camper tents

I have had a Southern Cross tent for 4 years. It gets regular use and shows no sign of wear (apart from red colouring from dust). Four pegs and a pole and its up. Too easy.
Cheers

Hi Truckster
We have two Freedom tents, now over 10 years old with no problems, have stood up to downpours and cyclonic winds. They are similar design to Southern Cross, but are alittle lighter to pack. They usually have show spoecials at each 4X4 or camping shows. We have a minute tent (one minute to erect) and a family tourer (three minutes to erect, plus about 5 more if you want the annex as well). We have a rule that 10-15 minutes setup time is the max if travelling before the billy is one our we are enjoying a clod one
Ray.wanderin' in retirement. victor 2010

Can't comment on the Oztent, but we have a Southern Cross ultimate 10 we have renamed a minute tent. 4 pegs 1 pole. Up & down in a minute. After using a camper trailer for years it's a pleasure to have this tent (which we have had now for 2 yr's.) My experience an excellent tent for quality & ease of setting up.
but you do pay for it in $$$. I guess you get what you pay for! Where to next time??????????????

Oh. 1 thing I forgot to mention was Southern Cross's after sales service backup. They really do stand by there product. We also have one of their roof bags & had a small problem with a couple of the tie downs coming away fron the bag. 1 phonecall & no hesitiations to take the bag back for repairs. They even payed for the frieght to & from.Where to next time??????????????

Thanks Truckster et al,
I am having a look at Southern Cross. All this talk about camping makes me want to pack up and go.........................

Bill,

As Ray says, most people I talk to in our club that have Freedom/SCross tents have had them for 5+yrs, some 15+yrs, and all LOVE them, and swear by them... Canvas is the way to go.. Ive seen the light.

theres a Freedom Family Tourer forsale in our club mag, $1200 wih canvas annex if your interested, contact me I'll pass on the details.

Personally, I like the SCross better than Freedom.

YMMV.

Truckster,
I live in Vic (Wangaratta) and would like to have a look at the Freedom advertised in your mag, if you can pass on the details please. I will also be looking at SCross. Bill mrdot@bigpond.com

Bill you have mail......

Im not the seller, its someone else from the clubs.

Good luck
Bruce.

Bill,
Just in case you haven't already try the website www.oztent.com. I believe there is a 30 second video clip you can download from there showing one of their trial runs on the Canning Stock Route (Victorian one). If it's not there I can email it to you.

Regards
ChrisLove the bush.
Chris

Thanks Chris, I have just shown the video to Her Indoors and she has been convinced. OZtent have emailed details of the improved range, (code for more expensive.) They boast something caled 'polycanvas' which I will have to look at . How do you rate the fininish of your new tent?

Thanks Macca, why bother witha camper?

Michelle, Thanks, I'll follow that one up. I like the idea of being able to seal off if nesecarry, I also like the idea of being in the open when the weather is good. Otherwise I would sit at home and watch a video of a campfire.

I just had a look at the Sthn Cross setups. The cabin tents are fine if you want to stay put for a few days but are bulky and slow to erect. Other than closing the windows I don't know how you keep the rain out of the ones with sloping walls but they are easy to erect.
Because of good awnings front and rear we keep good ventilation in any weather in the OzTent. I always throw the fly over cause if you get a heavy dew or worse just unzip it, give it a shake its dry and so's the tent. It takes me 15 min to complete camp set up before I'm having my first amber ale taking in the view, that means bed made kitchen in place etc Carpe Diem

Thanks Cocka,
I think that oztent was made under license for a while by a contractor and the quality wasnt so good for a while.
From drivers seat to stubby in 15 mins sounds about right to me.

Cocka, I agree... Cabin tents in any brand are mongerals. YMMV, but the ones we looked at today, the Coleman Nth star, has more poles than Poland. the exoskel was insane, 20 odd poles! Oh thats gonna be a blast in the rain!

the Ultimate range of Scross have 1 pole, 5 mins and your in.
4 pegs, 1 pole, in.You can get a second pole, and then have one on each side to remove the pole from the center of the tent which Im gonna get, the idea of 1 pole in the middle aint for me.

