Before buying a family camping tent, answer these basic questions about how you will use the tent and what kind of camping you will be doing. By determining which type of camping tent is right for you before you buy, you will save money, time, and have the perfect tent for your camping experience.
What type of camping tent do you need?
This all comes down to one question. What kind of camping are you planning? If you want to experience the thrill of hiking through the backcountry, a lightweight camping tent for two is the best choice for you. If you are camping with the family in one location on a campsite, you may want to opt for some home comforts! Such as room camping tents and large family camping tents in which not only your whole family can sleep comfortably, but also all their personal belongings.
How many people will use the tent? And for what purposes?
Since this article is focused on family camping, we will stick with the large family camping tents. First, decide how you will use your tent. Do you just sleep in it? Do you also store personal items (clothing, entertainment, toiletries) indoors? Do you use the tent to store other camping gear? These are all important things to consider before buying a camping tent, because when a manufacturer says a tent can accommodate four people, what they really mean is that this tent will only fit four regular-sized sleeping bags with room for little else! So if your family of four is planning to use the tent for more than just sleeping, then it’s
What type of camper are you? And why does this affect the type of camping tent you buy? Again, ask yourself what kind of camping you are planning—leisurely backpacking, extreme wilderness trekking, or family camping? If you are a family camper, the amount of time or complexity of setting up your tent is generally less critical. Obviously, the simpler the better, but for family camping, the convenience of setting up a large or multi-room camping tent isn’t all that important. Unless you arrive at your campsite after sunset, you’d better pack your camping lanterns last! Today, most large family camping tents can easily be set up in about 15-20 minutes if you’ve read the set-up instructions and have all the guy ropes, poles, and tarpaulins to hand and ready to go.
Which seasons and typical weather conditions are most common?
Obviously, spring, summer, and fall are the seasons when we camp the most. However, depending on your location, consider how frequently you can expect more extreme weather.We all know that sudden downpours and high winds do happen, and if you typically camp in areas where the possibility of extreme weather can occur, you’ll want to be prepared. Every tent is water-resistant to some degree, but if you’re camping in an area that sees regular rain showers, you may want to buy a tent specifically designed to repel rain. The same can be said of high winds, scorching sun and heat, and the camping tents designed for those types of camping situations, such as stronger poles, awnings, and plenty of vents.
Tent design and why it matters
Camping tents come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and formations. Choosing the best one for you again depends on what type of RV you have, where you usually camp and what you will be using your tent for. When buying a tent for family camping, remember that you only have to set it up once and take it down once. So, during your camping experience, your tent should be comfortable for everyone to use and functional for all activities. Here are several considerations: Height of the tent: If you are 6 feet tall and purchase a dome tent that is 6 feet tall at its highest point, be prepared to bend a lot; otherwise, you may want to purchase a family style camping tent with adequate height clearance for the tallest member of the family!Weather: If you’re camping in a consistently windy area (like some beaches), a dome style tent would be better as it’s specifically designed to buffer high and steady winds. Humidity—camping in areas with high humidity can bring many wonderful insects to your camping experience! You may want to buy a tent with lots of screened vents and possibly a screened dining canopy as well. Personally, I’m not a bug-in-my-food kind of camper! You may want to buy a tent with lots of screened vents and possibly a screened dining canopy as well. Personally, I’m not a bug-in-my-food kind of camper! You may want to buy a tent with lots of screened vents and possibly a screened dining canopy as well. Personally, I’m not a bug-in-my-food kind of camper!
A final note on camping tents for the whole family
Before you start your fantastic family camping holiday, pitch your tent! Make sure all the guy ropes are intact and you have enough pegs (plus extra just in case) to pitch your tent. Also, clean the inside and outside of your tent according to the manufacturer’s directions before repacking. You’ll be thankful you did when you get to your campsite!