Tents

Truckster,

I have just been through the excercise. All the canvas tents are $600+. I ended up with a COI Lightning touring tent at $619. because I wanted a quick to erect and pull down touring tent. They end up packed flat at about 700x700x75mm because you leave some of the framing in. Not a problem, will fit in the boot of a car/wagon. Mine sits on top of my chuckwagon in the back of the Prado.

It boils down to this if you want very quick to erect tent and one that will last forever and in storms then canvas is the way to go.

If you want low cost, not fussed about longevity or what happens in gale force winds, rip resistance then go for the cheap dome tents. They also pack up into a much smaller space and are light.

Good luckWe have so little time to enjoy our land

Truckster,

At the caravan and camping show at the Caulfield Race Track a couple of weeks ago I saw a tent called a "30 second tent", about 2.5 x 3 metres and full head height that folded out from a 2.5m x 300mm diameter tube. I know they've been around a while and are about $600-700 dollars.

There's something about only 30 secs in the pouring rain that appeals to me.... (in your case even more with a toddler!)

Truckster,
This is one of those issues that 100 replies will give you a hundred opinions. I've tried a few in the last 18 months thanks to 1. wearing out 2. stolen 3. a bushfire (Stradbroke Island) at Xmas.

Canvas too expensive and too bulky for my needs. Tried a Coleman Northstar 8 (you see them advertised a fair bit) , great tent. Initially looked too complex for overnighters but I took the plunge and it's turned out a very quick fix (8 - 10 min), well engineered and made. Plenty of "real world" features & 16kg in weight. A hy-brid tent its a cross between a dome and a conventional. Went through a couple of ripper summer storms with only a broken elastic tie.

Anyways...worth a look as you hunt around. $600. (not fireproof)

Miker.

Hi Truckster:
I have an Oztent (Ranger model) that goes up in no time at all ... takes longer to nail it down than to set it up. Only problem that you may have with it is that it folds up as a long "parcel" .. my Ranger (2.4m.x.2.4m) takes up the full length (but not width) of my roof rack.
When I take it down I roll it up, slip a velcro strap around it middle (not supplied by Oztent) and slip the bag over the top and pull the bag down .. pretty simple.
You check out their website at www.oztent.com.au, and also keep an eye out for good second hand buys at Trading Post. Saw a couple of "doozies" there about two weeks ago.
Good camping, safe travelling...
Jack

Hi Truckster,

After purchasing a 5 Man Dome tent (2 Adults & 2 Kids), I got sick of not being able to stand up in it when all the bedding was set up. It was a Ray's Tent City Brand that cost $120 on special. I had no problems with leaking or if I was out when it was windy I used the side ropes for extra stability. The tent was only a couple of Kg's and took 10 mins to set up & pack up.
Positives. Lightweight, small size when packed up.
Negatives. Fragile, hard to stand up in, a bit cumbersome to set up & pack up.


The Canvas tent I decided on was the COI brand (Primus), I looked at all the tents available. The COI was by far the best value for money without compromising quality. (Heavy Canvas, Good Zips & Flooring)

http://www.primus-aus.com.au/intro.htm

Lightning Extended Touring Tent - cost me $880 with side poles.

After using the COI, I found that it only takes 2-3mins to set up, is very stable, quite dark inside , heaps of room inside (4M * 3M) & only takes 2-3 mins to pack up. The side poles are not really required (so you could save $25)

The downside is the size & weight. 1m * 1m * 10cm & 20Kg.

Freedom Camping have made a plywood box that sits on the bottom of your truck. You can store the tent inside the box and put all you other gear on top of the box. Not a bad idea !

Good Luck !
Phil P

if your planning on using a tent make sure you take plenty of viagra with you ,un pack tent ,place in 1 viagra go for 5 minute walk when you get back tent will be erect

Truckster,
I would highly recomend the COI Lightning centerpole touiring tent. Very robust, takes about 3 minutes to erect, and in a GQ patrol, will fit standing on it's side against side windows, with rear dickie seat removed, therefore takes up bugger all room, but best of all, they have been on a recent special up here in Qld for $499!!! An absoloute bargin! I have been Using the same, but the extended version for about 4 years, and really cannot fault it. I would defineitly go canvas, it is just so much stronger, and even when abused, will scrub up like new again with no trouble.
Tristjo.

