Tents New Tent Review.

[Publius]

Well, last year the 50 year old family tent finely gave out (See Photo) and we did some research before plunking down money on a new one and come to find the Cabela's West Winds-8 was what we were looking for in a family tent.

The West Winds-8 Tent Has a floor space of 12' Ft X 14' Ft and a center hight of 6' Ft 5" inch, the Tent has two doors.

The Rainfly comes with a built in Vestibule thats very roomy perfect to storing extra gear and a place to put your boots or shoes.

The inside of the tent has a gear loft that can be moved in three places to fit your needs and there are two gear pockets on the side walls that have two pocket's each.

Some of the personal reviews complain about the floor being a little thin, but a ground cloth will keep any pokies from coming threw, many gave high marks for rain proof and standing up to high winds with rain (40, 50 and even 80 MPH) and did not come apart or leak. They grade this tent a three or three and a half season tent. I say in the hands of experienced tenter it's a border line four season tent or bomb shelter very well made and it only took me 30 min to set it up the first try.

So if you're looking for a well made tent with lots of room and won't come apart or leak when the weather turns for the worse, The Cabelas West Winds-8 is worth looking into, they also make this same tent in 6 man and 4 man.

 

[Publius]

Thought it best to post the photos separately.

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/atta...ent.php?attachmentid=99508&stc=1&d=1368833374

 

[Publius]

A few more of the same new tent.

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/atta...ent.php?attachmentid=99510&stc=1&d=1368833660

 

[Cardinal]

Looks pretty nice Publius. Hope it holds up well for you.

 

[Publius]

Looks pretty nice Publius. Hope it holds up well for you.

It should hold up as there are people that have had the same model for ten years or more and still using it. Wife is pleased with it as am I, wish I had a wide angle lens to show the floor space the camera I have cannot take it all in, looking to up grade some of our equipment needs like a few warm weather sleeping bag's, we have the cold weather bag's well covered and the two light blue pads are new and their the "Thermarest (Trade Mark) Base Camp" and will add two more to the collection later on.

 

[Cardinal]

Curious, how heavy is it?(How many pounds)

 

[Publius]

Curious, how heavy is it?(How many pounds)

About 27 pounds so its not to bad to lug a few yards, not backpacking material, but good for car camping or makes a great base camp tent where everything is trucked in or brought in on a horse or four wheeler and weight is not an issue, but where this kind of shelter is desired or needed

 

[SheWoff]

Nice tent We also have gotten a new one. Last year lol. I guess we should put it up and try it out b4 it becomes needed in a hurry

She

 

[Publius]

Nice tent We also have gotten a new one. Last year lol. I guess we should put it up and try it out b4 it becomes needed in a hurry

She

Wise move as there could be things wrong with it and you don't want to find that out on a trip 100 miles from home, also it helps get familiar with the setup and not being in a rush to learn it.
The West Winds-8 was on sale for $325.36.
I'm somewhat partial to Eureka Timberline tents and was Eyeing the 6 man Timberline outfitters tent Selling for $479. so thats $100+ more than the West Winds-8 and both the Eureka Timberline 6 and the Cabela's West Winds-8 have good reports.

 

[nomifyle]

It looks great, if you are looking for a tent. I'm going to send this information to my youngest son, I've been trying to convience him to buy a tent for use in an evacuation.

Judy

 

[Publius]

It looks great, if you are looking for a tent. I'm going to send this information to my youngest son, I've been trying to convience him to buy a tent for use in an evacuation.

Judy

Is he married and or have kids! A number of things need to be factored in before making a purchase and there is a lot of junk out there thats nothing more than screen house with a simple cover over the top of it.
Its best to pick a tent thats just a little bigger than the number of people it needs to hold.

 

[Thunderbird]

We bought the 6 person Alaska Guide tent about 20 years ago, similar in layout. I give it 6 stars out 0f 5 possible.

 

[Publius]

We bought the 6 person Alaska Guide tent about 20 years ago, similar in layout. I give it 6 stars out 0f 5 possible.

I know Cabela's made some minor changes to the Alaska Guide tent over the years, many of the avid backpacker community these days complain the 4 man is to heavy and they are nuts if you ask me as they are to willing to sacrifice to much, these are the same people the cut the handle off a tooth brush and go the next steep and cut half the bristles off the tooth brush to cut weight.

 

[Abdon]

I bought a 6 man Coleman Instant tent last year. Used it at least 20 times and through two nasty thunderstorms. But the beauty is it really does go up in a minute or two. Have used it four times so far this year, once in January.
Two thumbs up!

