Touring Tents

Nod posted:

HAd a look at the Web site and they look impressive, however a roof top is not waht I'm after at the moment. I need\want something that is both quick and easy to put up but also suitable to be used for several nights as a base camp and the occasional weekend away.
Thanks for the idea thou.

Crackles posted:

Had one of the first family tourers that took me 15 hard years to wear out which I recently replaced with a second Freedom, a Northern Tourer.
Two years on & 3 of the D rings have pulled out, 1 of the YKK zips is stuffed & the welded spigot just fell out of the centre pole. Just don't make them like the good old days.
IMHO the Southern Cross tent is tougher but I don't like their use of valcro to seal the door.
Cheers Craig............

Nod posted:

Thanks Craig, this is valuable info. I have a 15 year old Freedom cabin tent that has done lots of work and still in good condition for its age however its a bugger to put up hence the need to replace it. The quality of the old tent is great given its age its in good nik. Its interesting you haven't had the same experience with the newer one. And I agree velcro sucks on tents, the old one has extension walls that velcro on... a zip would be much better.
Cheers and thanks for the info.
Nod

BigPop posted:

Regarding velcro - I can't understand why people get so upset with it. I agree it can be a pain on doors instead of zips but otherwise it can be as good and as strong as zippers and holds on really well.

I've heard people say "but you can just pull it open and get in" well you can do the same with zips - and after all tents aren't the securest place on earth are they.

Just my $0.02c worth

BigPop
(I never get lost because everyone tells me where to go )

Nod posted:

I have assumed that these being significantly cheaper would not be as good quality, you get what you pay for mentality. However having looked at the COI tent I must admit it appears to be of reasonable quality. Has anyone got some real negative opinions of these? Are the more expensive ones a waste of money?

80scruiser posted:

The only thing I noticed is the COI has a D door which tends to hang when open which could put stress on the upper section where as the Southern Cross that did the trip with us had a U type door. We also had a Freedom extended with us. I liked them all. The other thing is the awning could be connected a little higher or shorter awning poles as it is angled up at the poles which causes the water to run back and pool towards the door. No water got inside but I liked the idea of having an awning. It was great when it was raining as you could unzip the main door and not worry about water getting in.
The ropes that hold the awning poles up a crap but a couple of good long Ocky Straps do wonders.
I have solved the awning height problem by going to Boots and purchasing some adjustable height poles, which we carry with us anyway and if it rains just adjust the awning down so the water runs off.

rb30s posted:

PrimusCoi now have an option of "D" doors or "U" doors. The "U" (Hurricane model) has an optional zipp on awning at extra cost. Check out
http://www.primuscoi.com.au/default.htm
well worth a look!!

Adrian