Looking for a new tent--Any suggestions?

[sparkinator]

I'm looking to buy a tent in the near future. I'm looking for 2 man and would like to spend somewhere around 100-125. I borrowed a Eureka Apex XT 2 man one for a 2 week moto-camping trip I took recently and really liked it. I'm attaching a pic of the tent.

I am a novice to tenting, but what I really liked was

1. The fly completely covered the tent. Seems like this design would naturally help in wet and windy conditions. It also seemed to help with the cold nights. The tent stayed relatively warm, and I didn't realize just how cold it was outside until I unzipped the fly. I don't think the new model has a fly like this.

2. I'm thinking this tent had aluminum poles (not 100% on this), and it seems these would be more durable than the fiberglass ones. I've read in some reviews that the fiberglass poles have broken on a few of the members. Is this common or something I really shouldn't worry about?

3. Easy to set up. 2 poles and you're done. How easy could it be. The rain fly fit right over the top and buckled to the rings on the tent.

4. This size was great. I had more than enough room for me and my gear. (I'm not that big of a feller--5'7" 175#) Vestibules on both sides were nice also. I really didn't need this much room, but I plan on camping with my youngest son also (he is 4 now).

5. What are some good brands to consider? I'm familiar with Eureka, but a lot of the others, I've never even heard of.

Anybody have any suggestions of brands/models to consider?

Thanks in advance
Sparky

[Mellow]

I have the Apex 2XTA which is the aluminum pole version. It looks a little different than the one you were using. Maybe mine is newer or older, not sure.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58265057-M.jpg

I'm very happy with Eureka and they have a couple options, one is the Pinacle pass 2A.

http://www.campmor.com/images/tents/larger/28100_l.jpg
Click for link (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39196294&memberId=12500226)

I think it's a good one.

[Trekker]

Ya can't go wrong with Eureka. I love em. My experience with poles is that the material only matters for weight considerations. I have never broken a fiberglass pole outside of really trying to.... if ya know what I mean. (operator error:rolleyes:).

And that's a good observation regarding the rain fly. Having the fly give full coverage can really make a difference in bad weather. A cheap tent with a partial fly will result in some discomfort eventually. Any of the tents mentioned here are good products I in my opinion. You've already identified the first criteria... price. Next is functionality and pack size.

[Paper]

Another Eureka fan, here..
I've got a "few" tents :tent1: but my current favorite is my Zeus Exo 2. There's no fly as you can see in these pictures.
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CXZ2ZWsIL._AA280_.jpg

It is very light, couldn't be easier to set up, and has worked very well for me. Given the choice, I'd have gone with the 3 man version for a bit more room, yet almost no more weight.

Here's a pic of my tent in action.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/djpagel/P5060059.jpg

[sparkinator]

Thanks for everyones input.

Seems like Eureka tents are pretty popular. That's the one I settled on.

Joe, it looks like they don't include aluminum poles with the Apex any longer. You have to get the Pinnacle to get those now. I really liked the full fly and that was the XT. The fly no longer goes all the way to the ground, (oh well) but it should do fine.

I got the Eureka pinnacle pass 2XTA.

[Mellow]

Thanks for everyones input.

Seems like Eureka tents are pretty popular. That's the one I settled on.

Joe, it looks like they don't include aluminum poles with the Apex any longer. You have to get the Pinnacle to get those now. I really liked the full fly and that was the XT. The fly no longer goes all the way to the ground, (oh well) but it should do fine.

I got the Eureka pinnacle pass 2XTA.

Good deal, that actually looks identical to mine except the cover.. I've been in some real toad stranglers and no problems...

Hey, does it have hooks to support the tent poles or sleeves? The apex has sleeves which takes a little longer to setup, I would prefer the hooks.. but not a big deal.

Here's a pic showing the tent in action when you setup next to a sprinkler system that goes off at 2am.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58335309-M.jpg

[Paper]

Here's a pic showing the tent in action when you setup next to a sprinkler system that goes off at 2am.

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58335309-M.jpg


Did the campground have a shower, or was that part of the campsite package, too??:shower1:

That's a very funny picture!! I think I might have to save that one..

[Mellow]

Did the campground have a shower, or was that part of the campsite package, too??:shower1:

That's a very funny picture!! I think I might have to save that one..

You can read about it on Day 3 in this link:
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54

It was pretty funny.. it could have been funnier.. .but it was still funny enough.:tent2:

[sparkinator]

Hey, does it have hooks to support the tent poles or sleeves? The apex has sleeves which takes a little longer to setup, I would prefer the hooks.. but not a big deal.



One end of the poles fit into a sleeve, and the rest is connected by hooks.

