Base Camp Tents

[Dark Mavis]

I've got a family vacation coming up this summer, and I'm going to use it has an excuse to get a new super duper base camp tent. I would like something double walled, 3+ or 4 season, room for 6 to 8 people, and tall enough to be able to stand in. We are going to be setting up camp and taking it down several times over the course of a couple weeks, so it also needs to be somewhat easy to set up. I just wanted to ask the forum what they have been using for this type of setup. Also, if there are any other threads on this please send them my way. I've read tons of good info on backpacking tents, but not much on "bring the kitchen sink" type tents.

Thanks guys!

 

[Tim McCoy]

I've got a wall tent and several big nylon type family tents. Were I to look at a family style bring the sink tent and did not want a wall tent, I'd look here: http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/ My wall tent has an internal frame, is 12x14, and we can get it up in 30-40 minutes and down in less. You need to be able to dry the canvas tents, but other than that we prefer them to any other type we have used.

 

[DRUSS]

I really like my wall tent for base camp, but would not want to be setting it up multiple times in a couple week period. Kodiak canvas tent do set up easy and quickly as tim pointed you in that direction I would 2nd that thought

 

[go_deep]

Here is a wall tent I had made, 12'x12' 5' walls, great for 4 for week long camp. If there is not much wind you can use 4 stakes, one center pole, and on pole on each corner, I can set it up myself in 10 minutes. If it's windy, then you add a few more stakes and poles.

 

[Awise1]

My favorite base camp is my 12'x 14' wall tent but is a lengthy setup and take down when by myself. For summer camping or early season hunts, I prefer to use my turbo tent which easily sets up in a few minutes. Might give you another alternative to consider. Simply put in the ground stakes, lock the folding aluminum frame into place, step inside and push up to lock the rafters into place. The rain fly takes only a couple of minutes to setup.
http://www.blackpinesports.com/tents/turbo-tents

 

[Dark Mavis]

Thanks guys. I had seen the Kodiak canvas truck tents, but I've never seen any of their other options before. Pretty cool setups. And I had never heard of the turbo tents either. Besides Walmart, their are really no stores within a 2 hour drive that handle camping gear in my area. So I'm basically limited to internet searching. I just don't want to drop $500 - $1000 on a crappy tent. I'm going to look at both of these brands some more tomorrow.

I agree that the canvas wall tents are the best base camp option. It really hadn't crossed my mind to look into those for summer camping though.

 

[Dark Mavis]

Well, the wife has purchased new inflatable mattresses for our summer trip. I'll be inflating and measuring these monstrosities in the next couple days to see how much square footage we are going to need. It looks like I will probably be going with a 10x14 Kodiak canvas flex bow. The only thing I don't like about those is the "made in China" label. Great reviews on them though. Has anyone used these flexbow tents?

I really like the wall tent set up that go_deep has, and I google searched canvas tent makers last week. The options are mind bogling! I checked out Montana canvas, and reliable canvas mainly. If there are any specific name brands of wall tents that you like, or hate for that matter, what are they?

 

[birdhunter]

I went with Davis Tent and Awning out of Denver. Great tents and great customer service. Had a tear and took it there while on a long weekend vacation and they pushed it to the front of the line so we could take it home Monday. Gave us a tour of the facility while we were there. Told us stories of each big elk and deer hanging in their showroom. They are probably a little more than you want to spend but they are well worth the money.

 

[buckbull]

Your might want to look at the Cabela's Alaknak series of tents.

 

[go_deep]

I had my tent custom made. It's a basically a hybrid of a range tent and a traditional wall tent. Cost me $850 shipped to my door. I did have to make my own poles, but that was pretty simple, and cost me maybe $30.

 

[badgerbob]

Your might want to look at the Cabela's Alaknak series of tents.

I have the Alaknak 12 x 12 model. I really like it. Used it since 2006 and no issues. One thing, don't get the stove kit that comes with it. I did and am not impressed. It sold for 149 when I bought the tent, but they offered it for 49 with the tent purchase. It does heat the tent but is pretty thin walled and warps pretty easily. I have replaced it. I have stayed in this tent for 10 days dry and comfortable even during rain storms on the coast range.

 

[buckbull]

I also have the 12x12 model. I highly recommend the vestibule that you can buy with it. Makes a great place to keep gear dry and keeps the sleeping quarters cleaner and less cluttered.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[DRUSS]

I own a kwik camp wall tent, my grandparent own a beckel, and a friend owns a davis. all great tents would recommend any one of them

 

[nv-hunter]

here's my base camp. 1960 sears tent can't go wrong with canvas. I find them on craigslist for $100 bucks on a regular basis's

 

[Dark Mavis]

Well guys, I pulled the trigger on a Kodiak canvas tent. Went with the 10x14 deluxe. Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll post some pics and give a little review towards the end of summer. It will be home for several days Memorial Day weekend and in July for myself, the wife, and my daughters, 4 and 2 years old. Hopefully, I'll survive.

 

[Dark Mavis]

Had a great time in Colorado the past couple weeks. Thought I would give a little review on the tent. The bad: it's a major pain in the @$$ to set this thing up on extremely rocky ground. I had read this in the reviews and was expecting it. One of the camp spots we stayed at was very rocky, but I doubled up on tent stakes and everything was all good.

The good: it held up to the wind no problem. We had a campsite that had no kind of windbreak whatsoever, and the tent stayed in place with no problems for several days. I could set it up by myself in about 15 minutes, but it usually took a little longer because I was taking plenty of cold coors breaks. The wife had plenty of space for all of her stuff, and the windows are big enough for a lot of ventilation. It was getting into the 90's some days but it stayed cool enough in the tent during the day for the kids to take naps. In short, we were very happy with this tent.

Next we'll see how it holds up against my nephews during our annual opening weekend squirrel hunt. Thanks again to everyone that gave their input on these tents.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I've had good luck with snow peak stakes, expensive, but usually carry one for each corner, size 40, about 16". Then hit HomeDepot for 12" spikes for the rest I need. They have a formed hole in them that really helps pull them out. Rocky ground is a pita. I know some guys get a fab shop to cut some rebar and carry a 5lb small sledge hammer.

I just picked up a virtually new 8x9 flex-bow off craigs list, should good for 2 maybe 3, but for $100, could not pass it up. Figure if I do not like it, I can get quite a bit more out of it and get the 10x10 I wanted to hold 3 comfortably.

 

[Dark Mavis]

You stole that 8x9. Good buy young man!

 

[Tim McCoy]

I know, I almost felt bad, lists for well over $500. Guy was leaving to live in Europe for a year and wanted it and most of is stuff gone now, to avoid paying storage. He knew it was a bargain as he'd recently bought it. I thought the price was a typo.

 

[wy-tex]

Davis tent and awning usually has something on sale over the summer. We can set up our 12x14 with internal frame in about 30-45 minutes. That is completely set up ready to use. Davis is great to deal with in Denver.