Got a new tent...What a treat!!!

TOB9595 · Jun 25, 2005

I bought a Eureks Sunrise 8 for $109 at Campmor here in Jersey....$20 rebate brings it to $90...pretty cool for what I got.

I wanted a smallish tent and the footprint is 8x8...pretty big actually.
Has a 4 foot 11 center.
If you ever got rained into a tent then you'll know how important room is

10 pound 5 ounce in a small roll is ideal for me to car carry. I have a VERY small VERY light tent that I made in the late 70's for backpacking....
It'll hold many compatible people ...
OR
two or three comfy with gear.

Here's all the stuff. Fiberglass shockcorded poles 2 for the tent two for the fly.

I had to seal the seams so I waited for the hottest, sunniest day thus far and set it up in my little front courtyard....

With Fly

The bottom blue tarp is a too small one from Home Depot for a buck or so. Have to go and get a bigger groundcloth.
I'll also get big spikes for stormy weather lash downs.

Rainfly and ventilation is important to me.
This has a two fiberglass shock corded poles.
The roof of the tent has expansive mesh for ventilation
the two darker panels are mesh. with the fly installed

Bottom vent below the door for ventilation in crummy weather. Another Mesh bag is hanging on the right.

What is so wild to me is the organizing/hanging gear inside the tent. Old school ...we had to rig a lamp holder and stuff however we could....
Tirered storage with mirror.....Jeanne's idea of camping is going to a Marriott with an Atrium and plants
hahahahaha

cup holders in two or three corners...I'm old so I forget quickly...No retention..... Another mesh organizer at the back window, too.

I practically died in this heat!!!
What a bozo!!!
Tom

Hotrod · Jun 25, 2005

Nice tent!

Any info on your lightweight back packer? Home made gear is very cool!

Bob W · Jun 25, 2005

Cool that you got a new tent. And Eureka is a good brand; I've had my 2-man Timberline for fifteen years, living in it for months at a time, and it's still a good tent.

Personally though, I don't care for tents where the poles thread through sleeves in the fabric - seems like about 50% of the time I'm pitching after dark. I'd prefer a similar style tent with clips.

How about the poles? Do the fiberglass poles seem durable to you, like if you drop your backpack on one in in the middle of a two-week trip?

For a groundcloth, I just cut a piece of plastic sheeting to fit the tent footprint. Be sure to tuck any access groundcloth under the tent, but you probably know that.

Congrats!
-Bob

TOB9595 · Jun 25, 2005

Hotrod said:
Nice tent!

Any info on your lightweight back packer? Home made gear is very cool!

It is "Frostline" gear made in 1978 or so. It's designed for backpacking with the tech materials of the day

I took it way back in time...on a trip to little pond Eddy in Maine. Walked 25 miles in and camped with my Lady for two weeks. I Maine...you couldn't see the other side of "little" Pond....
Many more trips with it. I haven't had it out of the sack in quite some time. So I forget the measurements....

Personally though, I don't care for tents where the poles thread through sleeves in the fabric - seems like about 50% of the time I'm pitching after dark. I'd prefer a similar style tent with clips.

This is my preference also. I had a right smart tent like that I "loaned" to my daughter in CA....
You all know where that ended up....not back with me

AND thanks for the reminder on the groundcloth being smaller than the tent footprint. I had forgotten that
Tom

Temper · Jun 26, 2005

LOL I just bought a new tent myself

I couldnt resist putting it up in the house as it was pouring down when it arived. Its a 1 man Mountain Hardware from REI that was on closeout for $90.00

Its going out tomorrow for the first time and it will be pitched on the highest mountain in the Tokyo Area (2K).

Hopefully I wont die of thirst before I get to the top

Bob W · Jun 26, 2005

Its going out tomorrow for the first time and it will be pitched on the highest mountain in the Tokyo Area (2K).

LOL. Take 'er easy and drink plenty of water. You won't want to get altitute sickness.

Take a few pictures for those of us who can't go hiking in Japan tomorrow, please.

-Bob

chazz · Jun 26, 2005

i am not a big fan of eureka. dont really know why. hope it serves you well.

Cutshaw · Jun 28, 2005

I bought a clone of that tent in 6'6"x6'6" ten years ago... It worked well and, for car camping, I liked it much better than my more expensive, lightweight backpacking tent.

Remember to seal the seams seasonally and always store in the bag DRY. Mine was finally retired last month when the zippers were on the last leg (really frustrating after drinking too much and trying to get in... even more frustrating, after drinking too much, when trying to get out to pee.) Ultimately, the death toll for the tent was the little webbing pieces attached to the tent corners where the poles are skewered... they ripped out in a desert "breeze."

Take care of it and it should take care of you.

Ebbtide · Jun 29, 2005

Nice Tent!
I have the same thing in 9x9, but it's about 8 years old...and still going strong.
I like the little 'pass through' in the door.

I'm sure you'll be happy with it.