Well winter is about done and I'm about ready to do some weekend trips with the wife and 5-year old. So, I started poking around to find a sub $500 tent large enough to fit the family, but small enough to still allow room to pack other camping gear in the back of the JKU.

I know there's some pretty cool options out there intended specifically for Jeeps, but my budget and lack of hardtop seem to limit my options.

I'd like to know (and see) what others are doing. So, please post your thoughts and share pics...

This is what I'm considering:

http://m.justforjeeps.com/tent.html?...FYqIfgod9RgAmg

 

Do you need it attached to the Jeep?, there are plenty of options out there for around $500. Let me give you some sound advice, dont buy tents with Fiberglass poles. May just be me but i have never had success with them holding up, either snapping in the wind, shock cords breaking or ending up with fiberglass splinters in your hands. This is my next tent purchase, as the Wife needs luxury. The North Face Camping Tents at REI

 

It does not need to attach to the tent, but I thought that provided easy access to anything stored in there.

That's great advice on steering clear of fiberglass poles; I've had the same issues in the past and I quickly forgot.

I'll check out the link you posted. Thx!

 

I live by this Motto, By Tents with Lifetime Warranty's. They get beat up and fail, send them back and they will fix or replace for the cost of shipping

 

Hi from Sweden

I would buy a tent like this model or similar as I dont know if You can buy it in US but You have probably similar models. I bought a Robens 600 cabin and I have not tried it yet. It has alu poles and windows and You can sit in it with tables and chairs in bad weather. They come in smaller sizes. They are pretty wind sturdy. I like when I can stand up straight.

A tip is to find a floor carpet that fits and that the model can be fitted with a Shade extension or You can use a awning with some poles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uof8dPF3Wrw Tents | Shade Catcher Extension | Robens

It has a inner tent that You can hook of and that makes it a even bigger living room.

Tents | Cabin 600 | Robens


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vbzhcq5Ja0
Here I have my robens 600 tent in my 2 door 2012 Wrangler with the backseat folded. The grey thing is a Waeco CF 40 liter fridge.





I also have a even bigger tent called Easy Base Boston 600, also comes in smaller sizes. Sadly it comes with fiberglass poles but it is a cheaper model and probably not so good in strong winds. To be on the safe side I bought the Robens above in harsher climate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqSrgP3AKN4

 

You'll find you'll generally get more for your money by buying a tent that is not Jeep specific. There's no real benefit to it attaching to the Jeep and it's fairly easy to attach any tent with a little thought.

I use this one (North Face Trailhead):



and if you look at the front you can see how easy that would be to run to the back of your Jeep if you so desired. The NF tents are very good and mine doesn't have a flaw yet after several years of use.

 

Dome tent that uses clips and not sleeves to secure the fabric to the poles. Full rain fly. Three season (unless you will camp in winter storm weather, then four season to carry the ice/snow weight).

I have a lot of camping experience--a lot!--and anything else is just a hassle. You'll end up with lost/missing parts, wet fabric that won't let the poles slide through, broken shockcord, time wasted setting up a too large tent, insufficient space to store the tent in the Jeep, etc if you buy anything much more complex.

 

I've been looking at tents also this past winter. I looked at the one that attach also but I think I'm heading the direction of a kelty air pitch. They have air poles and seem to hold up from the reviews I've read. Plus I can use my air compressor I just installed this past weekend. Up in about a min and think amazon has for around $400. Get a 6 person. Has 2 rooms and a vestibule in the middle.

 

Also for storage i was looking at i think it's best top. They have a kind of saddle bag that goes over your spare. Think you can get it for $180 bucks. Fits stock 35s and 37s. Made from the same material as your soft top.

 

Unless you're set on it, I'd avoid one that attaches to the Jeep.

If you're like me, you'll want to take the Jeep out to go wheeling after you set camp and that would be pretty awkward with a tent attached.