Family tents / rooms, screen shelters search

[UK4X4]

I've been looking at awnings, screen rooms family tents etc, etc for a while
as my little one needs to be included in our camping plans.

Bugs insect's rain wind and general dust, will all make looking after a young baby dificult, and so a "nice' according to the wife enclosed shelter would make things better.

With just the two of us, the stars and cooking outside was seemingly fine..

The choice is huge, many diferent designs and sizes, from a $ 80 tarp and a noseeum pajama set, through to a $1,800 expedition quality TNF dome.

Kitchen will set up on the trailer, not sure yet if one side or the rear..

I don't mind paying a little more for a quality piece of gear, rather than something that collapses the first time the wind blows.

A tent that leaks is worthless in my view, so when i look at most of the screen rooms with addon doors, they all seem to be set up for protecting the furniture from a light shower rather than being actually waterproof.

A built in awning or similar is required too for at least covering part of the kitchen from the weather.

After long and hard searches.....this looks like a good design.

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/boardroom.asp

Anyone use this or similar/ have recomendations ?

http://media.rei.com/media/w/1443687.jpg

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/images/board_open_large.jpg

When I look at the measurements, I could back the trailer into the tent....and have a complete covered kitchen inside....mmmmmmmm


packaged weight....30 lbs./13.63 kg....thats light

spring bar 10X 10 is nearly 60lbs,

[paulj]

MSR tents have a very good reputation among backpackers and climbers. If you can afford the price this shelter looks like a good idea. I'd expect it to be a lot more durable in bad weather than the typical '4 leg' gazebo, and lighter for a given floor area.

For just rain shelter, I like their wing tarps. They bought a line of these from Walrus some years ago. I have the smaller 7 point Vistatarp. For a while they had dropped this size, but it appears that now they have reintroduced it.

Walrus used to make a screen enclosure that worked with these 7 point tarps. I don't know if MSR has reintroduced those.

I've bought tarps like this from Moontrail. Their web site is quite informative

http://www.moontrail.com/msr-boardroom.php

Another option is a tepi, such those made by Kifaru
http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM

[greybrick]

Looks like the Boardroom model doesn't come with a fly which would help keep water out. I've had good luck owning family sized Eureka tents, and most of of the local camping gear rental shops use Eureka here for their build quality;

http://www.eurekatent.com/

.

[paulj]

I can't find a description of the fabric for the Board Room, but my guess is that the body is a factory sealed waterproof fabric. As such is should not need an extra rain fly. Note that it has overhanging entrances, which 'allow for ventilated protection in nasty weather.' Those would not be of value if the fabric was not waterproof.

They mention using it with the OutfitterWing, though it is unclear whether they intend you to rig the tarp over this, or beside it. I often use a trap (Vistawing or Kelty Noah) over the camp table to provide shelter while cooking and eating. In some contexts it is a good idea to keep the food prep area separate from the sleeping area.

REI lists this. Their spec table says the 'fly' is 'Coated polyester taffeta', though it isn't clear whether it is separate.

Currently we sleep in the car (Honda Element), but I also have a 4 man tent with vestibule, a Walrus Armbadillo Posada (no longer made). It has similar 'tunnel' shape. The body is mostly mesh, with a full height tarp over most of it (part of vestibule is exposed). To give me extra peace of mind in rainy weather I was in the habit of rigging a 12x16' poly tarp over the whole thing. By staking the tarp out a foot or two beyond the tent edge, I reduced the chances of rain water seaping back under the tent.

paulj

[paulj]

Looking further at the MSR pictures, I'd say the 'open shelter' one shows the waterproof 'fly' with integrated pole sleeves. The 'open vestibule' picture shows the bug proof 'tent body', with a mesh door. It appears that this part attaches to the inside of the fly, probably by a couple of full length zippers.

