Springbar - Highline 10

A few weekend trips annually in Spring/summer? TBH, a 10x10 Coleman Sundome will fit the bill at a very affordable price. It’s what my family of four used while my kids were growing up. Two poles, plus a third for the rain fly, made it possible for one adult to set up. Ours lasted 8 years before I gave it away to a friend. At the other end of the spectrum, I just bought a Springbar 10x10. It’s been up in our yard for two weeks and has stayed completely dry through several showers. It also held up to a storm this week with 60mph gusts in the area. Big canvas tents are strictly car camping gear, though. Whereas the Coleman is light enough to carry a bit to a campsite.

We started camping in a 2 person tent with a dog. It was fine. Light weight and we were hikeing 50 miles in 3 days. A few others that got bigger. Had a kid and my parents decided they didn’t want to tent anymore so we inherited their “Taj Mahal” tent. $100 three room tent from Walmart that was about 400 sqft. That was fun. It really shined when we had a kid and we could setup the portable crib inside the tent. Gold. Then I got a spring bar 10x10 and me and the wife have a nice queen mattress and the kid has a cot and the dog has his bed. Still in the springbar but the kid sleeps in an old 3-4 person tent with stuffies and friends. (It’s mostly a place to hang out for them). She still come home and cuddles. I have 5 tents. They all serve their purpose. It all just depends on what you are going to do. I’ll never get rid of my 1.5 person light weight tent. I’ll also never get rid of my wall tent. I’ll probably buy a bigger actual wall tent that will be more like a yurt than a tent. It’s an evolving process. If you are in the car go big. If you are hiking go light.

Agreed. My spring bar 10x10 is dang close with two adults one 7yo and a 80lbs lab.

I absolutely love my spring bar. Two adults one kid and a lab. The Kodiak is similar, I’ve been on a USA made kick for the last few years though. I’d personally figure with a 14 and 11 yo they get their own tents or share depending on their sex. Ours will be 8 next year and I’m wanting to have them in their own tent. Dog can sleep with whoever. He usually sleeps on a lees with the door partially open on the spring-bar. If you want everyone in one spot I’d probably look into a pole tent that works with a stove. And then cots as most don’t have floors. I have a few cots and as a tallish guy I like ones that don’t have a bar where my feet are, they are more like what soccer players get pulled of the field when they are hurt.

Look into Springbar or Kodiak tents. They aren't cheap, but your grandchildren won't need to replace it when they're taking their kids camping. You may be able to find a used one close to your price range. I got my 6 person Springbar for $400.