Need a new tent and looking for advise.

[goldenIrishman]

Well guys and gals, the wind did a major number on me today. While I was slicing some materials the wind got really nasty and when I finished up the bucket I was running I decided to get something to drink. As I came around my trailers saw what the wind had done to the tent I was ready to track Mother Nature down and shoot her! Not one but both of the main support poles had been not only broken but shattered beyond any hope of repair in the field. So now I'm without my main tent and looking for a new one to replace it.

What I am going to need is a tent that can handle winds in the 40 mph range for sustained periods that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. ( First born child they can have though) I'd like to keep the cost to around the $200 range and the size in the 6-8 person range. I live in my tent for months at a time so room for gear and to be able to stretch out is important. Anyone got any suggestions here? It's hard to research tents o, the phone and would like to have some ideas before I head back to civilization at the end of the month.
G.I.

 

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[GoldpannerDave]

Sorry to hear about the tent; that is a bummer. I wish I had better information, but the last time in a tent was last fall. A friend owned it and it was a Coleman, slept 4 comfortably but would handle more if all slept on the floor instead of on cots. And I don't know how well it handles winds since we had no large winds, just 22 degree weather (which it did not handle too well).

That last part should not be a problem in the desert. I will do some research but I suspect many here have recommendations from personal experience.

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

Check out the Kodiak from Sportsmans Warehouse. More than $200 but well worth it.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Don't know much about tents, but if you're going to be camping
for that long a period I'd suggest building a simple wind screen
to protect the tent.

A poor diagram made in Paint program:



Find a few old 2x4's or 2x6's and make a base, then mount
2 4x8 sheets of ply side-by-side, and on an angle. This will
redirect the wind right over the top of your tent. Pile a few rocks
on the wood base and it'll stay put, but if you need to move it
due to changing wind directions it'll be light enough to do so.

 

[Sandman]

Check with Cabelas. They have a large selection.

 

[azblackbird]

If you're gonna be spending any amount of time out in the boonies and want something that will take the elements, I suggest you hit up CraigsList and see if you can find yourself a wall tent. We always lived/camped in them during the summer months when we grazed our cattle in the mountains of Colorado. I've seen the smaller ones go for $500 used in great condition. They are true all season tents and are exactly what the old-timers used for their mining camps. A good wall tent will last you for generations. Many of them I've seen on CL include a stove which you'll definitely want during the winter time even here in AZ.

 

[fowledup]

Scout Canvas Wall Tent
In Ak we used wall tents over a frame with a wood door, yukon stove, and a plywood floor, no poles. Loved it, not damp, or noisy, very comfy and last along time when taken care of. End of season roll up the canvas and leave the frame up for next year.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Just because it is the wind, you should look at trailers instead because wind whipping against the side of a tent gets really old as you know.

There are lots of good tents out there but you will need a dome tent at the very least. - Cabela's Alaskan Guide® Geodesic Tent with Aluminum Poles – 8-Person : Cabela's

where you can pick up a used trailer in good shape for $1000.00 or so with beds and a kitchen already there.

 

[MadJack_ME]

Never happen!

INVEST in a good tent and be done with it.
Cabelas Alaskan Guide tent in 6 or 8
Cabelas XWT [extreme weather tent, 6 or 8 man.
Check Craigslist first.

Or just go to wal-mart and buy TWO cheapo's, one for back-up.

Wall-Tents don't fair well in 40mph winds. Dome tents [above^] do quite well.

Recommended by Alaskan Guides and this Master Maine Guide.

 

[63bkpkr]

REI is currently having a sale and a few tents are included. They offer a 6 man (woman, beast or whatever) dome tent for around $200, it is their own brand and they hold up pretty good. I have a couple of that model, used both for many years..................63bkpkr

 

[Jeff95531]

I put this link on your mining thread Jeff. Some good info-
Tent that will hold up to wind?

 

[Hoser John]

There is one style you do NOT want to buy-EZ up,simply a twist and it's up ,then do the poles and ties. Winds folds'm down like a deck a cards. see pic of a lousy tent-John

 

[Goldwasher]

Sportsmans guide has a nice center pole outfitters tent. Two sizes under 200 I think. It is an easy center pole setup. Ill post a link when I get home this afternoon.

 

[SpecJet]

Just because it is the wind, you should look at trailers instead because wind whipping against the side of a tent gets really old as you know.

There are lots of good tents out there but you will need a dome tent at the very least. - Cabela's Alaskan Guide® Geodesic Tent with Aluminum Poles – 8-Person : Cabela's

where you can pick up a used trailer in good shape for $1000.00 or so with beds and a kitchen already there.

I've owned this same tent for 12 years, it is worth every penny if high winds are something you have to deal with.
It's extremely durable and dead silent in the wind.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. A camping type trailer is pretty much out of the question. My little utility job from harbor freight it all I want. I can haul everything I need in it and I can turn it on a dime. Anything bigger would only get me in trouble out here. It looking like I may have to check out the Coleman WeatherTec models. I could swing a pair of them. It's that or get rid of a bunch of stuff so I can just camp in the back of the truck.

 

[AlaskaGold]

Check the Eureka sunrise series like the sunrise 5. Tough cheap and roomy, quick search and it looks like you can find them for right around 200 on Amazon. Seen them hold up to some serious winds for a cheap tent. There plenty of better tents for living and wind but none are anywhere close to 200 bucks.

 

[Hard Prospector]

Knew of two old placer miners who lived in a canvas wall tent on their claims near Randsburg, they built a 6' rock wall completely around it for insulation and wind protection. I commented to one of them how well built it looked and he said that it also keeps any drunks in the area from stumbling through their tent at night.

 

[Gold Maven]

I had a tarp shop sew up a wall tent for me 25 years ago for under 200 bucks, it's still in good shape.

10'x12', simple ridge pole and 2 end posts, it has held up to 8" of wet snow, and high winds.

With a cot, a thick foam pad, and a propane heater, I've spent many happy weeks in the boonies.

 

[SpecJet]

A large camo net can be doubled over and made into a lean-to. A couple poles and a few stakes with guy wires attached to the poles makes for a great wind block.
The nice thing about using camo net is that it breaths, but stills knocks the wind down.

We've used this many times in the high desert to help save tents and provide a calm area for fires and eating.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Well I've gotten the camp back in shape and all the hatches are battened down for the coming storm that's due this afternoon. I noticed that my last post got three likes. You guys hoping for some cheap gear or something?
Since I'm kind of on hold till after this front passes I'm cruising around the area checking it out. It can be really tough getting into some areas due to the lack of 4WD, bit so far Mule has done well. Found some exposed bedrock in one of the washes mad will be rechecking it out after it clears. Going to make sure I'm in camp during the storm since it's on high ground. It will be interesting to see if anything changes due to the rains.