what is a good tent????

[Snake River King]

Hello this summer me and the guys are going to do more camping this summer and I was woundering what is a good tent I want a 6 person sleeper and It has to be water proof and can be set up easily, I want to keep the price under $500 bucks but I want something good, so if it does rain we wont get wet, and will stand in the wind. thanks SRK

[MNice]

Do a search for ALPS mountaineering. they have a tester program that if you do a couple of detailed reviews, you get about 60% off retail. I have an outfitter 3 and its great. When you find their homepage, click on the about us button & scroll down. Pretty simple and they make a great product.

good luck.

[grousehunter]

If you are just planning on car camping, which im assuming you are since you want a 6 person tent. EMS Super Nova 6 tent is pretty sweet and will definatly keep you dry and stand up to wind. Its $460 though so close to your price limit. Another tent to check out would be the cabela's alaskan guide tent. This one you could use in the winter also and no problems on water or wind in excess of 60mph. This one is up there towards 500 in price too. I don't own either of the tents, but have heard good things about both and tend to do a lot of research on stuff I might want to buy someday. As of now i like to backpack more then car/truck camp so thats what i have. Good luck in your tent search and I'm sure that there are cheaper tents that would end up being ok too.

Edit: the EMS would be easier to set up then the cabelas tent. The cabelas tent can take a while to set up, but that is why it can handle anything that is thrown at it, Both of these tents you would most likely need 2 people for the set up.

Blake

[reelemin]

I hate to admit this - but, for what you are looking for, check out coleman tents. Descent, and a good price.

Other wise I've had really good luck with Kelty tents. Same great quality without the price of bigger name brands.

[IFallsRon]

My buddy has been happy with his American Heritage WeatherMaster 12' x 9' Cabin Tent that runs around $130.

[kunk]

We have 2 Urekas, a Timberline and a Space 12. We've been through some pretty rough weather and haven't gotten wet yet.

[rowdyf]

REI makes a decent tent, I've been very happy with mine

[Powerstroke]

I have to agree with Rowdy, I really like the REI brand tents. They have all the features and quality of the high end mountaineering styles, but with a lower "store brand" price.

I've got 2 already and I'm thinking about adding another.

I did do a search on your question to see what kind of tents are available at the REI store and every they have over a dozen tents that will house 6+ and are under that $500 threshold. You can do research on their site and you can setup any tent in the store to get a feel for it. THey sell several brands, not just REI so its worth it to get an idea whats on the market.

I like a tent with a full-coverage fly. THat means it extends all the way to the ground. Most have windows for extra lighjt and roof vents, but I like that the doors are protected completely and wind and or rain cannot drive into the tent. Both of my REI tents have been through actual Severe Thunderstorms and don'e wonderfully. Last year we had quarter size hail I was sure would rip through the material, but again had no problems. 50+ MPH winds that toppled trees and lifted our tent off the ground did not pull the stakes or bend the poles. They are well designed.

Campmor is another all-around online store but you cannot go there to check out the tent.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Eureka Sunrise 12. I have both the Sunrise 9 & Sunrise 12 and can't say enough good things about them. Easy to setup, strong and a great price. Check online. Enjoy!

[mtwalleye]

I have had great luck with Eureka tents. I have had the Willow Creek 12 tent for quite a while and it has been a great tent. I just purchased a new Eureka Titan tent. The Willow Creek tent is for sale up in the For Sale - Boats, Rentals, etc forum. The rain fly needs work but the tent itself is in good condition. Check it out.

[Quetico]

Go up to REI or Midwest Mountaineering. The REI brand tents seem to do really well for the buck. If want decent but a bit cheaper Eureka is the classic high quality tent. Eureka makes great tents that last. For high and high style check out Kelty or Sierra Designs. Great tents, top quality, top features for a top dollar.

[yakfisher]

Most of the higher end store brand tents are manufactured by Eureka you can definitely see the similarities when you place the similar styles side by side. I've used many different Eureka tents, but only the timberline 6 in the size you are looking for.

What does this manufacturing stuff mean, well it's like buying a store brand can of corn vs Green Giant corn. It's pretty much the same corn, likely packaged by the same company. The good news is that most Eureka tents aren't that expensive either.

