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 ?





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.




Lay it out and stake it down.


Insert side rods into T-handle.


2 center poles simple mesh together and a hollow sleeve slides over it to hold it in place.


One pole on each side stands the tent up.


And your are done.


3 large windows and a full size door are great for ventilation.


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.


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...

[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...

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_d...=1208981757661

[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 ?





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

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