Hi Truckster,

I'm dead keen on the 30 second tent but as you say it takes room hence my roofrack. Don't get a dome - bloody useless and tear hell of alot easier than canvas.
For your info these are the prices through ARB- Ranger Version $849, Side walls x 2 $255 and a side screen room for $224 which is very appealing to us as it will help avoid the sandfly plagues when we go to the Kimberley in July. Just 'trying' to save up enough dough in time. I have a video clip showing the trial of it if you're interested - it goes for about 20 seconds. If you want it let me know.
RegardsLove the bush.
Chris

Don't muck with the cheapies. Buy a Southern Cross or Freedom dome tent and you will never look back.
It takes us 5 mins when we reach our camp site to lay out a shadecloth mat, erect our Southern Cross 10 x 10 dome, remove our folding chairs and sip on a cold beer from our Engel.

Bruce, the one thing I prefer with the Southern Cross tents compared to the Freedom tents in the 13'X10' range is that the S/Cross tents are higher at the rear in comparison to the Freedom.
This gives extra room to move around in.
Regards Andrew.
ps If you want to have a look at our S/Cross tent, I'll put it up one weekend if you like.

Truckster
Can recomend southern cross.3X4 m
For 1. quick erection(no pun intended)
2. Canvas
3. Side pole kit recomended no center pole
4. Can stand up inside
5 Power cord inlet etc
Against
1 Size when folded
2 need to find a place for the poles

In general a very good product and we have had one for 7 years. Still enough room for wife, 2 kids 10 & 12 and self.

Got my awning through trading post second hand alternatively some of the silver tarps are the same size(and much cheaper) and then just sew the zip on

Truckster,
Some more info may be required. How many people? Uses, do you prefer short stays, long stays, on the move, etc... I bought a rooftop tent 2 years ago. Best thing I ever bought. Sleeps 2 adults and 1 child comfortably or you get a slightly bigger one that sleeps 2a + 2c. I have used it in the wet and even in windy conditions. Doesn't take long to setup or packup, stores all your bedding, donnas, pillows, blankets etc.. So it frees up heaps of space inside the car. All comes down to what you really want and how much you are prepared to pay. These go new for around $2000, and I think is great alterantive to towing a trailer. I can go anywhere with my truck, and all I have to do is park it level and get a great nights sleep. Just something more to think about.

Cheers
Yo Sam

Hi Truckster,

We have a 2 yr old and and 10 mth old(other 2 kids have own tent) and we bought Sunshine Wanderer 10'x9' with awning.Plenty of room inside for 2 adults,2 littlies, porta cot and gear out of weather.Biggest downfall is poles but we prefered this tent because of strength and room inside.Last thing we need when rain and wind is cramped in small tent with 2 unsettled children who have no room to move.Easter fun down Nannup!!

G'Day Truckster,
We had a Freedom Centre Pole tent for about 7 years still got it and it was dead easy and quick to erect. Biggest PITA was the night and morning ritual with the bedding. I made up my own drawer system which allowed me a 100mm open fronted false floor which is where I could slide the tent in and out of without having to unpack everything. Also kept shadecloth ground sheet and 20 x 20 heavy vinyl tarp in there. The pole stored across the floor behind the seat. Sorry I don't have piccies but I could E-mail you a drawing if you are interested. It worked well for us but have updated truck and now mounted fridge on slide so have just finished new drawer system. Also gone to a shippshape because of the bed thing.
Cya
AlpacaAlpaca

Funny aint it, with all the suggestions, and ideas, and stuff Im no closer!

Looked at Freedom tents, their Family tourer.. NICE!!! but with fly its $2000! ($1498 tent, $500 poles and fly!)

I nearly soiled my pants on the spot...

*sigh*.. why are things so hard...?

Truckster
Check out the Safari 2000 from Ray's Tent City.Mine cost me $199.00 last June. used it lots including Canning Stock Route
Regards
Ronnie

We have a 10yr old Freedom (3 minute I think it is called). One pole in the middle. One person to erect and quickly. However, it would appear that you need to write down YOUR requirements, need to stand (not stoop), two adults to sleep, maybe have a small table if raining, to fold up to fit ?? space in the car, within ?? price. Take a tape measure with you so that you know what floor size you are looking for at least. Start with the phone calls. Good luck.