OT - Tent ?

kimsie

kimsie

New member
Hello!!!

It's been a while since I've posted... although I actually completed my first DIY thing ever... The nanotuners 3.24 lighting upgrade for my 14g Biocube... I know it's not totally DIY since I ordered it and it came with directions - but it was super hard for me! Thank goodness those guys at Nanotuners have patience... I called them on almost every step...

ANYWAY...

Completely off topic - I'm wondering where the best place around is to buy a tent... I thought one of you might know... I want a good one that's easy to set up - big and will last me a long time... but also don't want to spend TOO much...

Anyone with an idea of where to start shopping?

Thanks... Kim
 
Uncle Sam's has a good variety for cheap. The Alpine Shop in Kirkwood has some nice stuff too!
 
I agree with nook on uncle sams. If I was to go to the alpine shop, I would use it solely to find one you like and go online and buy it. Alpine shop's prices are very very high. Plus, REI has a much better selection and pricing than alpine

Just like a lot of retail items I buy, I'll go look at something in person and then buy it online or ebay for a fraction of the cost.

There is also, Dicks, Sports Authority, Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc...
 
Yeah - I was thinking REI but didn't know if their prices would be too high...

So your advice is to find something I like then check out online prices?

What brands should I look out for?

Thanks for your help guys!
 
Where is Uncle Sams?

I may have to my first looking online - I had surgery a week or so ago and can't drive for a while...
 
There is an uncle sams in crestwood. Right next to tropical world. There is another on manchester about a 3 miles west of 270 and there is one in St. Peters which I've never been to.

I just personaly don't like paying retail if I don't have to. For instance, if you find one you like and you think it's too much, go online and look around to see what kind of prices you can find.
 
Congrats on your first DIY.

How many people do you want the tent to sleep?

Most of my semi-inexpensive tents have lasted me a long time. It makes a big difference if you take good care of them. Not storing them wet, and rolling them up properly all make a difference. I normally come home from my trips and set the tent up in the yard to clean out the leaves and junk, and I let it air out. I like Kelty tents myself, and Eureka tents are nice too. I just got a Colman brand tent last season and am very pleased with it so far as well. I have yet to try a North Face tent, but I have been happy with most of their other gear. I would start your shopping at target or similar. Uncle Sam's has a good selection also.

For ease of use, look at the shape of the tent. The most plain looking dome shape will likely only require two poles to erect, with a third for the rain fly. This is my favorite tent design because its uncomplicated, and can be set up very fast by your self... important when your tired or arriving on the site at sunset. Be sure to practice setting up your tent at home to become familiar with it and to insure it has all its parts before taking it camping. Check the zippers too! It sucks to get to the camp site and realize you need something you don't have.

Big multi-room tents are neat, though more complex. I could not imagine trying to pitch one of these at night. Good teamwork is needed for those.

For price, I would not spend more than a few hundred bucks on a tent that is for fair weather use only. Expensive tents have composite material poles and high tech fabrics to reduce weight and increase durability. If you plan to only camp from spring to fall, the worst you have to worry about is rain, and the weight of the tent does not matter if you don't plan to carry it for miles on end.

On the other hand If you like to camp in extreme climates for long durations and don't have to carry the tent far, I would buck up for a nice big canvas tent. They can't be beat, but they are very pricey, even if you sew it together yourself.

BTW, If you camp at MO. state parks, be sure to see the campsite host before you leave to have them sign an attendance sheet for you, because if you camp at five MO. state parks in one season, you and your family will all get a special patch, and a certificate with your name on it!

Jeez, sorry for rambling. I'm just excited to get camping.

I hope you have a speedy recovery.
 
WOW logiktest!

Thank you that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for! So much information - i'm going to go read your post again - but thanks!!

I think I would like a multi room tent - but didn't really know how much more complex they were... I do have a tent in my basement - but it's from when I was like 16 and it's a pup tent that barley fit 2 then... :)

I'm looking for something bigger now - but will only be camping in fair weather (well probably some rain as it always rains when I camp)...

That's a really fun side note about the MO state parks!!!

This trip will actually be for a Jack Johnson concert in Indy... I can't wait!!!

Once I check some tents out online - I'll post ones I'm looking at and you can tell me if I'm on the right track...

I'm slightly as addicted to Target as I am to my tanks... so I'll probably start there!

Thanks again - Kim

(now who's rambling!)
 
Oh - and thanks for the congrats on the DIY - it was super hard for me and for a while there I thought I wasn't going to make it - I can be so impatient... Not to mention that I attempted it the very day I got out of my real cast and into and air cast... and was heavily medicated on pain pills! Looking back not the best idea - but like I said - I'm not very patient!
 
Oh Twinpeaks - what brand was it? That's not a bad idea I guess - to check Ebay once I find one I like...
 
Thanks - there are a bunch on ebay - but i don't know if they're any good.. I can't post ebay links here to show you - right? That's against the rules?
 
No links to ebay.Just find one you like and buy it.Chances are all tents are made by only a few companys anyway and other people put their name on it.JMO Be sure to ask any questions you have to the seller.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12495168#post12495168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TWINPEAKS
bought mine from ebay sleeps 8 and was less than 100.00, easy to put up to only 6 fiberglass poles.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest ebay or craigslist, but it is always best to shop the stores first so you know exactly what you are bidding on. Before shopping at these sites, it is best to compare the prices with those in your neighborhood, I always try to support area business first.
 
Just a little note to add to logik:

If you are ever at MO state parks, walking the trails is also a part of the program. There are questions that can only be answered by walking the trail and you mail that in for extra pizazz. It's fun for us. We are collecting the patches for his nephew, a souvenir for the times we took him camping.

I hope you enjoy your concert, but if you go with the multi-room, be prepared to have plenty of set-up time, and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE before you go.

Happy Trails,
 
Thanks! That's a good plan - I have until June 13th to find one I like... so it's a good idea to go shop around and see what kind of features I like and don't like... I plan on this being a tent I keep and use for quite some time...
 
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