I read the reviews before purchasing it then decided to try. We got the largest (14' x 10') instant tent that Coleman makes so we could have room for two cots and two kids plus a dog, and this is plenty big enough.
We watched the video at the Coleman website several times before camping with it the first time and that helped a lot, we were able to get the tent up in about 5 minutes with two people, which isn't bad since we had never put it up before and it's larger then the one in the video. Staking it down, AFTER you put it up, wasn't anything different then any other tent, so that was straight forward. Take down was a bit more complicated because we weren't sure we had it right, but it took about 10 minutes by the time we figured how to roll the tent sort of right and the air to come out for it to go back into the bag. I strongly recommend anyone buying this tent to watch the Coleman video several times so your not yanking and pushing in wrong places and possibly breaking the tent, the paper instructions are poor so watch the video.
I read some reviews that the tent had bad leaks, well ours didn't. We went through a nighttime double thunder storms that dumped about 3 inches of rain with high winds. The tent took the wind and the rain with no problems, but you do have to zip the windows closed, but we left the very top so that the screen wouldn't show yet air could get through. We had maybe a dozen drops come through the top of tent in the middle where the inside center divider curtain is...and that's it! No puddles, nothing, not even the inside sides of the tent were damp. Some reviewers thought the tent should have a rain fly, with the amount of water we got into the tent it doesn't need it. I don't get some reviewers, they buy a $200 plus or minus $50 3 season tent and expect it to perform like a $800 plus 4 season tent...it's not going to, I feel this tent did great under the circumstances. Our last tent had a rainfly, and when it rained we still got a puddle at the door and inside sides of the tent was damp and that tent cost a little bit more 25 years ago.
Some reviewers thought there should be more then two internal storage pockets, this tent is so large I didn't even use one of the pockets!
If there's one minor complaint about the tent is that the front door should have a short awning of about maybe 3 feet. But again anything extra Coleman adds would make the cost go up, and an awning would add a little time to the set up.
I rated this tent 5 stars, is it perfect? no, but I gave it 5 stars due to ease of put up and take down, ability to take high winds and driving rain, and the cost of the tent. Like I said, your not going to get anything better then this unless you pay at least $800 for a 4 season tent and then that tent will be smaller then this!
If your looking for a large inexpensive easy to put up family tent, this is the only one out there like it, and it works even in bad weather.
| Special Feature | Rainfly |
|---|---|
| Brand | Coleman |
| Occupant Capacity | 8 |
| Design | Camping Tent |
| Material | Alloy Steel, fabric |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Camping & Hiking |
| Product Dimensions | 168"L x 120"W x 72"H |
| Seasons | 3 Season |
| Color | Blue |
| Sport | Camping & Hiking |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Installation Type | Nail On |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash |
| Included Components | Carry Bag, Peg, Rainfly |
| Pole Material Type | Steel |
| Closure Type | Zipper |
| Water Resistance Technology | 10 foot |
| Style | Tent + Pegs |
| Brand Name | Coleman |
| Manufacturer | Coleman |
