OZtrail keppel 5 cabin Dome opinions?

thanks for the reply and link.
I can grab one for about $190 + $20 postage which seems reasonable. I'm not that concerned about the time to put up (as long as it isn't like all day) but just if 1 person could put a tent like this up.

Hi Mike,
Some of the time there will only be me but I might want to throw a few things inside. At times I might want to take my niece and nephew with me who are 11 and 14. On occasions I might want to grab my mother and take her out Gold Panning or Bass fishing. Then, all 4 of us might go. I might even wander off on my own and throw a table out the front and do some study.

Most of the places I"m thinking of are inland from here around Murwillumbah but also down to Byron and I intend to travel down to Newcastle but stop around Foster way for a few days. Some summer and maybe some winter but around here the winter isn't that cold. I'd say there'd be a minimum of two nights and mostly 3.

The layout of the tent would probably suit me and add that flexibility so I'm really looking at aspects of quality and durability. Apparently, the screens on this tent are fixed which has both pluses and minuses. I'm fairly tall (6'3) so the height and more upright walls would be of benefit.

How much am I prepared to spend? Well, I was going to spend less than this ( max would be $220 all up) but I'm prepared to spend that.

Hi Bill

A couple of points; does the screened area have covers? If not things in there are going to get wet when it rains.

Although she may be OK at 11 I suspect it won’t be long before your neice seeks a little more privacy from the boys than this tent will provide. Mum may feel the same way too?

On you own; even a tarp shelter would be OK and you could use a screen house to keep the nasties away. Or there are plenty of small tents for 1 person.

You discuss you’re height and although it’s nice to have a tent one can stand in the reality is we spend very little time in them – going to bed and getting up is about it. Another reason I favour the screen house idea.

Weather wise the tent you mention will be fine for your area, I’m sure.

Can you put it up alone…? Probably. My sons are amazed that I can erect my screen house alone (so am I frankly! :)

Mike Harding

A few good points there.
The alternative to this for me would be a Caribee Kestrel 5V which would be about $30 - $40 cheaper. I hadn't even thought about anything out the front until I stumbled over this tent and could see a few extra benefits and possibilities to it. If I was to go with the Kestrel I wouldn't consider an extra shade/screen area. So basically, if it would be as durable and hold up as well as the Kestrel I'd be prepared to pay that bit extra. I know that if we were to head out gold panning my mother would appreciate that bit out front to drop a table in away from the "nasties".
There are no covers over the screened area so I expect it certainly will get a little wet. The screens will help to some extent I figure. By comparison if I had the Kestrel I wouldn't have the screened area so it would be wet outside anyway so there's no loss (except maybe drying off the front).

What possibly concerns me is wind out the front possibly lifting it a little. Also if the screens are a bit less durable than the rest and therefore prone to more wear and tear.

I'm also looking at a comparison of the construction. The Keppel has steel poles all around with fiberglass for the roof. So, there's some flexibility through the roof and rigidity along the sides but with more possibility of bending. I read here and in other forums about dome tents with all fiberglass poles turning inside out in a moderate to strong wind then also read that some never experience that. I'd expect the fiberglass poles on the dome such as the Kestrel to give a little but I'm not sure how the Keppel would compare - more stable? Less stable? About the same? More prone to bend poles but not much of a worry - replace them? The whole thing will lift up and blow away at the slightest breeze?

I'm sure the points above and the responses from others will give you more than enough to think about :)

Let us know what you decide and how it works for you - good and/or bad. Such feedback is very important for future posters.

Mike Harding