Bug out survival tent

[lavey29]

I do not know much about camping. Thinking of adding a good 4 person tent to my bug out preparation in the event that alternate shelter is not available and weather becomes a factor. I know the better quality larger tents have some pretty good weight to be carrying around and that is a consideration.

You guys have any suggestions in this area? Basic Coleman or maybe something more well constructed for 3 season use? Perhaps one with its own cloaking device built in?

[TheChief]

-Driving or backpacking? Do you have size limitations? I.e. riding into the desert in a Yugo or in a Ford F350 dually.

-Temperature and weather ranges for the areas you expect to be? I.e. 15-110 degrees and 3" of snow, and 8" of rain per year.

-Budget? You get what you pay for. You want something durable to live out of, open that pocket book up wide. Want to stand, $$$? Want 4 season for snow and heat $$$.

-How many people, and # of kids and # of adults? Thin or heavy weight? A four person tent will not hold 4 - 5'10 men or a heavy set couple and their kids but will 4 kids.

-How long would you expect to have to live in it? A couple of days or a couple of months or years? If longer than a couple of weeks of daily living expect to be able to repair it.

-Is standing inside a requirement? Makes a difference in comfort, wear, and physiological impact.

-Do you plan to have a heater in it, and if so, what kind?

-How many times a year will you use it other than for SHTF and what seasons? If none, you will not have a good feel for using it, repairing it, setting it up, etc.

-Do you have preferences for materials? I.e. canvas or synthetic? Canvas is easy to repair with minimal low-tech materials, nylon, less so.

[Californio]

The Chief nailed it but also, If a tent is rated for 4, figure you need a tent for 6-8 because you want room to keep personal items as well.

[Epaphroditus]

Going camping is like kindergarten for preppers. Can't just jump into grad school by skipping kindergarten.

Every camping trip is a bug out rehearsal. Get on it!

Tents come and go. Try fair weather camping using just some tarps. Camo pattern tarps way more stealthy than most tents.

Tents give a false sense of security - don't fall into that trap.

[hunterb]

Test the tent in your backyard. Have your wife spray it when you're inside to test water resistance. Laugh your arse off

[deckhandmike]

It all depends how long you plan on staying in it. My 50$ tent will be fine for a week or so in my front yard in case of earthquakes. Temperatures range from 45-80 so no big deal.

[cannon]

Some really solid response. I'll leave you with two suggestions.

1. Go camping. It is actually fun and if you shop at garage sales. You can test and evaluate what works and what does not for pennies on the dollar.

2. Some tents are designed so you untie them and toss them and they self set up %85 of the operation. Handy as heck.

Keep asking questions, have fun and best of luck.

[GW]

How are your engineering skills? Heavy nylon tarps, pvc pipes, paracord, surveyor stakes and duct tape. My friends and I have built structures thahave handled rain, snow and 47 mph winds (As measured by a Kestrel wind meter)
Think geodesic.

[Simi762]

"2" person tents that can sustain high winds and heavy rain cost around $200. You'll have to do some research to see what may work for you. Some people swear by old school canvas, military surplus and modern backpack tents. Definitely invest in lightweight sleeping pads for whichever tent you end up going with.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

There are a lot of things to consider, such as what kind of weather do you need it to be good for, do you need it to have a built in floor or are you ok with something like a canvas floorless or ice shelter tent? How long would you need to be able to live in it, how much an issue is weight? Do you need to move it a lot etc.

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by TheChief

-Driving or backpacking? Do you have size limitations? I.e. riding into the desert in a Yugo or in a Ford F350 dually.

-Temperature and weather ranges for the areas you expect to be? I.e. 15-110 degrees and 3" of snow, and 8" of rain per year.

-Budget? You get what you pay for. You want something durable to live out of, open that pocket book up wide. Want to stand, $$$? Want 4 season for snow and heat $$$.

-How many people, and # of kids and # of adults? Thin or heavy weight? A four person tent will not hold 4 - 5'10 men or a heavy set couple and their kids but will 4 kids.

-How long would you expect to have to live in it? A couple of days or a couple of months or years? If longer than a couple of weeks of daily living expect to be able to repair it.

-Is standing inside a requirement? Makes a difference in comfort, wear, and physiological impact.

-Do you plan to have a heater in it, and if so, what kind?

-How many times a year will you use it other than for SHTF and what seasons? If none, you will not have a good feel for using it, repairing it, setting it up, etc.

-Do you have preferences for materials? I.e. canvas or synthetic? Canvas is easy to repair with minimal low-tech materials, nylon, less so.

Thanks for the response. All valid questions. This wold be for short term emergency use only during a bug out situation. California weather is moderate. 4 family members but 6 person tent makes more sense with gear. Standing not a requirement. No heater most likely but maybe some sort of heat source if needed. Short term use at night or inclimate weather situation pending location of alternate dwelling for use.

[OHOD]

Originally Posted by Epaphroditus

Going camping is like kindergarten for preppers. Can't just jump into grad school by skipping kindergarten.

Every camping trip is a bug out rehearsal. Get on it!

Tents come and go. Try fair weather camping using just some tarps. Camo pattern tarps way more stealthy than most tents.

