dome tents

[JEWIENEWIE]

Need to buy new tent for family, who makes the best dome tents? Has anyone got any info or ideas out there. I find the domy best for rain and wind but there are many on the market. Dont want to wakie one night to find my tent leaks like my tinny!!
Thanks Campers
JN

[Louis]

From what I've been told. The best tents are the canvas ones but they're heavy, bulky and I don't think you will get one in a dome shape.

I have a couple of dome tents with the "Silvery" stuff on the fly and they seem to keep the rain out ok.

I have had bad luck in the past with tents without the "Silvery" stuff on the flys. After a while the rain tends to soak through these.


Hope this helps



Louis

[juicyfruit]

Well to me it doesn't matter if the tent is 'dome' or not.......its more to do with the area in which you want to camp.....determines the tent material... how many it is to accommodate....determines the tent size......all this also determines how long your tent will last and want area you live in.

Juicy

[juicyfruit]

Have a canvas and dome tent....canvas tent is well over 20years old and still going strong......dome tent is on its last leg and is only 5 years old.

[bidkev]

Mate, It's all up to the kind of camping that you're doing and the weather you're likely to encounter.

I prefer to think of a tent as a sleeping area only and most time is spent under a tarp for socialisng and cooking etc.

I've been trashed so many times in big family tents that I've imported european mountain tents by vango. I've got a canvas one that I've had for 35 yrs and a nylon dome that I've had for 15. They've never been re-proofed and still keep us bone dry. I've recently purchased another (Equinox 350) and this is all it's claimed to be. Kids love to crawl into small spaces that are all their own

It's all about aerodynamics.....the bigger area you present to the wind, the more likely you are to get trashed. If the tarp takes off...as it often has, at least the kids have somewhere dry and warm to crawl into when a storm hits at 11pm.

That said, Colac Girl has a cheapo that has remaiined standing but then again, they get to the camp before us and always get the shelter of our resident Mozzie Bush.

If it's a family tent that you're really after then Vango are renowned in europe for that also. The australian importer is here: http://shop.ansco.com.au/store/produ...ry15.inetstore

They've stopped doing canvas now mainly because it's heavy and can rot if stored away wet, as is often the case in europe.

Just as it is in boating, so it is in camping, you get what you pay for and if you're risking spoiling a holiday it pays to spend a few more bob and be prepared for the worst. Trouble is, I seem to attract the worst

kev

A good conscience is a soft pillow.

[bidkev]

Meant to add that in every case wher an Aussie tent has failed us, it's been the poles or pole ferrules that have failed. This invariably results in the poles ripping through the fabric with the force of the wind pushing against them. The weather though, has been extreme even by SE Qld standards. Vango uses ally poles and I was amazed to see at how these can bend into a dome shape without splitting They've already proved themselves in a very severe storm.

kev

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

[JEWIENEWIE]

Canvas will be dthe way i go in the future but leaving soon for annual 6week camping trip and the funds account cant be stretched for the canvas tent i am after. Thought i would go a domey until next year. Only need to sleep 3 but want a big tent so we have some room to hang out in during rain periods.
camp up at Rules Beach near Agnes water, June July, not much rain then but when it does rain can be heavy!! Camp on a spit on the beach so it can be windy at times and the domey tends to handle and flex in the wind. Need to know what brands to stay away from.
Cheers
JN

[Panda]

We use a $100 dome tent bought from a camping store a few years ago. Sleeps 2 adults comfortably. It has a lightweight fly but wouldn't want to rely on it in heavy rain. We always string up a large silver tarp to act as an extra fly and to provide shelter for the cooking, eating and relaxing area. Its a bit of messing about to get the tarp set up right but its worth it when a storm hits and you are nice and dry at night. And its nice to have a well ventilated shadey area during the day. But one thing about using a large tarp is it must tied and or pegged down securely as its a big surface area to catch the wind if the weather turns nasty.

If we have friends along we let them have the dome tent and back the cruiser up to the tarp and we sleep in the back. Figure the crocs will take those sleeping on the ground first.

[theoldlegend]

Quote from Juicy; "Well over 20 years old and still going strong" ...............

Some people just can't stop talking about themselves !!

TOL

[juicyfruit]

JEWIENEWIE,
Here in Mackay, I have sought the advice of a few salesmen that only deal in camping equipment/tents.
I have always found their advice in such matters to be very sound.
This may be an option available to you.

If it was I in you shoes right now I would buy a cheapy tent and use the rest of the money on buying a decent tarp, poles, rope and pegs. I would erect the cheap tent under the tarp, and use the tent for only sleeping, and use the tarp for shelter and socialising.

A good quality tarp and extras will never go astray in any camping situation. Now or in the future.

Juicy





TOL,
I was referring to Thumps

[bidkev]

The trouble though, with having a cheapie tent under a tarp, is that if the tarp goes your tent is next to useless. Spend a few more bob and put a good tent under the tarp

I just luuuuuuuuurv spending other people's money

kev

A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

[juicyfruit]

lol, was just offering a quick solution to a short term problem (a bandaid).....agree that without the tarp tent is useless, that’s were buying a decent tarp, rope, poles and pegs come into play.

Oh I so love spending other peoples money too......especially Thumps

Juicy

[Jitlands]

The Sportiva GEO range of dome tents have 6 poles as against 3 or 4 in the other brands of the same size.pack away small and light, and will handle a bit of a blow.

[adam_ngakiri]

i really used to hate setting up camp when the old man had each of us kids standing around holding poles up for hours while he secured ropes. I love the popular dome tents now and even our big dome tent that sleeps 6 can be put up by 2 of us in ten minutes. fantastic.

[Elysium]

I am currently making a new canvas tent in the style of a dome tent. Just used the old one we had for a template. That way we have the best of both worlds...a tent that will last forever...and is easy to erect.