Morning all,
There's lots of advice here already on tent options, so apologies for some duplication. Here's the situation:
- 2 adults, 15 year old (now in a swag) and also 12 & 10 year old
-
Camp 3 - 4 times per year - one longer period after Christmas then a few weekends or
Easter
- 4WD canopy trailer with solar, fridge
We've had a Black Wolf 300+ Lite for 10 years. Easily 100+ nights. Floor no longer water proof (silicon or PU coating worn) few patched holes in fly and aspects of the fly no longer much water proof. Now put a tarp over it. Have all the awning walls to enclose the front area.
I would prefer a RTT on the trailer with annex but wife not so keen on that idea - in my mind this speeds set-up as no bedding for us required. Considered a camper trailer but probably not got the $ right now and I need the 4WD trailer for carrying stuff. Things I would like:
- Some separation for kids + adults - can just be partion
- I like the enclosed awning of the Black Wolf as you can store shoes etc there when it's raining
- I don't like that I need a tarp to keep it water proof
- Even when it was new there was also some water leaks in the rear corner
- Quick to set-up the base tent, but then by the time you've added the fly, awning, pegged out the ropes and then put up the tarp you are talking hours.
- Don't care much about the size or weight, got heaps of space
- I'm 6ft 6, so a 2m x 2m tent ain't big enough without my feet touching the ends. That's why we got the 300 instead of the 240.
- Got to be solid. Don't like the stress of "is my tent going to blow over in the wind". Thinking got to be canvas.
- Prefer a heavy duty type PVC floor over the PU coated nylon one on my current tent
Considering the following:
- Oztent RV5 (probably would need 2). Some people like em, but there's plenty of -ive reviews on product review with breakages in the windy. Costly, but appear you can join them together at the centre.
- Could get 2nd hand Black Wolf 300+ in canvas. They appear to have a heavier floor and I am assuming the canvas model is more waterproof / heavy duty compared to my current one. Also all my current awning walls would fit.
-
Southern Cross. Not sure enough space in the Ultimate Trekker, so double ender? Then I can see issues as the awnings don't look to provide the degree of
shelter to be able to store stuff in them
- Some sort of 2nd hand cabin tent (freedom etc). Lots of space, but set-up time for a weekend?
- Seen some Diamantina heavy duty canvas tents which weight a tonne.
Any other options I should consider? What are the experiences of family campers in the same situation with tents?
Cheers,
Tom