Tent choices

scubascott · #1 02-04-2013, 11:04 PM

Im going around Oz on a fishing and 4WDing trip for 6 months next year and I'm slowly buying all the gear ill need. Time has come to get somewhere to sleep but all the choices are getting hard. It will only need to accomodate the 2 of us. I was looking at three options

1- quick assembly tent
I was looking at Oztents and Black Wolf turbo tents. I like the idea of quick setup but they weigh in over 20kgs and the Oztent is 2m long when packed so it has to go on the roof.

2- Rooftop tent.
They are also quick to assemble. Bit of weight to have up high but if I got an Oztent it would do the same. Bit exposed to damage up there as well

3- Hiking tent
I like my old Macpac 2 man tent. Weighs 2 kilos but takes a few minutes to setup. Its a bit tight inside too. Thinking about getting a 4 man hiking tent to keep weight down but not looking forward to setup and packup.

If anyone has any experience with these tents and a recommendation on which way to go it would be appreciated. Also if anyone has done a long term trip any tips and tent choices would be appreciated.

JIM1 · #2 02-04-2013, 11:18 PM

I have an oz trail 4 man tent, it fits in a 40lt tub with a queen blow up mattress and two light sleeping bags. 5 mins to set up, even faster if its raining. Can use it without pegging down, great for trips with the mrs.

When this one is beat ill be getting a 2second 4man, the kind you throw in the air and it unfolds itself, these fold down to about an 80cm disc I think, don't camp in tents enough to warrant getting a nice canvas one but my experience with friends ones are, heavy, long, can't pack wet CRAP! I swag it 90% of the time so I do have a lot of bias towards tents

Siddo · #3 02-04-2013, 11:39 PM

Got a oztrail from point number 1. You are correct they are heavy and bulky. If it were half the size it would be great. I leave the fly attached to ours and basically all i do when i pull up is open and then stick in 4 peg and lift from the guts. from there depending on the wind/rain conditions i will unzip the guy ropes usually only one on each corner to pull the fly out a bit and done. Easy to setup at night because its so fast. Easy to dry when you get home too because of the fast setup and pack up. Packing up is as simple as bundle it all together at the end and then putting 2 straps around the lot and pulling it all tight and sticking it in the body bag.

But again its bulky and can be cumbersome.
cheers
ryan

fatbream · #4 03-04-2013, 12:01 AM

I have a Kathmandu 3 man tent which I have used for all sorts of trips. Weighs about 5 kilos and is surprisingly quick to put up. I think you'd be surprised how quickly you can assemble these tents when two people know how it all fits together. My cousin and I could get my tent up and pegged in about 2 mins. Plenty of room and its only somewhere to sleep. Hope this helps.

Bear · #5 03-04-2013, 12:33 AM

Something worth thinking about is getting one of the cloth matting sheets for under the tent. Saves a lot of headaches when it comes to sand etc.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200789687...84.m1423.l2649

Phantom · #6 03-04-2013, 02:14 AM

canvas! your going around oz for 6 months, you will encounter freezing nights and it will cop a fair amount of abuse.
we have one, got it about 20yrs ago. no rips, tears, leaks. nothing and its been around oz many many times. mind you it was about $1500. its a pyramid style with only one pole on the inside to prop up so takes along time to setup... packs down into a flat 1m x1m square
the people i know who do alot of 4wding around australia and the central sands all have canvas tents.