Tent deal at Sears

[Taidaisher]

10 Person tent

I know this tent is much larger than most would need. But I was wondering about the quality, I don't know anything about tents or how to rate/distinguish the quality. Any thoughts?

[theduece]

whats your intended use for it?

[Shellshocker66]

OK anything that tries to look like a house is probably a POS for that price! Not to mention at 10 person capacity it's going to be heavy, and in a big bag.

[Taidaisher]

Intended use would be for camping with my wife and 2 kids. I know 10 person is much larger than I would need, but I could use the room to keep our things inside and hopefully bug free, I flingingflanging HATE bugs. Also, with SHTF and EOTWAWKI coming, I'm current prep is geared towards bug in, but if we need to BO, this could provide the shelter we would need.

On the down side, I know that something looking like this does, wouldn't offer the best inconspicuous shelter, but it would be shelter.

[Shellshocker66]

The only problem with bugging out is everyone else is going to be doing the same thing, leaving the roads impacted and this heavy tent is probably not worth trying to carry.

Now as for regular camping, in normal summer months it will probably serve it's intended purpose. Just buy some seam sealer and go over all the seams.

I also a couple of years ago decided to get a larger tent for more storage while camping. Thing is hard to put up solo, poles are horrible and very flimsy. I don't expect it would hold up well during a big wind/rain storm.

[Us3rName]

My family had a couple large tents. We ended up getting rid of them for smaller 2 - 4 person tents. A lot lighter to lug around. Easier to set up. less chances of getting it damaged. Easier to handle.

Got a few people? Get a few tents.

[xrMike]

Looks perfect for those small orgies in the woods.

[gnatnoop]

My family had a couple large tents. We ended up getting rid of them for smaller 2 - 4 person tents. A lot lighter to lug around. Easier to set up. less chances of getting it damaged. Easier to handle.

Got a few people? Get a few tents.

This with the emphasis on easy to set up.. Large tents like that are a pain in the *** to setup and take down

[MudCamper]

In addition to regular family camping, large tents are good for bugging-in. Seems like people get too hung up on bugging-out, when bugging-in is more likely and probably more practical in most instances. We do live in California after all, and having your house fall down or become unsafe to live in is a distinct possibility. My bug-in kit includes 2 huge military surplus tents.

[ExAcHog]

Northwest Territory make pretty decent tents...Make sure you put extra sealant along the seams and roof edge and it will work.
It would be a great one for car camping OR as a bug out shelter as long as you dont have to lug it far. I am all for small tents for backpacking, but for extended amounts of time you are definatly going to want something large like this.

[couch]

Look at the last photo in that link. Even folded up that thing is huge! Its on wheels, but its still huge. Its going to take up a lot of space in your car and if you plan to BO on foot, its going to slow you down.

As mentioned, go with a bunch of small tents that can fold up and attach to a backpack.

[crazy]

Amazing that a 10 person tent can be made in China, shipped to the US, and sold by Sears for $160 with Sears still making money.

[Jel]

There are a bunch of reviews online for the Northwest Territory tents. Most of them say something about making sure you follow all the directions and use all the tie downs points.

You can also find them at K-Mart since they are owned by the Sears group as well.

From what I've read they aren't the best quality but could be good for 1 or 2 seasons depending on how you use them. I wouldn't trust them in heavy rain or heavy wind. The extra space is definitely a plus but like everyone is saying. The bigger tents are more complex and take more time to put up and take down.

Do your research online. Determine what you can or can't live with as far as quality and features and go from there.

I'm hoping that Sears still stands by their products and if you aren't satisfied you should be able to return it.

good luck.

J

[Fireguy]

A couple of things to consider about a large tent vs 2 small tents. The age of your kids has a lot do with which tent, if they are under 12 you dont want them in a separate tent. You will want to keep an eye on them.
If you get a couple of backpacking tents the center height will be less than 60" so you will never be able to stand up in them.
If you look at a diagram of sleeping space, the people are lying shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet. My experience with kids that they need their space and half of their siblings
the more room the better.
As you get older you may want creature comforts like a cots a place to put your stuff. If you need a bug in tent a big one with kids is a must.

[Steve1968LS2]

In addition to regular family camping, large tents are good for bugging-in. Seems like people get too hung up on bugging-out, when bugging-in is more likely and probably more practical in most instances. We do live in California after all, and having your house fall down or become unsafe to live in is a distinct possibility. My bug-in kit includes 2 huge military surplus tents.

This is my thought.. if there is a shake and my house is unstable it would be nice to have a good sized tent in the backyard.. plenty of room since we're on a 1/4 acre..

Just want to make sure it's an "all season" tent and sturdy since we might end up living in it for 6+ months.