When to bite the bullet and get a new tent?

[annakris1973]

I just inherited a 4 person dome tent from DMIL. I have no clue as to how old it is, or really if it is a good quality tent...the name on it is Emerald Bay. I set it up in the garage last night for the kids to sleep in, since it was raining outside, and there are no holes, rips or bad areas in it. We are NOT avid campers (as you can tell) but I would like to have something that we could use once a year, or let the kids camp out in the backyard in. I am pretty sure it needs to be waterproofed in some way, and I don't mind doing that if it is cost effective. We reserved 2 one night only stays in September at FW, (we have a timeshare for the rest of the week), Do you think it would be ok to use, or should I bite the bullet and get another tent? If so, What brands do you recommend? TIA

 

[bumbershoot]

I love our Coleman Montana!

As for waterproofing, go to a camping supply store and ask them how to do it. We got some sealant and it wasn't all that much. However, we never got a chance to use it, but our Coleman did just fine in the WA mist.

If I were in the South, however, I'd waterproof that puppy immediately! Torrential downpours once a day are one of my biggest memories of my time out that way...

Also, make sure you have a "footprint" tarp to go under the tent, and something to go OVER the tent, again, to protect from water.

 

[Gatordad]

considering tents are about $100, I'd get one now. You don't want to be in the middle of the woods and find out it was time to replace. Or, let your kids "test" it out in the backyard.......