Stockman Tents @ K Mart

They also had their single pole tourers for $110 in Bunbury the other week!!! Clearing them out, bargin.

Many years ago I convinced the wife to part with $1200 to purchase a good quality tent for the family to camp in.

Whe spotted the Stockman/Jackaroo range in KMart and made my life difficult for a few weeks over what I had spent.

Anyway the long weekend came around and we are camped in the CP at Pt Stephens. Having established camp SWMBO takes the young daughter to the amenities and spots a guy with a brand new Stockman tent. He is pulling it out of the box and setting it up. Looks like he's done a good job. Anyway the next arvo the southerly buster comes through along with some pretty heavy rain. When it eases off we all make a dash for the dunny. We go right past where the stockman tent is. The awning is full of water and it is pulling the tent over forwards, the wife is screaming her lungs out at poor old dad and the kids are just screaming. Everyone is wet cold and frightened.

I was busting so I figured a quick visit and I'll give him a hand to tidy things up. I wasn't quick enough. When I came out the tent had fallen down, bent poles and soggy gear all over the place. I offer to help. The poor guy just looks at me and says thanks mate but it's OK, were going home.

I don't know for sure but I reckon they never went camping again. My wife on the other hand says thanks for buying a good tent. Since then we have progressed from CP's to the occasional night bush camping. She is now at the point where she wants a CP about every 10 to 15 days just to get the washing done.

Do yourself a favour, buy a decent tent.

Duncs

The question was answered when you said he was pulling the tent out of the box. They need to be set up at home and well watered so that the canvas swells and seals itself. The big shame is that that particular family will probably never go camping again because of poor preperation. The kids in particular are denied the great experience that we all enjoy because dad did not research what was required. The old saying applies. When all else fails and as a last resort Read the instructions. Nothing at all wrong with the product, only with the user.

I've bought a few little ( up to 4 man ) tents from Kmart over the years, Jackaroo, Caribee, and Stockman brands. None has cost me more than about $130.

They have lasted fine, worked well, and usually only broke through neglect on my part ( like not airing it out after packing up wet and remembering 6 months later or falling over when campfire / muscat drunk and breaking poles).

When I'm not using the campertrailer, these things are what I use.

The larger family dome tents I would stay away from if you camp anywhere windy.
I have friends who for some reason wanted a huge dome tent for the two of them, it turns into a teardrop shape at the slightest sniff of wind. I've seen a few of these act like this.

Nothing wrong with them if you are on a budget , but they do have limitations.

Cheers,

Dale