Features:
 Six-person tent can be set up or taken down in under one minute thanks to innovative one-piece design
 Poles are pre-attached to tent, eliminating assembly time and risk of lost parts; simply unfold tent, spread out fabric, extend poles, click, and lock
 Generous ten-by-nine-foot (W x D) footprint creates enough floor space for two queen air mattresses; six-foot center height
 Proprietary WeatherTec System with series of interworking features guaranteed to keep you dry and comfortable
 Includes limited one-year manufacturer's warranty

 

[Publius]

I have read a few reviews on the Coleman Instant Tent. I see it has tie down points for guy-lines and I consider this a very important feature, as do most experienced campers that have seen their share of tents blown over or fly apart in strong winds.

A few that had reports of not being able to get proper ventilation during a rain as it lacks a rain-fly to shield the upper part of the windows and door (these would be very experienced campers)..

A few think a good groundcloth tarp under the tent is in order and necessary to add longer life to the tent floor and one for the inside as well (I do this my self with any tent).

There was one that complained that rain water would pool up on part of the roof and leak into the tent, My self looking at the photos of the Coleman Instant Tent and can't see how this could happen , unless they did not extend some of the top poles all the way! Operator Error.

For the most part a great many were pleased with the Coleman Instant Tent even with it being little bulky (not a deal breaker) and that it did setup faster than any other tent they had worked with before.

 

[Green Co.]

Nice tent, Pub, but my camping needs are somewhat different.. from the back of a motorcycle.

Just today pushed the button & ordered the Coleman 4-man instant tent. Glad for Abdon's review of the next up size, as there is little difference. I have a ground cloth, & will attempt to construct a rain fly for it. Both shouldn't add too much weight.

 

[Publius]

Nice tent, Pub, but my camping needs are somewhat different.. from the back of a motorcycle.

Just today pushed the button & ordered the Coleman 4-man instant tent. Glad for Abdon's review of the next up size, as there is little difference. I have a ground cloth, & will attempt to construct a rain fly for it. Both shouldn't add too much weight.

Coleman has a signature series of this same tent that has a fain fly and if it will fit or not I have no idea. If you can pull a trailer with your bike, you can take more and some bigger equipment, but just for two a four man is near perfect size. I have an older version of a modified Timberline four man that could be lashed to a back rest or pack.
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/atta...ent.php?attachmentid=99903&stc=1&d=1370225760

 

[ainitfunny]

I and my friend bought these 4 piece miltary sleep system bags for $63 and were not disappointed:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Sl...030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4855ca8526

 

[ainitfunny]

No heat in your tent or pop up tent camper?
If you want to be WARM TO MINUS 30 DEGREES FARENHEIT GET THIS 9 POUNDS of HOLLOW FIBERFILL CANVAS BAG: (It was only $59 when we bought it, it is now $99 if you're not a member)
(I bought /you will need, a military duffle bag to stow/carry protect it, It is big.)
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rectangle-sleeping-bag-by-guide-gear.aspx?a=259444

This baby was tested and rated to
-30°F.

Sleeping Bag comes with 100% cotton canvas with brushed cotton flannel lining in buffalo plaid
9 lbs. of hollow fiber fill with double-layer construction providing Camoing comfort under extreme conditions
Baffle hood with shock-corded drawstring
Draft tube along zipper and collar baffle
2-way, full-length zippers
Three 1" wide webbing straps for roll-up and storage
Water-resistant treatment on outer shell - comfortable even in an ice-fishing shack
Approx. 39 x 92 1/2"l.

 

[WVtreehanger]

That's a serious bag. I have one down to zero and I can add warmth with a fleece liner and hot water bottle. Imagine what you could do with those additions to this bag. Problem with such bags is that it's hard to motivate getting out of it in the morning or if Nature calls.

 

[Publius]

And, if you want to be WARM TO MINUS 30 DEGREES FARENHEIT GET THIS 9 POUNDS of HOLLOW FIBERFILL CANVAS BAG: (It was only $59 when we bought it, it is now $99 if you're not a member)
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rectangle-sleeping-bag-by-guide-gear.aspx?a=259444

This baby was tested and rated to
-30°F.

Sleeping Bag comes with 100% cotton canvas with brushed cotton flannel lining in buffalo plaid
9 lbs. of hollow fiber fill with double-layer construction providing Camoing comfort under extreme conditions
Baffle hood with shock-corded drawstring
Draft tube along zipper and collar baffle
2-way, full-length zippers
Three 1" wide webbing straps for roll-up and storage
Water-resistant treatment on outer shell - comfortable even in an ice-fishing shack
Approx. 39 x 92 1/2"l.

