Kelty - Caboose 4 / Caboose 4P

I am talking about gale force winds not minor breezes. I have camped on the edge of the north rim of the Grand Canyon in the primitive area of the Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument and watched the wind "fold" my Kelty SUV tent (has no floor so acts like a sail) almost in half. I use my Kelty when I move frequently (and sleep in my car) rather than stay someplace for at least 3 nights. Eventually, in the middle of the night, I exited my bed in my car and shut my car door on some of the tent material to make sure it did not go over the rim into the Grand Canyon. One of the aluminum poles now has an additional bend in it but that has not adversely affected my use of the Kelty. I have experienced even greater winds in the Colob Canyon section of Zion National Park (2 weeks ago) but fortunately I had no tent set-up there. I was set up in the only campground open in the NP on the opposite side of Zion. So far, none of my tall tents have had to experience those high winds. I have many stakes and guy lines for my tents (shepherd hook, steel screw type and Kelty sand stakes that also hold fairly sizeable rocks). Eventually as I keep camping in the windy SW of the US, my regular tall tents (with floors) will be subjected to gale force winds. This coming June, I camp throughout New England so maybe I will experience those winds along the Maine coast. Since I will be on the move throughout New England and frequently staying in different friends houses, I may only bring my SUV tent and may not have the opportunity to test out my regular tall tents. The storage bags of both the Kelty and the regular tents are "large" so I have to choose one. I can set up both tents by myself. GearLab claims that my Nemo equipment tent requires 2 people to set up. Well, I have set it up repeatedly by myself and it gets easier every time I pitch it. Any tent is easier to set up with help but it is not required to have help to pitch the Nemo tent. I am 5'7" so maybe someone who is several inches shorter would struggle getting the rainfly over the top of the dome.

I have the Kelty Caboose. It’s called a 4 person tent, holds 2 cots. Set up up and take down is a little long, but it’s nice to be able to stand up in it. This picture is of it off the side of my truck. We tried it off of both sides and the back of the shell. I used it on this trip as a test. https://preview.redd.it/d4hshalbde8f1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b16b0b4af00ef48a81f6f2dc13dc87cc2378bfea [https://www.backcountry.com/b/kelty-caboose-4p?CMP\_SKU=KELO0BC&MER=0406&skid=KELO0BC-GRATAN-ONESIZ&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&utm\_source=google&utm\_medium=pla&utm\_campaign=20554329079\_\_p:G%7Cs:BC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pmax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:Hike+Camp%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx&utm\_content=&utm\_id=go\_cmp-20554329079\_adg-\_ad-\_\_dev-m\_ext-\_prd-KELO0BC-GRATAN-ONESIZ\_mca-7811\_sig-Cj0KCQjwsNnCBhDRARIsAEzia4BscCN7LunzoGTI69PftMzoX6viwDbvYdzgxVyJkuC6H\_3a4iZKqhcaApi1EALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=20550516431&gbraid=0AAAAAD\_Jw0ZkAf8H5kmTDWtkB6JWt6qyo&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsNnCBhDRARIsAEzia4BscCN7LunzoGTI69PftMzoX6viwDbvYdzgxVyJkuC6H\_3a4iZKqhcaApi1EALw\_wcB](https://www.backcountry.com/b/kelty-caboose-4p?CMP_SKU=KELO0BC&MER=0406&skid=KELO0BC-GRATAN-ONESIZ&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20554329079__p:G%7Cs:BC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pmax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:Hike+Camp%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx&utm_content=&utm_id=go_cmp-20554329079_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-KELO0BC-GRATAN-ONESIZ_mca-7811_sig-Cj0KCQjwsNnCBhDRARIsAEzia4BscCN7LunzoGTI69PftMzoX6viwDbvYdzgxVyJkuC6H_3a4iZKqhcaApi1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20550516431&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Jw0ZkAf8H5kmTDWtkB6JWt6qyo&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsNnCBhDRARIsAEzia4BscCN7LunzoGTI69PftMzoX6viwDbvYdzgxVyJkuC6H_3a4iZKqhcaApi1EALw_wcB)

I have had a normal kelty 4 man and the daydreamer 6. The 4 held up great for almost a decade of use (~6 trips a year with that tent) before we needed more space and upgraded. The day dreamer 6 is pitch black inside which is great for getting kids/dogs to sleep in later than sunrise. The thick fly to keep out light definitely adds a pound or two to the day dreamer vs a normal tent.

it fits my kelty 6 comfortably with space on the size. it was very tight with my kelty 4

My BF and I have 7 different tents and our favorite one is the 4-person Kelty tent that I bought for myself when I was 17-18 years old. That makes it 36-37 years old. It’s not the same shape as the one OP covets but it has the same basic options with a large back window screen and the zipper screen entrance with the additional layer of solid fabric. Unfortunately it’s so old and the fabric is becoming very brittle and fragile. Wish they still made tents like they used to.

Well if you want advice on a tent I could probably try to help you out! Just took a quick pass through the tent options and I’d recommend the core 4 person instant tent for $150 just because they’re already an established tent making brand with great reviews. I personally own a 4 person kelty tent and the quality is really good imo and they’re easy to setup. Some of the kelty tents have these sleeves that the bottom of the poles go into and it makes solo setup a breeze. My issue with instant tents like the one you mentioned, the gazelle t4, etc. is that they’re heavy and they don’t get very compact. But if you have both storage space and space in your vehicle go for it.

Are you backpacking or car camping? That makes a huge difference. I have a 4 person kelty for when I go car camping with my wife and dogs. For when I go backing with just one of my dogs I have a big Agnes copper spur 2p. When we go car camping, we have a foldable memory foam mattress, it’s quite large and takes up most of my roof box, it’s my trade off for comfort. There’s this company HEST, that makes these memory foam rolls for car camping. They look awesome, I just haven’t been to an REI lately to check them out. They are pricey but look to be really nice. I have my old ridge rest that I roll out to protect the tent floor from their paws. If your car camping and have the room, those floor mat puzzle pieces are also a great floor protector.

I like the Walmart brand Ozark Trail. We have had a smaller tent from them for quite a while (it does leak now but we set up a tarp over it). Our nicer Kelty tent tore and the zipper broke. They’ll fix them for you but I lose the receipt :(  Since you’re new I’d go on the less expensive side first. 

I've had my Kelty for about 12 years now and it has never failed to perform to my highest expectations. I highly recommend them.

We loved our Ozark Trail tent! Set out on a cross country camping trip with a brand new Kelty that we spent a pretty penny on. A week in, a pole broke in the wind and we got SOAKED through the thin floor. Went to a Walmart, picked up an Ozark Trail, and left the Kelty in a dumpster. Never looked back on that decision.