[SidecarMike]

Before you buy a Eureka, go to their website. Check the left column for factory seco I bought a Titan, which is a $400+ tent for $219 as a factory second. The only thing we found wrong with it was that the screening on one window was a darker color than the rest. Like maybe they opened a new roll of fabric for that window.
As far as Eureka is concerned, the only other tent I would own is a North Face. Cheap tents always let you down when you need them most.

[Mellow]

That's right, I remember you could get good deals on their seconds...

Sounds like the pinnacle pass is an improvement. The hooks will make it even faster to setup.

[sparkinator]

Before you buy a Eureka, go to their website. Check the left column for factory seco I bought a Titan, which is a $400+ tent for $219 as a factory second. The only thing we found wrong with it was that the screening on one window was a darker color than the rest. Like maybe they opened a new roll of fabric for that window.
As far as Eureka is concerned, the only other tent I would own is a North Face. Cheap tents always let you down when you need them most.

Thanks for the heads up. I checked the website and they have added a lot of tents since I last looked. They have the same tent I ordered in the 3 man for $103.00. It is listed as a factory second A category which sounds like what you got (some sort of cosmetic blemish).

Sounds like a really good deal if anyone is interested.

[Mellow]

Thanks, I know Chief was looking for one.

[ImRubicon]

I would also checkout sportsmansguide as they have pretty decent tents at time for much less as in last years models .
I disagree that a $200 + tent is the only way to buy a tent .
I have a $50 or $60 dollar tent from years ago at sams club and it has held up for a few dozen camping trips and a few really good storms .
Just spend a few min looking up reviews online and I would think you could get a pretty decent tent for $100+ . Less if its a closeout or older model .
A $400 dollar is most likely a waste or a salesman making more money .
Most of us wont be living in these tents for long term . Think how often you will be using it and for what and spend what you see as common sense

[SidecarMike]

I would also checkout sportsmansguide as they have pretty decent tents at time for much less as in last years models .
I disagree that a $200 + tent is the only way to buy a tent .
I have a $50 or $60 dollar tent from years ago at sams club and it has held up for a few dozen camping trips and a few really good storms .
Just spend a few min looking up reviews online and I would think you could get a pretty decent tent for $100+ . Less if its a closeout or older model .
A $400 dollar is most likely a waste or a salesman making more money .
Most of us wont be living in these tents for long term . Think how often you will be using it and for what and spend what you see as common sense

That $60 tent from years ago is probably $300 today. My daughter commented that she was at Walmart a while ago and the two room tent she bought for $69 in 2004 is now $199.

Your last sentence is the key. I've spent 21 nights in a tent and 2 in my new camper since April 15. I seem to spend most weekends from April through October on the road to somewhere. I can't count how many times I've left a 3 month old Sears or Walmart tent in the campground trashcan. I've had poles snap in a thunderstorm. I've had fabric shred from a gust of wind. Last June 1st, I was camping with friends at a sidecar rally. One guy stopped at K-mart on his way to the camp out and bought a new $99 tent. The first day it was set up we had a heavy rain. When we got back to camp, his new tent looked like a dog bowl full of water. It had inverted from the weight of rain falling. It was definitely his weekend. On the way home he hit 2 deer, broke his leg below the knee, and rode 125 miles home before he saw a Dr.
We can't all afford $400 tents, and we don't all spend 60 to 75 days a year in a tent, but if you find yourself replacing a $75 model every year or two, maybe it's time to upgrade.

[Motocentaur]

I have used an older genration Eureka Apex 2 for the past ten years. It is still going strong, but I can see some pin holes here and there so it's finally wearing out. I bought it during a trip when I had finally had it with the bivy shelter I was using (imagine a nylon coffin). It has the full fly and fiberglass poles, which arre heavy and don't fold up short enough for my liking. However, it has worked great - I have never gotten wet in it even during some biblical rains.

I intend to replace it soon with the Pinnacle Pass XT2A with the aluminum poles, full fly, and dual doors (important when my wife is along).

I also have a gargantuan Eureka Timberline 4XT four person tent. I got it for family car camping, but I have used it solo on my bike when I expect bad weather and think I'll be stuck inside for long periods (stay home instead? Nah.). It is a lot heavier but its packed size is not all that much larger than my old Apex.

[Trekker]

I too have used the Eureka Timberline 4 for motocamping. What I found interesting is that many 2 man tents do not pack much, if any, smaller than this 4 man.

[JCS]

Another Timberline 4XT here. This is actually my second TL4. I wore the first one out after many years of use. This tent is not the latest high tech tent. But it has somethig in it's favor. It works. Easy to set up. Plenty of room for 2 people and gear from 2 bikes. 2 doors. Decent vestibule. I have stayed warm and dry in some very heavy storms.

