller tent will be easier for them to pack in to the site and they'll keep warmer. As for being weatherproof you should always use seam sealer and spray sealer on new tents before you use them. To keep the floor dry use a slightly smaller groundclothe than the size of the tent.

DH uses a Hilary tent from Sears for himself and another leader. The boys all use Eurekas.

 

[DawnCt1]

The Marriott or the The Sheraton???

 

[stevenpensacola]

Like most things....you really do get what you pay for.

cheeep price.....cheeeply made tent.

look at

www.campmor.com

for some quality tents.

These guys make some really nice tents

http://www.pahaque.com/

 

[Tuffcookie]

DS and I use a Coleman Sundome when we go to FW. I must be crazy because I am going to camp at the end of Feb. at FW. We have an 8x10 but I think Coleman makes one a little bigger than that. I really love that tent! It is easy enough for a single mom to put up by herself. Of course I had to get co-ordinating everything to go inside the tent! And I did take an electric blanket. We don't want to rough it too much, do we??

TC

 

[shortbun]

DH and I fell in love backpacking with a group of friends. A 2 man
tent is VERY small and has very little gear room. They are for backpacking when you have everything you carry on or tied up
a tree if it's not the tent, sleeping bag, pad or single burner stove
on foldable legs. To keep warm, you need an excellent bag, to
keep dry, you need an excellent and waterproofed tent-you waterproof the seams with the tent set up for about a day.
Like the previous poster said-you need a ground cloth(plastic)
cut just about an inch smaller than the tent all the way around
to keep moisture from seeping up into the floor. This also helps
with warmth-a little. The temps you are discussing are cold-
bags are never as warm as they say unless they are really expensive so get bags good to 10 if you can and really good
solid core pads to sleep on. I also bring along our real wool blankets to put under us-blocks cold as well. We don't backpack anymore so our tents have grown- a lot. Consider future use and
I have to tell you, I wouldn't buy a tent without checking out the
quality of the zipper-looking at it pitched and even looking at the
construction of corners-seams-pole sleeves. Cheap tents are
cheap tents and may fail you in not so great conditions. Also something to consider is a rain fly-you must have one and it's
good to have one that actually covers the tent. We were given
one tent that has a fly which is simply a dome over the squared
top of the tent-it doesn't provide cover for the sides at all and makes the tent virtually useless in very wet weather. If you are
tall-center height might be something to consider too. IMHO,
your tent, bag and shoes are the most important pieces of
camping equipment. Don't short yourself on them

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for all the advice. They are so excited, I hope they have fun because it will be good for them to do this together.

 

[MagicalMom]

Originally posted by 100%Disney
Thanks for all the advice. They are so excited, I hope they have fun because it will be good for them to do this together.

I bet they will. Camping offers such wonderful quality time.