Tents for Family Camping - What's the best tent for the families next open-air experience
By: Scott Tomiko
Submitted: 2010-08-13 07:37:21 | Word Count: 781
Tents for famiy camping come in all shapes and dimensions. The best one for you will not necessarily be the correct one for another person, hence the large variety being sold over the internet today.
Select your tent dimensions based on your family requirements
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Decide how many people and just how much equipment you will be traveling with. Tents are advertised as two man, 4 person, 6 man and so on. This is the maximum number of individuals that can sleep in closely without room for personal supplies. This rating method is smart for backpackers who are traveling light, but is terrible for all other people. Divide the advertised rating by two, and you will have a more sensible tent capacity. For that reason, most 4 person tents are actually only comfortable for two adults, or perhaps two adults and 2 very small kids.
Plan for a minimum of thirty square feet of living room per person. Make this even higher for extended camping trips, unless reducing weight is essential.
Check out actual length and width. If you're six ft tall, you may need a space of at least seven feet so whichyou can stretch out and not be crowded next to the tent sides. You may need no less than 2 and one half ft in width just for slumbering. This equals only 17.5 square feet. A 2 person tent may be marketed that measures 5 by 7 feet. A 10 foot by 10 foot tent is good for two adults. You will have enough room for cots or a double air mattress, plus space to stand up when changing clothes. Kids are able to fit comfortably in smaller tents. If they are the right age, about seven or eight, they may wish to sleep in a separate tent anyhow. Parents will appreciate the privacy supplied by this arrangement too. A five by seven foot tent is adequate for kids. Teenagers needs to be considered as adults when fitting a tent.
Add space for clothes, and an area to stand up without walking on your tent-mate, which will result in a more inhabitable situation. Think more like 8x8 ft as a basic two man family camping tent. This provides you 32 sq. ft per person. Still not overly generous.
Be cautious with tents that are larger than ten foot by ten foot that will have the ability to cause problems. Initially, it is likely to be much more difficult to find a smooth and level spot large enough to set up the tent. Next, big tents can be heavy and hard to carry to your campsite. Third, bigger tents are harder to build and keep warm on chilly days, though tend to remain cooler than smaller tents on hot days. 4th, bigger tents are less secure in high winds and are difficult to set up. Finally, privacy becomes an issue with the bigger tents. Consider bringing several smaller ones for large groups.
Consider peak inside height. For many trips, try to have a tent whichis tall enough for you to stand. Plan on your taller person in your group. A 6 or seven foot peak height is necessary for adults, and then a four foot peak is about right for children. Bear in mind, the tent slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you are able to stand up will likely be small. Bigger spaces will likely be supplied in tents with taller peaks.
Usually, the higher priced tents are made with stronger fabric, stronger poles, and stronger stitching. They will withstand higher gusts of wind and heavier rainfall. They will last longer. A very good tent can last for many years. However, not everybody needs this strength and durability. In milder and drier climates and close to home ("just in case") the least costly tents are good bargains.
If you are just starting your family camping adventures and do not know if you may really like camping, then you might prefer to decide on the least pricey tents as numerous families do. It is very likely thatyou may plan your first trips for warm, dry weather and will probably remain close to "civilization" until you gain some
knowledge. You will be able to always upgrade to a better tent afterward, and keep your original budget tent for when conditions allow.
Attempt to borrow a tent if it's your first time camping.
