Camping Tents

Tents area a very popular form of shelter for those that love to camp. Tent camping is also great for fishing trips. Tents are available in many sizes and shapes. The size of the tent determines how many people it will accommodate and the shape of the tent will determine how it stands up to weather conditions. Some tents designed for families will sleep 6 to 8 people comfortably. These tents may also have dividers inside so you can section off the tent with multiple rooms. This can be handy when camping with children.

Tents vary in price as well as size and shape. Another rating of tents is the seasons. There are 2 season, 3 season and 4 season tents. This is an important rating as it is an indicator as to how the tent shelters in the 4 weather seasons and how it stands up to inclement weather. This also affects the price you will be paying for your tent. If you plan to use you tent a lot then it would be worth while for you to invest in a tent that is durable and will stand up to inclement weather conditions of wind, rain, snow and icy conditions.

Perhaps the most obvious rating of a tent is the number of people it will sleep. You need to beware of this rating as it can be misleading. The rating is for average size people with no extra room for additional equipment such as air mattresses, clothing, shoes and personal items. So if you go out and buy a 4 person tent and then go camping in a group of 4 people you may be a little cramped when you're in the tent. And if you experience bad weather such as rain you will be spending additional time in your tent. At times like these you will appreciate a little extra room for moving around.

When selecting your tent you will also want one that is easy to set up, take down and store. Some tents can be like a jigsaw puzzle when it comes time to set up. They are not much fun setting up in the dark or when it's raining or the wind is blowing. So easy set up and tear down is a plus.

When setting up your tent inspect the area where you will place the tent. You will want a level area that is smooth and free of objects especially sharp objects that can puncture and cut the tent floor. Some people like to put an extra tarp on the ground to set the tent on. Be careful if you do this is the extra tarp can hold water on top of it that can seep through your tent floor. I don't use a tarp under the tent and have never punctured a hole in the tent floor. I have a very simple rule of NO SHOES worn in the tent. You will not step hard on a sharp object when you are bare footed.

There are different schools of thought when it comes to type of tent poles. Some say aluminum poles are better while others say fiberglass poles are better. One can bend and the other can break so you get to figure this one out. My experience has been they both work fine and last a long time when properly taken care of and maintained. Make sure your tent material is waterproof and flame retardant.

Tent windows are important and should have a mesh screen to keep bugs out. The more windows and the larger they are the more air flow you can get during those hot summer days and nights. The better the windows seal the warmer your tent will be in cold weather. Large windows that seal tight would be ideal.

Having a good quality camping tent that meets your requirements will make a big difference on your camping trip. Keep your tent clean and maintain it properly and you will get many pleasurable years of service from it. Never store a wet tent. If you have to take your tent down and pack up while it's wet or raining that's ok. But you must set it up as soon as you get home and leave it up until it has dried completely. camping tents will last many years when properly cared for.

Enjoy your camping trip.