Return to the Camping Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
Posted by mountaingirlTN (My Page) on Sat, Apr 2, 05 at 21:23
| My family is currently evaluating family tents... and will purchase asap. We had a Eureka Getaway 9, but it ripped the second time out. Upon calling Eureka, they informed us that... yes they made the tent, but it was made to Wal-Mart specifications. Needless to say, this time we are stepping up a bit. We have it narrowed to two styles, and I thought I would see if anyone had an opinion. One is the Eureka Extended Stay (new for 2005) and the other, Kelty's Green River 6. Would anyone care to provide some feedback to help us make a decision? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I always wondered about "Eureka" tent models I've seen at various stores. I just couldn't bring myself to trust them and always stuck with the main Eureka models. I guess that was the right thing to do. I'll always recommend Eureka. I've had several models for many years and feel their quality is first rate. The Extended Stay is a HEUUUUGE tent. Assuming you are comfortable that you'll find that big a pad for putting up the tent ... well, the Extended Stay looks very very cool!!! Go for it! |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| My situation is a little different, since I camp alone or with one other person, and mostly on a motorcycle....but I had a Eureka Timberline 4 I used for many years until it finally wore out. I spent quite a bit of time looking around at different tents...and ended up buying another Eureka Timberline 4. I decided I just couldn't improve on it for my purposes. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| "but it was made to Wal-Mart specifications..." That is the problem with Walmart. They set the standards for a manufactor, not the manufactor themselves. They will walk into a factory and say we will pay X amount for that tent and that is it. So the manufactor will come up with a way to cut the cost in order to sale to Walmart. And the best way for the manufactor to do that is to supply Walmart with second rate garbage. Walmart along with Willy Bills free trade deal destroied the Textile industries in the US. DaleW's home state is a prime example of just one state that has lost throusands of workers due to textile manufactors moving out of the US to produce cheaper products so they could supply stores like Walmart. They are bringing it home to America. But where is it coming from and at what cost? And the bad thing about it all.
Millions of people relay on the web to gain and share information on products they wish to or have purchased. Then you get 50,000 people that bought some garbage from a place like Walmart downing what would have been a great product if they had just paid $5.00 more and got a higher quailty item from another source that will not bend to Wlamart demands.
Personally I would not buy a $10.00 bill from Walmart if they offered them five for a dollar.
---------------------------- I have bought and used Eureka tents for years and would not even consider another brand. But I am the type that will not pay $5.00 for something three times when I could pay $10 and got a good one the first time. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I also highly recommend Eureka tents. I have had several models and all have been great! Eureka is also very good about any repairs that you may need at very reasonable prices. I have never bought them from Wal-mart so I can't speak about those modela. I have bought them from Campmor. As long as you know what model you want and are familiar with the kind of set up Campmor is ideal. Good prices and quick delivery. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
Here are links to the two tents we are considering... Does anyone have any advice about a Kelty?
Eureka Extended Stay:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=23894&memberId=12500226 |
Here is a link that might be useful: Kelty Green River 6
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| mountaingirl - most everything I say is redundant as we have really beat on this tent subject here on this fourm! But you never know when you might hear of a new idea or a new style of tent. Obviously, since your shopping large tents, weight is not a big factor, at least not critical like for a back packer or even for Brian and his motorcycle. Let me ask, have you ever considered two tents, maybe two mid sized tents, rather than one large tent? I have a mid-sized nylon dome tent, 9'X 9' (6' center height), that I use for an overnight canoe trips, or even a short overnight or weekend "car camping" trip (I really have a pick-up truck). Now this tent is touted as being able to sleep 4-5 (and I suppose it could in an emergency), but there's plently of room for two and their gear and with my thinking, just comfortably right. What I like about this sized tent, and it being a dome tent, is it's weight of about 18 pounds and the ease of setting up and taking down. Should say that I also use this tent along with my small Starcraft popup camper - pitch it close to the camper and use it for a storage shed to keep camping and fishing gear out of sight. Over the years I've had different type tents, all the way from the small "pup" tents, to a large old timey canvas wall tent and even an umbrella tent that connected to the back of one of my station wagons of years past. Seems there were some other kinds of tents, too, but the point is all of them had their advantages and dis-advantages. Looking back at all of this mess, for what I do, I have to say I like canvas. Yes, it's a lot heavier and it cost more, but I don't think it required any more maintenance than nylon. So the bottom line for me, if I were in the market for a tent as my main stay (meaning that I did not have my tent trailer camper), I would think two tents: one like I presently have, a 9'X 9' nylon dome tent for traveling light, and a Kirkhams "Spring Bar" canvas tent for long stays. (Here's the idea what I'm talking about) - www.kirkhams.com Hippy touched on the subject ... just about everything has gone out of this country for manufacturing, except in this case, the Spring Bar tent, and that makes me all the more interested in having one. I realize there's a cost factor, but having two tents is a far cry cheaper than having a popup camper and a tent ... considerably so! Anyway, that's the best "profound wisdom" I can come up with today!
