What Tent to Buy?

[TwinPrincessMama]

So I've been thinking about buying a new tent for the past month so the whole family can go camping. (The only tent I own is a 2 person.) I've been looking at 2/3 bedroom tents. Any recommendation or review from people with tents this size? I want something that can fit at least a 2 twin air mattress but preferably at least 1 queen and another twin or queen.

 

[bama_ed]

I've always been partial to Coleman family tent products and screen rooms.

In looking at their stuff online I like the Instant Tent 8 http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000005512&categoryid=11020&brand=. It's 14x10 and watch the video - the poles are preattached so it takes literally 60 seconds or less to set up (then add time to stake the corners and the guy lines (if needed)).

It's only available through Amazon but it has nearly 80 reviews and an average rating of 4.5/5.0. As with any single wall tent, you will want to open up the top part of the windows a little to let air circulate at night or condensation from your breath while sleeping will form on the inside of the ceiling/upper walls. And always use a ground cloth under the tent.

So if you're car camping this would be a good choice in my book. Throw in an EZ-up type awning and you could set up camp in 5 minutes.

Bama ED

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

I to am a fan of the coleman family. I have a Coleman Canyon Ridge. I don't think they made it this year however. It's a 19 x 12 and I can get the whole family, 7 of us, in there with our stuff. I did have a problem with condensation last time but that was probably because I had no idea what I was doing...

 

[TinkMomma]

We have the Coleman Canyon Ranch as well, I can't say enough good things about this tent! We've used it several times after buying it last year. It's not on the Coleman website anymore, but I have seen it still in our KMart and Sears Grand stores lately. We only have a family of 4, but it is such a nice size and layout. Plus, the internal lighting system comes in mighty handy after we've put the kids to bed, and we head in. We just turn on the "night light" feature, and we're good to go!

Being a three room tent, you can fit a lot of people and stuff in. You can easily fit 3 queen size air beds in. Plus it has a center height of over 7 feet! No more stooping over in this tent!

Good luck with the search! We tried out 4 before we bought the one that we originally loved...the Coleman.

 

[DisCamper]

I'm replacing my tent at the end of summer with coleman Instant Tent 8. Since my big time camping buddy is all paws and my wife is no help. I was looking for a large tent i can put up myself.

 

[englishteacha]

I got a Columbia Bugaboo last year at the Cabela's Bargain Cave for $50ish. It's a great tent, and I can set it up my myself. It's not as big as the instant tent, though.

 

[TwinPrincessMama]

Thank you guys! I love the instant tent. I might have to buy that.

 

[InstaCamper]

Hi have you set this up at the fort? Did you have enough room on the camp pad? I wanted to make sure it would fit? Thanks for yor help! Looks nice - would there be any room left?

I to am a fan of the coleman family. I have a Coleman Canyon Ridge. I don't think they made it this year however. It's a 19 x 12 and I can get the whole family, 7 of us, in there with our stuff. I did have a problem with condensation last time but that was probably because I had no idea what I was doing...

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We got a Gigatent 12x18 family tent. It can be divided into 4 rooms if necessary and works great for our family. It's easy to put up and quite comfy as long as the wind doesn't blow too hard (We worked around that with some clothes pins).

If you aren't using all the area, you can convert one half to a screen porch.