Looking for best value tent

NickE

New Member
Hi All,

Getting sick of my 4+2 person $300 dome tent - a bugger to set-up and pack again, and when it rains, you have to completely seal all windows and doors otherwise the rain drops straight in!

Any suggestions? I know the window problem is global with most tents because of the angled side walls, but perhaps there may be a tent out there which has oversize window flaps that when open with poles, it'll give some protection...

I want an oztent, but 1) price is pretty high (maybe a later purchase), and 2) By the look of their windows, they would have the same problem.

...I know it sounds a little picky, but summer time camping at night with the SE Qld showers passing-by, it gets REALLY uncomfortable with the tent all closed up all night.
 

Johnnie5

Member
the cheaparse dome tent i bought from kmart a few years ago is basically made from flyscreen and then has the fly over the top which then keeps the water out

good for summer , bad for winter

maybe a cheap slution for you ?
 

LowLux

Moderator
G'day NickE. Spend the money up front and get an OZTENT. As far as I'm concerned, you get what you pay for with tents so might as well get a good one. You'll love it.
 

billolga

4x4 Earth Contributer
Hi All,

Getting sick of my 4+2 person $300 dome tent - a bugger to set-up and pack again, and when it rains, you have to completely seal all windows and doors otherwise the rain drops straight in!

Any suggestions? I know the window problem is global with most tents because of the angled side walls, but perhaps there may be a tent out there which has oversize window flaps that when open with poles, it'll give some protection...

I want an oztent, but 1) price is pretty high (maybe a later purchase), and 2) By the look of their windows, they would have the same problem.

...I know it sounds a little picky, but summer time camping at night with the SE Qld showers passing-by, it gets REALLY uncomfortable with the tent all closed up all night.

* GOOD (Read expensive) tents DO NOT LEAK THROUGH THE WINDOWS.

* They also have heavier floors that are much less likely to get holes (NEVER wear shoes in ANY tent BTW).

* Get a tent that can be added too with a fly out front ( Some you can add side walls to make more room), IF YOU NEED TOO (Single night with no rain you don't need to put up the "Extra").

* Check for VENTILATION if you need it for the Tropics.

* Good quality tents are MUCH WARMER in the Winter with the heavier material.

* Good Quality will last for YEARS. (Add up what it costs you for lots of cheap tents over the same period).

* ALWAYS use a TARP even on grass under the tent to reduce the chance of a hole in the floor.

We have a (So called) Centre Pole tent with a side pole kit (Mine is 1 mtr across the top which gives Heaps of room inside & you don't have to do the Maypole to get changed) - It takes me 2 mins. to erect & I can if I need zip on an awning with side walls & park the wagon kitchen in there for "Cocktail Hour";)
 
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BEK

4x4 Earth Contributer
nick

PM Knot_gilty for his advice on tents as he has a wide range of camping gear

We were in same position as you. Two teenage daughters so bought two tents.

the first is a tourer type with side pole or centre pole set up and mtges 2 & 3 have a quick pop up type (i think its called an auto tent from Rays circa $300 about two years ago) with fly. it has held up well in rain downpours with no water inside tent. I strongly suggest vents in roof so air flow even if flaps closed. total set up is 10 minutes for both or 5 minutes each.

agree with Bill tarp is essential and if done properly water will go under tarp further reducing chances of waterentering tent.

the idea of an oztent is good as you can set it up accordingly just one night only the tent but if longer stay can put up extra room with additions. at over $1K though it is not for all. i still like the idea of fly no matter how waterproof the tent is as it stops condensation in the morning

Ekki adventures swear by their black wolf turbo

So like all things speak to lots of people and go and touch and feel as many as you can before you bite the bullet and part with all that hard earned stuff

Good luck. BEK
 

Muckinhell

New Member
a southern cross tent should see you right, you can get a clear cover to zip onto the rear window and add poles to it and also the side window flaps can be put up on poles or just pegged out at an angle to the ground wich helps the ventilation and shouldnt have most showers bother you either, i have a 3x4 southern cross tent with centre pole and outside pole that holds the back up...it takes all off 15mins to set up then i add the large annex onto the front and im sittin drinking my first beveridge way ahead of anyone else in my group with dome tents and we stay dryer as well...

couldnt recomend a southern cross more strongly and this is my second as i got great deal on it at 4wd show in brissy and ended up selling my other 3x3 for $600 on ebay. southern cross tents do pack up to 1x1m package though so if space is an issue it mighten be for you but then again the oztents roll up in a bag to what ever size you get length wise so there odd as well and usually need roof rack to carry em.

hope that helps.
 

NickE

New Member
THANKS ALL

Off to have a look around at some of the above mentioned. Hopefully I can get one before some winter trips.
 

Guyjin

New Member
Hey, have a look at the Oztrail "breezeway" series, for value for money. Sure they aren't as robust as the Oztent, but because of the way the zips work, they don't let rain it. You can even have the windows open slightly while it's raining.
 
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