Touring tents

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:01
ThreadID: 89019 Views:10116 Replies:11 FollowUps:5
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I have been trying to find a tent that has a quick set up nad is not too large in the car. I am fed up of my enormous Coleman 8 man, particularly when the family are touring. We rarely stay anywhere more than 3 days. I have excluded the ozents because of cost and the 2m length when packed and was about to settle on an oztrail (or Rays) canvas 6 man tourer. However I see that Coleman have a new range of instant up polyester tents that are reasonabley priced. I would welcome any comments if anyone has experience with the Coleman Instant Ups or on the canvas tourers.
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Reply By: CraigB - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:10

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:10
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The For Sale/Wanted to Buy Rule .

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AnswerID: 465000

Reply By: RobAck - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:46

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 18:46
You have several options. The "touring tent with a single centre pole and now with some fancier spreader bars is about the best value for money you can get. Then you have the two "quick" tents; OzTent and BlackWolf Turbo. Both are pretty much the same in the up and down department. But each has a different roof height which is important to some and not to others.

Find a good camping store who stocks all three and do the full demonstration and get a feel for each of them

In preparation for your choice I suggest making a list of what you like and don't like about your current tent so you can compare without sales pressure.

As well also consider the change in size, if any, weight and where you will carry it

After that it boils down to personal preference

We use the BlackWolf Turbo and find it the best for our needs and we use the canvas one for durability

Regards

RobA
AnswerID: 465007

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:29

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:29
G'Day Rob,

I have the Black wolf Turbo tent & it is real quick to put up.
Very good quality too BUT it drives me nuts packing up & getting it back in the bag!

My friend has an Oztent & I was thinking of buying one of those instead.

Cheers
Stu
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FollowupID: 738950

Follow Up By: gordon_adel - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 21:22

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 21:22
What part of it drives you nuts stu? I always put mine in post end first, and then just squash the marshmellow end into the bag.
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FollowupID: 738977

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 17:25

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 17:25
Trying to roll it after folding the pole system.
Then trying to get the straps around the bundle before I put it in the bag.

Maybe I am not holding my mouth right!
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FollowupID: 739063

Reply By: funnyfarm - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:46

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:46
we have just purchased an oztent "Jettent" and it is very quick to put up and pull down. Cost might be an issue but they are not as long as the oztents when packed up. Might be an option for you.
AnswerID: 465016

Reply By: NTVRX - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:46

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 19:46
Have a look in BCF. There are new tents out that are real quick to put up & down (sorry cannot think of the name) one is $299 & the larger $399. I think they might be Polyester!!. They fit into a bag & store inside vehicle rather than on the roof like the Oz tent must.
AnswerID: 465017

Follow Up By: Berniec - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 20:15

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 20:15
We found this at BCF. Might be what you are looking for and not too expensive at $99. Easily fit a queen size air bed. Very easy setup but a tricky break down. Once you work it out its easy.
http://www.bcf.com.au/Products/TentGuide/RapidPitchTents/Wanderer_Swift_Pop_Up.aspx
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FollowupID: 738965

Follow Up By: you eat the bear - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 15:04

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 15:04
I have one of these for when the boss wants to come along (normally I'd just swag it on my own).

They are VERY quick to set up and the "knack" of putting them away is easy to pick up - normally it takes me about 1 minute to put it back in its bag.

Downsides - you can't stand up, there is no porch/verandah so your shoes need to be inside with you (dirt) and you will definitely need a 3 man tent (the 2 man is just a bit too small), also I'm a bit wary of nylon around the campfire and it's sparks.

Upsides - if you want a quicik pack for a weekend get away and quick set up, these are great. They dont take up much room and sit on top of everything else in the car.

Ideal for one or two nights but a center/side pole canvas tent you can stand up in would be my choice for a longer stay.

No affiliation etc.
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FollowupID: 739043

Reply By: muffin man - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 08:43

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 08:43
Without doubt the quickest and best touring tent around is the canvas centre pole. People have been using them for years and are still the preferred tent for outback touring companys.
Plenty of chinese made ones that are more than adequate.
MM
AnswerID: 465059

Reply By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 09:40

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 09:40
We went to the Cape and back with an Oztrail Tourer 9 Plus. very quick to set up and take down.
The side pole option is worth the extra $50 as it removes the centre pole and allows free space for the bed(s) Having the extra space at the back in the Plus model is worthwhile too. I think we paid around $350 all up in 2009, might be a little extra now.
AnswerID: 465062

Reply By: Member - blackbird1937 - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 09:59

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 09:59
Hello , We have been using a Freedom canvas 1 minute tent with centre pole for many years . We use it when we are only stopping for 1 night at each place . At least we can stand up to get dressed . Expensive but much heavier canvas and warmer than the chinese single pole tents which are much cheaper . Also we have had unofficial contests erecting our tent with other people erecting dome tents on trips and we have been the quickest so far . I have used a cabin tent but slow compared to single pole . We use 2 thermarests together with a blanket then a fitted sheet over both and a doona on top . Unless the tent is wet it is the last thing in . But you can only sleep 4 maximum in a 1 min tent . Every one has a different idea to which is the best . We also did not buy a oztent because it would have to go on a roofrack and both my shoulders are stuffed . Whatever you buy have some good trips with it .
AnswerID: 465063

Reply By: Member - Robbo (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 14:54

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 14:54
We have the Oztrail 2.4 tourer which we use for trips when camping/ decamping every night and a Blackwolf Turbo Plus for longer stays. The Black Wolf is a bit slower to put up having a fly
AnswerID: 465085

Reply By: wicket - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 16:18

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 16:18
The fastest tent to erect is one like the Lightning Dome Tent by Wild Country on sale at Rays at the moment. You just pull it out of the bag and it self erects similar to those camping toilet/shower tents.
AnswerID: 465096

Reply By: wicket - Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 16:20

Thursday, Sep 15, 2011 at 16:20
you can see a video of those coleman tents being erected on youtube, they do it in less than a minute
AnswerID: 465098

Reply By: Charlgrave - Friday, Sep 16, 2011 at 14:30

Friday, Sep 16, 2011 at 14:30
Thanks for everyone's comments. Much appreciated. Will go and look at the tourers more closely. In particular it appears some pack down flat and some pack into a smaller size, which will be an important consideration for us.
AnswerID: 465182

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