Tent for Oshkosh storms

[uk_figs]

After 3 Oshkosh storms in the last 3 years my Kelty tent gave up the ghost for good last year and was retired to the dumpster after a short service

It is now time to find a replacement for this years event. The Kelty was a trail Ridge 6 which is a great tent that you can stand up in, but its size (height) was a problem with the straight winds we have seen at Osh in recent years and the aluminum poles just bent and the rain tended to drive up under the flysheet.

As I am too old to be rolling around on the floor trying to get my jeans on in the morning in a pup tent, I am looking for some suggestions/recommendations for a decent size tent (I am 6' 3") that is robust enough to withstand the typical Osh annual storm. The Kelty weighed 18lbs which was not bad.

Before someone suggests the dorms etc. I enjoy the camaraderie of my flying buddies and fellow campers and cooking out in the pavilion.

Appreciate any inputs.
Figs

[Kyle Boatright]

Look at Cabelas. Their Alaskan guide series gets good reviews.

[Phil Sprang]

Our Cabelas Alaska Guide tent has weathered everything Mother Nature can throw at it in the North 40, for years. It is not in-expensive but it handles the weather and you will be dry.

[wirejock]

I'm no expert but my tent has seen some horrible weather and I've never seen a rain drop inside. Too many years to count but at least 20. Dozen uses every year. Winds so high the top was pushed down almost flat. I felt it folding over in Big Bend. It's seen rain so heavy, my friends were all swimming in the morning. I was dry. It's just a Coleman 4 person about 9x7. No model but they haven't changed much. I can stand up in the center. I recommend a tent with just two fiberglass poles and one fiberglass pole for the rain fly. Easy to set up. I hate those fancy tents with all the weird poles. I also prefer a tent with one door and one window. The door zipper should zip from bottom to top. Racoons know how to work zippers. Always zip to the top. Woke once in Davis State Park and a coon was rifling through my friends motorcycle tank bag like it was a gold mine. I have a waterproof canvas tarp the same dimension as the tent. I spray it with bug spray before setting the tent. 20 years and it's fully impregnated with bug spray. The corner stakes go through the tent and tarp grommets and keep it tight. Never seen a bug inside either.
This is the current version
https://a.co/d/6n96hX3
Also a big fan of Thermorest mattresses. The big one is really comfortable and won't go flat.
Wife and I use two. Basically a queen when they are both together.

[Roadjunkie1]

This upcoming year will be my 34th year of volunteering.....or is it 35... at OSH. I also went through a succession of tents and always had two air mattresses: one for myself and one I called my "personal flotation device" for putting my things on. I finally landed on the Cabela's Alaskan Guide as THE BEST. It has put up with every storm OSH has dished out including that one last year that collapsed more tents than I have seen for a while.

I actually have two models: a 6 man we use at OSH (my SO needs room! ) and a 4 man we use when we are camping in the Mountains. We can stand up in both of them. I have not gotten wet since I bought these tents. Wind: not an issue if properly braced. Both of mine have the aluminum poles but some have the fiberglass poles: heavier.

I volunteer for the Vintage Division and, if you go over to where we live onfield, under The Trees, you will find a place we affectionately call Camp Cabela as nearly EVERYone who volunteers for us has a Cabela tent! It is fun to see! There must be 20 or more Cabela tents of various sizes. Some of our campers have opted for the 8 man (PLENTY of room!) but there are 6 and 4 man tents there as well. There are even two 8 man tents hooked together with a vestibule! We are SERIOUS!

No, I don't work for Cabelas. There just are few tents that are better.... In fact, my SO works for a local competitor called JAX. They have a lot of outdoor gear but not those tents. They sell Nemo, which are also excellent tents.

[Caveman]

Dave,

Just for reference, mine is a Kelty Bode and as you know withstood the storm. They make it in a 4 and 6 person. Mine is a 4. It is not as roomy as the one you had, but less sidewall area for the wind to catch. Peak height is only 61" though so may not be tall enough for your needs. I can dress standing up but have to hunch over. I'm 5' 9 1/2 and shrinking as I age. It has fiberglass poles.

https://www.kelty.com/bodie-4/

[koupster]

Figs,

We have two tents these days. Which one we bring depends on whether we drive or fly. The first is a Big Agnes that accommodates full size folding cots. The second is a bit smaller, but accommodates lightweight cots. We put Thermarest pads on top of the cots. Having a cot makes it much easier to get dressed even if you don't have standing room.

Get bigger, longer stakes for the winds at OSH, and try to pitch the tent close to your RV or vehicle.

Let me know if you wish further details about the gear mentioned.

[BillL]

MSR Hubba Hubba - pick your size. Virtually indestructible.

[Marc Bourget]

I went through two OSH thunderstorm nights with the Coleman igloo style and then opted for the Kodiak Canvas Tent - I have never regretted the choice.

Bit expensive and not light, but it's as solid as I could ask for.

[wcalvert]

+1 ... MSR Hubba Hubba