4-person and 6-person tents for car camping canoeing

[Glenn MacGrady]

At my age and health situation, virtually all of my canoe camping is now multi-day base camping out of my car. I have a three-person REI tent that I like a lot just for myself, but it gets cramped with gear and literally must be crawled in and out of on hands and knees. That was okay when I was young and spry. No longer. I'd like more living space and the ability to stand up in the tent at my 5-9 height and to enter and exit both the rain fly/vestibule and main tent door with just a minimal crouch.

That has led me to consider 4- and 6-person so-called "camping" tents just for myself. Do any of you use these large tents (solo or otherwise), and if so, what models and what do you like or dislike about your model.

Thanks.

Oh, by the way, I am most actively considering the REI Base Camp, the new REI Westward (replacing the Wonderland), and the Nemo Aurora Highrise—each having a 4-person and 6-person version.

 

[Jmharrick]

Glenn,

I have used the REI Basecamp 6 tent for almost a decade. It’s my go to car camping or motorized boat camping tent. I have fit 3 large cots in it on fishing trips with my brothers or 5 sleeping pads and a dog on trips with my kids. I can easily stand up in the center of the tent (at 6’2”). I’ve also eaten dinner sitting on a chair with my brothers in the larger vestibule during a thunderstorm, and we had plenty of room and stayed dry.

Set up and tear down isn’t too difficult and the storage bag has held up over the years.

 

[Will Derness]

At my age and health situation, virtually all of my canoe camping is now multi-day base camping out of my car. I have a three-person REI tent that I like a lot just for myself, but it gets cramped with gear and literally must be crawled in and out of on hands and knees. That was okay when I was young and spry. No longer. I'd like more living space and the ability to stand up in the tent at my 5-9 height and to enter and exit both the rain fly/vestibule and main tent door with just a minimal crouch.

That has led me to consider 4- and 6-person so-called "camping" tents just for myself. Do any of you use these large tents (solo or otherwise), and if so, what models and what do you like or dislike about your


Thanks.

Oh, by the way, I am most actively considering the REI Base Camp, the new REI Westward (replacing the Wonderland), and the Nemo Aurora Highrise—each having a 4-person and 6-person version.

I’ve been using the 4 person Big Agnes Bunk House tent for about 5 years. Tall enough to walk in. It has 2 vestibules, one of which is quite large. I’ve been very happy with it. It is nice to be able to stand in the tent and change clothes.

https://www.backcountry.com/big-agnes-bunk-house-tent-4-person-3-season

 

[ABT]

Our family tent is the Big Agnes bunk house 6, and I have used it several times solo base camping. It is extremely spacious, and very comfortable. When solo I have plenty of room for a cot with an oversized Exped mat, room to stand and change, put a chair, organize all my stuff, etc. The vestibule is very large and entry/exit very easy with almost no crouching at all, just a slight head dip (I’m your height).

 

[MJones]

I bought a Naturehike Dune 4 person tent for my wife and I to use as a car camping tent because my wife was tired of crawling out of tent in the front country.

I like that it has a detachable inner bug net tent. I also like how one half can be a living area and that it has a bit front screened door (it has screened side doors as well) There is a lot of living space in this tent. We also use it as a hot tent from fall to spring.

We also bought a couple cots to use with this tent. Wow, sleeping on a cot is a great upgrade from sleeping on the ground.

Naturehike Dune 4 person

https://www.naturehike.com/products/dune-10-9-4-person-hot-tent?srsltid=AfmBOoqMhGYDdK4-KolfIrX4Brq3gCu05IVvJQcYz3hXUtaJauweuluJ

 

[kahel]

Basecamp ... out of the car ... Step height ... no need to crawl on the floor
this sounds to a Tipi.

Helsport Pasvik 4-6





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[Cookannapurna]

if weight is no concern, I have two different Kodiak Canvas tents. A 10x10 and one that’s larger. Easy to set up, super durable. I do a bunch of fly fishing and spend a week or more at a time frequently.

 

[snapper]

@kahel beat me to it. I was going to recommend you check out the shelters sold by Seek Outside; or another tipi or pyramid shelter. They have some very nice shelters that you can walk right into without having to bend over. You do lose some interior space with the way the walls come down but you can purchase a size that's right for you and your needs. While the shelters are floorless, you can purchase interior bug nets that will keep the flying critters away so you can sleep and/or relax in comfort.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[GeoBoy]

The Big Agnes and Nemo look pretty easy to setup and take down.