Compact Tent

[ZenMan]

Can't find a decent tent that will pack into your saddlebags or tailbag?

I ordered this from Cabela's for $119.95... it packs down to only 16 inches long, and only weighs 4.6 lbs. Plus it sets up to 59" wide and 89" long... plenty of room for two close friends. It has a rain fly, and zip doors on both sides so you don't have to crawl over anybody for that midnite "stroll".

It's called the Pinnacle Pass 2... the one with the ALUMINUM poles.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/ZenMan33/Tent.jpg

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0037774517220a&navCount=2&podId=0037774&parentId=cat20103&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat20103&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20103&hasJS=true

[ZenMan]

Oops, I forgot to add that this tent sets up on it's own, with no stakes needed except 2 to hold the fly out. I had it set up on my deck, you can pick it up and move it anywhere you want.

I use one of those cheap silver tarps for a groundcloth, 6' X 8' works perfect.

[PonchoV]

Just picked up another Eureka tent,"Solitaire" cost about 55 USD at Dick's Sporting Goods.
It will set in about 3 minutes. PLEASE NOTE: this is a small tent, for one small person. Don't even consider it if you need to ride a 1000. :p You will not get dressed or undressed in it, unless you just enjoy folks on the outside wondering what is going on inside that little tent. However it is a well made tent w/ rain cover & will compress to 12x5 in size. I am 5'5" & that is all I
need. Go to Harbor Freight & buy a thick silver tarp for the ground pad, 5 USD.
I use to use a bigger tarp to go over my bike & I'd bag it under the same tarp.
Used four stakes in the corners to keep tarp in one place. Had okay room for me. Rain just ran off, kinda loud though. Plus side, you get to smell you bike all night.

[Big B]

Thanks for the post Zenman, that is what I am looking for!

[Packa-strom]

16" packing length... is that about the shortest you can get for a tent about that size... two person, that is?

[ZenMan]

16" packing length... is that about the shortest you can get for a tent about that size... two person, that is?

Yep.

Most tents that size pack up to anywhere from 18" to 24"... just a bit too long for many luggage systems. It's all about the length of the pole sections. The tent itself without the poles will pack to any size you want, but then you have the pole sections to deal with.

I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find some super-hi-tech mountaineering tents that pack smaller, but they'll likely have a super-high price tag, too.

There may be other midrange tents out there I don't know about... a lot of retailers don't even give you the packed size, only the dimensions when set up. It took me a bit of research to find this one, and I can vouch for it from personal experience. So I thought maybe I could save somebody some time.

Your welcome, Big B! ;)

[ccrane2299]

I also bought a Eureka tent for the small packed size. I have used it about three times. It is just so small when set up that I didn't like it. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a $25 8x8 two man tent and have used it a dozen times. I know it won't last as long, but it was only $25. I don't even put a tarp under it so that is one less thing to carry. I also find that the bigger the tent, the easier it is to heat an area in the center. My son and I camped in the 8x8 tent with a propane tent heater and we both burned up and froze in the same night. The center of the tent was 75 degrees and the edges were 30...lol. When I am in there by myself, I sleep in the center and put the heater near the side. (don't worry, I am very aware of fire safety) I really haven't found the longer tent to be any harder to pack, I just bungee it to something else and it is fine. It also lets me bring more stuff in the bags since the tent is not taking up that valuable space. I did however find the Eureka to be well constructed.
Chris

[VtSTROM-K5]

You may want to check these guys out . They usually have good tents for not a lot of $ .. I have 2 of their tents , A large Kelty cabin tent for the hunting season & a small 2 man for when My son & I go Kayaking /camping ...:D ..
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=236904
the model I have is simmilar to the link w/exception its a 2 person :)

[tmcgee]

Coleman also has some nice tents for short money. coleman.com

[84blue]

Can't find a decent tent that will pack into your saddlebags or tailbag?

I ordered this from Cabela's for $119.95... it packs down to only 16 inches long, and only weighs 4.6 lbs. Plus it sets up to 59" wide and 89" long... plenty of room for two close friends. It has a rain fly, and zip doors on both sides so you don't have to crawl over anybody for that midnite "stroll".

It's called the Pinnacle Pass 2... the one with the ALUMINUM poles.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/ZenMan33/Tent.jpg

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0037774517220a&navCount=2&podId=0037774&parentId=cat20103&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat20103&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20103&hasJS=true




As a bonus, there is a $10 rebate until July 31, 2007.

[84blue]

Oops, I forgot to add that this tent sets up on it's own, with no stakes needed except 2 to hold the fly out. I had it set up on my deck, you can pick it up and move it anywhere you want.

I use one of those cheap silver tarps for a groundcloth, 6' X 8' works perfect.


How does it do in wind, with no stakes? Thanks.

[ZenMan]

How does it do in wind, with no stakes? Thanks.
Oh, it does have loops built in, and comes with 6 or 8 stakes so you can stake it down if it gets too windy. Usually just your sleeping bag and mattress and/or some gear inside will keep it from blowing away.

It can get pretty windy and it may bend a little, but it springs right back and holds it's shape very well. It's pretty aerodynamic.

[VtSTROM-K5]

here's another couple of link's for anyone looking for a light tent...
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=38470367
this link is for the tent I own and used on the Thousand Islands trip ( mine was sold w/EMS name on it , But same tent)
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39204227&memberId=12500226

[Mr. Fisherman]

I was thinking about one of the tarp and screen kits from Ray way products...
I already have a similar quilt and use it a lot.

here is a link...

http://www.ray-way.com/quilt/index.shtml

I have found nothing lighter, more compact nor cheaper...

[Windwalker]

I am personally looking at a G.I. Jungle Hammock. They are about $39.00 include a rain fly and keep you off the cold ground. Throw in a sleep mat and my german military sleeping bag. and Whola.. super small fits on the 10Kg Rack on my Strom, leaving my Side cases empty for whatever.

[iron_llama]

+1 on hammock camping. http://hennessyhammock.com/ has some really great ones, but I made my own... not nearly as fancy, but it works, and it was cheap!

[Sly]

Eureka makes a good tent, and so does Sierra Designs. I have both, and depending on whether I am going it two up or solo will determine which I use. The Eureka Apex II is our tent when we both go, and the Sierra Designs ClipLight is for soloing.

The Apex II doesn't have the aluminum poles so I have to zip tie them to the rear rack at the back of the seat (where my top case meets the rack). My wife said she does not feel them at all with them in that location.

We just returned from camping at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, FL (see pics below).

L8r~ Sly

[HappyWanderer]

I bought a Eureka Zeus I Classic on sale for about 90.00. I'm glad I spent a few extra dollars on it for quality reasons. It packs SMALL and weighs in at about 3lbs and opens up to 7.5ft by 3.5ft. Just big enough for you and small backpack.