I know people that have bought the same one or similar sleeping bags and while it will do the job, it will take up most of todays compact car trunks space or back seat. I have seen some and the first thing that came to mind! Is that a Futon Mattress?
Many of these kind of bags are filled with Dupont 808 or the early Hollow-fill and both are good insulation, but bulky when used for extreme cold weather sleeping bags especially the 808 fill and the 808 does not compress very well at all when compared to the later high performance insulations like Quallofill or Polarloft.

I would recommend that Sports mans Guide for a back woods cabin or truck camping where weight and bulk are not a problem and in warmer weather you will need some light weight blankets and sleep on top of it as it will be to uncomfortable to sleep inside it, in temps above 15+ degrees.

 

[ainitfunny]

Yes you are right, it IS bulky, suitable for leaving ROLLED OUT on the camper bed like a quilt, to save space.

 

[Publius]

Update On the New Cabelas Tent

I have put the West Winds 8 threw a few rains and can report no leaks what soever and holding up well to what winds it was subjected to And even the latest outing to Backwater Falls where over night due-point was quite heavy. The West Winds because of the full length rainfly it would seem for many to not ventilate well on windless days or nights, but even with 5 people sleeping in it I find no build up of moisture buildup underneath the rainfly of any parts inside the tent. I have to hand it to Cabelas this is a really good tent.
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/atta...mentid=101522&stc=1&d=1375649087&d=1375649022

 

[Publius]

Bump:

 

[night driver]

Any idea who actually BUILDS the West Winds for Cabelas???

ANd it WAS you with the Alpine Meadows from EUREKA! that I remembered....

I kinda wish they were still makin them...THAT would be my drop-in-the-truck-toolbox-SHTF tent

 

[Publius]

Any idea who actually BUILDS the West Winds for Cabelas???

ANd it WAS you with the Alpine Meadows from EUREKA! that I remembered....

I kinda wish they were still makin them...THAT would be my drop-in-the-truck-toolbox-SHTF tent

Not 100% sure but I think Kelty Tents

 

[Chili]

Thanks for the review on the coleman instant tent Abdon. We just purchased the same tent and will be trying it this weekend. We also ordered the rain fly that matches even though the tent is supposedly rain tight by itself. I figured that since most of our camping is South Texas in the summer it would serve as additional shade. And, like Green Co. most of our camping is done from a motorcycle, so this tent is unsuitable for that as it is about 5 foot long in the bag. But since there are three of us and only one bike, we usually have a vehicle to haul the gear. Also we ride with a club and on most trips someone will be in a cage (car/truck) and can find room for the cabin tent. Otherwise we'll pack a small dome tent.

 

[Publius]

Bump: For Freeholder.

 

[Freeholder]

Thanks! Those were good reviews -- I'll be ordering my new tent soon, I'm pretty sure I'll get the Alaska Guide 6-man. I can afford it right now, and it should last the rest of my life!

Kathleen

 

[2x2]

delete

 

[Publius]

Update On The Caela's West Wind Tent's

Ok; It seems after Cabela's finely got it right and made this tent with a low impact color scheme they went and changed things and now has a bright Reddish color to it (real deal breaker for me) and some other changes to aid ventilation!

It seems some people do not know what they have and how to use it (amateurs), these are the same people they refuse to use the guy-lines and tent pegs and then complain it folded up and broke the tent poles or blew away in a hard wind.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

We picked up a discontinued model tent at Cabela's and got a nice discount and a nice tent. This was an on site purchase not an over the internet purchase.

 

[Publius]

We picked up a discontinued model tent at Cabela's and got a nice discount and a nice tent. This was an on site purchase not an over the internet purchase.

Curious which model? Do tell in detail.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Curious which model? Do tell in detail.

I not ignoring you Publius. I'm tiring to remember where we stored the darn thing.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Publius found out our oldest "borrowed" our tent for a bonfire/camping trip and it hasn't been seen since.

 

[China Connection]

I have a number of tents. One I used two weeks back I paid $5 for in new condition. It was $380 new. I have two others I paid $15 each for and an additional one for $40 which is an eight-man tent. So if I just want to set up quickly for a night I have it or for a stay where I want space I have it.

I got them all from a community store in a country town.

I used to see them cheap at an auction house back where I lived a year back.

So keeping an eye out at the right places can save a real lot of money.

The hardware is so cheap that I can use it in the garden.