I'm going to take the family camping. It may kill me and possibly bankrupt me, but goddammit Imma gonna do it!

In what will hopefully become a family tradition, I'm going to start with a decent tent, has anyone got any good recommendations for a decent canvas tent?

I'm currently going back-and-forth between the Freedom Millbrook: https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/LIR ... amily-tent

and the Coleman Tasman: http://www.colemannz.co.nz/products/coc ... d-pole-set

Both are the same price, but the millbrook has seperated rooms at the back for bedrooms, which might be handy in the future. Does anyone own these? How have you found them?

Something from MEC. #nothelpfullatall

Motels can be nice.

Why a preference for canvas (genuinely interested). I've got a Kathmandu tent mansion (2 rooms plus covered patio) and it's been great for many things, plus super easy to put up/ take down

buy the best canvas you can afford...

We got one of the beyond nylon tents last year, slightly smaller than the ones on there now. We mulled the canvas option but figured them too heavy and cumbersome, remember you will be putting it up and down yourself as Celia wrangles the smalls...
super happy with it.

I just like canvas jobbies and metal poles for the better headroom and usable space. I've always found geodesics to be a bit shaky in the wind.

But yes, much easier to wrangle.

This is what we got, plenty of headroom for me at 6ft http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7RT ... amily-tent

E Dogg Capizzle wrote:Motels can be nice.

This.

Scotty wrote:I just like canvas jobbies and metal poles for the better headroom and usable space. I've always found geodesics to be a bit shaky in the wind.

But yes, much easier to wrangle.

since when did you need head room?

I'll check with my folks I think there is a good condition canvas tent floating around in the collection somewhere that hasn't been used in a while that could be a good deal. They use a caravan now, and we just use a two person dome if we are camping.

If you get a big enough tent, you can probably convince C on that whole unimog plan

Convert the back of the surf. Serious. You know you'll use it more than a big tent. You got tools, and c can sew good. Between the two of you, you could work out something awesome.

Part of the plan is to convert the surf into a big powerplant. Dual battery kit with inverters. Dedicated sockets and lights in the tailgate.

Don't know about a sleeper platform on the roof though.

Scotty wrote:Part of the plan is to convert the surf into a big powerplant. Dual battery kit with inverters. Dedicated sockets and lights in the tailgate.

It's not camping with electricity!

One of the key advantages to canvas is lasting repairs and the ability to make modifications (if you can still find a good canvas sewer). I remember my olds added removable walls to the veranda of the tent one time, then another veranda another time. Tent is 30 years old and still strong as and no leaks.

Scotty wrote:Part of the plan is to convert the surf into a big powerplant. Dual battery kit with inverters. Dedicated sockets and lights in the tailgate.

Don't know about a sleeper platform on the roof though.

think fold out (removable) kitchen from the tailgate, and a cover that extends from that. Enough for you (and c) for a simple get away a bit remote. Then a side extension for a kids room. Could do soooooo much. . .