AggieDave 6 #1 December 28, 2006 My trusty old tent gave up the ghost in Eloy last year, so I need to buy a new tent for the boogie season. I would *like* to buy this: http://www.outfitterssupply.com/prodinfo.asp?number=WT%201012 (Not that one, but one from Panther Primitive). I learned a few years ago that a good canvas wall tent is cool in the heat and warm in the cold. A really nice place to live when not at home. But, they're ungodly expensive for something I'll only use a few times a year. So a compromise would probably be a large cabin tent. Looking at the Academy website they have a few, but they look like cheap and something that won't last that long. Something that will be annoying that it cost around $100. http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/camping/tents&start=0&selectedSKU=0211-02318-1532 Any ideas or suggestions? No I don't want an anemic back packing tent. I like to have some room for me, Morgan, our gear, etc. I'm not a back packer and have no desire to carry this tent any further then from my vehicle the 10ft it takes to move it to the DZ's camping area. http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/camping/tents&start=0&selectedSKU=0211-02318-1532 That's what I'd like to spend.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #2 December 28, 2006 I can't help you with your play hut, but this is what I have, and I like it a lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 December 28, 2006 I know it says 72" high in the middle, but in real life, can you stand up in the tent?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #4 December 28, 2006 I can, but only in the very center and not without my head pushing the fabric up a bit. It's definitely not a tent to walk around in, but for what I use it for I'm much more concerned about floor space than ceiling space. If you're looking for something to spend any amount of time on your feet in, this wouldn't be the one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 December 28, 2006 QuoteIf you're looking for something to spend any amount of time on your feet in, this wouldn't be the one. I just really like being able to dress while standing fully upright. The last few tents I've had I had to exit the tent to dress or lay down/sit down. That's annoying, atleast it has become annoying. What I really "need" is a RV, but I don't want to spend the money for the RV, the insurance, the upkeep, the storage or spend the gas money towing it to boogies.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #6 December 28, 2006 Anything Coleman. Seriously. Having spent 3 months living in one, I can attest to their overall quality - it did leak, but only during a storm with 30mph+ winds that flooded the whole dz. Watch for sales at WalMart/Target and you can get one big enough for two skydivers, all their gear and a dog for under $100. edit to add - the one I had and the one we have now are tall enough for my 6'2" s/o to stand up in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingJ 0 #7 December 28, 2006 No matter what kind of tent you get, as long as you take good care of it you should be able to get a few solid years of occasional use out of it. The most important things for prolonging life are to make sure it is COMPLETELY dry before you pack it, and to not leave it in sunlight (whether set up or packed) any longer than necessary (don't leave it in car/truck for the 10.5 months a year it isn't being used!). It doesn't hurt to throw a tarp or groundcloth under it even if it has a good floor, just to help prevent punctures. Just about anything that Wal-Mart/Target/Bass Pro, etc. sell should meet your needs. They sell the large dome or multi-room deals that don't totally break the bank and you should be able to count on them lasting for at least a few years of random usage. I second Skybytch's comment about Coleman. For my previous job I spent two to three weeks a month camping over the last two years. About half of that time, when weight wasn't a concern, I used my Coleman 3 person tent that I've had since 1997 and it is still in great shape. Be good to the tent and it should be good to you!Killing threads since 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #8 December 28, 2006 QuoteQuoteIf you're looking for something to spend any amount of time on your feet in, this wouldn't be the one. I just really like being able to dress while standing fully upright. The last few tents I've had I had to exit the tent to dress or lay down/sit down. That's annoying, atleast it has become annoying. This is the one you should get."No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #9 December 28, 2006 My 73 year old father camps in THIS ONE and LOVES it. Plus it sets up in about 15 seconds! Can't beat that. He puts (well, I put) his air mattress in there and he has loads of room for his stuff. I've even put a cot (on a metal base with wheels) in there for him and he didn't complain about the walls closing in. He's had it for about 3 years now and it's held up pretty well. 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 1 #10 December 28, 2006 i've had a coleman since high school (about 5 years now) and the tent itself is still in great shape... I've got 2 broken poles that I need to replace (that's what happends when you let someone else put the tent up) and there's a hole in the bag that holds it from it being dragged back in high school by some lazy bastard... I would've carried the damn thing instead of the beer if I'd known that, although he probably would've shaken all the beer on purpose then...Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #11 December 28, 2006 dave dave dave,, your making the dough now invest in a camper. Much better!http://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #12 December 28, 2006 Quoteyour making the dough now invest in a camper HA! Hahaha! Oh god...haha... Wait, you're serious? --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #13 December 28, 2006 I will third the Coleman tent. I have had mine for about 5 yrs. and I actually use it. I can't believe it has lasted this long and has performed as well as it has. Its been in pouring rain (no leaks) and snow. On one trip in the desert, it was so windy that the tent was literally laying on top of me as I was laying down. After two days of that, I thought the tent was a goner. Unbelievably, it popped back up no worse for the wear except faded and full of sand. I have now outgrown the smaller two person tent and will by a larger Coleman. