Coleman Weathertec tents?

[GoodToGo]

Anyone have any experience with Coleman tents labeled as Weathertec. They claim waterproof with 100% guarantee, has anyone actually ridden out a few storms in one of these?

[1lkstage]

Bought a coleman last summer for the kids.(2-3 room)I don't think it had the weathertec system(must just be a protective coating). It did get wet, but the wetness was comming from the cover or top you put over it. If that isn't on "just right". rain would come right thru the windows. We did have a wet weekend, as I recall, it rained all weekend. But "I" was dry in the camper!! I would not believe any tent to be 100% dry like their sight reads, as I have tried like 4 different ones. Had the best luck spraying some 3m tent waterproof sealant on our big 4 room when it was new, thats still working. Good luck and hope for good weather!

[Jackpine Rob]

What size of tent are you looking for, and where will you be using it? There are so many types and models out there now, a guy gets dizzy just looking.

[GoodToGo]

I am looking for a tent to be used for camping in Voyageurs, where they have sandboxes on the islands for tents that measure 10' x 10'. I have a family of four, with two 6 year old boys. I have a big (10x13+) cabin tent that is very good, but won't fit onto one of those sandboxes. Unfortunately I own several tents, but none are right for this situation (older Eureka 3 man geo dome, North Face 2 man backpacker, Red head cabin tent). If money were no object i would get another Eureka. At this point money is an object, so I'm looking at selling the cabin tent and checking out cheaper alternatives (gander mountain, coleman). My needs are, fits 2 adults, two kids, is waterproof, won't blow down, and is approximately 9x9 or 10x10. If I have to spend more money I will, but not until I've exhausted alternatives, including auction sites. The features Coleman lists for weathertec look good, but I do not immediately associate Coleman with quality. So, any other cheaper tents that you would consider waterproof?

[Jackpine Rob]

Geez - the size of the sandbox kind of limits a guy, eh?

Hate to say it, but the one I like best for what you're describing is the Equinox by Eureka, but if memory serves me even that one is a bit more than 10 feet at least in one direction. Maybe it would fit if placed in there kiddywampus.

I've got a smaller version of the same design - mine is called the Overlander, and was purchased about 17 years ago. Other than the infamous "I didn't think the rain could come in sideways" incident, where the rear window was partially unzipped while we were out fishing, I haven't had any problems. That tent has seen plenty of use in the Boundary Waters, but I am gradually phasing it out, due to the age of the tent and increasingly delicate nature of the nylon. A tent that old with that much use should probably have been retired a while ago, but I still find myself using it.

Have fun shopping! I'd be curious to hear what you decide on, and how well it works out.

[GoodToGo]

Yeah, the idea of the sandbox is great, but a few more feet would have been nice. Even if I went with a Eureka the only one that really fits the bill is a Tetragon 9, but it is a square dome, which I'm leary of for wind reasons. I'd rather have an extra pole or two for stability. Oh well, I have lots of time to look.

[jonny_redhorse]

I just purchased a cabela's outback lodge tent 10'x10'(8'-4" center)wt.16 pounds just because of that problem up at the voyageurs sites...this tent goes up in about 5 minutes with one person(usually myself)...is waterproof...no fly needed ..sleeps 2-3...with cots...(they say 6 but that's to crowded)i love this tent!can't say enough about it!...also comes in 12'x12'..think i payed about 199 bucks for it...simply a great tent!

[jonny_redhorse]

here's the last tent i had up on sand point lake in the voyageurs park..(the the grey and blue tent on the right)a coleman "bighorn"(actually a very nice tent)...as you can see , barely could get the tent on the 10'x10' sand box luckily someone left some spikes in the timbers and i really utilized them!...i sold this tent....problem solved!plus it took me 1 1/2 hours to put this monster together!.geesh!...25'poles criss crossed all over the place!...the cabela's outback tent fits on the sand boxes perfect!

[cheektowaga]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread because i had the same question, waterproof?

