Tent for supported touring
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Walyalup, Australia
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Hi
I assume when you mean supported that someone carries the gear? If yes, then I would go nice and big and comfy, unless this is winter touring when a smaller space is more desirable (easier to warm). I am a Henry Shires Tarptent fan but then I carry my gear. Big Agnes gets a good wrap but.
Andrew
I assume when you mean supported that someone carries the gear? If yes, then I would go nice and big and comfy, unless this is winter touring when a smaller space is more desirable (easier to warm). I am a Henry Shires Tarptent fan but then I carry my gear. Big Agnes gets a good wrap but.
Andrew
#3
One thing to consider... Depending on where you will tour a large tent can be harder to find a suitable spot to pitch it.
The Big Agnes tents are pretty nice and if you don't mind the expense the Big Agnes King Creek 4 looks like a nice tent if you don't have to carry it. Some friends have one and like it for car camping.
That said,
Personally I would be inclined to go with something inexpensive, like maybe one of the Eureka models. I like my older Tetragon 8 for 2 or three people where weight is not an issue, but am not sure how the newer version of it works out since they changed the fly. The Tetragon 7 would be roomy enough for me and one other person and can be had for something like $60 if you shop around online.
The Big Agnes tents are pretty nice and if you don't mind the expense the Big Agnes King Creek 4 looks like a nice tent if you don't have to carry it. Some friends have one and like it for car camping.
That said,
Personally I would be inclined to go with something inexpensive, like maybe one of the Eureka models. I like my older Tetragon 8 for 2 or three people where weight is not an issue, but am not sure how the newer version of it works out since they changed the fly. The Tetragon 7 would be roomy enough for me and one other person and can be had for something like $60 if you shop around online.
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#4
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I would vote for something along the lines of the Timberline Eureaka 4 or 6. I also agree about getting too big. Back in my car camping days I bought a HUGE tent, 10'x12' footprint, on more than one occasion we hit campgrounds where the tent pads were too small. FWIW I think for general camping it is hard to beat the Eureka Timberline series of tents. They are relatively inexpensive and a proven design. I still have the first one I bought in 1977, it was used monthly for many years, we have since purchased 2 more; a 2 man and a 4 man outfitter with all the extras.
Aaron
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#5
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
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If Unsupported touring is not in your plans at all then your Big Agnes idea will work out fine.
#6
I would vote for something along the lines of the Timberline Eureaka 4 or 6. I also agree about getting too big. Back in my car camping days I bought a HUGE tent, 10'x12' footprint, on more than one occasion we hit campgrounds where the tent pads were too small. FWIW I think for general camping it is hard to beat the Eureka Timberline series of tents. They are relatively inexpensive and a proven design. I still have the first one I bought in 1977, it was used monthly for many years, we have since purchased 2 more; a 2 man and a 4 man outfitter with all the extras.
Aaron
Aaron

It is not in the same class as the Big Agnes wrt to the huge amount of vestibule space if you value that highly (I don't).
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#7
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I have an REI Half-Dome and it's a very nice tent, easy to set up. My only complaint is the ceiling is rather low, so you can't stand up in it. Got it on sale for a great price.
#8
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Go-lite's Teepee type single pole tents offer headroom. and are offered in More 'person' sizes .
as well as a 3 person, which is more unsupported friendly for a couple
in that a separate Floor less tent, and pole, ... and Mozzy net tent and the floor sewn together
as a second part can be weight split between the 2 people.
as well as a 3 person, which is more unsupported friendly for a couple
in that a separate Floor less tent, and pole, ... and Mozzy net tent and the floor sewn together
as a second part can be weight split between the 2 people.
#9
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From: New Haven, CT, USA
Bikes: Road, Cargo, Tandem, Etc.
The Golite Shangri-La 5 and Shangri-La 5 nest would be awesome, and light enough to take on an unsupported tour. My family of four fits nicely in our 4+, which is basically the same size as the 5.
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#10
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Joined: Dec 2001
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I would vote for something along the lines of the Timberline Eureaka 4 or 6. I also agree about getting too big. Back in my car camping days I bought a HUGE tent, 10'x12' footprint, on more than one occasion we hit campgrounds where the tent pads were too small. FWIW I think for general camping it is hard to beat the Eureka Timberline series of tents. They are relatively inexpensive and a proven design. I still have the first one I bought in 1977, it was used monthly for many years, we have since purchased 2 more; a 2 man and a 4 man outfitter with all the extras.
Aaron
Aaron

#11
Any decent tent will do if someone else is going to carry it. I'd get a 4 person - plenty of room for 2 and gear. Look for lots of netting and windows for ventilation, and a lack of translucence for privacy. Extra tall for more headroom helps too.
https://www.rei.com/product/811008/bi...g-creek-4-tent
BA KC4 is huge and heavy - should work fine for supported touring.
https://www.rei.com/product/811008/bi...g-creek-4-tent
BA KC4 is huge and heavy - should work fine for supported touring.
Last edited by seeker333; 08-19-11 at 07:14 PM.
#12
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Did you get the optional stuff for it? We found both the fly and the vestibule to be great add ons. We mainly used the vestibule in colder weather and the fly when it was warm but a fair chance of rain.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#13
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Up
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
I use a Kelty Pagoda 4 for supported touring, I like the kelty's since they weren't too expensive when I purchasied mine.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,868
Likes: 10
No, but I might end up buying a vestibule and/or annex at a later date. I'll keep your comments in mind.






