Tents and why you purchase them?

[Sir William Goes]

I chose to go with the Gazelle T4. Typically I camp solely in the rig however I have found a tent to be nice if I bring my wife or dogs or have adverse weather. When I considered a tent I wanted one I could stand in and one that was big enough that we could all hang out in and could withstand the elements. I was sent the Gazelle to test out after I had horrible experience with a Coleman insta tent. I have been using it since and really enjoy it. The only downfall is the length when packed up. The setup and take down times for this tent are its claim to fame and for good reason. Here is a video I made about it.

 

[wvjeeper]

I have no issue with tents and would camp year-round. However, my wife hates tenting and has insisted that she will only do so in a rooftop tent. So now I'm looking at those options. Otherwise, if it's just me, I'm good with a 3-season tent. If it gets to cold, I'll sleep in the Jeep.

 

[joshjunior]

had plans to just use my hammock... But I got a bro deal on this tent and ended up loving it

 

[ajneff]

When we go as a whole family, we throughly are happy with the Gazelle T4Plus, tones of room, and we have 5 kids.... so seven total, yes a crazy seven .... but we have a ton of room and the kids love it... (yes on air mattresses, I'm tired of the thermarest, 10 years + of motorcycle camping, time to be more civilized)

 

[Pretzel]

I chose to go with the Gazelle T4. Typically I camp solely in the rig however I have found a tent to be nice if I bring my wife or dogs or have adverse weather. When I considered a tent I wanted one I could stand in and one that was big enough that we could all hang out in and could withstand the elements. I was sent the Gazelle to test out after I had horrible experience with a Coleman insta tent. I have been using it since and really enjoy it. The only downfall is the length when packed up. The setup and take down times for this tent are its claim to fame and for good reason. Here is a video I made about it.

Your review is what finally sold me on it, with it's performance in the rain being my last question unanswered so thanks for that! Then by an awesome coincidence I met your mom at Kerr Lake as my wife and I were setting it up the first time. She was our neighbor all weekend and was very nice. I think I know what you should get her for Christmas this year!

 

[Joey83]

I'm not really a tent person.

 

[64Trvlr]

I've had a lot of tents over the years from a tube tent to the Cabelas Alaskan Guide 8 man tent I have now. I've been using it for 12 years now and it's hands down the best tent I've ever owned. It's big, heavy and takes a little bit to set it up but once it's up it awesome. I camped in 10 straight days of rain, been in 55-70 MPH wind, 6 days in 8" of snow and the outside stays outside, the inside is wind free and dry.

It was expensive but well worth it.

 

[tjZ06]

When I bought it I was just getting back into tent camping, coming from years of 5th wheel toy haulers, a few big RVs, etc. (I still have a 5'er). So I wanted to go with something pretty affordable for my first foray back into a ground tent so I could feel out what I actually wanted for size and features without putting too much $ into it. I probably over-thought the decision for a few days, then finally just went for this since the price is so good and it has the "dark room technology" which lets me get a little more sleep in the AM if I so desire (if it doesn't start getting too hot). Overall, I'm very happy with it, and at this price if it gets thrashed in a few years it's not a big deal.

-TJ

 

[Wilson123]

We had a couple of tents -10 person for long trips and 3 to 4 person for short trips, but got the Gazelle T4 plus for convenience (got on black Friday sale less than $400) and it has been great for times when we leave after work and are fighting sunset when get to destination. Takes less than 2 min to set up. Takes longer to stake down in hard Texas ground. I have Multiple Sclerosis and RTT's out of question and hubby likes that Very roomy and he can stand up inside.Also like the fact can remove floor to shake out dirt and don't have to sweep dirt out of tent. Biggest plus is the time saving and roominess.

