Looking for a new family tent. Help please.

[MarcFJ60]

On the Kodiak, and I assume there's something similar on the Springbar, there are vents at the top of the side walls (the green triangular flaps you see in pics). This is on the deluxe/typical models. The Basic version does not have vents. I haven't taken mine out on a super hot and humid trip, but it did well in the warm weather.

I don't have experience with the REI and Big Agnes. I'm sure they're great. I think it really comes down to whether you want a canvas tent or nylon tent. My Kodiak is strictly for car camping, so weight wasn't an issue. With a family of 5, I'd go for the bigger 10x14. 10x10 may work, but I'd prefer the extra space.

As for Springbar vs Kodiak - they're both great. I would have been willing to pay a little extra for the US made Springbar, but they had a 6 week wait at the time. But I actually like some of the features of the Kodiak better.

[nwoods]

Search this forum for my user name and "Base Camp" tent from REI. I think it is a better tent than the Kingdom tent, and a bit less expensive too. Also, in addition to Turbo, check out: http://www.pahaque.com/

[rshuckfinn]

Look at the OzTent too.

[BBQ BOY]

How are the Mr. Heaters with these canvas tents? on cold nights when I would have my heater on to keep the family warm, the nylon tents that I have had did not seem to ventilate very well. I am scared that we could get carbon monoxide poisoning. I am thinking that the canvas tents would do better with the venting of carbon monoxide.

[Honu]

We used our buddy heater in our old trailer tent a conqueror conquest so think RTT with extra room
They did very well a nylon/poly synthetic tent does not hold heat
Canvas do very well
When the outside of our tent was all frost the inside was toasty warm

Usually we would run it before bed and I would get up turn it on and in 5 minutes warm
We also kept it on overnight a few times we did keep a window open a bit to make sure fresh air coming in

[JIMBO]

The "hatch" tent, kinda depends on what you're driving, but mine is 6 years old and very high quality-

It's great for my wife and I, if we hear/suspect bears--just jump in the jeep and close the gate--

It's 10'x10'x9' and I'm 6'5 with plenty head room-

Sleeps (including the jeep), 6 adults and several little kids-(no dogs)-

Made by Nissan, 6 years ago it was $265 bucks and goes up/down easy, weighs about 10lbs-




Also have two "Airzone" tents, but they're smaller--one minute erection time-

Thousands of choices, but I'll never own a canvas tent again--to much smell/trouble/size/weight--

Good luck

JIMBO

[BBQ BOY]

The "hatch" tent, kinda depends on what you're driving, but mine is 6 years old and very high quality-

It's great for my wife and I, if we hear/suspect bears--just jump in the jeep and close the gate--

It's 10'x10'x9' and I'm 6'5 with plenty head room-

Sleeps (including the jeep), 6 adults and several little kids-(no dogs)-

Made by Nissan, 6 years ago it was $265 bucks and goes up/down easy, weighs about 10lbs-




Also have two "Airzone" tents, but they're smaller--one minute erection time-

Thousands of choices, but I'll never own a canvas tent again--to much smell/trouble/size/weight--

Good luck

JIMBO

smell????

[cruiserbent]

Check Alps Mountaineering. Nice heavy zippers. Have used ours about 6 times. No problems at all. And if you happen to be invoved in Scouts you get like 40% or 60% off. Very easy set up

[aruss]

smell????

Canvas tents can get pretty musty if they are stored wet, and I believe that some of the older ones (army surplus in particular) are treated with petroleum products. Nylon tents get rank if stored wet, too. I picked up a Eureka canvas tent from about 1980 in a thrift store a few years ago, 10 x 14 and does not smell bad at all. The canvas tent is much more comfortable in hot weather, it seems to breathe unlike nylon, but it also has a ridge height of 8" that probably helps. I also have an REI base camp 6, it is a very good tent and has weathered some heavy storms. I have considered getting a Cabela's Alaskan Guide tent, they are pricey but having something bomb proof is really tempting after some of the experiences with weather I have had.

[Utah KJ]

Springbar FTW. Built by Americans for Americans and it doesn't have that annoying Chinese knock-offedness you get with the Kodiak.