OK, *IF* I'm convinced, what kind of tent should I look for?

[graygables]

any brands better than another? I had my eye on an Ozark Trail 7 person cabin-type ("with porch") from WalMart. I definitely want some privacy and space and water resistance is essential! Thank you for making me start to "believe in the camping pixie"!

 

[1Venus]

As a beginner camper, I would advise against the cabin style tent. My 1st camping trip (last year) was fun, but the tent was a disaster. We had a terrible time trying to put it up. Then every morning we would have to reset and restake, as it would partially collapse overnight.

We noticed that most other campers had dome style tents, so we decided to invest in one. While it doesn't feel quite as spacious as the cabin style (probably due to loss of some headroom), it was easy to set and stayed up even during two nights of very rough thunderstorms. (But we did have to stake the fly too since the winds were so strong.) I'm sure had we had the same weather while in the cabin tent we would have ended up sleeping in the car!

Since I'm new to camping, I can't really recommend a brand of tent. We bought a Eureka and have been pleased. The mornings after the big storms we just had a couple little puddles in the areas where the stakes were pulling the seams (note: remember the seam sealer!) I don't think all the campers were as fortunate since I saw people stuffing sleeping bags into the dryers at the laundrymat.

There is a Walmart tent that comes highly recommended by Carol. I'm sure she'll post that info for you too.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Regardless of the type of tent you buy, PLEASE do at least one dry run of setting it up before you go to FW in your backyard. I have seen way too many campers trying to set up for the first time at FW, only to get frustrated because they are trying to figure out the instructions while their excited family is running around screaming to begin the vacation, or worse yet, a critical part is missing. Ideally, you should go to a local campground for a weekend or two prior to the FW trip to work out the bugs not only of setting up, but also to decide what you need to bring (or don't need to bring).

 

[house_of_princesses]

FtWildernessGuy, you're just looking for another excuse to go camping!!

Although, your idea is an excellent one (as always!).

 

[graygables]

Switched to looking at family-size (9 person or so) domes, but are they *really* 14x10 ft at the floor? I realize the actual top part isn't that big, but mercy! that's more square footage than any of our bedrooms! Will a tent that size fit at FTW?

We would definitely practice pitching it several times before we left. I can remember friends with a new pop-up in December in the Black Forest in Germany in a blinding snowstorm in...trouble!!! I swore it would never happen to me!

 

[TomM]

Especially for camping in Florida (or anywhere for that matter) try to get a tent with double walls and lots of screen. The first wall is breathable, so you don't get condensation inside and lots of air movement. The outer wall is rainproof. Cabelas has lots of tents to choose from, L.L. Bean has some family tents. Columbia is making some now. A good tent will last for years and is sure a lot cheaper than staying even at the value resorts. Good luck in your search.
Tom

 

[1Venus]

My tent is 16x10 and it fit nicely in the partial hookup site, but just barely made it in a preferred site since the sand pads are smaller in preferred. You should be fine with the 14x10.

In the 16x10 we had enough room for a platform air mattress with a stool (which doubled as a nightstand) and room to walk around the bed. At the end of the bed (other side of the tent) we had a large cooler and 2, 30 gallon rubbermaid containers. At night we still had room to spread out a blanket on the "floor" and watch the TV on one of the containers. It was perfect for the 2 of us.

Hope you have fun!

PS - Just a note about my cabin-style tent. We did set it up in the backyard before going camping. BUT it was much easier to set into grass than into that sandy pad at FW. I think had we had a grass pad we would have had no problem with the cabin tent! But since I never plan to camp anywhere but FW, that's why we got the dome-style tent.

 

[bobcat]

Look for a tent you can stand up in! There is nothing worse than being half bent over to get dressed.

For camping in the sand beds at FW buy some of the metal thin stakes. They work great.

 

[clkelley]

Regarding tents, we use Ozark Trail 4-person domes as tents for 1 person each. It just works out better for us.

You can't stand up in it, but then I don't change clothes in it either.

I have a daypack that has my shower stuff and my nightclothes in and I change in the comfort station. After my evening shower, I put the clothes I wore that day in the dirty clothes and put my next day's clothes in the bag before I go to bed. (I store all of my stuff in the covered bed of my truck, or in a second tent if I fly)

Then I bring the daypack into the tent with me. That way, when I have to rush to the comfort station the next morning, all I have to do is slip on my sandles and grab that bag. I take care of business, then get dressed for the day.

Carol

 

[macs4us]

LL Bean gurantees their merchandise for life - if you ever have a problem they will fix it. The #6 and #8 dome tents have a peak height over 6'. You should also look at their King Pine Dome and Big Sky tents, which have a larged screened area - like a screen room - at the front. We are going to purchase the King Pine, but they are out of stock - we have been told they should be getting them in within 2 weeks.

Stay away from Eddie Bauer tents that you can get at Target - we had to return 3 of them because they were not sewn correctly. We have a Coleman 3 room tent, and it's ok - we have to reseal it a lot, and it takes a while to setup.

Good luck!!!

 

[RustManFan]

camped at FW twice....first time didn't take along anything to pound in the stakes and it did take awhile in the sand. second time had a small hammer and it was easy ! I agree that LL Bean tents are great. Have used the same dome tent for at least 12 years with no problems! I'm jealous....I want to go!!!