While American tents typically use the poles to support the body, and drap a fly over that, a number of European designs support the outer waterproof part with the poles, and hang the interior from that. Moontrail carries Exped and Hilleberg tents like this: http://www.moontrail.com/hilleberg-kaitum.php

paulj

[Gear]

We just purchased a Traveler 5 from www.springbar.com. Others had recommended it and we are enjoying it too. I will let the photographs tell the story. Also check out the website. They sell screen rooms as well but we decided on the tent.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd26b3127cceb65323d3039400000025108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cb1a2206c00000026108EatWzFu0cO
Lay it out and stake it down.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cb611604400000026108EatWzFu0cO
Insert side rods into T-handle.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cb601605400000026108EatWzFu0cO
2 center poles simple mesh together and a hollow sleeve slides over it to hold it in place.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cd73ca1f100000026108EatWzFu0cO
One pole on each side stands the tent up.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cff3ea1e700000025108EatWzFu0cO
And your are done.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cd70ca1c100000025108EatWzFu0cO
3 large windows and a full size door are great for ventilation.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd29b3127cceb659c6458ddf00000025108EatWzFu0cO
Also makes a great play house.

Overall foot print is 10' x 10'. We slept 4 in it very comfortable. Tony and I set the tent up in 6 minutes.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd31b3127cceb67cd7e6a12b00000025108EatWzFu0cO
Also has an awning off the front.

[UK4X4]

Now the wifes found this toooo.......yeugh....but practical I suppose
there is a red/blue one......I'll have to work on her...

http://www.kidco.com/img/products/travel/callout_p201p.jpg

[cnskate]

Now the wifes found this toooo.......yeugh....but practical I suppose
there is a red/blue one......I'll have to work on her...

http://www.kidco.com/img/products/travel/callout_p201p.jpg

We used a "Peapod" like that on many a camping trip and it worked great for us. The pink one is hideous, though.

[paulj]

If I wasn't already oversupplied with tarps and tents, I'd consider this MEC (a Canadian coop) shelter
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444249 8909&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302702975&bmUID=1208981757661



http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Tents/5001412s_v1_m56577569830663403.jpg

[Tucson T4R]

....................After long and hard searches.....this looks like a good design.

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/boardroom.asp

Anyone use this or similar/ have recomendations ?

http://media.rei.com/media/w/1443687.jpg

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/images/board_open_large.jpg

..............

I like the MSR tents and flys. This looks like a pretty cool solution to me. :elkgrin:

[findleywarren]

For the money go with a springbar. Good people-good company, been around forever. We use the wall tents at work-10 firefighters for up to 30days. Cant say enough about the solid construction. They even have a custom shop where they will make or repair anything you want. You even get a real live person that knows what the hell they are talking about when you call.

[Moody]

For the money go with a springbar. Good people-good company, been around forever. We use the wall tents at work-10 firefighters for up to 30days. Cant say enough about the solid construction. They even have a custom shop where they will make or repair anything you want. You even get a real live person that knows what the hell they are talking about when you call.


One more for the Springbar. I used to work for the company, and I was able to retire my 30 year old family camper (I grew up camping in that tent) and get another. Stellar construction.

I will eventually get an expandable...

[Moody]

One of my Springbar when I first got it:


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/reugmood/springbar.jpg

[greenhorn]

I've seen in the Cabela's catalog, a tent that looks like a Springbar. Is it a cheaper line made by Springbar for Cabela's, or a knock-off?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=041608camp-door&rid=&indexId=cat602107&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat602107&id=0054659

[bigun]

I've seen in the Cabela's catalog, a tent that looks like a Springbar. Is it a cheaper line made by Springbar for Cabela's, or a knock-off?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=041608camp-door&rid=&indexId=cat602107&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat602107&id=0054659
Thanks for the heads up

[Superu]

We have a 16 x 10 Eureka Blue Mesa and it sleeps the five of us with room for gear! Set up is quick and easy too.

http://www.eurekatent.com/images/product/large/85_1_.jpg

[Moody]

I've seen in the Cabela's catalog, a tent that looks like a Springbar. Is it a cheaper line made by Springbar for Cabela's, or a knock-off?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=041608camp-door&rid=&indexId=cat602107&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat602107&id=0054659
When I worked for the company, the Kodiak tents were just coming out. We had a guy buy one and we set it up. Okay, but nowhere near the quality and attention to detail found in the springbar tents.

What is another 100 dollars for a tent to last another 10 years?
Just my opinion, of course...

