Year round tent for family

onemoreridge · May 20, 2018

I am not sure if what I am asking is even realistic but it's worth a try. I am looking for recommendations for a tent that my family can use from early spring to late Oct. timeframe. With my wife and 3 boys it needs to be able to handle all 5 of us and gear. We usually camp in mountain locations but may go out to the west desert in Utah early in the spring. I want a set up I can use for general camping but will also handle hunting in some weather that you can get in Oct. I have been looking at the Cabelas Alaknak 12x20 but wanted to see if anyone else had any other options that they really liked.

Manti377 · May 21, 2018

Springbar tents are rock-solid and easy to set up.

goinhuntn · May 21, 2018

Kodiak flexbow 10 x14

NORKALNIMROD · May 22, 2018

If you are camping where you park and want a true all season set-up I would go with a quality wall tent. A 14x16 or 17 with 5' walls would work great for your family. Even with a wood stove in it you would have enough room. JMHO!

Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."

fullthrottle · May 25, 2018

Kodiak makes a pretty solid tent, and they are easy to setup.

tracker12 · May 26, 2018

Springbar is solid or you can buy the Chinese version Kodiak.

heartshot · May 31, 2018

Between scout camps and girls camps i am not impressed with Springbars. Zippers breaking, poles getting stuck inside each other, and they leak in heavy rain. No longer a fan. I would rather buy 8 throwaways than an expensive Springbar that you can't throw away but wish you could.

Don't overlook the Coleman insta-cabin tents. They do great in the rain. But is sound like you need soemthing bigger..

tracker12 · Jun 2, 2018

Well I have had a Springbar for 14 years and never had a pole stuck or the tent leak. But then again I'm not a boy scout.

SLIVER · Jun 3, 2018

I was in the same boat as you awhile back and chose the Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6 man. My family of 5 fits in it nicely with our gear, and it performs awesome in wind and rainy conditions. Check it out. I got the one with the aluminum poles instead of fiberglass. It has been a great tent since 2012.

}}-SLIVER-->

sagebrush · Jun 4, 2018

Year round enough?

12X20 with a vestibule in the rear.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard

BPKHunter · Jun 15, 2018

I've used my 12x12 Alaknak successfully for about 8 years now with as many as 4 guys in it.

12x20 should fit a family including kids. The catch in Late Oct would be moisture control. With two guys and some care I can manage to use propane, but have to wipe it down and ventilate it to manage condensation. With 5 exhaling and cold outside I would highly recommend wood heat. Works great for cooking, heats well if you bring good wood, and will dry clothes and tent much better than propane. Small propane heater can take edge off first thing in AM until wood fires up.

I don't have canvas, though now that my boys are grown and we need a larger or second tent to accommodate I am considering Canvas, mostly to diversify. I'm not fond of the idea of no floor, mostly for pests(mice). I've not once had one in my floored Alaknak. Every canvas tent I've slept it(friends, left over 3 days had plenty and required all food to be put away including any aluminum foil(nesting material).

One last negative on Alaknak. In direct sun, over mid 60 degree day, will get VERY hot inside. White canvas is much better. 12x20 will have big doors on both sides of Alaknak, which helps here.

FrontRange · Jun 15, 2018

+1 on the 12 x 20 alaknak w/vestibule. I've owned one for 3 years now and can set the tent up by myself in 30 minutes & another 30 minutes to figure out the vestibule. Using a propane heater with a couple of people in their will get you wet. Tent is easy to ventalate / dry during the day.

hounddawgs · Jul 18, 2018

Montana canvas

BUGLEnmIN · Jul 21, 2018

Check out Kodiak canvas. They're some of the best built tents and super easy to put up!

onemoreridge · Sep 11, 2018

Thanks everyone for the input and advice. I ended up getting the 12 x 20 alaknak and I am looking forward to using it later this month and next. If anyone has recommendations for wood stoves that will be my next purchase. I will not be packing it in so weight isn't to much of a worry.

HIcountryman · Sep 26, 2018

Canvas wall tent is prob best bet. Used, even. But i just picked up Grand Hut 6 person from REI garage sale, it is returned/demo gear. I got this $350 tent for $170 - it was set up in store only as demo! Brand new, 6'6" height, 120 x 100 " floor, good sized vestibule. Got it for family/festival/car camping. Heard it was more user friendly and wind resistant than more expensive Kingdom series.
I ll let u know how it performs 3rd season elk hunt.