Tents give a false sense of security - don't fall into that trap.

Camping is the kindergarten of prepping for sure. Try car camping and try hiking in. Each type of camping will give you an idea what you need. For instance, if your packing it in you might want a bivy sac instead of a 4 person tent. That would be 1 lb versus 15 lbs.

The Chief is right on the mark for making educated decisions.

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by deckhandmike

It all depends how long you plan on staying in it. My 50$ tent will be fine for a week or so in my front yard in case of earthquakes. Temperatures range from 45-80 so no big deal.

This is why I am seeking input. Any direct advantage to the expensive tents over the cheaper ones for short term emergency use? Will the cheap ones leak in the rain or come down in the wind? Ease of set up? Weight to carry?

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by OHOD

Camping is the kindergarten of prepping for sure. Try car camping and try hiking in. Each type of camping will give you an idea what you need. For instance, if your packing it in you might want a bivy sac instead of a 4 person tent. That would be 1 lb versus 15 lbs.

The Chief is right on the mark for making educated decisions.

bivy sacs were already part of my individual planning for bug out situation. I am just thinking that if no alternative dwelling can be found after going out on foot or you have to get out of the urban residential area and hide in the woods for a period of time then a decent tent structure would be needed.

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by GW

How are your engineering skills? Heavy nylon tarps, pvc pipes, paracord, surveyor stakes and duct tape. My friends and I have built structures thahave handled rain, snow and 47 mph winds (As measured by a Kestrel wind meter)
Think geodesic.

Not great but can Mcgyver it when needed I suppose. Would rather just hit a button or pull a cord and watch the thing assemble itself in a few seconds.

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by Epaphroditus

Going camping is like kindergarten for preppers. Can't just jump into grad school by skipping kindergarten.

Every camping trip is a bug out rehearsal. Get on it!

Tents come and go. Try fair weather camping using just some tarps. Camo pattern tarps way more stealthy than most tents.

Tents give a false sense of security - don't fall into that trap.

How so on the false sense of security? If it pouring rain and you are stuck outside wouldn't it be better to have one that not have one?

[OHOD]

Originally Posted by lavey29

bivy sacs were already part of my individual planning for bug out situation. I am just thinking that if no alternative dwelling can be found after going out on foot or you have to get out of the urban residential area and hide in the woods for a period of time then a decent tent structure would be needed.

Good point.
Coleman makes some pretty good large tents. You can find some on the Cabelas website, however you will pay a small fortune for one. I had a 4 person tent recently when I was living out of it for 2 months. The problem I had is that it felt too small because I couldn't stand up straight. Also the aluminum rods bent during a wind storm and destroyed my tent. For the 2 months living homeless, I found living out of my car in a tent was the best deal.

[kbenson]

Never assume you will be mobile with bugout gear.

yeah in a perfect world, we would load up an armor plated madmax rig and drive off to a desert oasis.

But in reality- especially in California, know for traffic jams and fights for fuel.
count on staying put or pushing/pulling a cart. if you cannot carry it more than a few miles, it is too heavy.

stick with lightweight waterproof sheet.

[Flying Sig]

These have piqued my interest

https://seekoutside.com/redcliff-1/

https://seekoutside.com/lil-bug-out-...ece-vestibule/

Lightweight considering the size

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by kbenson

Never assume you will be mobile with bugout gear.

yeah in a perfect world, we would load up an armor plated madmax rig and drive off to a desert oasis.

But in reality- especially in California, know for traffic jams and fights for fuel.
count on staying put or pushing/pulling a cart. if you cannot carry it more than a few miles, it is too heavy.

stick with lightweight waterproof sheet.

Agreed, really planning on being on foot and making use of multiple shopping carts from the market and a small wagon.

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by Flying Sig

These have piqued my interest

https://seekoutside.com/redcliff-1/

https://seekoutside.com/lil-bug-out-...ece-vestibule/

Lightweight considering the size

Certainly an option

[lavey29]

Originally Posted by OHOD

Good point.
Coleman makes some pretty good large tents. You can find some on the Cabelas website, however you will pay a small fortune for one. I had a 4 person tent recently when I was living out of it for 2 months. The problem I had is that it felt too small because I couldn't stand up straight. Also the aluminum rods bent during a wind storm and destroyed my tent. For the 2 months living homeless, I found living out of my car in a tent was the best deal.

Real world field tested, thanks for the reply

[Norcalkid]

Depends how your guna get around. Been using my canvas tent for like 20 years. These new tents are nothing like the old canvas ones and replaced every couple seasons. But you sure as heck can't pack a canvas tent like the new light ones.

[deckhandmike]

Originally Posted by lavey29

This is why I am seeking input. Any direct advantage to the expensive tents over the cheaper ones for short term emergency use? Will the cheap ones leak in the rain or come down in the wind? Ease of set up? Weight to carry?

If it's windy/rainy you put the cheap tent out of the elements. I use my truck/building or natural elements to shelter from the wind and tarps do wonders for weather proofing. The cheap ones need some tweaks but work fine for camping and short survival. The expensive ones are lighter and more rugged but some kind of SHTF situation I'm sleeping in a building or vehicle.

