Advanced Minds

Having read a few threads on this subject, I still have some questions: I am currently using a Moss Big Dipper (4 season 4 man dome) and a Moss Outfitterwing (large aerodynamic tarp).  I love both of these, and would recommend the Outfitterwing in particular as it is unusual and gives you amazing coverage from rain and sun (useful in the Pacific Northwest).  If you set your tent up under it you get the benefit of ot using your rainfly but you are  still out of the rain. Question:  I have two kids and am finding the 4 man tent cramped.  Should I buy a large cabin tent or a large dome tent (like the Kelty at Costco)?  Should I buy a cheap Coleman (like a 2 room cabin on sale at target for $157) or stick to the usual policy of 'buying quality'.   In this case weight is not the ultimate consideration as it is for car camping. Finally - are those screened gazebos for under $100 worth using? Thanks in advance! Jim Wiggins

Having read a few threads on this subject, I still have some questions: I am currently using a Moss Big Dipper (4 season 4 man dome) and a Moss Outfitterwing (large aerodynamic tarp).  I love both of these, and would recommend the Outfitterwing in particular as it is unusual and gives you amazing coverage from rain and sun (useful in the Pacific Northwest).  If you set your tent up under it you get the benefit of ot using your rainfly but you are  still out of the rain. Question:  I have two kids and am finding the 4 man tent cramped.  Should I buy a large cabin tent or a large dome tent (like the Kelty at Costco)?  Should I buy a cheap Coleman (like a 2 room cabin on sale at target for $157) or stick to the usual policy of 'buying quality'.   In this case weight is not the ultimate consideration as it is for car camping. Finally - are those screened gazebos for under $100 worth using? Thanks in advance! Jim Wiggins

I am currently using a Moss Big Dipper (4 season 4 man dome) and a Moss Outfitterwing (large aerodynamic tarp).  I love both of these, and would recommend the Outfitterwing in particular as it is unusual and gives you amazing coverage from rain and sun (useful in the Pacific Northwest).  If you set your tent up under it you get the benefit of ot using your rainfly but you are  still out of the rain. Question:  I have two kids and am finding the 4 man tent cramped.  Should I buy a large cabin tent or a large dome tent (like the Kelty at Costco)?  Should I buy a cheap Coleman (like a 2 room cabin on sale at target for $157) or stick to the usual policy of 'buying quality'. In this case weight is not the ultimate consideration as it is for car camping. Finally - are those screened gazebos for under $100 worth using? Thanks in advance! Jim Wiggins Just a note on the Kelty. My In-laws own one of these. It's a great tent. Easy to set-up/take down. Has tarp floor, D-shaped doors and windows (allows you to leave open at top or bottom for better air flow) and it is very large inside. I think the name is Ridgeway by Kelty. A large cabin tent might be better in the rain if you spend most of your time in the tent. I think Costco sold one early in the year also from Kelty. You could set the inside up like a house. Don't know much about quality of these. David

You might to check out the great deals on tents at the Steamboat Market. http://www.cris.com/~jimarich There a two very good tents for sale there.   Have fun camping. Jim Richardson

I have a Gander Mountain 3 Room Dome Tent. It is the best tent I have ever had for car camping (weight is approx. 30 lbs - 14' x 12'

I am currently using a Moss Big Dipper (4 season 4 man dome) and a Moss Outfitterwing (large aerodynamic tarp).  I love both of these, and would recommend the Outfitterwing in particular as it is unusual and gives you amazing coverage from rain and sun (useful in the Pacific Northwest).  If you set your tent up under it you get the benefit of ot using your rainfly but you are  still out of the rain. Question:  I have two kids and am finding the 4 man tent cramped.  Should I buy a large cabin tent or a large dome tent (like the Kelty at Costco)?   Should I buy a cheap Coleman (like a 2 room cabin on sale at target for $157) or stick to the usual policy of 'buying quality'.   In this case weight is not the ultimate consideration as it is for car camping. Finally - are those screened gazebos for under $100 worth using? Thanks in advance! Jim Wiggins My husband and I are frequent tenters, and at first had a cheapo tent with a screened in porch.  The screened in room proved to be invaluable when we found ourselves in buggie country.  Recently, we upgraded to a Eureka 4-man dome with a seperate screened 12x12 cheapo gazebo we bought for under $50. We bought the cheap one because we didn't really know whether it would be worth it. The first time we brought it with us, we had to endure a several days of rain with another couple. Without the gazebo, our experience would have been greatly 'dampened', to say the least, and we are now totally sold on the seperate screened room concept.  So sold, in fact, that when this one bites the mud, we'll be upgrading to a better quality gazebo.