Southern Cross Touring tents

Thanks for the reply. What do you usually do for shade when camping ?
Peter

An Akubra ;D
Seriously though, had not used it for years till the last couple and have been using it in the outback in winter so we have not had a need for shade any more than our hats.

Yes the build quality is good. What did you do for shade when you were using yours ?

We really didn't worry too much. The ventilation is very good. On occasions we did throw a tarp over the whole tent as a fly but didn't need to do that very often.

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me what you mean by better windows ?. They appear the same although I believe on your tent two of the windows open from the inside where as the other models all windows open from the outside.

I am not sure how this works when its raining with the sloping sides. By that I mean I would think the windows would need to be open a bit to avoid condensation when sleeping inside while it is raining outside. Sounds like you are happy with yours. There is not much difference between the models in price.
What do you do for shade when camped ?

Cheers Peter

It's explained in this clip.

I have an Ultimate Trekker with the zip on awning attachment. I dare say, no one has built a better touring tent. This tent will be still be around in 20 years time,when the Chinese manufactured rubbish is landfill. Oztent Schmozztent.

Hi Dunc, I meant to ask how long does it take to pack up just the single pole tent. I understand getting them up is quick but not many speak about the pack up.

If you get a OZ Tent you could well find out what real condensation is Some use a Fly, only nine extra pegs and two poles to reduce condensation while others don't seem to have issues but I believe the Oztent material does not breath as well as heavy canvas and so more condensation.

The awning on my Oztent was dripping in the morning where as the canvas awning on my vehicle was damp but no beading and dripping of moisture.
So the Oztent goes up fast and so does the single pole/ The Oztent is quick to pack up without the fly but how much slower is the single pole tent ?

Cheers Peter

It takes me around 15 minutes to take down my Southern Cross tent plus awning and pack it on the roof rack. You're right about the breath-ability issue,but then I don't classify the Oztent as a true canvas tent. It is poly-cotton.

Hi Peter sorry for the late reply to you. Just got home from a week away with Australasia Safari.

The centre pole tent takes about 5 minutes to fold up if not wet.

Agree with you about the condensation on the Oz tent. This last week we had some really heavy dews and the tent was saturated. Fortunately it dries out quickly when we set it up again. Unfortunately this last week we were up at sparrows and on the road by 7.30 latest.

Hi Duncan, sounds like you are a happy centre pole user. I like the 5 min pack up. Can I ask what size is your tent ? I figure a a 9 x9 or 2.7 x 2.7m is about 7.3 sq metre base where as the 10 x 10 tent or 3 x 3m is a 9 square metre base and was wondering if the difference in tent size affected the pack up ?

I have a 3m x 3m two pole canvas tent with a dual T bar roof rods. It goes up in 5 mins but there is a bit of stuffing around getting it flat and folded up, probably 15mins. It seems to take longer when I am doing it. I was thinking the single pole tents might be a compromise between a OZtent and what I have at the moment. The single pole tent already has a tried canvas awning of decent size as a extra.

Cheers Peter

Thanks for the reply. I did wonder about the awning how much effort that wouls be. I was thinking of using a awining off the vehicle for a overnight stop and a 2.4 m oztrail gazebo for making a base camp along with a single pole tent that could also be used on its own for touring but of course I dont know how it will work in practice hence my questions about the tent and what people were doing for shade with their tents.

I did have a Oztent. Interestingly the awning was dripping in the morning with condensation while the canvas car awning I had up at the time had moisture present on the underside but not droplets or dripping. The interior of the oztent was dripping just like the awning which sugested to me that the canvas breathes better than the lighter poly canvas on the Oztent and that the condensation is not just a ventilation issue in the tent.

I appreciate lots of people are happy with their Oztent. I did buy the fly which solved the condensation issue but it required 9 pegs, 2 poles and a zip to attach and presented its own issues when windy. I am thinking 9x9 Ultimate for two people and the Oztrail awning for longer stays might be a working solution but then again I thought the Oztent would be good. After all the tent is really just to sleep in and long as one can stand up to dress and store a bag the least canvas to pack up the better