Leaving the comforts of home to spend a night or weekend in the woods requires a tent for shelter. Tents come in many types, shapes and sizes to match the camping requirements of your family. Reviewing the features, accessories, size and durability of the tent will assist you in choosing the best family base camping tent.
Step 1
Test the type of tent to match it to your family's needs. Most tent manufacturers produce two types of family base camping tents: cabin style and dome style. Cabin-style tents have near-vertical walls and can be divided into multiple rooms. Dome-style tents are the most common tents and provide strength, durability and the ability to shield against wind and rain.
Step 2
Test the tent materials for strength and durability. The tent poles are typically made from aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum poles are stronger and lighter than fiberglass. Quality zippers resist snagging when opening or closing windows and doors. High-denier fabric materials on the outside of the tent keeps you dry in extreme weather conditions while an additional rain fly provides extra weather protection.
Step 3
Measure the tent headroom, packed size and floor size. Headroom is defined as the "peak height" and allows you and your family to stand up fully. The packed size of the tent is critical for choosing a tent so you can ensure that the tent will fit in the vehicle. Choose a floor size that accommodates your family members. If your family has four people, choose a five-person tent for adequate floor and sleeping space.
Step 4
Set up the tent. During setup, consider the ease of setup and the construction and durability of the poles. Most tents will use clips to easily attach the poles to the tent while other tents use a continuous pole sleeve that requires sliding the entire pole through an enclosed sleeve. After setup, review the door access and ventilated windows.
Step 5
Purchase any accessories for the tent. Tent manufacturers will offer add-on accessories to enhance the camping experience. Vestibules offer additional outside storage for backpacks or dirty boots. Interior loops and gear pockets allow hanging a lantern, hanging clothes or organizing small camping items. Footprints protect the tent's floor from punctures caused by rocks or twigs.
Tips and Warnings
- Compare the quality of design and materials, overall features and price when choosing a family base camping tent. Weight is not the No. 1 concern when a vehicle can be parked near the campsite. Match the tent's quality to the anticipated weather and time of year.
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