I keep looking for a new tent but so far I haven't found much that dollar for dollar will beat the old Timberline.

[mongo]

I have an 11-12 year old 4 man tent I paid $39 for, This tent has been everywhere. I also am looking for a new tent and everything I can find comparable to old betsy is $100 to $200. I am still looking, I find the 2 man tents seem to small for my liking and agree that the 4 man tents are not much larger packed up. My old tent has fiberglass/shock corded poles and have had no problems at all. What are the advantages of the aluminum poles?

[msscull]

I picked up the Coleman Sundome tent at Sport's Authority on sale in the $35-$40 range. Great tent & lots of room for all my stuff.

[Texas]

I have a Alpine Design 7'x7' 3-man tent that I got for a awesome close-out price of $20 (that is less than we paid for our air mattress). The regular price was like $60-$70. It is a Sports Authority brand, that I believe is actually made by a company by the name of NorthPole. I think they have closed that model out, but you might still be able to find one at your local Sports Authority. Heck, for $20 it is tough to beat.

Just my $.02,

Texas

[mongo]

I picked up the Coleman Sundome tent at Sport's Authority on sale in the $35-$40 range. Great tent & lots of room for all my stuff.

It appears in the PICS that this tent has the 'bathtub' floor and short sides, is this right? I have never bought a tent off of the internet but keep looking back at this one, I usually am a hands on kind of buyer.

[msscull]

It appears in the PICS that this tent has the 'bathtub' floor and short sides, is this right? I have never bought a tent off of the internet but keep looking back at this one, I usually am a hands on kind of buyer.

Mongo,

It is what I would call a bathtub floor, about 52" high at the center. Plenty of room for me & my gear.

I searched the internet & found some links that are very close to the Sundome tent that I purchased, color, etc... Here they are:

http://www.amazon.com/SunDome-Tent-X-Room-Sleeps/dp/B000RE2NYU/ref=sr_1_15/104-3222176-3855154?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1184209673&sr=1-15

http://www.code3tactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16004&shop

http://www.ambientweather.com/moco9180707.html

http://shopping.msn.com/Specs/shp/?itemId=20977285

The lighter color sundome tents seemed to have a smaller rain fly, which I do not think is good.

[mongo]

Thanks for all the info Msscull, that the right size and deffinately a good price. Not much different than I have been using.

[sparkinator]

Got my tent in and tried it out last night. My youngest boy wanted to go camping, so we set it up in the backyard. He is only 4 so it was an adventure for him. It wasn't really exciting, and doesn't require a trip report, but his eyes sure lit up as we set it up and got settled in. He passed test for a camper, so next time we will plan a little better trip. LOL

The 3 man would probably have been a better choice, but this one did fine. I'll probably get a larger tent for me and the kids to use anyway. It will be a more fair weather tent considering we will have a better chance at scheduling around the weather.

I appreciate everyones responses and recommendations.

[Mellow]

Looks good, that tent will surely handle any of your MotoCamping trips.

[Mark]

Camping in the backyard with a 4 year old is great fun!
Congrats... just remember to take pictures because as they get older they don't seem to be able to have the same amount of fun...
well okay... they have the same amount of fun; but, it costs the parents a whole lot more!
:)

Mark

[mongo]

Camping in the backyard with a 4 year old is great fun!
Congrats... just remember to take pictures because as they get older they don't seem to be able to have the same amount of fun...
well okay... they have the same amount of fun; but, it costs the parents a whole lot more!
:)

Mark

Mark you have that exactly right!

[dlh62c]

I too have the Eureka pinnacle pass 2XTA. It does seem to be a good tent. I used it this past weekend.


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/dlh62c/07-21-07_1923-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/dlh62c/07-22-07_0951.jpg

daryl

[punk_emo_tx]

dlh62c.


Looks like you have the rainfly on your tent and a Noah's Tarp over your tent...why? Does it keep the tent cooler? I was surffin' around a hiking site?? and came across someone else that was using the same type setup. And are you using the Kelty polls too?

I'm thinking about getting a silnylon tarp for extra shade. I like the ultra light weight and small pack size of silnylon but the price is :eek: . Any info. you can give about using tarps would be appreciated.

[Trekker]

I like that set-up. I have also used a parawing tarp over my tent(s) in different situations. Mostly I have placed it over the front to provide a shade and rain shelter "porch" just outside the door. The parawing tarps are nice because they string out tight, and pack small(ish), compared to a cheap poly tarp at least.