Best Type of Tent For Long Camping Trips

It all depends on the kind of camping and what you are using your tent for. I have one floor-less tent - I haven't used if for a long time. I prefer a tent floor that keeps out the moisture and the bugs - especially spiders.

 

I think that you are right. I am forever watching for sales and the like. The last tent I purchased [for this summer] was on sale on Black Friday - the sent me an alert about the reduction in price and it was more than enough for me to say yes.

I have a colleague who prefers to camp in a hammock - I think he calls it a Hennessey Jungle Hammock. I've always been afraid that I would fall out or it would turn over. The hammock is constructed in such a way that it doesn't happen. I like the novelty but I feel a lot more secure in a four season tent. I think that my dog Reese would agree because he sleeps in the tent with me.

 

Yeah...those are some of the other considerations I hadn't thought of.

And besides - this year at base camp I have furniture that I have made during the winter that will adorn my tent. I have rugs to protect the floor and provide extra warmth if need be. There is a side table with lights, a coat hanger, a floor lamp, comfortable chair, military cot with a three inch mattress and a chandelier . In the corner near the door will be Reese's bed. It will be three inches off the floor to give him extra warmth too.

I agree with Baden Powell the founder of the Scout Movement - "Roughing it is for amateurs."



This was cub camp four years ago.

 

I don't usually do a headboard, but it was Cub Camp so I thought I would be a bit more creative for the occasion. I was a cub leader then and was known as Baloo the Bear [from the jungle book].

 

It has happened on occasion - usually after a lengthy rain. The Alaknak tent has a zippered floor opening for a stove. Once it rained off and on [and heavy at times] for three days. The current rugs that I use are not regular rugs but rather heavy cloth accept beside my bed. These can be easily aired out. They haven't gotten moldy yet.

 

You are welcome. When I'm away from my base camp everything remains in place other than a few items. True everything is zipped up for the weather and tied down for the storms. I haven't had any trouble - yet, and I'm hoping that will continue the same.

 

Yes...it is a 9.5 x 9.5 but I do have a bigger one that is 12 x 20. Both have a zipped floor for a stove and there is a place to put up a stack.

This year I will be using the same make of tent without the stove jack. Though I will have a buddy heater for the rainy days when things get a bit damp. The three season has a four foot wall while the others have a three foot wall. I also have the vestibule which provides extra defence against harsh weather.

 

The tent is naturally vented and there are additional vents that one can employ. My practice is not to sleep when the heater is on. My sleeping bag [according to the season] keeps me warm and toasty through the night. I have on occasion, when it has been damp for awhile, taken a flat rock from the campfire, wrap it in a towel, and place it at the bottom of the sleeping bag. Surprising, it can keep you warm to the time you wake up. I only use the heater when it is particularly cold or damp - nothing worse than being cold on a summer day.

Actually...I think there are containers that you can use - designed for tee pee like equipment. I have a modern tee pee that has an opening at the top - but I've never had the need to use a fire pot. Good idea actually. I think that I might try experimenting with the same.

 

I liked the canvass tent too but there are better products on the market today. I have a sportsmans guide tee pee - I don't recommend it. For one reason - the door does not zip up at the bottom. I've never seen a tent that didn't zip at the bottom. When I tested last April [2013] rain, wind and snow got in. The screen zips but not the outside door.

If you are summer camping I don't think you need to worry about cooler days - just dress appropriately. That's what I do.

Best tents don't have additional tarps because of the material used. HOWEVER, if the tent you should purchase comes with a tarp you need to use it. Make sure that it goes all the way to the ground.

 

Each manufacture will have a their own standard - the trick, it there is such a thing, it to make comparisons and read carefully the independent consumer reports. Purchasing a tent really depends on how often, where and how you plan to use it. An inexpensive tent is just fine if if is for the occasional weekend. I tend to purchase the higher end tent to assure that I will have no complaints - but then again I'm out for five or six weeks at a time.