Views on tents

We have the Black Wolf Turbo 300 too. Excellent tent, very sturdy, good value. I find it a bit heavy to lift on and off the roof rack, but I think there is a more recent BW model that uses lighter weight material.

Lots of threads about each of the models you are looking at.

Robin,

Just some comments on your post for info... I have a Turbo 300 and have used it extensively.

When new it IS a little harder to get back into the bag and roll up etc.. but once they get some use, they free up a little. Also you get better at putting up and pulling down with experience. I use a couple of tensioning straps to help. Putting it up is really very easy and quick and in reality, the speed of putting the tent up is largely irrelevant as I find its all the other bits and pieces that take the time...tables, chairs, pacing and unpacking etc... It is, however a big, heavy tent and I feel I will use it more when my toddlers grow up a bit, and where the campertrailer is impractical... I store it on the floor behind the driver/passenger seat, under the kids' feet. This may need to change as their legs grow longer...roof would be the only option and I don't look forward to hauling it up there...kids?

I agree with some of your comments on the small hiking tents, but with a 12 years living in them, I am acutely aware of the risk in poor quality ones. They leak. I have been wet on numerous occasions in cheapo tents....though I did ask a lot of them in extremes of weather, including snow and wind etc.. I have had tie downs ripped off, tents torn and failure of seam sealing to keep out the water. They also don't last ( but at $50 who cares I guess?) My little 2 person hiking tent, 15 years old and very well used, still gets use. It only takes a couple of minutes to put up and weighs 3kg and I am guaranteed a dry and comfortable night. It did cost $450 15 years ago however. I don't see any reason it won't last another 15 years... that's not bad value in my opinion.

Tents are all a compromise and no one thing suits every circumstance, travel type and personal preference.

It is, however a great topic to debate......

Cheers,

Mark

Robin, I have to agree with Mrk.

I had an Oztent, but when we upgraded the car I had no need for the roofrack so I got the BlackWolf Turbo. The kids have the domes.
So I have experience in all three.
The Blackwolf is EASY to set up and pack up. Like many things the first time might be testing, but thereafter it is a breeze.
I have just camped over the flood period in Bundaberg. The kids had the BlackWolf. It leaked a very little at a seam where the horizontal rain punded it with 70 mm overnight. If they were in their dome, they would not have lasted one hour before everything inside was wet.

In saying all this, we were quite fond of the Oztent and if I have a roofrack it will be my first choice, but Turbotent would be a close second

Cheers, CJ

Hi Guys

I think these different views reflect why we have to consider our own approach and capabilities carefully with these decisions.

Some for example simply do not have the phyiscal strength to put up some of these things - or even the ability to remember, or presevre with a complex sequence of processes to pack/unpack.

And so when considering the options , in can only really be done , not with our personnal capabilities in mind , but rather those of the user.

Mind you the person who can no longer be bothered with the Black Wolf - had one of those shower tents which you loop around , and it got chopped up with an axe for not folding up (seriously).

I go along with Robin on this, for ease of use, compact size and feather weight you cant beat the cheap little dome tents for fair weather camping. I have found this the best way to go and carry a better more substantial tent that I will pull out and set up if it looks like we are going to cop some nasty weather, otherwise for every other pack up I have two bow hoops to pack up and a sleeping bag size wad of nylon tent..................quick easy and light.

What ever you do - remember the old adage 'buy cheap buy twice' ie buy the best you can afford.

many of us have made the mistake of buying a cheapie only to then fork out for what we thought was too expensive.

cheers

Phil

A very good suggestion...

Have a look at products from Australian Canvas Company, Bayswater, melbourne. Extremely well made tents, but not cheap. Our larger tent - used when we are in one place for a few days or more - is now 16 years old, has been heavily used, and in some pretty extreme conditions; it has never leaked or caused any problems and is still going strong. It folds up into a rectangular envelope bag, which we carry on the back seat, flat. Our ACC dome tent is used for overnighting - is tall enough to stand up in, has fibre glass poles; also goes in envelope style bag.

Hi Poppy

Here are a couple of pictures of our Oztent on the roof of our Prado and it is not a problem at all. Once you have used an Oztent, you would never go back to another type of tent.

Cheers


Stephen
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Agree with that.

Whilst our Southern Cross is on the larger side for a touring tent I had a freedom for work that got used every week and is now 10 years old and still going strong.

As I said earlier it depends on what sort of camping you do most. If it is mainly overnighters then the OZ tent may suit you best. But in my opinion with a touring tent you get the best of both worlds. Ours is large 4 x 3m, easy to erect and pack (5 to 10min without annex 15 - 20 with) up and is much more comfortable in my opinion if you are staying in the one spot for a week or so.

I have some mates that have Oz tents and whilst I agree they are brilliant as described I cannot stand up in them and they are small in comparison.


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I have been torn between the Oztent rv3 and BW turbo 270, having red heaps on the forums, in and out of camping stores for the last few months. The wife and I have just returned from BCF I now think I will go for the Jet tent F25, my wife did not like the height in the Oztent and felt it was a bit cramped but then I liked the manufacture quality, simplicity, fabric and large awning of the Oztent over the Black Wolf. The Jet Tent has the best features of both if you can overlook the price.