If you're in the market for a new tent there are a few things to consider before making your purchase.

• What type of camping am I going to be doing?
• How many people will be using the tent?
• How much gear am I going to put into the tent?
• Is the tent easy to set up?
• What about the durability and warranty?

Let's take these questions one at a time, and address why they are so important to consider.

Q: What type of camping am I going to do?
Important to consider, because if you're car camping it doesn't really matter how much the tent weighs. However, if you're doing any backpacking at all, you don't want a tent that takes all your energy up with in the first 2 miles of the trail. Car camping usually involves one or two people. Therefore the tent can be fairly large because you're not going to be moving it everyday. The poles can generally be heavier, the tent much larger, and the overall package can take up space that you couldn't afford if you're on a lengthy backpacking trip. Are you going where there is a chance for rain? Then try to choose a tent with a large rain fly, preferably one that comes as close to the ground as possible.

Additionally, most manufacturers’ allow you to put some sort of rain repellent on the tent without voiding the manufacturer warranty. If you choose to do so, please follow all the precautions set forth on the label of the can. Should you expect the tent be waterproof? Only if the manufacturer states that the tent is “waterproof”. If it does not say waterproof, then don't expect a watertight ship. Most tents today are “water resistant”. This means that for the most part you can expect to stay dry on your camping trip as long as the rain storm is minor, and doesn’t flood your campsite.

It sounds a little gruff, but what I tell most people is that a tent is not a house. You can't expect to set a tent up under your garden hose for any length of time and not see some sort of condensation. True, there are some very robust tents on the market today that will hold out the rain, but you will pay the price for them as well. I can say from personal experience that Wenzel tents are very good even in a major downpour. The price is not outrageous and if used correctly, will result in a very enjoyable trip. I have been car camping with my family when caught in a large rainstorm that lasted for two hours or more hours. We generally try not to camp when it’s raining, but I was very impressed with the robustness of these tents.. We had a few minor drops along the base where we didn’t apply any sealer, but that can happen. You can help eliminate water seepage by using a good tent sealer in these areas of the tent. There are other things you can do however, to keep yourself dry even in that largest of downpours.

You can read for yourselves on page two of most Wenzel instructions, that the tents are water repellent NOT water proof. You should know this up front as they are being very honest in their approach. If you follow the recommended setup procedures, and use common camping techniques, your trip should prove enjoyable.

Q: How many people will be using the tent?
If you're going to be car camping, once again you can take a fairly large tent with you and quite a number of people can sleep in a large tent. If you're like most people though, no one likes to be packed in like sardines. Sometimes you see these drawings of tent floor layouts where it literally looks like sardines in a can. I don’t know how you feel, but I certainly don't like to be packed in like that! That’s why you don’t see any of these types of floor layout drawings on our website. So why not make your trip more enjoyable by choosing a tent that has room for both people and gear. This brings us to the next question.

Q: How much gear am I going to put into the tent?
On the average more families go car camping than they do backpacking. If you're taking along a large tent then you have room for a lot of gear, that is, unless you have a lot of people too. In that case, you'll want to choose a tent which has room for both gear and people. If I go car camping, I always like to have room for gear in my tent. The same holds true with backpacking. The point is you want your trip to be enjoyable without feeling like a sardine.

Q: Is the tent easy to set up?
I thought I would personally address this question because I often get calls from people asking if they can setup a particular tent by themselves. The answer is: “It depends on the size of the tent”. If the tent is our premium seller, the ROKK Palisade Tent (RK39009) I would say No … it takes two and possibly three. If it’s a smaller backpacking tent, then I would say yes. I suggest that if possible, have some help while setting up your tent whether it is someone in your immediate camping group or someone on the camp ground. It always goes easier having someone help you.

Most tent poles today are made of re-enforced fiberglass. Please treat them with care. Yes, they are very durable and strong, but they can break. If you follow the instructions as per wrote, and don’t force things … all will be fine. If the instructions say to bend the pole slightly to get it into a particular place, then do so slowly and slightly. Having someone help in this regard is usually better. Trying to bend a large pole yourself usually results in having two poles … one for each hand! If you find yourself getting frustrated then simply STOP. Take a breather and try again after you have cooled down. Yes, it can be frustrating the first time or so, but if you take your time on the initial setup, next time will be easier.

Above all, try to set the tent up before you go camping, perhaps your backyard. Be kind, not only to yourself, but to those around you. How many times have you been in a camp ground where everyone is getting ready to bed down for the night, and someone comes strolling in to setup their tent by means of their car headlights, and on top of that … they have never set the tent up at all! Granted, sometimes leaving work late on a Friday night will get you to the camp ground late, so I don’t want to be rude, but the point is if you know what you’re doing before you get there, the pain will be less both for you and the people around you. Be a good fellow camper.

Q: What about the durability and warranty?

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

Wenzel tents manufactured since 2000 carry a 10-year Manufacturer's Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the verified original purchaser only.

WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER:
This warranty does not cover damage for wear & tear, abuse, weather damage, improper use or alteration and it is the sole express warranty relating to the Wenzel product.
There are times when manufacturing defects will raise their ugly heads. At those times you can be sure that Wenzel will back you up. Although there is a toll free number you can call (800-325-8368) try contacting the retailer you originally bought it from. If you're not able to obtain results there, then call the Wenzel Company.

As you can see however, the warranty does not cover normal wear, tear, or abuse whether from animals or humans.

Take care of your tent and it will take care of you. In this regard I have a few suggestions:

1). First and foremost follow the instructions that come with your tent.
2). Once again, take your time during setup. Have someone help you. If you find yourself getting frustrated, then take a little break. Use all zippers slowly. I say this because this can be a major cause of so called tent failure. Zippers will last a long time if you take your time with them, and watch what you’re doing when you operate them. You could say that the thought of taking your time, and not getting frustrated work together.
3). If it happens to rain on your tent during the camping trip, then try to wait until it dries before you pack up and go home. If this is not possible, then by all means unpack the tent as soon as possible when you arrive home and set it up to air out. This will prolong the life of your tent; help avoid mold issues, and wet tent aroma. I can recall one of the times I used an old canvas tent on an outing. It rained, we packed it up wet. When we got home we left it in the bag for the next time. When the next time came, it was wall to wall mold! Don’t let that happen to you.

Article by Gregg Alan