Tents

[Bluegreen kayak]

My favorite tent is getting old, has holes, and the zippers are sticking more and more. I thought I would get a new one, but I haven't found a two-door tent in the style I like (pictured below), with the fly set high so I can look out the windows. Every one I looked at seems to have the fly totally enclosing the tent, and creating a vestibule. I've been looking at camping companies on the internet - haven't checked the shelves of my local big box store yet. Have things changed that much since the last time I went tent shopping?

[img]Furnace Creek #148 by Patricia Boylan, on Flickr[/img]

[jesportland]

Was that your tent at Texas Springs last week LOL?

[netllama]

My favorite tent is getting old, has holes, and the zippers are sticking more and more. I thought I would get a new one, but I haven't found a two-door tent in the style I like (pictured below), with the fly set high so I can look out the windows. Every one I looked at seems to have the fly totally enclosing the tent, and creating a vestibule. I've been looking at camping companies on the internet - haven't checked the shelves of my local big box store yet. Have things changed that much since the last time I went tent shopping?

[img]Furnace Creek #148 by Patricia Boylan, on Flickr[/img]

How big of a tent do you need? I can't quite figure out the size of the one in your photo, beyond its not a 1 or 2P tent.

Anyway, most 'good' tents aren't designed the way you want any more. That "eave" is a huge flaw when its windy or raining, as it catches everything and funnels it into the tent. Plus its not much of a rain fly if its letting all the rain hit the tent door. My first camping tent (long, long ago) was similar to what you have now, and it was awful any time the weather wasn't perfect.

You can get a somewhat similar effect to what you're seeking in a 'modern alcove' tent by simply folding/rolling back the rain fly door. It won't be perfect, in terms of visibility, but it'll be the best trade-off.

This tent looks pretty good:
https://www.rei.com/product/110892/marmo...ne-4p-tent

[Bluegreen kayak]

Was that your tent at Texas Springs last week LOL?

Not last week, alas, but last month it was. Were you in DV last week? What did you do and see?

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My favorite tent is getting old, has holes, and the zippers are sticking more and more. I thought I would get a new one, but I haven't found a two-door tent in the style I like (pictured below), with the fly set high so I can look out the windows. Every one I looked at seems to have the fly totally enclosing the tent, and creating a vestibule. I've been looking at camping companies on the internet - haven't checked the shelves of my local big box store yet. Have things changed that much since the last time I went tent shopping?

[img]Furnace Creek #148 by Patricia Boylan, on Flickr[/img]

How big of a tent do you need?  I can't quite figure out the size of the one in your photo, beyond its not a 1 or 2P tent.

Anyway, most 'good' tents aren't designed the way you want any more.  That "eave" is a huge flaw when its windy or raining, as it catches everything and funnels it into the tent.  Plus its not much of a rain fly if its letting all the rain hit the tent door.  My first camping tent (long, long ago) was similar to what you have now, and it was awful any time the weather wasn't perfect.

You can get a somewhat similar effect to what you're seeking in a 'modern alcove' tent by simply folding/rolling back the rain fly door.  It won't be perfect, in terms of visibility, but it'll be the best trade-off.

This tent looks pretty good:
https://www.rei.com/product/110892/marmo...ne-4p-tent

Thank you for the link - it does look interesting. Mine is a 2P tent, so I can have room for a small table and to move around. You're right, it's a fair weather domicile; if things are windy or rainy, I sometimes wimp out and sleep in the van. I guess if I try the more enclosed style, I'll get used to it and maybe come to appreciate it even. (Change is difficult sometimes.)

[TacoLand]

I really only use tents for backpacking (otherwise sleep in the truck), so I don't have much useful information to provide for your specific need.

I will say that I've had great luck with Big Agnes and Marmot tents over the years, while friends with REI tents love them and they have a great warranty. My girlfriend has a canvas SpringBar tent that I've never seen in action, but from her stories always sounded like a great basecamp though. Heck, maybe Costco has some big fair-weather tents that would fit your need (assuming you're a member).

[David_Bricker]

I am really partial to Eureka tents. OF course, that may be because their headquarters are 30 miles from me, and I can get factory seconds for stupid cheap prices. They have tents for 1 person to 12; backpacking to car camping. https://www.eurekacamping.com/tent-finder

I have several of their tents, including a massive 12 x 12 tents with a 10x12 awning and screen enclosure. My "normal" tent is a 8x10, pretty leight weight, and has withstood DV wind and weather a number of times.

Eureka's pricing is extremely reasonable.

David Bricker / SYR