Hello, I am new to this forum and camping in general. I have camped in the past but few and far between. I have been reading this forum almost non-stop and believe I'm probably suffering from information overload at this point. So I wanted to stop and ask a few questions or get some advice.
We would be using a tent as overflow at our family lake property but would also like to do some travelling to state parks and sight-seeing and using a tent instead of a hotel. Space and some comforts of home are priority for me which would entail comfortable warm bedding, toileting, and a water supply for cleaning/washing hands.
Without getting into the gear aspect to cover those comforts at this point, I will talk about the three tents I'm interested in and my pros and cons. We are a family of four and a dog. We have concerns about space in a tent with four twin air mattresses. Actually can't stand the air mattresses, and am planning on getting those new disc-o-bed bunks for the boys as a space saver that can separate as well.
Coleman Signature Instant Tent 10p 10X14- $280. Could possibly get a coupon for 25% off at some point. Obviously, this is easy to put up and good for the majority of our camping which would be overflow backyard. Cons would be if something would break, the whole thing is toast. Also questionable weather resistance, could use an extra tarp as a rainfly in case of inclement weather but wouldn't feel that easy if thunderstorms predicted. It's got decent reviews overall, but just don't know how long it will last. But low maintenance otherwise.
Kodiak Canvas Cabin 9x12 with awning and wall enclosure- obviously more expensive. Concerned on space with mattresses, hence, the bunk cots. Wondering if anyone has ever used the awning room with wall enclosure as a sleeping space in fair weather. This tent seems like a cottage to me, I like the idea of putting a table and chairs in the screen room. Takes longer to put up, more maintenance in care of canvas. But a fortress in weather and a tent to last a lifetime. The idea would be also to be able to eat in the screen room if mosquitoes are bad but then critters might tear up my tent at night if smells permeate. Does anyone ever eat in their screen room or under the awning? I like the screen room also to take off boots in the rain before going into the tent. With that purpose, we loved the screened area of my husband's sister's Embark tent we borrowed for a rainy scout camp weekend (tent itself had leaks though). Figured we could get some outdoor carpet to put down and use it as an extra living space. Too much work for weekend camping?
Kodiak Canvas flexbow 10x14. More space but all angled walls so is it a wash in space comparison with cabin model? Reportedly easier and faster to put up than the cabin so might be better for backyard weekend camping. Has an awning but maybe not enough for removing rubber boots in rain and keeping boots dry. Considering this if it is an absolute no-no with regrets in eating in screen room in the cabin model and would use a separate screen canopy over picnic table on the campsite. Would last a lifetime and confidence in bad weather. Perhaps a happy medium between the ease of an instant tent and the complications of erecting the cabin tent. I love the cabin/enclosure set-up the most but don't know if it's too much trouble to put up for short stays.
Also reading mixed reports on canvas tents as far as coolness in summer. First I saw that canvas breathes better thus cooler, but then I read in other places how it was like an oven compared to nylon tents. Also in hot rainy weather, can you even open the flexbow windows without being rained in? I would imagine if it was high winds, you'd have to take down the awnings on either tent and stay inside with windows up.
Also on my local craigslist, I was wondering if this was a good deal for $75:
"12 x 12 Screen Room with straight walls. This tent is great. It is quality Canvas construction!
It is super big and tall.
All original Box instructions poles & stakes included!
One door with two zippers, so it rolls and ties up out of the way. One door on the rear with one zipper that folds over.
This tent would be well over $300 if you could find one.
No Mold or Mildew never put away wet."
I talked to the seller, he said the canvas canopy stands with 7 ft sides and 9 ft in middle with aluminum poles and stakes down. Wanted to find out if you think this is a good idea since it's not free-standing with optional staking. Would use as dining space either backyard or campsite. No picture of it erect, said he got it at Sears some years ago.
Thanks for any help or advice! I found out about the Kodiak tents by reading this web site and don't want to regret not getting one before the quality goes downhill and the price goes up either!
We would be using a tent as overflow at our family lake property but would also like to do some travelling to state parks and sight-seeing and using a tent instead of a hotel. Space and some comforts of home are priority for me which would entail comfortable warm bedding, toileting, and a water supply for cleaning/washing hands.
Without getting into the gear aspect to cover those comforts at this point, I will talk about the three tents I'm interested in and my pros and cons. We are a family of four and a dog. We have concerns about space in a tent with four twin air mattresses. Actually can't stand the air mattresses, and am planning on getting those new disc-o-bed bunks for the boys as a space saver that can separate as well.
Coleman Signature Instant Tent 10p 10X14- $280. Could possibly get a coupon for 25% off at some point. Obviously, this is easy to put up and good for the majority of our camping which would be overflow backyard. Cons would be if something would break, the whole thing is toast. Also questionable weather resistance, could use an extra tarp as a rainfly in case of inclement weather but wouldn't feel that easy if thunderstorms predicted. It's got decent reviews overall, but just don't know how long it will last. But low maintenance otherwise.
Kodiak Canvas Cabin 9x12 with awning and wall enclosure- obviously more expensive. Concerned on space with mattresses, hence, the bunk cots. Wondering if anyone has ever used the awning room with wall enclosure as a sleeping space in fair weather. This tent seems like a cottage to me, I like the idea of putting a table and chairs in the screen room. Takes longer to put up, more maintenance in care of canvas. But a fortress in weather and a tent to last a lifetime. The idea would be also to be able to eat in the screen room if mosquitoes are bad but then critters might tear up my tent at night if smells permeate. Does anyone ever eat in their screen room or under the awning? I like the screen room also to take off boots in the rain before going into the tent. With that purpose, we loved the screened area of my husband's sister's Embark tent we borrowed for a rainy scout camp weekend (tent itself had leaks though). Figured we could get some outdoor carpet to put down and use it as an extra living space. Too much work for weekend camping?
Kodiak Canvas flexbow 10x14. More space but all angled walls so is it a wash in space comparison with cabin model? Reportedly easier and faster to put up than the cabin so might be better for backyard weekend camping. Has an awning but maybe not enough for removing rubber boots in rain and keeping boots dry. Considering this if it is an absolute no-no with regrets in eating in screen room in the cabin model and would use a separate screen canopy over picnic table on the campsite. Would last a lifetime and confidence in bad weather. Perhaps a happy medium between the ease of an instant tent and the complications of erecting the cabin tent. I love the cabin/enclosure set-up the most but don't know if it's too much trouble to put up for short stays.
Also reading mixed reports on canvas tents as far as coolness in summer. First I saw that canvas breathes better thus cooler, but then I read in other places how it was like an oven compared to nylon tents. Also in hot rainy weather, can you even open the flexbow windows without being rained in? I would imagine if it was high winds, you'd have to take down the awnings on either tent and stay inside with windows up.
Also on my local craigslist, I was wondering if this was a good deal for $75:
"12 x 12 Screen Room with straight walls. This tent is great. It is quality Canvas construction!
It is super big and tall.
All original Box instructions poles & stakes included!
One door with two zippers, so it rolls and ties up out of the way. One door on the rear with one zipper that folds over.
This tent would be well over $300 if you could find one.
No Mold or Mildew never put away wet."
I talked to the seller, he said the canvas canopy stands with 7 ft sides and 9 ft in middle with aluminum poles and stakes down. Wanted to find out if you think this is a good idea since it's not free-standing with optional staking. Would use as dining space either backyard or campsite. No picture of it erect, said he got it at Sears some years ago.
Thanks for any help or advice! I found out about the Kodiak tents by reading this web site and don't want to regret not getting one before the quality goes downhill and the price goes up either!
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