Tents

[thomsbrain]

i've never seen anyone's tent get messed up from sunlight damage. just use a tarp to protect the bottom from getting torn up and you're good to go. so save your back and get a non-canvas model. i have an REI 3-man that I got as a hand-me-down from my parents. it's probably 15-20 years old and is still in great shape.

 

[psiu]

If I remember right you can rent tents from REI. That might be a good way to check them (tents & REI) out and get an idea for what you want and need.

 

[WyteWatt]

Think its only at the local stores though I don't have any near me.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

It rolls up into a 3-4 foot cylindircal bag with a diameter of about 6 inches and weighs approximatley 20 pounds (I'd guess)

UV damage is overrated. If you put that many miles on your tent, you'll be buying a new one for different reasons by the time you get to that point.

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

How long should this tent last? Can it handle snow?

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: imtim83
Think its only at the local stores though I don't have any near me.

no chain sportingood stores?

Sports Authority, I Goldberg, Dick's sporting goods.... hell even target and wallmart should carry tents... I'll bet at least one of them has this model

 

[Babbles]

Another vote for REI and Campmor, can't go wrong with them.

Back when I was a kid in scouts often enough I would just sleep in a hammock or right on the ground with a groundcloth and a sleeping bag. When I did Philmont, I can't remember what tents we carried but they weren't bad quality, just pretty bulky and heavy as hell - moreso when lugging around one around for ~60 miles.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

How long should this tent last? Can it handle snow?

"handle snow" is relative. If you set up camp before snowfall, you shouldn't have too much trouble if it snows because it won't get warm enough in your tent from your body heat to melt the snow up against its sides. as long as you have a ground cloth and the top the cloth is tucked under so that rainwater can go UNDER the cloth and not OVER it, you'll be fine. I try to avoid setting up tents ON snow as much as possible though because no matter how good your sleeping bag is, you will radiate heat and melt what's under you.... the severity of the ensuing complications can vary.

You're 1000x times better splurging on a North Face everest class sleeping bag or something than splurging on the tent... lemme see if I can find a link to my bag. Don't forget egg crate, ot at least a roll of 1/8th inch or quarter inch foam. That's critical for cold weather camping as insulation.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Babbles
Another vote for REI and Campmor, can't go wrong with them.

Back when I was a kid in scouts often enough I would just sleep in a hammock or right on the ground with a groundcloth and a sleeping bag. When I did Philmont, I can't remember what tents we carried but they weren't bad quality, just pretty bulky and heavy as hell - moreso when lugging around one around for ~60 miles.

Campmor definitley, but I think REI is overpriced.

 

[WyteWatt]

I believe we may have a Sports Authority but none of the tents are set up. There is a store here that has them set up but they only sell single person tents.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
you pitching a tent this weekend?

Yeah, it's his first time.

 

[acemcmac]

I have biked with my timberline.... I have a really big jansport, external frame backpack and I tie the tent to the bottom, sleeping bag to the tent, the foam pad and the platypus up top, and secure it all down with vertical bungees.... but then again, I usually carry a 70lb pack....

You might really benefit from gettting a saddle rack for your bike

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

How long should this tent last? Can it handle snow?

"handle snow" is relative. If you set up camp before snowfall, you shouldn't have too much trouble if it snows because it won't get warm enough in your tent from your body heat to melt the snow up against its sides. as long as you have a ground cloth and the top the cloth is tucked under so that rainwater can go UNDER the cloth and not OVER it, you'll be fine. I try to avoid setting up tents ON snow as much as possible though because no matter how good your sleeping bag is, you will radiate heat and melt what's under you.... the severity of the ensuing complications can vary.

You're 1000x times better splurging on a North Face everest class sleeping bag or something than splurging on the tent... lemme see if I can find a link to my bag. Don't forget egg crate, ot at least a roll of 1/8th inch or quarter inch foam. That's critical for cold weather camping as insulation.

Ok.

To bad they don't have tents you could put up in a tree. I know thats not possible though. Ir would be way to heavy and rip way to easily. Though it would get it away from a lot of the snow.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

How long should this tent last? Can it handle snow?

"handle snow" is relative. If you set up camp before snowfall, you shouldn't have too much trouble if it snows because it won't get warm enough in your tent from your body heat to melt the snow up against its sides. as long as you have a ground cloth and the top the cloth is tucked under so that rainwater can go UNDER the cloth and not OVER it, you'll be fine. I try to avoid setting up tents ON snow as much as possible though because no matter how good your sleeping bag is, you will radiate heat and melt what's under you.... the severity of the ensuing complications can vary.

You're 1000x times better splurging on a North Face everest class sleeping bag or something than splurging on the tent... lemme see if I can find a link to my bag. Don't forget egg crate, ot at least a roll of 1/8th inch or quarter inch foam. That's critical for cold weather camping as insulation.

Ok.

To bad they don't have tents you could put up in a tree. I know thats not possible though. Ir would be way to heavy and rip way to easily. Though it would get it away from a lot of the snow.

I sometimes bike in the snow to get to work... but only because it's about as safe as driving the mustang.... why the hell would you be doing recreational biking in the snow???

