Looking for help on tents.....

[iluvtig2]

We have booked for 2 nights just after New Year's! The boys are getting tents. My DSIL bought a Coleman Red Canyon tent. It seems nice and big. Any suggestions? I haven't camped since I was in my 20's...... Just a couple of years ago - NOT - and haven't kept up on the all the gear. Any suggestions for tents and other necessary items greatly appreciated! Especially those that will make it seem like we're staying at the GF, not FW. I have learned to appreciate the creature comforts..........

Thanks!

iluvtig

 

[Shannone1]

We have booked for 2 nights just after New Year's! The boys are getting tents. My DSIL bought a Coleman Red Canyon tent. It seems nice and big. Any suggestions? I haven't camped since I was in my 20's...... Just a couple of years ago - NOT - and haven't kept up on the all the gear. Any suggestions for tents and other necessary items greatly appreciated! Especially those that will make it seem like we're staying at the GF, not FW. I have learned to appreciate the creature comforts..........

Thanks!

iluvtig

We have a motorhome, but we have done our share of tent camping in the past...and still set up a tent for the kids from time to time.

You will want a good quality tent. A heavy duty tarp for underneath the tent and probably one to put over it too. Air mattresses, a couple of coolers, lanterns, flashlights, something to carry your toiletries and towels to the comfort station in, camping chairs, rubbermaid containers work better than suitcases to keep your clothes in. They are also good for storing food, toys, shoes, paper products, etc. Make sure you have ponchos or umbrellas for everyone too. You'll want to bring a portable heater too. It will take the chill and dampness out of the air. You can always leave it on "fan" if it gets too hot. We use electric ones in our tents that automatically turn off if knocked over. Some people bring folding tables, microwaves, coffee makers, etc. I guess it all just depends on what kind of camping you want to do.

I don't know about you, but the bedding makes a big difference to me. I would rather use real sheets and blankets than sleeping bags. If I get a good nights sleep it makes all the difference the next day.

 

[WeCampDisney]

Shannone1 covered this very well. Adding a few more tips: I personally hate large dome style tents, I bought one and its hard to set up and has several long flexible poles, its a coleman. I have an older large cabin style tent and I like it a lot better, much easier to set up, has 3 sets of steel poles. The cabin stye tents have higher walls, more straight up so you can walk around in them a lot better than dome tents. Go to walmart.com and check out the big coleman cabin style tents like the heritage classic. It has very straight up side walls and a fitted rain fly, so rain will run off quickly and not be likely to seep through sloped walls. Also the waterproof floor goes up the sides a few inches so water can't seep in through the seams. My old tent doesn't have this feature and one time at FW a lot of water came in from the floor seams. Also, get you some large plastic tent stakes. many tents come with small steel stakes which don't hold at all in the soft sand in the tent pads at FW. I put a small table and chair in the tent with a lighted makeup mirror for the wife and daughter. My last tip: Set up your camp site in the back yard and camp for a night, including getting ready the next morning and doing some cooking. Keep a note pad handy for the things you realize you need, list everything for the trip. Then pack everything into your vehicle, to make sure it all fits. I have used a small enclosed utility trailer. It allowes you to take plenty of things and at camp use it for dry storage. If well equipped, tent camping is a lot of fun and comfortable. Have a great trip.

 

[iluvtig2]

Thank you both. I am hoping I will have time to set up the tent before we go, as I just found out I will be on my own the first night. DH has to work.... Oh, well. He'll be there for the big pack up!

I will be out looking tomorrow. Wish me luck, and thanks, again!

iluvtig