Tent Suggestions

[katiekomo]

I'm a newbie (to this board AND to tent camping) and am thinking about camping at FW soon!

Any tent suggestions?

Here are some considerations:

Doesn't need to be big (1 or 2 people).
I'm quite concerned about RAIN!!
Since I'm not sure this new hobby will "stick" I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it. (Around the $50 range?)

I'm young and adventurous and fully expecting to be a little uncomfortable..!

 

[Disney Bunny]

I'm a newbie (to this board AND to tent camping) and am thinking about camping at FW soon!

Any tent suggestions?

Here are some considerations:

Doesn't need to be big (1 or 2 people).
I'm quite concerned about RAIN!!
Since I'm not sure this new hobby will "stick" I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it. (Around the $50 range?)

I'm young and adventurous and fully expecting to be a little uncomfortable..!

Okay, we tent camped for 16 years before moving up to a pop up, travel trailer and now a fifth wheel. I am going to give you what I think is some very sound advice and others are welcome to agree/disagree as they feel. Don't skimp on the tent. While it is possible to buy a tent in the price range you are mentioning, you mention being concerned about RAIN. Take it from someone who has woken up in the morning to a soggy bed and everything inside the tent being soggy due to a cheap tent and I assure you, you don't want to be in that situation. Having said that, even the best of tents won't keep you dry if you don't properly seal the seams. When you stitch fabric, it leaves little tiny holes in the fabric which I assure you every drop of rain will find and enter

The next piece of advice I will give you is think the word "Coleman" when buying camping supplies. There are a few other good brands out there, but Coleman usually sticks by its products really well.

Do you have even a minor tendency towards claustrophobia? If so, then don't think really small tent. That doesn't mean you should go out and buy the biggest tent you can find. If the sleeping capacity on the tent says 1-2 people, think 1 comfortably and 2 less so. My recommendation is to buy something that says it will sleep 4. Gives you space to keep things in your tent without bulging against the sides. Which again will cause your tent to leak.

Does all this sound negative? It really isn't. We loved all the times we were tent camping, but age and a bad back severely limits the ability to put up a tent, much less sleep in one.

The Fort is a great place to cut your teeth on tent camping. Just rugged enough to feel like you are in the great outdoors, but lots of amenities to be enjoyed. The comfort stations are great.

Hope you find this helpful and hope you have a great camping experience if you decide to go for it.

 

[katiekomo]

Thanks already!

Two things I forgot to mention:

Easy-up (as much as possible!)
Fairly Light... this is going on a plane with me!

How much should I think about spending??

 

[clkelley]

Quite honestly, I would recommend this tent right here.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-13-x-10-Dome-Tent/14089866

It is a good size for two people. It is around your price point.

While I agree with the PP that buying a more expensive tent has good results, you can have the same results with a little care from a less expensive tent.

I have pretty much used only Wal-Mart tents for many many years and have not had leaking problems.

Here is what I do. First, get some seam sealer and apply it to all of the seams. Then get some fabric protector spray. (Scotch Guard is one brand, another brand is sold in the camping section at Wal-Mart.)

Set up the tent and spray all of the fabric (except the screens) liberally with this stuff and let it dry for at least a day.

Also a ground cloth for UNDER your tent and INSIDE your tent helps a bunch. I purchase a roll of the 6mil painters plastic and cut a sheet that fits under the tent (none sticking out) and also cut a sheet that fits inside the tent.

Also at Fort Wilderness since there is sand, get some of the cheap painters plastic (the really thin stuff). Lay that down first underneath everything else. This can stick out some. Then just throw that away at the end of the trip. Keeps everything on the bottom cleaner.

Don't be tempted to just set up the tent without staking it down. Stake down every point and guy line that is provided with your tent and stretch it out tight. That is how the tent is designed to let water flow off the tent onto the ground instead of sitting in spots and seeping through.

 

[clkelley]

Here is another tent that is a little bigger for only a few dollars more.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14089867&findingMethod=rr&

 

[Disney Bunny]

Thanks already!

Two things I forgot to mention:

Easy-up (as much as possible!)
Fairly Light... this is going on a plane with me!

How much should I think about spending??

So is this just you using the tent? If so, think a 3 person tent. You can probably get a really good one for $100. You will need one with collapsible poles. They are very easy for one person to put up and fairly lightweight. Make sure you take it out on a trial run BEFORE you leave on the plane. That way, you can go ahead and seal the seams. To seal the seams, there are various products on the market. Just make sure you do a thorough job. I also recommend getting a water repellant product and treating the fabric for extra protection. Make sure the tent has a waterproof floor. You should also have a ground tarp to put under it to help keep water from seeping in. You will also need a sleeping bag. Depending on the time of year you are planning this trip will depend on how much you need to spend. Keeping the sleeping bag lightweight for plane travel may cost you a few bucks.

