Which tent would you buy

[mom24girlz]

We are a family of 5, 2 adults 3 children (12 - 16). We'll be at the Fort for 4 nights next month. Thanks so much.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8E2DPI/ref=psdc_2204485011_t1_B00A8E45XG

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8E45XG/ref=psdc_2204485011_t2_B001TSCF96

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Perso...TF8&qid=1461852118&sr=1-2&keywords=cabin+tent

 

[bama_ed]

Of the 3, the Coleman is the smaller tent by a substantial margin so I would cross that one off.

My opinion would be the first tent/link, the Wenzel Timber Ridge 10 person. Of the two remaining, it is the most upright and roomy inside. The middle one Wenzel Great Basin has more slanted walls and a curved top so there is less useful space (trying standing upright close to the wall without bending over - can't do it).

For car camping in 3-season weather, the top link tent is fine. You can take the fly off the top and open a window for ventilation on nice nights. All of these tent options probably require 2 people realistically to get it out of the car and set it up (although I'm sure all COULD be done by a single person if they had to).

In my years we had a family tent like the middle one which was fine but one thing I learned is I wanted straighter walls and taller inside to have more useable walk-around space inside when we WERE inside.

Use a ground cloth (a clear piece of plastic) between the ground and the tent to protect the tent floor and tuck excess ground cloth material under the tent so it doesn't catch rain and funnel it between the cloth and the nylon tent floor. That equals wet socks in the morning.

Next month should still be great camping weather at night but it might get a little warm during the day.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

Of the 3, the Coleman is the smaller tent by a substantial margin so I would cross that one off.

And it's the most expensive. Also What they claim as a feature, the closet, I don't think is all that great (depending on the weather). Anyone who has "tent" camped knows that if water (Rain, dew, etc...) touches the canvas/nylon on the outside, and you then touch it on the "Inside" the water will (eventually) come through at those spots. This is often why the "Flys" are on the top of the tent. The "Fly" over the closet is only on the top, but with sloped walls, the water will just roll onto the walls. Most people will NOT keep special care to make sure the clothes are not touching the walls, so they could end up wet. Besides, who hangs clothes in a closet when "Tent" Camping? (Just cram it in the backpack, right?)

Like "Ed" said, I like the higher ceiling particularly if it's an extended stay. If we were using the tent solely for sleeping, maybe the lower profile tent would be better (more compact, lighter, etc..) Also are you going to use "Cots" or "Air Mattresses"? Consider those heights as well. If you wake up on the cot and sit up will your head be hitting the ceiling? The "Center" height (of the Wenzel Great Basin Tent) is 76" and slopes down from there. Plus the Light Reflect feature (with "Gear Loft") in the center has the potential of reducing that even more.

I too would probably go with the Wenzel Timber Ridge Tent of the 3 presented.

 

[mom24girlz]

We are here now, we got the tent you both recommended and we love it. Our will family fits comfortably. Hubby and I in one room with queen air matress, a chair holding a fan, and our clothes in a bin. The girls are in the other side/room with a full size & twin air mattress. We love the high ceiling and the straight walls.

Our adult daughter and grandson joined us and they are in a 6 person tent on the same lot. After reading suggestions here we requested 1500 because we weren't bringing bikes or renting a golf cart. We were assigned 1512 and it is huge and we'll shaded.

We aren't doing any parks, just hanging out at the fort. So far everyone is having a great time. Thank you all so much. The information you share on this forum really made the difference in being able to throw together an enjoyable last minute trip.

 

[peg110]

Mom24girlz. That's awesome. I am glad it's going well...

Now you know we'd love to see pictures too!

Hope you and the kids (including the grandson) have an awesome time and are blessed with nice weather.

 

[bama_ed]

We are here now, we got the tent you both recommended and we love it. Our will family fits comfortably. Hubby and I in one room with queen air matress, a chair holding a fan, and our clothes in a bin. The girls are in the other side/room with a full size & twin air mattress. We love the high ceiling and the straight walls.

Our adult daughter and grandson joined us and they are in a 6 person tent on the same lot. After reading suggestions here we requested 1500 because we weren't bringing bikes or renting a golf cart. We were assigned 1512 and it is huge and we'll shaded.

We aren't doing any parks, just hanging out at the fort. So far everyone is having a great time. Thank you all so much. The information you share on this forum really made the difference in being able to throw together an enjoyable last minute trip.

mom24girlz,

Glad to know things are working out. 1512 is a HUGE campsite (one of the biggest tent pads I've seen at the Fort if not the biggest). I spent a Thanksgiving in 1513 which was nice (back against the canal) although my favorite site is 1511 because it's against the canal, shaded, and has lots of space between it and the sites on either side.

We all know what they say - If momma's happy then everybody's happy!

Bama Ed

 

[Sur]

I'd go with the first, as Bama Ed mentioned. For what it's worth, I bought a tent based upon a post of his, years ago, and that tent proved worth it's weight in GOLD this past Easter- torrential rains and winds and not a single problem! It is the Eureka! copper canyon. We have various sizes of the same tent (14' X 12' huge and heavy- tough for a fly-in vacation, down to an 8'X8' which was the superhero in March).

 

[bama_ed]

I'd go with the first, as Bama Ed mentioned. For what it's worth, I bought a tent based upon a post of his, years ago, and that tent proved worth it's weight in GOLD this past Easter- torrential rains and winds and not a single problem! It is the Eureka! copper canyon. We have various sizes of the same tent (14' X 12' huge and heavy- tough for a fly-in vacation, down to an 8'X8' which was the superhero in March).

Sur, I remember that discussion. Glad they held up for you. So you have different sizes of the same tent? That's a vote of confidence right there.

I like Eureka tents because they make a quality product at a fair price. The entry level tents are fine but if you want that next level of quality, Eureka tents are good choices. They're appropriate for the serious tent camper. The next level up from there you get into North Face territory where people will fight over which type of zipper is better than another (I roll my eyes at those folks).

You might find it funny, Sur, that my two boys (who are now in college and slept many nights in my Eureka green dome tent) are now angling for me to give it to one of them since I am in a popup now and not sleeping on the ground as much as I used to. The older one has asked to "borrow" it and keep it "just in case" and the younger one asked for it outright. I may have to hold onto it to keep peace in the family.

Bama Ed

 

[Sur]

Yes, same tent, different sizes. We fly down, so carrying the 14'x12' must have it's own dedicated luggage (darn close to 50 lbs), but it's quite roomy. The smaller size is easy to carry (about 20 lbs) yet still has steel supports and a rain fly that is amazingly strong and effective. I'm considering storing the smaller one in our Owners Locker, so if your son needs to use it at the Fort, get a hold of me to arrange a drop off!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I find the best tent is one that does not leak.

 

[peg110]

I find the best tent is one that does not leak.

While this statement is clearly true, the problem lies in finding such a tent. Empirical evaluation can get quite expensive if one does it on their own.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

1512 is my second choice in the 1500 loop. What a great site you were assigned!!! I'm telling ya, a good site makes all the difference. Especially when you are spending a great deal of town time at the Fort.