[damon1272]

Cheap tents are great as long as you have no expectations of staying out of the elements. Zippers fail, they leak, and the wind blows them over.

You can find well made tents at the end of the summer/fall season. I am fond of 3 and 4 season tents as you can close them up pretty well. You do pay a weight penalty. Have used the Bear Grillz 4 man tent. Worked well until winds hit 65 mph. Yea that night sucked.

Cabelas Alaskan guide 8 man tent works well and is nicely made. Holds up well in the wind when using the fly. If no fly then the tent only holds up so so (was camping in the desert). Heavy as all get out and takes up a ton of space when stored.

Cabelas XPG 4 man 4 season tent is a champ. Very well made, can be completely closed up but does ventilate well and is fairly light for a 4 man tent but is on the small side. Fits 2 very comfortably with gear.

If you buy a tent go camping and use it a few times to know what works best on putting it up. Better to know when the pressure is not on you. Also try when the weather sucks. Figuring out how to get your tent up in high winds can be a challenge but can be done even as one person.

[RandyD]

I agree with the criteria that "TheChief" listed in post #2. That is an excellent list.

I have been camping for most of my life and I am going to be 60 this year. Cheap tents are a waste of money. They will fail in the worst conditions and when that happens, your problems are magnified.

In another thread in Off Topic, I posted my recommendation for a tent and I am copying it here. I highly recommend Cabela's Alaskan Guide Tent. https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...6.uts?slotId=0 I have used this tent for close to 20 years, and it is the only one I have had that has lasted. It is free standing so, it does not matter if the soil will hold tent stakes. It sets up and is taken down in 10 minutes. I have used it on annual hunting trips where it has been in high winds, driving rain and blizzards, and it holds up and keeps you dry.

[remusrm]

Originally Posted by kbenson

Never assume you will be mobile with bugout gear.

yeah in a perfect world, we would load up an armor plated madmax rig and drive off to a desert oasis.

But in reality- especially in California, know for traffic jams and fights for fuel.
count on staying put or pushing/pulling a cart. if you cannot carry it more than a few miles, it is too heavy.

stick with lightweight waterproof sheet.

So true. I noticed everyone wants to take with them a big5, yet dont realize being mobile is the most important for survival!

[deckhandmike]

They sell heavy duty space blankets/tarps. I carry one in my BOB. Does double duty nicely.

[ilaw]

Originally Posted by RandyD

I agree with the criteria that "TheChief" listed in post #2. That is an excellent list.

I have been camping for most of my life and I am going to be 60 this year. Cheap tents are a waste of money. They will fail in the worst conditions and when that happens, your problems are magnified.

In another thread in Off Topic, I posted my recommendation for a tent and I am copying it here. I highly recommend Cabela's Alaskan Guide Tent. https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...6.uts?slotId=0 I have used this tent for close to 20 years, and it is the only one I have had that has lasted. It is free standing so, it does not matter if the soil will hold tent stakes. It sets up and is taken down in 10 minutes. I have used it on annual hunting trips where it has been in high winds, driving rain and blizzards, and it holds up and keeps you dry.

Your link doesn't work, but I'm assuming you meant the 4-Person Cabela's Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic Tent with Fiberglass Poles. Is that correct? Can you honestly set it up and take it down in 10 minutes?

[redcliff]

Originally Posted by Flying Sig

These have piqued my interest

https://seekoutside.com/redcliff-1/

https://seekoutside.com/lil-bug-out-...ece-vestibule/

Lightweight considering the size

I vote for the Redcliff tent, for obvious reasons! Btw, I have no connection to the manufacturer nor do I know why they named their tent that

[Sunday]

Originally Posted by lavey29

I do not know much about camping. Thinking of adding a good 4 person tent to my bug out preparation in the event that alternate shelter is not available and weather becomes a factor. I know the better quality larger tents have some pretty good weight to be carrying around and that is a consideration.

You guys have any suggestions in this area? Basic Coleman or maybe something more well constructed for 3 season use? Perhaps one with its own cloaking device built in?

Stay out of the woods.

[Friesland]

Originally Posted by redcliff

I vote for the Redcliff tent, for obvious reasons! Btw, I have no connection to the manufacturer nor do I know why they named their tent that

$730 ouch!

[ChuckD]

One of my favorite tents is a tarp that I modified. I keep the tarp on my motorcycle, when I'm ready to camp for the night I lay out the tarp drive the motorcycle tires over one end, stake down the grommets I added and then bring the other end up & over the motorcycle and use a caribiner to connect the top grommets to the bottom grommets, both front & rear, then I bring down the ends and have a tent with my motorcycle inside - using the motorcycle as the vertical support. If it is hot I let the bike cool down first, if it is cold I wrap it up hot to keep the heat in. I also have a 12VDC plug that ends up inside the tent for a small heater, light, or just charging my phone while I sleep. I also have a motion detector I can run on the 12VDC battery for security if needed - but that is new and I haven't used it real world yet (only in my driveway for a test). I've got a small, light, self-inflating mattress, a sleeping bag, and a solar lantern for light. It's light, convenient, fast, & cozy.