Are you planning on just using the tent for sleeping accomodations? To take a whole lot of camping gear is going to be very cumbersome for plane travel.

 

[katiekomo]

This is great-- thanks!

I have access to a lightweight sleeping bag , so I'm good there. Thinking hot weather-- I might bring a sheet too. So if it's too hot for a sleeping bag, I'll sleep on top of it with a sheet for a light cover?

Yes, the tent is really just for sleeping. I plan to wake up at daylight, shower and head out. Then back for a nap midday and back for sleeping after parks close/entertainment is over. Anytime I'm not asleep I'll be outside of the tent. (If I wanted to read later in the evening-- could I go to the front desk/lobby area?) It might be just me... but it might be two of us, so I'll plan for two.

This has turned from a joke to almost a dare among my friends (I'm kind of a city mouse) so I'm really looking forward to proving to them (and me!) that I CAN do it!!

 

[arielmomma]

For our wedding (10 years ago) DH and I were given a 3 person Lake n' Trail tent. I believe it was about $80 back when we registered for it, so figure at least $100 now. We used it for 9 years and it never once leaked, tore, or broke a pole! And let me tell you, we have camped in some pretty serious storms! We finally had to purchase a bigger tent (an 8 man Coleman Elite) simply because we don't fit into the Lake n' Trail anymore. It was very easy to put up alone (5-10 minutes by myself) and is light.

 

[Lyndria]

If you aren't sure you want to buy a tent, rent one from Fort Wilderness for the weekend. They set it up for you. They provide cots as well. I am not sure
exactly how this works, you'll have to call them.

 

[chartle]

Quite honestly, I would recommend this tent right here.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-13-x-10-Dome-Tent/14089866

Here is another tent that is a little bigger for only a few dollars more.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14089867&findingMethod=rr&

I like the first tent better there's a lot more seams of the tent under the the rain fly.

To the OP don't get one like this.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Suisse-Sport-Wyoming-18-x-10-x-72-3-Room-Tent/2579728

I can't see how a tent like this would work at all with the rain just beating down on all those windows and seams. no amount of seam sealer will work.

this also looks good from target.

http://www.target.com/Coleman-Person-Dome-Tent-Red/dp/B002YXP6OQ/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Just realize that all these tents are short so you can't stand up in them.

 

[chartle]

If you aren't sure you want to buy a tent, rent one from Fort Wilderness for the weekend. They set it up for you. They provide cots as well. I am not sure
exactly how this works, you'll have to call them.

I don't remember the cost per day but I think for the cost of rental for over two days it was cheaper to buy a tent and throw it away.

 

[katiekomo]

From what I can find the tents are $30 a night and not guaranteed before arrival (unless you're with a large group). Besides, as a part of the "dare" having someone else set up my tent for me would be "city mouse"-ing it. I love the idea though!!

Chartle-- the first tent has lots of bad reviews about the poles breaking. Do you think if I bought the second one and spent a lot of time sealing it, I'd be ok? I'm thinking that before I leave I'll seal it, wait 24 hours, then get inside while my husband sprays the hose over it to see if it leaks. Is that a silly idea!?

 

[clkelley]

From what I can find the tents are $30 a night and not guaranteed before arrival (unless you're with a large group). Besides, as a part of the "dare" having someone else set up my tent for me would be "city mouse"-ing it. I love the idea though!!

Chartle-- the first tent has lots of bad reviews about the poles breaking. Do you think if I bought the second one and spent a lot of time sealing it, I'd be ok? I'm thinking that before I leave I'll seal it, wait 24 hours, then get inside while my husband sprays the hose over it to see if it leaks. Is that a silly idea!?

Actually, not a silly idea at all. Somebody actually suggested that "before" you seal it to mist the tent with water (set up) on a hot day, then let it dry. Then seal it. Something about shrinking the thread and closing up the fibers to help make it more waterproof.

I've never done it personally, but it's worth a try.

Also, if you actually go to the Wal-Mart store instead of ordering from the website, they have a slightly different version of the first tent I listed. I have that tent and have used it many times without a single problem of a pole breaking. The one I have is all blue, without any brown in it.

Oh also, for packing the tent to bring on a plane, also go to Wal-Mart in the automotive section and get a "locking trunk locker". It is airline legal size and will hold the tent, linens, etc. all in one box. You can then lock it up inside your tent for small items. I get rid of the original tent bag and just fold the tent inside the bin. I place things inside the bin so that I pull them out in the order I need them. Groundcloth on top, then poles, stakes, and stake mallet, then tent body, then rainfly, then inside groundcloth, then linens.

