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04/03/2017 06:58AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I purchased a new REI quarterdome 3 for backpacking with 2 people and a dog. It has been quite a while since I bought a new tent. The spaciousness and features are impressive.

The featherlight pole set is pretty flexible. As I set it up in the living room, it has a tenancy to stand up a bit taller and the result is that the corners move toward the middle. The footprint then seems too large and it can get baggy and also extend past the floor on the door sides. This is of course when there is nothing on the floor of the tent to prevent the floor from lifting up a bit on the sides.

I am hoping that when I get it staked out the footprint won't be too large.

Is this what I should expect from these newer tents?
 
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04/03/2017 07:22AM  
"I am hoping that when I get it staked out the footprint won't be too large. "

Answered your own question. Staking out the tent will flatten and extend the floor and lower the peak height. See how you like it then.

butthead
 
kennk
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04/03/2017 07:50AM  
Staking (or tie) your tent down will also prevent it from becoming an unidentified flying (or rolling) object when you get a big wind.

The good news is that in the woods there often are lots of sharp branches to keep it from going too far.

I'm speaking from experience. If you flip your tent over to let the bottom dry in the sunshine make sure to stake (tie) it down. Luckily I caught mine before it hit the tree line. I'm not so quick in my older age.
 
OldScout48
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04/03/2017 03:23PM  
quote 3Ball:
The featherlight pole set is pretty flexible. As I set it up in the living room, it has a tenancy to stand up a bit taller and the result is that the corners move toward the middle. The footprint then seems too large and it can get baggy and also extend past the floor on the door sides. This is of course when there is nothing on the floor of the tent to prevent the floor from lifting up a bit on the sides.

I am hoping that when I get it staked out the footprint won't be too large.

quote>

I see no problem here that a few 10 penny nails can't handle.
 
Grandma L
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04/03/2017 04:09PM  
Old Scout 48 beat me to it. I was going to suggest nailing it to the floor but since it is no longer April 1, Can't offer that suggestion.

Yup, stake it out and you will be fine. I really like the new Quarter Dome series. The doors and Vest are great - along with the more vertical sides. I am jealous but, since I have been banned from buying any more tents, that is how it will remain. jealous.
 
Guest Paddler
  
04/04/2017 09:16AM  
How is the tent weight wise. We are shopping for a few boundary water tents. Sturdy?
 
04/04/2017 11:52AM  
Sturdiness and weight?

As for sturdy, I think it will be just fine. I haven't used it yet though.

As for weight, that was the attraction for me. It is just over 4 lbs. You get a lot of floor room and head room, with good vestibule spaces, for just 4 lbs. I will use the tent for some backpacking with two people and an "inside" dog so needed more than my Big Agness Fly Creek2. This tent saves me about 4.5 lbs and some bulk in comparison to the my Mountain Hardware Hammerhead3. It also gives me better ventilation and more headroom.

The ventilation will be really good. The two sides open way up and with a slight breeze will really air out the tent. It has a top vent that you can access from outside or from inside via a zipper in the screening on the roof. There are lots of pockets and tabs for storing and hanging lightweight stuff.

The other tent I considered in the end was the Big Agnes HV Copper Spur. It is a bit lighter and more compact in the pack but is also roughly 25% more expensive. That was marked down now too (at Moosejaw??). I am sure that would be a good choice too.
 
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