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #14 December 28, 2006 QuoteQuoteyour making the dough now invest in a camper HA! Hahaha! Oh god...haha... Wait, you're serious? Dude, goto one of those police auctions, you can get some killer deals. Or repo places. These days you can get a brand new camper 24ft for about 150 dollars a month. It is worth the money.http://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #15 December 29, 2006 Stay away from the academy brand tents. I brought one down to the Rat revolution (where were ya? ) earlier this month and it was a big piece o' crap. I had a few small seams tear when setting it up, and it was terribly made. It worked for the weekend, but I trashed it right after I got back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wes. 0 #16 December 29, 2006 i brought one for under £5 off ebay and was bug enough to fit 3 skydivers with gear in and it seems fairly stuff aswell ive returned to it sober and nothing has broken on it and it takes about 5 minutes to set upFalling from the top floor your lungs fill like parachutes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #17 December 29, 2006 QuoteAnything Coleman. Seriously. Having spent 3 months living in one, I can attest to their overall quality - it did leak, but only during a storm with 30mph+ winds that flooded the whole dz. Watch for sales at WalMart/Target and you can get one big enough for two skydivers, all their gear and a dog for under $100. edit to add - the one I had and the one we have now are tall enough for my 6'2" s/o to stand up in. YUP Coleman, we make good tents here, I have a 2 room stand up ColemnYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #18 December 29, 2006 QuoteSo a compromise would probably be a large cabin tent. Looking at the Academy website they have a few, but they look like cheap and something that won't last that long. Something that will be annoying that it cost around $100. http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/camping/tents&start=0&selectedSKU=0211-02318-1532 Nice playhut I suppose, but where did you get the $100? It says $18.86. I have a couple year old model of this that I call the Tent Majal. I take it to boogies when I don't want to tow my trailer. I think you're taller than me, but at 6' I have zero problems standing up to get dressed. Lots of room for stuff, and the screen room/front porch is nice to sit in out of the reach of rain/bugs and watch skydivers be silly. I think mine was just a little over $100 at Costco. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cloudseeker2001 0 #19 December 29, 2006 I have had at least three Colmans and they are good for the money. I really liked the Stargazer........But, don't try to hike a Colman very far cause they weigh a ton! I have an REI tent now and it is really nice and light and a perfect size for two. It's not important for me to be able to stand in it though...... "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #20 December 29, 2006 Quote Nice playhut I suppose, but where did you get the $100? It says $18.86. I have a couple year old model of this that I call the Tent Majal. I take it to boogies when I don't want to tow my trailer. I think you're taller than me, but at 6' I have zero problems standing up to get dressed. Lots of room for stuff, and the screen room/front porch is nice to sit in out of the reach of rain/bugs and watch skydivers be silly. I think mine was just a little over $100 at Costco. Blues, Dave Nice tent, is the quality up to scratch?You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #21 December 29, 2006 I have been pretty happy with swissgear products. I have the sleeping bags, oversize cot, and tent. The tent is really nice and roomy. The oversized cot is awesome! I got them cheap at sams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jheadley 0 #22 December 29, 2006 I lived in one of the el cheapo 30 dollar wal mart 4-person tents for 6 months and it was worthless in any kind of wind. A light rain is ok, but mix rain and wind, and you're soaked. Heavy rain would flood the inside also, but I couldn't really figure out how. Even a light wind and no rain bugs the crap out of me, I'm up all night listenting to flap flap flap flap. I threw it out and tried another tent, a more simple Swiss Gear "Hiker" tent( 30 dollars at wal mart) It's small and has no tent poles, which is nice, and it's more streamlined so I think it'd help with wind deflection more, but the zipper was broken when I got it, so I still hear the "door" flap flap flap all night. I think I'll have to just got with an actual quality tent for my next one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #23 December 29, 2006 QuoteQuote Nice playhut I suppose, but where did you get the $100? It says $18.86. I have a couple year old model of this that I call the Tent Majal. I take it to boogies when I don't want to tow my trailer. I think you're taller than me, but at 6' I have zero problems standing up to get dressed. Lots of room for stuff, and the screen room/front porch is nice to sit in out of the reach of rain/bugs and watch skydivers be silly. I think mine was just a little over $100 at Costco. Blues, Dave Nice tent, is the quality up to scratch? Seems fine to me for a normal nylon tent, though I've only used it maybe a dozen times. It replaced a smaller Ridgeway (3-man) that had lasted me about 20 years. Eventually the channels through which the poles route wore out along the seams on that one. Even that one still works fine, but I wanted something bigger and it's only a matter of time before those channels give up the ghost completely. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingJ 0 #24 December 30, 2006 I was just browsing REI's site and saw this tent: http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/DisplayStyle/717497?source=9039 I cringed when I saw the weight, in fact, I think I would cringe at seeing something 1/3rd the weight, but it sounds like you aren't concerned with that. REI has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee on everything they sell. Might be a little expensive to start with, but it's guaranteed for life. If you ever do any other shopping there it's worth it to become a member and get back a dividend on everything you spend as well.Killing threads since 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #25 December 30, 2006 get yourself a used camper i know one going for about 2500 dollars awesome deal...fuck this tent shithttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