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
I have biked with my timberline.... I have a really big jansport, external frame backpack and I tie the tent to the bottom, sleeping bag to the tent, the foam pad and the platypus up top, and secure it all down with vertical bungees.... but then again, I usually carry a 70lb pack....

You might really benefit from gettting a saddle rack for your bike

Do you find it hard ridding with a 70 lb pack ?

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: imtim83
The Eureka Timberline looks nice but it seems to good to be true for it to be only $100 it seems? Is it a high quality tent? I am asking because I didn't think you could get one for $100. Does it handle snow ? Its only a 3 season tent I see. I do know that Eureka makes good tents though but just curious why go with Eureka instead rather than Northface, etc ?

I've carried a Eureka Timberline 10 miles over the Apalachian trail through 6 inches of snow and slept in it, completley dry. That tent will be as hard core as you are. I dont know what you're expecting a "year round" tent to be as opposed to a "3 season" tent. Tents hold in warm air in cold weather and stop the wind and rain. That's it. I repeat. It's as official of a tent for the Boyscouts of America as there ever was and I gaurentee that they've put it through more hardcore nonsense than you could in several lifetimes. I have slept in hundreds, some as old as 25 years. They come in 2 man and 4 man models... even though I consider the 4 man to be 2+gear. You can spend more on a tent with the same capacity, but I'd consider it to be a major waste. You sure won't get any better durability. You might loose weight or get a more stylish tent, but you simply can't beat the timberline

so.... yeah, used it in snow... hurricanes.... atop blufs adjoining the chesapeake bay during wintertime with negative windchills.... I'd swear on that tent any day of the week :beer:

How long should this tent last? Can it handle snow?

"handle snow" is relative. If you set up camp before snowfall, you shouldn't have too much trouble if it snows because it won't get warm enough in your tent from your body heat to melt the snow up against its sides. as long as you have a ground cloth and the top the cloth is tucked under so that rainwater can go UNDER the cloth and not OVER it, you'll be fine. I try to avoid setting up tents ON snow as much as possible though because no matter how good your sleeping bag is, you will radiate heat and melt what's under you.... the severity of the ensuing complications can vary.

You're 1000x times better splurging on a North Face everest class sleeping bag or something than splurging on the tent... lemme see if I can find a link to my bag. Don't forget egg crate, ot at least a roll of 1/8th inch or quarter inch foam. That's critical for cold weather camping as insulation.

Ok.

To bad they don't have tents you could put up in a tree. I know thats not possible though. Ir would be way to heavy and rip way to easily. Though it would get it away from a lot of the snow.

I sometimes bike in the snow to get to work... but only because it's about as safe as driving the mustang.... why the hell would you be doing recreational biking in the snow???

I like snow.

 

[FoBoT]

be sure to practice pitching your tent at home before you go out camping, the last thing you want is to get out in the wild and not be able to properly pitch a tent

 

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
you pitching a tent this weekend?

:heart:

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
I have biked with my timberline.... I have a really big jansport, external frame backpack and I tie the tent to the bottom, sleeping bag to the tent, the foam pad and the platypus up top, and secure it all down with vertical bungees.... but then again, I usually carry a 70lb pack....

You might really benefit from gettting a saddle rack for your bike

Where do you get a bike saddle rack ?

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia

Originally posted by: acemcmac
The rainfly should last the life of the tent.

What is the life of a tent like this please?

 

[LaBang]

Honestly, You seem to know nothing about bike touring. I suggest finding a place with experts on the topic and asking questions there instead of asking a bunch of people in a computer forum.

BTW, tents can and do degrade from UV radiation. For the vast majority of people this will never happen. But if you leave a tent set up 24/7 for a whole summer in a northern latitude it will only last one season

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: LaBang
Honestly, You seem to know nothing about bike touring. I suggest finding a place with experts on the topic and asking questions there instead of asking a bunch of people in a computer forum.

BTW, tents can and do degrade from UV radiation. For the vast majority of people this will never happen. But if you leave a tent set up 24/7 for a whole summer in a northern latitude it will only last one season

Thats if the tent is not in the shade or it doesn't have a rainfly covering it to protect it right or no ?

 

[LaBang]

Yes, no shade. With the rainfly on though. Rainflys are more UV resistant than tents (especially on new tents). Seriously, don't worry about this unless you're basecamping on Everest for three months. Then if you are, it's easy to just cover your tent with a tarp.

 

[WyteWatt]

Ok thanks. I don't know how some people can chose what tent, sleeping bag, etc to get when bike touring or campiing. There so many choses its hard to know whats the best or top best to pick at times. Like one minute you may lean one way with a certain tent but then lean another way with anothet tent. I guess its just best to flip and coin and buy the tent, etc.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: LaBang
Honestly, You seem to know nothing about bike touring. I suggest finding a place with experts on the topic and asking questions there instead of asking a bunch of people in a computer forum.

BTW, tents can and do degrade from UV radiation. For the vast majority of people this will never happen. But if you leave a tent set up 24/7 for a whole summer in a northern latitude it will only last one season

Well put on both counts. It had never occured to me that anyone would ever leave one of these tents setup for more than a week.... I've never left one stay up for more than 48 hours.