Beware of Coleman Tents

[kwildman]

Coleman tents (and most other brands) vary in quality based on what you want to spend. They have some really good top end stuff but also make cheapo tents for walmart and dick's, etc. Check out their exponent line.

In general, i would never buy a tent that did not have a full rain fly and aluminum poles regardless of manufacturer.

Alps makes taurus models w/ aluminum poles so i would order aluminum replacements. The Taurus are very good tents and I would highly recommend them to anyone.

The best resource for all tent parts is a company called North Pole. The make about 90% of all the tents manufactured and parts for everything. They have an excellent support staff and you can tell them what you need and they will know what parts fit your tent. Their web site is http://www.northpoleltd.com/

[wagionvigil]

I have an ALPS extreme 3 which I realy like. It is easy up and keeps me dry on OA weekends. But is is not a Backpacking tent. I have a Colman exponent 2 which I use for Lightweight backpacking and It has never failed me. I do have a problem getting in and out somtimes ( my problem not the tents) and there is only room in the tent for you and the sleeping bag. Actually Backpacker Magazine listed the Exponent as a best buy several year ago.

[WVBeaver05]

In general, i would never buy a tent that did not have a full rain fly and aluminum poles regardless of manufacturer.

Just curious - why aluminum only? You aren't the first person that I know that has had that opinion, but I have had and seen many more problems with aluminum poles than fiberglass. (Especially in high winds.)

YiS

[Mrw]

I have had several tents with fiberglass poles, where the poles have cracked or split during use and needed to be splinted to keep the tent up. I have also has aluminum poles get bent, but I have had far fewer issues with aluminum. The fibergalss is much heavier too, if you need to carry your equipment very far.

[FrankJ]

I think mainly aluminum is lighter. Backpacking tents are optimized for lightness not durability. They have a life. Hard use in an active troop might be 3-4 years. Even the four season expedition style tents are not designed for bodies to fall into them. Past a point the more expensive the tent the more fragile (&lighter).

[wagionvigil]

If ya want a tent that will last and last then ya go back to canvas.
I have an Old BSA I Think it was called a "Scoutmaster" tent from my father. It is 40 years old and could still be used.
Good luck backpacking with it

[kwildman]

In general, i would never buy a tent that did not have a full rain fly and aluminum poles regardless of manufacturer.

Just curious - why aluminum only? You aren't the first person that I know that has had that opinion, but I have had and seen many more problems with aluminum poles than fiberglass. (Especially in high winds.)

YiS

As others have stated mostly due to weight but also because I feel they are more durable than fiberglass. I have had both types break but aluminum are easier to field repair. I cant think of any modern 3.5 or 4 season tents that use fiberglass poles. These tents need to be able to support snow. We have aluminum poles on all of our troop tents and have not had any problems with them.

[fritz1255]

Almost any tent you buy now is made in China. The quality of the components depends entirely on which sub-sub-sub contractor they were using that week. Brand names and designs change monthly, and parts are often unavailable, as you have discovered.

If you are willing to pay a lot, you will get slightly better quality merchandise along with excellent customer service. Thse companies will usually replace what breaks for free, no questions asked.

Our Troop use Eureka equipment - not top of the line, but more expensive than Coleman. Their product lines stay pretty much constant, and replacement poles are available for a very reasonable price. They offer a Scout discount, or at least they did the last time I bought replacement poles.

[RMM]

I am looking for some replacement pools for some Eureka tents. Who do you contact?

[fritz1255]

My recollection is that I looked them up on the internet. Try this link: http://www.eurekatent.com/customer_support.aspx

[deweylure]

If eureka can not help there are some manufactures that will make the pole for you. Try Easton aluminum products the makers of aluminum arrows and bats and poles etc. just google it up. I thought I remembered seeing a post in the hgh adventure posts or camping posts on this forum check it out.

Deweylure