Thread: Easy Setup Tents

Hello Kenjo,
About your tent choice. I have a dome tent that is about a 6 to 8 person tent and it is a pain in the arse to put up. If I could have a freedom tent then I would go and buy one but I do not have the money at the moment. I have seen freedom tents and Oztrail, both are good, but I would own a freedom if I could choose. It is only my opion, but you did ask :wink:


Cheers

Thanks to all for the informative comments. I’ll be back on the Gold Coast about mid February. I wanted some input from people who actually use tents because I’ve been known to be a tad gullible in the past especially when the salesperson is a good looking fit outdoorsy type (female) . That’s tongue in cheek but some salespeople can be pretty good job convincing the unwary and I don’t want to walk out with a purchase I’ll regret.

As good as the family domes look on the net – I’ve crossed them off my list. Ease of set up is a must. My wife does not really fall into the description of the aforementioned salesperson but wow she can cook! I don’t need a divorce after 32 years married and other campers can entertain themselves 8O , so simplicity is a must.

With all your advice it looks like I’ve narrowed it down to the Black Wolf Turbo (3m x 3m), or Freedom Family Tourer (4m x 3m). Both are not as heavy as I thought they’d be and both come with good awning options for extended stays. I’ve already got Rhino racks so I’ll plan on a top box (maybe Thule) to carry camp equipment. The Black Wolf’s RRP is $999. I couldn’t find a price on the Freedom so I’ll send an email.

I’ll get time to check them all. Thanks again for the advice.

Cheers,

Kenjo

Kenjo,

Go the Freedom or Southern Cross, good Aussie manufacturers with great product and 5 year warranty with the Freedom, although I've had mine 7 years now I've never needed it :wink:

Who makes the Black Wolf?

http://www.blackwolf.com.au/engine/SID/1000074.htm

Hi Glen,
As far as I know, the Black Wolf is made in Australia from Aussie poly/cotton canvas similar to the Freedom products, but I think it may be a New Zealand company. I have heard nothing but excellent reports from owners in the past but have only seen pictures on the net. They set up time is not as quick as the Oxtent but I think it is a better looking design. To have a look go to http://www.blackwolf.com.au/engine/SID/1000074.htm.

There are outlets for both Black Wolf and Freedom products within an hour of my home so I will physically check both products.

Cheers,
Kenjo

We bought a COI primus touring tent. It's the same dimensions and layout as this tent.

http://www.freedomcamping.com.au/ft.html

It fits in the back of our defender between the wheel wells perfectly. It sets up very quickly, and is a good size. I think it was $350. We also got the sidepole kit which makes the space in the tent more usable, but takes up more space and is a little bit more work to assemble. Well worth it if you are staying in one place for a couple of days and have the room.

However, the quality of the canvas and zipps is probably about what you'd expect... pretty cheap. It will probably last us a long time. When we were in the desert we had a lot of condensation problems, and didn't get the chance to let the tent dry before packing it away. So, we've got a little bit of mould on it which dissapointed me a bit.

Also, the pitch of the roof of the extension meant that drops of water would condense and then fall on us overnight. This was really annoying as our sleeping bags got progressively wetter. There were a number of others with this stlye of tent and they didn't have the problem. I'm not sure if it was the higher quality canvas, or their operation. Maybe they slept with all the windows open. It was pretty cold!

However, if it does die, then we will probably buy a high-quality version of the tent from sothern cross or Freedom, or use the poles and tent as a template and get a canvas maker to make one up.

Condensation is another reason I’m looking at the Black Wolf Turbo (rapid-pitch) as it is a lighter weight double skin tent which, in theory, should not have a condensation problem. I was hoping to hear from someone with first hand experience with the Black Wolf. The Freedom company claim the perfect canvas weight. Just porous enough to breathe which should reduce condensation yet dense enough to be fully waterproof. Neither of these products are cheap so I plan to physically check them both before making the decision.

Cheers,
Kenjo

I have a Southern cross extended tourer. At 4m x 3m it is large enough for my family, (cosy, wife and 3 kids). I bought this several years ago second hand and the tent is now by the tag 13 yers old.

The reason for the Southeern Cross was the height at the back of the tent. High enough for the bunks and room for quenn materess on one side of the centre pole and other bunk on the other.

6 pegs (unless storm coming) and three poles ment we could be set up all beds made beer in hand and food on stove in under 30 mins (sounds like a long time but don't forget thats 5 beds made) The wife and I have been known to set up quicker than some people with camper trailers. (yes I do want a camper trailer)

We use this for tourering hoildays as well as plonking down on the beach for two weeks. The lowest temp was -4c in Vic high country, (no probs and warm as when closed up) and over 35c this christmas (all windows open).

Our freinds have a dome tent and with 4 adults helping after 30 mins we had the tent up but still had to set up the camp site.

I hope this helps as I to had to go through this and the choice was and still is go for a touring tent. Southern Cross, Freedom and COI are all good (COI is the cheapest and lightest) Yes they are heavy but that is why we are on a Land Rover site. I would not be able to walk to a camp ground with the stuff we take camping (yes I tow a trailer and live in a tent)

I hope this helps one last peice of advice with tents it really seems that you get what you pay for. The person who sold mine recouped 75% of his out lay 9 years later and the tent still has no faults (now 13yrs) and is water proof, all the zips work, flyscreens are not rotten, valcro still works, etc etc.

Good luck

Danny