Hi Cocka,

I was suprised at the "poor quality" comment on Oztent material as well. We'll be heading down to Perth in a week to puchase the Ranger with side walls and screen room which totals just over $1200 and last thing we need is poor quality canvas. Is the canvas on your oztent waterproof? If so, is it still better to put a tarp over it? - and can you remember warranty length on it?
Advice appreciated.
Love the bush.
Chris

Chris I can't remember the warranty time but they have been excellent on my follow up Q's additional purchases etc. Ask them.
I have never had to use a tarp however I sometimes throw a fly over which you can buy separate. The fly helps to keep the tent clean (bird sh1t etc) provides extra cooling shade by day, keeps rain and dew off the main tent & therefore saves you hanging around next day waiting for the tent to dry before you pack up. The fly sides extend beyond the tent walls providing extra cover for outside items. Tip- Sometimes I put the fly on after the tent has gone up, there's a big zip across the top edge of the tent for this. I throw the fly over, connect the zip then push it across with the extra fly pole. Takes extra 5 mins.
Sometimes I don't use the fly (lazy) and it has rained at night, never had any leaks, but if your awning is out lower the corner pole to allow run-off or else you'll finish up with a smimming pool dumping on top of you. Good luck with your Home sweet Home

Cocka, I am leaning towards an Oztent although I havent seen one. I like the idea of a full width annex, sides if you need em, and above all ease of errection. Your experience with them sounds good o. I have a tray so no stowage problems. Cant wait to get on the road again.

Bill,
I don't actually have one yet. Will be getting one next week when we go down to Perth. We've been looking at them for a couple of years and have had our hearts set on one for sometime hence finally saving up enough for one.
I've set them up a few times though - I'm like a magnet to them whenever we visit ARB. Although bulky they fit in my rack no worries.
RegardsLove the bush.
Chris

Chris, You might like to look at the upgrade, the side panels now have inscet screening in the doors, I am thinking about putting a zip-in screen front to the annex to save putting up a screen room when the mozzies descend. Did you see Cocka's annex floor idea in this thread? If you see the new model Oztent in polycotton canvas can you comment please? mrdot@bigpond.com.
Ranger is now $999, 2 panels $259 so your $1200 is good value.

I got a fairly good package deal as I'm also buying suspension from the same mob.ARB's (Osborne Park - WA) prices at the moment without discount are as follows; Ranger $849, Screen room $224 and Sidewalls x 2 are $255.
In regards to the mesh in the doors it's brilliant but we still like the screen room idea. It gives us another room to eat in, store stuff, and keep the dog in providing it doesn't spot a rabbit - it's a Burnese mountain dog. Obviously while touring we wouldn't bother with it but it gives a more "homely" feel when staying somewhere for a few days.
Definitely considering Cocka's floor idea. As we're doing Gibb River in July we don't really have the time to organise it but will when we get back. When we go to Perth this weekend I'll see if they've got the new ones and check them out for you.
After owning two dome tents we really want to get a 100% canvas one as I think it will be thicker than the polycotton ones hence better insulation from the cold elements and possibly hardier. As much as we think we'll love the far north I think we'll be doing alot more camping in the cooler climates. As you've probably heard W.A. is often referred to as "Wait-a-while" so we may encounter another problem with having to wait too long for the new version prior to our trip in July:)
regardsLove the bush.
Chris

it was last month the caravan show....

Bill I think every tent on the market has been recommended to you.
I might post this idea as a separate thread, for what ever tent you decide to get, we use a big piece of use shade cloth to spread out in our annex area and tuck it under the edge of the tent. It's a great way to help keep the tent clean, it forms a mat that keeps you above the grass, sand etc and any dirt that you have on your feet falls through the holes.
One gourmet night she (WMBO) wanted to strain some delectable delight but did we have a strainer - No. Muggins bright ideas cuts a chunk off the shade cloth and Voila - it goes with us everywhere now. Good luck with your decision.Carpe Diem

Cocka, I have just trialled "Cocka's Creative Camp Map" down the back beside the shed where it is dry, dirty and leafy. It works a treat. In the past I used blue tarp which I was forever sweeping, and if it rained then one corner sticking out meant a lake in the annex. You should post that idea, nay patent it and forever tour on the proceeds.
Gourmet nights on the road. There is nothing better than a fire, a good cook up and a few beers with friends.

There is nothing better than a fire, a good cook up and a few beers with friends.


you forgot a leg over.. ;)

leighh, I am coming from 'decided on a camper, thought about tents' After everyones comments tents is the way to go. Truckster summed it up. 'A camper is only a tent on a box trailer' Swags............I have to get my wife used to the idea.

You can get a kit to put move the center pole to the side on the southern cross. I think it should be std, but everyone wants a "SINGLE POLE" tent...

Oz Tents, there were 3 at the club property of different sizes the other day, was good to see them all. Bloke with the small one wished he had the larger size, but none had any complaints.


YMMV

Never seen one Steve, I like to set up camp and have the option of using the vehicle. Bill