Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:08:11 PM

Title: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:08:11 PM: I am on a tight budget, and for this upcoming elk season, I realize that I am in need of a tent. The canvas tents are well out of my reach, and doing some online surfing, I noticed at Army Surplus sights they have these single man half tents made of canvas. Do you think those would fair well in our climate during elk season? I dont want to spend the money without some reaserach but of course every website will tell you their product is the best. http://www.armynavysales.com/products/g.i.-shelter-halves-new (http://www.armynavysales.com/products/g.i.-shelter-halves-new)

thanks,

Seth
Title: Re: tents
Post by: woodswalker on July 14, 2010, 06:31:03 PM: think you might be chilly and wet there....I'd save my pennies and look to Big 5 or sports authority for a tent sale for this year...then work on more later.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:33:16 PM: makes sense, I just dont think a nylon tent will work in the snow. Hopefully they have more than the summer tents by fall.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 14, 2010, 06:41:38 PM: I've slept in a nylon tent for 10 days at a time the last two thanksgivings. This was above orofino Idaho. It snowed and the tent did fine.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:43:12 PM: wow, shows how much I use a tent :rolleyes: Is there soemthing I should look for in a nylon tent that tells me its okay for snow? Looking online can be a bit confusing.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 14, 2010, 06:48:51 PM: Just make sure it has good solid stitching and poles. I would look at Colemans. I've always had good luck with them and they are fairly inexpensive.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:50:01 PM: yes but all of there tents have a number system on the material, so do I look for high numnbers or low numbers on what will protect me from the cold the most?
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 14, 2010, 06:52:04 PM: Not really sure. Never looked at that. Maybe call them and ask. :dunno:
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 06:59:48 PM: will do. Thanks!
Title: Re: tents
Post by: Ray on July 14, 2010, 07:01:46 PM: Shelter halves kind of sucked in the army. No head room. I'd suggest a tarp or two if you were considering a shelter half.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 07:15:39 PM: there is some good tarp out there too.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ICEMAN on July 14, 2010, 08:54:15 PM: seth, what are you budgeting for a tent?
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 14, 2010, 08:56:51 PM: up to 150 Iceman
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 14, 2010, 09:04:32 PM: I just spent $150 on a Coleman Montana elite. It sleeps eight it is huge. I'm 6'1" and I can stand straight up in it. I haven't got to use it in the snow yet but its got some really stout poles. The thickest I've seen on a nylon tent. Plus the design looks like It will shed snow well.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ribka on July 14, 2010, 09:16:58 PM: Checkout Cabelas Outback Lodge tent. Around $200. Great in cold weather and rain. Can put a heater buddy in there or jerry rig for a small wood stove.

great tent for the money

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0003770514192a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=outback+lodge&sort=all&Go.y=0&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0 (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0003770514192a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=outback+lodge&sort=all&Go.y=0&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0)
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ICEMAN on July 14, 2010, 09:17:33 PM: I am a big fan of Eureka tents..... I prefer the equinox and have been hunting out of one for over 10 years, we even snow camp on snow with these freestanding tents, but they are about $350each....

For a budget of $150, you may want to look at the Eureka Tetragon 9, a five person tent...pretty good deal and you can stand in it unless you are over 6' tall...

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28227 (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28227)
Title: Re: tents
Post by: toyman2 on July 14, 2010, 09:20:18 PM: somthing about nylon tents is they are sold as 1 2 3 or 4 season tents.
a 3 or 4 would be what you want, you want the side to came as far down the side as you can afford.
for years i have used nylon tents in the snow some are better than others but they have all held up to the snow piled up on them.
the farther the fly comes down to more oyur protected from moisture and wind and yo keep heat in etc etc.
hope this helps just my :twocents:
Title: Re: tents
Post by: Ray on July 14, 2010, 09:23:27 PM: ribka that looks like a good tent.. at least from the internet.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 14, 2010, 10:05:27 PM: Quote from: toyman2 on July 14, 2010, 09:20:18 PM
somthing about nylon tents is they are sold as 1 2 3 or 4 season tents.
a 3 or 4 would be what you want, you want the side to came as far down the side as you can afford.
for years i have used nylon tents in the snow some are better than others but they have all held up to the snow piled up on them.
the farther the fly comes down to more oyur protected from moisture and wind and yo keep heat in etc etc.
hope this helps just my :twocents:

In addition to the fly we also put a tarp over the tent. It really helps.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 15, 2010, 06:18:46 AM: Guys thanks a ton! Now I just have to decide which link I will purchase from. Once again thanks!! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: tents
Post by: rasbo on July 15, 2010, 06:28:29 AM: check out the westwind tent,great rain fly and as much room as you order,this will be my next tent.cabelas sells this one
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 15, 2010, 06:31:01 AM: that looks like a nice tent as well.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: uncoolperson on July 15, 2010, 06:46:10 AM: if you can spend the money, or find a good deal. This one is pretty nice when the temp drops.

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent)
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 15, 2010, 07:07:31 AM: Quote from: uncoolperson on July 15, 2010, 06:46:10 AM
if you can spend the money, or find a good deal. This one is pretty nice when the temp drops.