I wouldn't worry about being able to stand up in the tent. When I camp, I have my shower stuff in a bookbag style backpack. The night before I put my clothes for the next day in the shower bag. I have to go to the comfort station first thing in the morning anyway, so just put on sandals, grabbed that bag, answer natures call, then head to the shower side to get dressed.

The showers at Disney's comfort stations each have a locking door with a small changing area with a bench in the front, then a curtain dividing it from the shower portion.

 

[katiekomo]

Funny thing... I don't really live near a Wal-Mart! (I live downtown-- I told you I was a city-mouse!) BUT I'll make the trip this weekend to scope it out. Do you think Academy would have similar (if not the same) selection? Well, I'll want to go to Wal-Mart anyway for the trunk locker.

If I were to bring a valuable (like a computer) that I couldn't bring with me... would I just lock it in the truck, then in the tent? Or would you suggest the outpost lock boxes? More than likely, I just won't bring anything valuable.

Thanks for the details, clkelly, it helps when I can visualize... especially for the comfort stations! Good tip for the morning routine!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

We always bring a laptop...but dont advertise it. Out of Site, out of mind......theft is very rare at Fort Wilderness, but not unheard of. Locking a trunk INSIDE of your tent would probably be fine for storing items...chances of someone breaking into your tent, then walking off with your trunk are very unlikely...just an added saftey measure....most tents "doors" have double zippers....a small lock connecting the two zipper tabs together may give you an added sense of security.

 

[katiekomo]

Thank you!! Y'all are so thorough in your answers... I'm getting so excited. Who knows? This "dare" might turn into a new lifestyle!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Sounds like youre already getting the fever....thats what most of all of us love about camping...the friendliness and willingness of others to help.... the people are whats half the fun of camping...well, maybe not a full HALF....but you know what I mean....campers are generally really good hearted people....kinda like, dare I say....peace loving hippies!!!! (no one tell TCD I said that!!!)

 

[chartle]

Chartle-- the first tent has lots of bad reviews about the poles breaking. Do you think if I bought the second one and spent a lot of time sealing it, I'd be ok? I'm thinking that before I leave I'll seal it, wait 24 hours, then get inside while my husband sprays the hose over it to see if it leaks. Is that a silly idea!?

Its not a matter of just sloping a bunch of seam sealer on the seams.

Think of how your roof is put together they start at the bottom and put the shingles up so the one above is on top of the one below. same with things like chimneys going though a roof. There is flashing that diverts the water around the seams. They just don't chalk the seam between the bricks and the shingles.

The second is OK, but I'm not sure the little awning on the front and most likely the back completely shields the door and window from the rain.

In other words if you looked down at the tent would you see the windows and thats only if the rain is coming straight down and not being blown around.

The rain fly should cover as much as the tent as possible. You shouldn't have to rely on the tent to stop the rain. The rain fly generally is more water proof than the tent. The material is more like a tarp and the seams are sealed with a heat applied tape. The tent itself breaths more so the inside doesn't feel clammy like if it was totally waterproof.

On the following tent you can see that almost all seams are covered but there is still a lot of air flow.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___21975

Just so you know, if you go to Walmart you will find less selection than online. I see less and less tents and camping gear at Walmart every summer.

Here is a good article on how to buy a tent.

http://camping.about.com/od/campinggear/a/tentbuyingtips.htm

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Sounds like youre already getting the fever....thats what most of all of us love about camping...the friendliness and willingness of others to help.... the people are whats half the fun of camping...well, maybe not a full HALF....but you know what I mean....campers are generally really good hearted people....kinda like, dare I say....peace loving hippies!!!! (no one tell TCD I said that!!!)

Rog- For the record, I have no problem with peace loving hippies. I DO have a problem with two kinds of hippies:

1. The kind that play the accordion (fortunately this kind is rare); and

2. The kind that take drugs and murder people for no good reason (also rare, but you never know).

Because it is hard to tell the good hippies from the bad hippies, I am always on guard around them.

And you should be too.

TCD

And to the OP, good luck with your camping trip! I really hope that you do it, and that you share the tale with us here.

 

[katiekomo]

TCD-- I play the accordion, but I'm not a hippie... so... is that ok??
(Also, for the record, I don't do drugs or kill people.)

Thanks to ALL for your suggestions and help! I've complied a pro, con and price list for my husband and I expect that we'll buy (or order online) a tent this weekend!

My journey to the Fort might not be for a few months, but I will most def keep y'all posted on the experience. I'm already giggling at how silly I'm going to look on a campsite! I thought camping meant the hotel doesn't provide room service!

And I'm sure I'll have a few (dozen?) more questions before I go.