Tent camping newbies at the Fort

[tmarquez]

Hi All

DD(9) informed me that she is the only kid in her class that has never been camping! I guess the cabins at the Fort don't count because we've been there many times. So, we are going camping...real camping...in a tent.

Anyway, although I have been tent camping as a child, I never dealt with the equipment or the "work" part of camping. So I did a little research and decided to get a Coleman 6 person Instant Tent. Since it will be only me and DD a lot of the time, I need something I can put up myself. Think this will be ok? Some reviews have said they leak and others say they are very dry...I was wondering how the same model can be wet and dry at the same time?! I have a tarp for underneath and we'll be using airbeds to sleep on. Do I need to do something with the seams (it says they are taped) or waterproofing?

I've read lots of tips about camping in cold weather, but not much about camping in the heat. We are cold, always...we are from south Florida, living in central Florida now. Any tips? We plan to go in August for the first time...2 days at the Fort...with a test run in the backyard this weekend.

Thanks!

 

[retired and happy]

If you have any doubts, you should get some of that pain-on seam coating and do a good job. It'll be easier than placing pans under any leaks in August.

Heat...you know about heat, but you should take either a fan or airconditioner. You can search for posts on either.

 

[Sally]

I was able to pick up a couple of cans of waterproofer and tubes of seamsealer at Wal-mart.
Just pop open the tent on a dry day and seal the inside seams. I left the tent up all day and night to make sure the sealer was all dry. I did all of our inside seams, especially around the bottom, and then went over the inside with a quick spray of waterproofer (pretty sure you aren't suppose to waterproof the outside of the tent and possibly not the inside either ).
So far no leaks last year or this year, but I may redo the seams before our FW trip for extra protection.
Let me know what you do about ac or fan. I am planning on a fan for hubby, but he is pushing for an ac setup he saw on the " tent-camping " thread some time ago.
Hope you have a great time!!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Let me know what you do about ac or fan. I am planning on a fan for hubby, but he is pushing for an ac setup he saw on the " tent-camping " thread some time ago.

You mean you spring for electric, even when you're tent camping?

How does that work out? What else do you use the electric for?

Is it worth the extra bucks for the fan/air conditioning? Two weeks ago, we camped out without fans or air conditioning. In 100 degree temps. We survived.

 

[Sally]

You mean you spring for electric, even when you're tent camping?

How does that work out? What else do you use the electric for?

Is it worth the extra bucks for the fan/air conditioning? Two weeks ago, we camped out without fans or air conditioning. In 100 degree temps. We survived.

If I am not mistaken, the sites at the Fort have the pole already there?
I am not understanding your point really, someone else suggested that the OP bring a fan or ac.
If the pole is at the site and included in the cost of the campground then I will happily use it. Otherwise I go without just like you do sweetheart

 

[blu]

we have the 10 person instant tent (was only available thru amazon) and I have put it up with just my 5 year old for help. We have had a few drips where the support ties are sewn in at the top. I think it is just too much material. They now have a fly for the instant tent and since it is solid I suspect that will handle our minor leak. I literally stuffed a tissue agains the are that was dripping and that took care of it.

 

[Butterbunkins]

One the main ways to combat leaks is to be sure NOTHING is touching the sides of the tent. You will have leakage if you have a bag or something leaning against the side (inside or out). I have been through some major storms with tents and have not had a problem as long as nothing is touching.

 

[LadyBeBop]

If I am not mistaken, the sites at the Fort have the pole already there?
I am not understanding your point really, someone else suggested that the OP bring a fan or ac.
If the pole is at the site and included in the cost of the campground then I will happily use it. Otherwise I go without just like you do sweetheart

Hmmm. Did not know the most primative sites at the fort has electricity. I've never camped at a place in which the cheapest site did not have electricity.

 

[tmarquez]

Thanks all! I heard from someone that I shouldn't "waterproof" the tent because that will make the condensation worse...which kind of makes sense I guess. But doing the seams seems like a good idea even though they say it isn't needed.

I will make sure nothing touches the sides.

We have 2 "tower" fans. They hardly take up any room and put out a pretty good oscillating breeze, so we plan on using those. There is electric there and really I don't we would camp anywhere that didn't have electric. We need a cell phone charger and a laptop to watch movies before bed...plus fans or heaters depending on the season. Does anyone know how long of an extension cord I will need there?

Looking forward to our "test run" in the backyard this weekend...just wondering how we are going to keep the dogs from wanting to sleep in there with us, I can't seem to keep them out of the tent and it's not big enough for 2 people and 2 huskies!