Car Camping Tents

Site/Car Camping Tents

Acceptable entry level camping tents can be purchased at big box stores, to include Costco.  Look for tents with a "tub".  The more durable bottoms are resistant to punctures and leaks.  Some of these are easy to deploy but are packaged in larger bags that will not fit in a backpack.  This is fine, since these types of tents are often too heavy to use for backpacking anyways and will be loaded in a back of the family van.  Some economy tents will leak with heavy rain due to design (toupee or nonexistent rain-fly) or overall quality of build.  This may be OK for car camping where Scouts will learn how to take care of their gear, learn the value of quality gear and will have extra clothing and tarps to kept them from being too miserable.

If you don't have a durable Site/Car camping tent, you can use one designed for backpacking or likely borrow one from your troop.

Recommendation

• Look for an affordable tent that is 2-person or greater

• As new Scouts get into camping, you can upgrade to a higher quality tent as needed

• Great deals can be found at Costco (seasonal) and Hiker Direct

• Although cheaper, avoid tents with rainflies that don't extend to the ground (toupee style)

• Tents found on Amazon are hit and miss

  • You might find a great deal

  • Quality is luck of the draw

  • Clostnature tents worked better than expected as a first year Scout tent

Extra Tent Stakes

• For some reason, these seem to get lost a LOT

• Consider getting a pack of extra stakes 

  • Economy Tent Stakes 

  • 7" Gutter Nails - work fine and can take a beating

Camping Tent Examples:

Priority on roominess and price

• Alps Tents

  • Discounted prices at hikerdirect.com

  • Many options for under $100

  • Recommend you select one with a FULL rainfly (not a toupee)

    • Taurus 4 Person

    • Aspen 4 Person 

• Coleman Sundome 4

  • $99

  • Weight:  9.15 LB

  • Toupée rainfly provides questionable protection against rain

  • Expect leaks

  • Floor: WeatherTec™ system's tub-like floor with welded seams

• Coleman Sundome 6

  • $134

  • Weight: 16lb 10 oz

  • Toupée rainfly provides questionable protection against rain

  • Expect leaks

  • Floor: WeatherTec™ system's tub-like floor with welded seams

• Coleman Montana 8P

  • $170

  • Weight: 25lb

  • Large

  • Expect leaks

  • Durable, Polyguard

• Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup 4-person

  • $130

  • 19.1lb

  • super quick setup

  • No Rainfly = wet

  • Double-thick Polyguard 2X

• Marmot Limestone 6P

  • $499

  • Weight: 17lb 9oz

  • Large interior- both ends have vertical walls

• REI Co-op Wonderland 6

  • $599

  • Weight: 22lbs 15oz

  • Large interior- both ends have vertical walls

• The North Face Wawona 6

  • $475

  • Weight: 20lb 15oz

  • Cabin-style Large interior

  • Partial rain-fly

• Kelty Wireless 6

  • $270

  • Weight: 17lb 3oz

  • Great value

  • Quality better than Coleman but not as good as other

• REI Co-op Skyward 6

  • $449

  • Weight: 15lb 7oz

  • Lacks full rainfly

  • Cabin-style Large interior

• REI Co-op Base Camp 6

  • $549

  • Weight: 20lbs 10oz

  • Sturdy build with good weather protection

• REI Co-op Trail Hut 4

  • $299

  • Weight: 8lb 1.6oz

  • Crossover Tent (can be used for backpacking)

• Marmot Tungsten 4P

  • $399

  • Weight: 9 lbs. 3.8 oz.

  • Crossover tent (can be used for backpacking)

• Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model 6-Person

  • $500

  • Weight: 33lb

  • Excellent protection against the elements

• Big Agnes Big House 6

  • $480

  • Weight: 16lb 7oz

  • Cabin-style Large interior

• MSR Habitude 6

  • $660

  • Weight: 14lbs

  • Floor: 68D taffeta polyester 10,000mm Polyurethane & DWR

• NEMO Wagontop 4P

  • $550

  • Weight: 20lb 1oz

• NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P

  • $500

  • Weight: 18lb 10oz