[Mudpro]

We just purchased a Traveler 5 from www.springbar.com. Others had recommended it and we are enjoying it too. I will let the photographs tell the story. Also check out the website. They sell screen rooms as well but we decided on the tent.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd26b3127cceb65323d3039400000025108EatWzFu0cO


X2 for the Springbar. I have the same tent as "Gear" and its awesome. In addition to family camping, last summer the thing was up in my back yard for every sleep over my then 10 year old had. It stood up to every neighborhood boy, many for their first night out on the ground.

http://wmrogers.smugmug.com/photos/95971244_fcCXi-L.jpg

[Fishenough]

What about a Spacemaker "add-a-room" Tent? Though I've only seen it action/use camping, and had a chance to inspect it; found that it was my ideal driveway tent IMO. Or only good for the van guys?

http://www.busdepot.com/images/parts/J13642.jpg

[paulj]

I looked into getting a European car-side awning (Aztec Auto Haven Tent ) from a UK retailer, but learned that shipping would double the price.
http://www.autotent.co.uk/
paulj

[pygmyowl]

That MSR Boardroom looks nice - I would love to have one. I had a MSR Sidewinder that was a dud, thing would fill up with sand in big winds in the desert, but their Huba back packing tents are the best now, I really like them. I have used the para wing for river trips for years (they acquired it from Moss) and when rigged properly with oars, it is bomber.

I think the shape of the Boardroom would spill the wind real well, hard for the wind to get a good hold on simi-circle, dome type shapes - I really like it.

Scotty

[Ireland]

Have a Springar (Family camper seven) and just love it, would recommend it to anyone without doubt.
Had a trip last year where we were with a big group of people and it rained sideways for the first two days, everyone was out fighting with tarps and such whilst myself and her with the three kids were hanging out in our tent reading books with no cares about the weather.
Another great feature with this tent is the fact that it makes no noise in heavy winds due to the canvas material...
Best tent made in America:luxhello:

[UK4X4]

So a great deal of excellent advise and product recomendation has been recieved and apreciated.....

so where am I ?

MSR could not even respond to a simple email'd question in regards to their product.

The base cost covers only the skin, no interior

so they don't get my pennies......

I understand the springbar concept, hard wearing materials etc etc....

but really,,, surely they could have changed something over the years......
even the tent my parents bought when I was thirteen looked more modern...

It so reminds me of my cub scout days......

( Note thats over 25 years ago)

I'm more of an overkill guy, as far as equipment goes, you never know when that remote sunny campsite drops 30 degress and has snow overnight.....

wind yep....that counted out most of the cheap square shelter types.

I'm not into the $ 60 walmart family tent idea, as I've seen too manyt people have to pack and leave sites in the middle of the night due to weather

So what product did I drop the dosh on for my expanding family.........

something completely diferent...well it's still a tent, but I find the concept
suitable for my needs.

http://campsaver.com/mmWINTERFIXCOM/Images/t/marmot_townhouse.jpg

Not particulary cheap, but not overly expencive for the design of tent, and 1/2 the price of the MSR.

campsave has a 20% coupon through till the 14th....that brings the RRP of
$ 599 down to a much more comfortable $ 439 delivered with no tax.


So what did I like......baby has her own room.......mummy can move from one to the other without going outside
its just over 6Ft tall in the middle so standing in the common area is possible
The design is suitable for 3 season use....
Twin skinned
Mosquito/ noseum netting on the rooms,,,,but missing from the middle area, no real issue for me
The fly serves as a sun shade in the day with the addition of two poles....or a trailer parked next door
To me I think I easily add to the shade awning to make a larger area between tent and trailer kitchen
I like the windproof design

Issues may be ventilation although the marmot site say's the skin folds / removes to add ventilation
i could find no details or reviews...so we'll see..
At the end of the day I could always run fans of the trailer battery if required.

The central space is not huge but usable for hanging out in a deluge, and if I add to the door, this can be extended pretty easily

The dog.. can even sleep in the middle section ....who am I kidding.....

The footprint is quite large for the accomadation size, but with the weatherproof design...I'll put up with having to look for larger spots...