Building out my canoe tripping gear and everything I have is from when I was a kid and much of it is nearing 30 years old.
My kids are 8 and 5, and I have narrowed down the tent I want to the Big Angus Copper spur UL series. Trying to decide between the UL4 and the UL5. As the kids grow into teenagers, would we appreciate the extra room of the 5? Is that worth the extra 15oz of weight?
I have a nice 2 person for when the wife and I take our annual date trip, so this will just be for the family.
I like the fly set up on the Copper Spur, and we have a moose of a Chocolate lab who will have lately of space to sleep outside when he graces us with his presence.
Any input from trip leaders of younger kids who occasionally get in the “she’s touching me” arguments
Thanks fellow trippers

Partial reply here. I don’t think it’s much the weight, rather the number of full packs that cross the portage, no matter the style of portaging. If you consistently have a half-full bag, then by all means just get the bigger tent. If you are at max capacity, is there a pound you can shave off somewhere else or not? I’m careful of my weight, but also realistic that I triple portage with my 3 toddlers. I pack the bags full.

Our family of 5 uses the CCS Lean 3+…and with a fourth kid on the way eventually I’ll need a second tent when they all get bigger.

Check out the lean- waking up with a full view of the lake is something else. Will make any other tent feel small. Why go to the effort to stay in the woods only to stare at the inside of your tent. Dan Cooke told me something along those lines once.

I really like those, how do the work for 4 people? How do they handle torrential downpours? Do you use a normal tarp as a ground cover?

I had a Lean 2 and a Lean 3. I absolutely loved them in spring and fall when there wasn't much precip or bugs. My summer accomodations was a BA Copper Spur 4. Well designed and well built. My brother has it now and also appreciates the design and workmanship. BA has many tents that appear to be identical. The main differences are the materials used in the floor, walls, and rain fly. Some have more screen mesh than others which are great in the summer when it's hot. I found the Copper Spur has a great balance for spring, summer, and fall. As far as a 4 vs. a 5, I've never seen a 5 set-up.

These are good tents. For a family I would pick the 5 person. You can never have too much room in a tent. Weight is not an issue with this many persons. It should be roomy, comfortable and reasonably light. Price is high but this tent should last a long time.

I swapped from the CSUL4 to the 5 last year when my both my kids turned 14 and 15. The extra room became mandatory and the weight was not too noticeable- especially since they are able to carry more each year.