Tenting in bad weather

Milo,
I had an Oztent but found being 2mts long it became dificult to lift onto the roof rack on my own with a bad shoulder, So I sold it and I'm looking for one of the pop up tents like the Black Wolf or Oztrail that will fit into the back of the waggon.
Cheers Dave

Hey Milo, as long as they are pegged down and there's a way for the water to get away from where you are the tent is fine for wet weather. I would be looking for one with a "verandah" type of awning canopy out the front so you have something to stand under outside when its raining.

I have been in tents in terrible weather and have been dry most of the time, one thing though, if the tent is wet don't touch the canvas, it will start to wick thru at the place and leak.

Hi Milo,

Although I have a camper trailer, I use an Oztent for some trips we do.
We have been inside the tent during an absolute downour without any drama whatsoever.
One of the reasons we chose an Oztent was due to the large awning attached.
This awning provides excellent protection from sun or rain and allows covered cooking and seating. An additional advantage is the addition of side walls to the awning which improves the "living area" even more.
We have peaked side panels which are easy to add.

Yes, the one "disadvantage" for some people is that the Oztent needs to be carried on the roof due to its length of two metres or so, or in a trailer if no roof racks are used.
This is in fact no disadvantage to us whatsoever, as we mount the tent (in a bag) alongside the roof basket that carries our swags and other camping equipment, thus saving valuable space inside the vehicle.

The Oztent really is a "30 second tent" to erect. Simply spread the groundsheet (if using one), place the tent on top, peg down the four corners and lift and lock the tent into position. Additional time is required to erect the awning of course, but you will not be disappointed with your investment in an Oztent. Go for the RV4 or RV5 if possible. Our RV3 is OK for the 2 of us but only just.

The range of accessories for the Oztent makes this one of the best choices on the market, subject to carrying requirements mentioned above.

We did look at the Black Wolf Turbo, but the awning was smaller and it came with a DVD showing how to collapse the bloody thing.
The Oztent won hands down.

Hi Milo,

We have a Black Wolf Turbo tent and nothing could be easier to erect. We've been through a fair bit of weather in it and it's snug as a bug. Like all tents it takes a bit more trouble putting it away - drying off the underside and stuffing it into the damn bag that always seems like it's a size too small. Anyway, would highly recommend the Black Wolf.
Lou

When I was a kid we, like most blue collar families of the time, camped over the Christmas holidays. My dad was a sugar mill worker & the mill's holiday period was over Xmas.
It was hot & wet. Real wet some years. I mean realy wet. I mean realy realy wet. We camped at the Russell Heads. That is just under Mt Bellenden-Kerr, the tenth wettest recorded place in the world & by far the wettest recorded place in Aus.
When I was a tiny bloke we had a canvas marquee & canvas tarps.
As time progressed & we moved into small dinghys, we just had canvas tarps strung low to the ground. The Russell Heads is only accessible by boat.
By the lates 70's we started to use plastic tarps, which weren't anywhere near as durable as canvas at the time.
We would camp for 4 weeks, until dad retired, then I would camp for the entire school holidays & dad would sometimes stay on for up to a few months. Lucky bugger stayed right through untill after Easter once.
Most of the time we slept on the ground, but some years we had stretchers.
Thing is, though it could get very wet, I can only remember having a wet bed once & that was when I used a nylon 2 man tent someone gave me for Xmas. They are no good up here in the tropics. Even now, with the improvements in waterproofing, they just turn into saunas when you close them up in the rain. We currently have a canvas touring tent & it is OK in the cooler climates, but it is no good up here if you have to close it up in summer. If we use it up here in the warmer months & it looks like rain, we will string a tarp over it so we can leave the doors & windows open.
I swear by tarps.
These lightweight modern tarps are unbeatable. They weigh so much less than canvas, don't rot, fold up so small & cost so much less.
We will use a tarp any time it looks like rain. String it down low so the rain can't blow under & give it plenty of fall so the water doesn't pool.
Camping in the rain can have its advantages. As one of my mates reckons,"there's no flies, no dust, it's not as hot & you usually get the place all to yourself".
So if you are going camping in the rain Milo I reckon you have to include a good heavy duty tarp in your kit. Make it a big banger as well.
Fatso

Hi Milo

I have said it before and will say it again.

Over the years we have had a number of good quality Australian and New Zealand made tents. Around 3 - 4 years ago I liked the idea of the OzTent and went for the RV4.

Regardless of the length which is no problem for us, as if fits on the roof bars of our Prado, it is the BEST tent that we have ever owned. The ultimate test for any tent is very constant, heavy rain and back in March over on Kangaroo Island ours was put to the ultimate test with 110 mm of rain (over 4" in the old scale) dumping from the sky in one night. The next morning people in Camper Trailers, Caravan and the like we inspecting the damage and sweeping water from the units, while others came up to us feeling very sorry seeing the water ring around 50mm high up the side of the tub floor.

When I explained that we did not get on drop of water inside the tent, many found it very hard to believe.

As for heavy winds, it is the same, just make sure that you peg and guy the tent down with the supplied ropes.

If and when you get an OzTent, you will find it the best tent to own.

And for the record, I have no connection with the company, just one very happy owner.


Cheers


Stephen

I think you should try setting up an Oztent and stowing it before you buy.

Limited mobility might make this difficult. Even though they are quick to set up and reasonably quick to pack away, they take a bit of reaching and lugging.

They are very large and need a roofrack or long bed to be packed in. This might involve lifting and stretching that you will find difficult. [not knowing in what way you are limited]

Oztents are fine and we have used ours regularly, but they do damage easily if treated roughly.... and that means situations where teenage kids fall on the supports and bend then break them!

You might well find that a modern igloo tent which is light weight and quick to set up would even suit you better. Good luck

A few years ago we were camped at Wonnongatta and all of our group went to Dargo for the day. A huge storm came through which did a lot of damage all over the state. When we got back to our camp guess which tent was the ONLY one still standing? You guessed it, our Oztent. Also all the women sat under our veranda having a cuppa while the men re-erected the other tents in the pouring rain. Proof enough for us.