| If you are fairly new to the camping | | | | standing. |
| experience, you may not know what type | | | | Family tents are big and spacious. It |
| of tent to buy. There are a variety of | | | | will give your family plenty of room. |
| things that you should consider when | | | | Some also include separate sleeping |
| picking out a camping tent. Tents vary | | | | areas for privacy. The main tent area is |
| greatly in size, durability, shape, and | | | | of dome or ridge construction. This will |
| ease in which they can be transported. | | | | be the separate living area from where |
| So before you go out and buy any old | | | | you will sleep. If you have children |
| tent, take a few of the suggestion below | | | | this may be a feature valuable to you. |
| into serious consideration. Then you | | | | When selecting which tent type is right |
| will be able to get the tent that you | | | | for you, consider the number of people |
| need. | | | | who will be using it. All tents will |
| The very basic of any tent's composition | | | | list a recommended number of people. A |
| is a shelter of canvas or nylon | | | | good rule of thumb would be to add two |
| supported by poles. The difference lies | | | | people to your party and find a tent for |
| in the types of poles; the type of | | | | that number. Next realize what you will |
| cloth, the shape and options included, | | | | be doing on your camping trip. If you |
| which will make each camping tent | | | | are simply going to drive there, set up |
| different. There are basically five | | | | the tent and stay in that spot for the |
| different types of camping tents | | | | duration of the trip, then weight won't |
| available: frame tents, dome tents, | | | | matter. On the other hand, if you are |
| geodisic tents, expedition and family | | | | going to be hiking you will need to |
| tents. | | | | carry it on your back. You will want to |
| The frame tent uses aluminum and steel | | | | look for something compact and |
| poles with a canvas tent cloth. This is | | | | lightweight. Finally, consider the type |
| one of the older styles of tents. The | | | | of weather you will be camping in. Three |
| newer models have incorporated cotton or | | | | season tents work well in bad weather, |
| synthetic fibers for their tent cloths. | | | | but not the harshest weather the winter |
| This type of tent is ideal for a family | | | | can bring. If you are going to be |
| and makes efficient use of ground space | | | | camping in extreme conditions, a |
| inside and out. The frame gives it | | | | four-season tent will be more suitable. |
| sturdiness, but it can be very difficult | | | | With some background on the set up, as |
| to erect. | | | | well as, the advantages and |
| Dome tents are one of the most popular | | | | disadvantages of the different types of |
| types of camping tents today. It uses | | | | tents available today, you'll be in a |
| fiberglass or plastic poles that slip | | | | better position to pick the appropriate |
| through sleeves in the fabric cloth. | | | | tent for your needs. Most tents are able |
| It's top is shaped like a dome. Although | | | | to be transported in cars and will be |
| it makes less efficient use of space, it | | | | able to be set up in a 5 to 25 minute |
| is very lightweight and provides easy | | | | time allotment. Remember, you want to |
| set up and collapse. Although fairly | | | | allow for enough room for you entire |
| stable, in high winds it can be | | | | party and also want to be dry in |
| unsteady. So guy lines and stakes are | | | | different weather conditions. Tent |
| really important with this type of tent. | | | | cloths are sewn together but sealant is |
| The geodisc tent is a variation of the | | | | applied to keep rain out. Check the |
| dome tent. Although it is framed and the | | | | sealing. Cost may also be a factor for |
| set up is similar to the dome, the poles | | | | you. Dome tents are cheaper than the |
| cross and interconnect providing more | | | | ridge construction tent. A general store |
| security and sturdiness. Like the dome, | | | | will offer an affordable tent if you |
| it is lightweight. Because of the more | | | | will only be using it periodically. But |
| complicated pole connections, it is more | | | | if you want the best tent that will last |
| difficult to set up. | | | | a lifetime, go to a specialty camping |
| Another type of tent is the expedition | | | | store. Consider your options and your |
| or touring tents. This type of tent is a | | | | situation. An informed shopper will have |
| combination of the ridge and dome tent. | | | | a pleasant camping tent buying |
| It includes windows and a roomy porch | | | | experience and will be able to make the |
| area for shade and shelter. It is very | | | | best choice for their needs. |
| spacious and is high, allowing for easy | | | | |