Good to Go, I'm a little surprised, or probably ignorant, that Coleman is a lesser quality tent. I've had the same 2 person Coleman Dome that's been to BWCA couple times and on about 10-12 trips a year to the lake up north and absolutely love it! Easy to set up, keeps dry in the rain, and the floor and 6" of side wall are made of a durable and waterproof tarp material. I'm looking for a bigger Coleman now and am targeting the brand because of my luck. I grew up with a Eureka, and they are nice too though.

Just my 2cents.

[Powerstroke]

The only problem I'v ever had in the last 5 yrs with our Coleman tent is the fiberglass poles have finally started to split and break.

This is obviously due to wear and probably from UV breakdown since our tent gets used every other weekend during the summer. Our tent is probably 95% weatherproof. Every other year we redo the seam sealer and it stays good. Never had a rain problem. Water has never leaked through the walls.

I have to say that there is no excuse for stupid actions. You can't touch the walls or leave a window cracked and expect it to stay dry. Use common sense and any tent will do its job.

[GoodToGo]

I said I didn't associate Coleman with quality (e.g. sold at Target instead of REI), not that they are low quality. That's why I'm asking and appreciate feedback like yours. Eureka, North Face, Sierra Designs all have reputation that I am aware of and I have owned some of them. I looked at a Gander Mountain and a Coleman this weekend at Maple Grove GM. They both seemed to have features that look like they should keep the water out. Tub floor, sealed seams, etc. But you never know until you're huddled on an island getting pounded by rain for two days straight. My Eureka has withstood this, actually sitting in an inch of standing water overnight until I dug drain hole in the sandbox in the morning. Will a Coleman or a Gander Mountain do this? If so, I'm on board.

Jonny R - is that Grassy Narrows your tents are on?

[irvingdog]

A list of tents I've had leak:

Kelty

Coleman

Eureka

Wenzel

North Face

Mountian Hardware

Cabelas

Guide Series

I'm not bashing anyone or any brand, but they can and will all leak........

[Powerstroke]

Liek Irving Dog said, any tent can and will leak. One big misconception that people have is that there tent comes sealed up and waterproof from the factory. Except for the Weathertec tents, I can't think of a single tent that guarentees not to leak all by itself.

On the REI and MSR websites it says several of thier tents are shipped without the seams taped or sealed to save weight. Its up to the consumer to do this step.

Best thing to do is set-up the tent you wish to buy in the store. DOn't look at the one on the floor, set-up the one you are opening and taking home. Check the seams for stress and make sure they aren't coming apart already. If it looks good then buy some seamsealer and take it home. Set it up outside to get more familiar with it then do the seamsealing. It will be done for the season and you will be thankful for something when your 4 days trip is 5 days of rain.

[jonny_redhorse]

you were close .goodtogo...i was in grassy bay itself at one of the more secluded campsites.not to far from "the cliffs" if you know wfere that is...here's a few more pics of the campsite from a couple years ago..guess i just like lookin at em....lol!...getting the "itch" all ready!...

a pic of the "cliffs" on grassy bay

[GoodToGo]

J R-

I couldn't remember if it was Grassy Narrows or Bay...I spent a few days at that same site my first time up through Crane Lake. They kind of all look the same, but that one looked pretty familiar. We switched over to Rainy for the fishing, but Sand Point to Namakan is pretty good for scenery. We would also go into David Lake on the Canadian side and fish for lakers which was a nice change of pace. I'm also starting to day dream...

[sunnyj]

Great pics, great camp site, but how am i supose to get a fith-wheel in there

[GoodToGo]

Well, I finally bought a replacement tent. I went with the Gander Mountain Aurora. It was one of the few I found that were 9' x 9' square dome with 4 poles for stability. After setting it up in the yard I am very impressed with the features and quality of construction. Full coverage fly, large vestibule, taped seams, rain skirt, etc. Plus, it was only $70, marked down from $140 (St. Cloud Gander). Will be tenting up on Rainy next week for 5 days, so we'll see how it does in the rain (hopefully not!).