Dale |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I am looking to purchase a CABIN tent 16X10' for my son for his birthday ( june 11th ) . I have tried the internet and even E-Bay but can't find a resonable costing Cabin Tent . He doesn't like the Dome type tents and likes the type I bought from SERVICE MERCHANDISE when they were in business - I think it was called an AMERICAN CABIN TENT . does anyone have any ideas or know where I might find what I am looking for ???? HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| You might check out Cabelas.com and Campmor.com Both have cabin tents. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
No matter what brand, I love having a screened, roof flap.
One where you can roll back the roof and lie on your back and look up at the stars. Of course, you've got to be sure the weather is going to be great! That open feeling of the roof allows all the woods sounds to come in, too.
A lot nicer and open feeling instead of being "canned" in. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| There's nothing wrong with Eureka's line of inexpensive tents. It would be silly to spend $250 to $500 to buy a high-quality tent if you don't need it to last 20 years of hard use. For those folks, there's Sierra Designs, NorthFace, REI and Marmot, among others. There's also nothing wrong with an inexpensive tent sold at WalMart if you need to do some casual camping at a low price. It might surprise you, but you can have just as much fun camping with lousy quality gear, you'll simply have to replace it more often. And you don't need to feel guilty thinking you're responsible for "the death of the textile industry", since it's the ability of the US worker to compete that drives global manufacturing, not some bogeyman in Arkansas who gave people what they wanted. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I know this post is old I'm new to this forum , I agree with the last comment (tplife) There is nothing wrong with some of the equipment Wal-Mart sells. I have several things from there and have been pleased. They get regular use all I do is CARE for them. A good example is a Coleman Red Canyon tent made for wall-Mart I have used it 3 years going into 4th and have had no trouble with it. |
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| Go for a tent that is slightly bigger than the number of people who are going to sleep in it, giving you some elbow room and place for keeping your equipment and gear. If you are camping with your family, always choose bigger that can accommodate minimum 2 people. Multi room tents are ideal for families. The 2-room styles give the adults some privacy from the children. There is also a 3-room tent that has 2 sleeping rooms and a screened-in room that can be used as an eating or changing area, keeping you away from the elements. The multi room tents offer various choices, so irrespective of your selection; you will get a good deal. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Choosing the Right Tent
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I have found Eureka tents to be very good. They have many different sizes and styles. Check out the website attached below for more information on Eureka tents. |
Here is a link that might be useful: YouCanCamp
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| This website should give you a lot of information on how to choose a tent |
Here is a link that might be useful: How To Choose A Tent
RE: Tent Purchase Advice
| | |
| I was going to purchase the Green River 6 until I went to EMS and found the Pallas 6. They set it up and it had everything I was looking for. It had: 1) Aluminum poles
2) You can stand in it (6'5")
3) A huge amount of netting so it would be very airy
4) Had a walk-in vestibule that is large enough to stand and you could put several chairs and sit around bug-free
5) A fly that covers the entire tent It's the best family tent I have ever seen. You can also sleep a number of people in this tent. |
Here is a link that might be useful: EMS Pallas 6
|
|
|
|