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent)

nice looking tent
Title: Re: tents
Post by: MightyWhite on July 15, 2010, 12:44:11 PM: PM sent
Title: Re: tents
Post by: Alchase on July 15, 2010, 12:55:00 PM: OK with a 150.00 limit he won't find many 4 season tents. The Coleman Elite is a great tent (I have the weather master, and love it) but in heavy snow I would not chance it. It will withstand light snow. But in 2008 we got snowed on hard and I was seriously stressing because the wet stuff was sticking to the tent. With that budget I would get the biggest dome I could afford rated 3 season 4 if you get lucky. The domes do much better in snow "for the price".
I keep my Coleman 10 x 10 dome just in case of snow.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: woodswalker on July 15, 2010, 01:45:31 PM: The Cabelas Outback lodge I've been using has withstood 2 ft of snow and 70 MPH winds and driving rains....has not leaked or blown down.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: grundy53 on July 15, 2010, 01:54:36 PM: Quote from: Alchase on July 15, 2010, 12:55:00 PM
OK with a 150.00 limit he won't find many 4 season tents. The Coleman Elite is a great tent (I have the weather master, and love it) but in heavy snow I would not chance it. It will withstand light snow. But in 2008 we got snowed on hard and I was seriously stressing because the wet stuff was sticking to the tent. With that budget I would get the biggest dome I could afford rated 3 season 4 if you get lucky. The domes do much better in snow "for the price".
I keep my Coleman 10 x 10 dome just in case of snow.

we keep a propane heater on low going in it. keeps it warm enough that the snow wont stick.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: uncoolperson on July 15, 2010, 06:36:19 PM: Quote from: seth30 on July 15, 2010, 07:07:31 AM
Quote from: uncoolperson on July 15, 2010, 06:46:10 AM
if you can spend the money, or find a good deal. This one is pretty nice when the temp drops.

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent)

nice looking tent

It's freakin warm (true double wall, with zip out panels [that create bug panels]), me and my brother were camping a few years back, and after waking up in the middle of the night thinking it was morning (sunset at 7pm) we went to his tent for vodka and cards (I had a one man tent)... sitting around getting drunk we had to open the door (it got below freezing outside).

(first picture is ice falling off the trees onto thin sheet of ice on the lake we camped at for the above mentioned trip)
(second picture is my brother solo camping a few years back during stupid snow storm on church mountain, the extraction trip up that road was an adventure if you remind me next time we're out I'll share [ pictures from adventure(s) http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncoolperson/sets/72157594505913179/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncoolperson/sets/72157594505913179/) )
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ICEMAN on July 16, 2010, 06:08:01 AM: Eureka Equinox tent over snow. You can stand in this one.... :chuckle: 3.5 season free standing tent.... a bit heavy, better throw it on your sled....
Title: Re: tents
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 16, 2010, 06:12:53 AM: what about the other .5 season???
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ICEMAN on July 16, 2010, 06:14:45 AM: Pray....you don't get hammered with 3' of snow... :chuckle:

Actually we hunt out of two of these tents and have had heavy wind and snow on them with no problem at all. It is not an expedition grade but great for snow camp and hunting trips...
Title: Re: tents
Post by: uncoolperson on July 16, 2010, 06:34:55 AM: if feet of snow isn't a concern I'm still a big fan of my eureka spitfire, cheap and light, though very cozy.

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/364750/Spitfire_1_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/364750/Spitfire_1_Tent)
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 16, 2010, 06:36:05 AM: Quote from: MightyWhite on July 15, 2010, 12:44:11 PM
PM sent
Replied to PM
Title: Re: tents
Post by: seth30 on July 19, 2010, 11:30:40 AM: wow that is some snow around that tent
Title: Re: tents
Post by: elk311 on July 19, 2010, 12:19:07 PM: Quote from: uncoolperson on July 15, 2010, 06:46:10 AM
if you can spend the money, or find a good deal. This one is pretty nice when the temp drops.

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/347456/Alpenlite_XT_Tent)

Here's the big brother to the Alpenlite. If you have more than one person or want room to keep your gear dry, 12lb weight, same price (actually if you search you can get closer to $250) and 4 season for less than $300. It's my 12 lb cabin!

http://store.eurekatent.com/products/364712/Tundraline_Tent (http://store.eurekatent.com/products/364712/Tundraline_Tent)
Title: Re: tents
Post by: high country on July 19, 2010, 12:47:06 PM: you can also rent from rei. I bought a Sierra Designs mountain meteor used for 200bux. if you have time go weed through the returns.

Iceman, that looks just like the bombshelter tent we used in alaska.....they took bad weather and made it fun.
Title: Re: tents
Post by: ICEMAN on July 19, 2010, 07:17:16 PM: This tent is freestanding for normal use, but has guylines for high wind. The six sided design performs pretty well in wind.... I can heat it really well with just a propane light, even with all the ventilation it has. I love it, own two and will buy a third after my first one is totalled. Zipper failure after about 10 years of use...
Title: Re: tents
Post by: whitey on July 23, 2010, 12:43:02 PM: Cabelas Outback lodge..
Loving it 1 man set up in less than 2 beers. :o

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi279.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk157%2Fruger123%2FIMG_2399.jpg&hash=8e6869455b6d71b8d236c96e19d66327baffa0b8)