 

[Anak]

I've had a lot of tents over the years from a tube tent to the Cabelas Alaskan Guide 8 man tent I have now. I've been using it for 12 years now and it's hands down the best tent I've ever owned. It's big, heavy and takes a little bit to set it up but once it's up it awesome. I camped in 10 straight days of rain, been in 55-70 MPH wind, 6 days in 8" of snow and the outside stays outside, the inside is wind free and dry.

It was expensive but well worth it.


View attachment 132764

The vehicles in the background are the coolest part of that picture.

I want more pics of the wagon and trailer.

 

[Outdoordog]

I camp in every season except summer. Not a fan of heat.

I got a 4 person coleman tent. Cheap and works well.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I camp in every season except summer. Not a fan of heat.

I got a 4 person coleman tent. Cheap and works well.

Which coleman tent ? Can you stand up inside ? There are ways to stay cool in the summer if you camp in areas with low humidity. Humid areas are off limits for me when the temp is above 75 degree F. Camping in high altitude areas (above 6500') are almost necessary for summer camping without cooling equip. A nice cool mountain stream helps a lot.

 

[Mike G]

Just bought a cabin tent and it worked great in 1” of snow. Did great in 20 mph wind and light rain.

Alabama Hills Dec 2019

 

[Outdoordog]

Which coleman tent ? Can you stand up inside ? There are ways to stay cool in the summer if you camp in areas with low humidity. Humid areas are off limits for me when the temp is above 75 degree F. Camping in high altitude areas (above 6500') are almost necessary for summer camping without cooling equip. A nice cool mountain stream helps a lot.

I'll take a picture of it when I can.
I can stand in the middle of it.

Yes, humidity is not fun! I prefer winter camping hehe.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Just bought a cabin tent and it worked great in 1” of snow. Did great in 20 mph wind and light rain.

Alabama Hills Dec 2019

View attachment 134386
View attachment 134387

Did you have a heater, what kind, what make is the tent ? Appears you didn't put anything under the tent, was it waterproof. Do you have a carpet pad inside ? Are you sleeping on a cot or on the ground ? How many were in the tent ? Brrrrr it looks so cold I'd want to stay inside !

 

[grubworm]

i use tents for my kids to keep them out of our camper. i generally try to stay in the $20 range. will it keep them warm and dry? i dont know...they're kids

Robot or human?

 

[Anak]

i use tents for my kids to keep them out of our camper. i generally try to stay in the $20 range. will it keep them warm and dry? i dont know...they're kids

Robot or human?

View attachment 134393

There is a strategy I can appreciate.

 

[Mike G]

Did you have a heater, what kind, what make is the tent ? Appears you didn't put anything under the tent, was it waterproof. Do you have a carpet pad inside ? Are you sleeping on a cot or on the ground ? How many were in the tent ? Brrrrr it looks so cold I'd want to stay inside !

I did use a small tarp underneath the tent and it helped a bit. I do need to buy a bigger tarp. The mfr is Alps Mountaineering, same style as the Coleman cabin tent. Tent is water proof, but it has a mesh roof so I did get a breeze now and then. No heater, just a sleeping pad and 30 deg bad. I used some Mega Hot Hands in my sleeping bag and wore 32 deg F long Johns which helped a lot. It’s a 4 man tent, and I was alone so I had plenty of room.
I like this tent because the packed length is smaller then the Coleman and the price was great at $120 (cyber Monday deal at REI Outlet). I wanted the gazelle tent but the price and packed size was too much.

 

[WAYAWAY]

I bought an ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 Tent from REI in 2018. I love it. (and it was on sale, so I saved around $65)

When I go out solo or with my girlfriend and I go out, we just sleep in the 4Runner.. but when I'm with a buddy or my sons, we pack the tent. Collapsed, it's the size of a large duffel. Best part is that it's about 7' tall.. so I can stand up in it (I'm 6' tall).

It goes up really easy and is great in the wind.



Henry approved..

NOTE: The Coleman cots are heavy AF, but they are super comfortable.

 

[Seanm26]

Any pictures of it packed up? Maybe throw in a banana for scale.