I've also heard good things about the Cabela's tents. I would suggest that if you intend to use cots make sure you get a sturdy floor, and use a rounded bottom style cot.

[BoxMN]

We have a Wenzel "3 room" tent that we got from Campmor years ago. We use it for extra room at the cabin. We even left it up one week while we were gone, with an air bed with base in it... not a good idea, as a Tornado type storm went through the area. Knocked down trees including one on top of the tent. It bent the air bed frame to heck, and broke one fiberglass pole, but no tears in the tent material or fly. It gets my vote, and it wasn't that expensive, one of their "hot buys".

It does take two people to put up, but it goes up fast. I also have a 3 person Kelty dome that is great, and a Eureka Timberline 2, both that we used to use a lot and no probs with either one. Have another eureka 4 person tent, a real old one, but the alum poles bent and ripped the fly... not sure why I even keep that one around anymore... heh, but can't part with it

[duckcall]

I am finally retiring my Eureka Wind River six man tent after twenty years. They don't make it any more, but the Cabelas West Wind tent is the same thing. I am going to get a cabelas Alaskan guide 8 man tent this Spring. They are pricey with the aluminum poles, but everyone I know that has one swears by it. It sheds wind, rain and snow like no other tent I have seen. If you don't winter camp the fiberglass pole version of the six man tent is well within your price range.

[chaffmj]

I have had good luck with Eureka tents but the one thing I wanted to tell you as far as size goes my rule of thumb is if it is a two man tent it works great for one, four works for 2 people and so on.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

 Originally Posted By: chaffmj

I have had good luck with Eureka tents but the one thing I wanted to tell you as far as size goes my rule of thumb is if it is a two man tent it works great for one, four works for 2 people and so on.

Yuh, they rate these things like they rate cars for gas mileage

[Powerstroke]

The think with the ratings for tents is that they are rated for sleeping in. A 2 person tent can sleep two people if they know each other and hopefully are intimate. 3-4- person etc.

With the use of vestibules there is increase storage for gear so that you don't bring it inside the tent.

Tents are designed to not waste space. I have no problem using a 2person tent for two people and a 4 person tent for 4 people and our small dog.

If you're the type who prefers a cot or large air mattress in your tent than you will need larger tent. I think if they sold tents based on size only, the first thing a shopper would ask is how many people does it sleep? I've learned to not trust the ratings anyway and I don't buy a tent without actually sitting inside it and laying out my gear. If I can't get inside the specific tent I find one with a similar footprint to try on.

[Powerstroke]

 Originally Posted By: Wish-I-Were-Fishn

 Originally Posted By: chaffmj

I have had good luck with Eureka tents but the one thing I wanted to tell you as far as size goes my rule of thumb is if it is a two man tent it works great for one, four works for 2 people and so on.

Yuh, they rate these things like they rate cars for gas mileage

And power gains for aftermarket equipment....

[stezoman]

I have an "outback lodge" from cabelas. I've had it for 6 years and have had no problems with it. It has stood up to some pretty serious weather. I do treat it with camp dry when I set it up. I'm sure that makes a difference, but it's cheap insurance against the rain. Mine is 10'x10'. It will sleep 3 comfortably on cots and 4 if your on the ground. They make a 12'x12' that would probably fit your needs. They are pretty affordable as quality tents go. They run around $200. Takes about 10 minutes to set up and 2 to take down.

[LovenLifeGuy]

After two bad trips in a row due to weather I decided to buy a nice tent. I got the Cabelas alaskan guide with the aluminum poles. Very nice tent and my wife and I can set it up in 5 min. We got the 6 person tent. It fits me and my wife on a queen cot, my daughters pack and play as well as my dogs large kennel. Still enough room to move around and get things put away. Also, a nice big area to put the shoes (not sure what it is called). It is big enough to put the kennel in if I had to. We got it for around $400 on one of the days cabelas had a huge sale and discount.

[grousehunter]

Snake...Did you get one yet?? If so what did you end up getting? later,

Blake

[RiverBassGuy]

Cabela's tents (Alaskan Guide particularily) are excellent. Plus the warranty is unbeatable. Just don't buy a coleman, unless it's for your kids in the backyard.