Side Tents

[jerry101jlh]

Downside is size and price, almost 300 for a shower tent a bit much in my opinion.

They are actually pretty popular & were originally developed as a result of requests for place to stand & dress along with a place for a porta potty. If you are wanting a full size tent, there are already plenty of large manufactured SUV type tents available that will work with a teardrop.

Also, these are not mass produced in China...handmade by a gal in Wisconsin, so the price isn't out of line.

Betsey

Although I along with many others would like to see more products produced here in the US it is unlikely to happen if manufacturers here are not competitive in price. I'm not discounting the quality or popularity of any item, but am pointing out it is approximately $200 more than most units in its size range.

[Betsey]

Although I along with many others would like to see more products produced here in the US it is unlikely to happen if manufacturers here are not competitive in price. I'm not discounting the quality or popularity of any item, but am pointing out it is approximately $200 more than most units in its size range.

I agree. Unfortunately, prices often depend on the size of the company and the product produced. A large manufacturer will purchase larger quantities of materials for a much lower price. A small manufacturer or individual will not have the capital or storage to do the same, so will pay higher prices for smaller quantities of materials. In addition, if the product is specialized, it will not be produced in the vast numbers that a more generic product may be produced, which will also affect the price.

There are so many more tent type options available today than there were even 5 years ago. Over the years, the side tent question has come up numerous times, across all teardrop forums and the variety of responses have also been numerous. While what meets the needs for one may not meet the needs of another, it is interesting to see all the varieties in use and everyone is able to find something that works for them, whether they purchase, modify, have one made or make it themselves.

Betsey

[jmedclay]

Downside is size and price, almost 300 for a shower tent a bit much in my opinion.

They are actually pretty popular & were originally developed as a result of requests for place to stand & dress along with a place for a porta potty. If you are wanting a full size tent, there are already plenty of large manufactured SUV type tents available that will work with a teardrop.

Also, these are not mass produced in China...handmade by a gal in Wisconsin, so the price isn't out of line.

Betsey

$300 for the Camp Inn side tent sounds like a very reasonable price to me, particularly for a low volume production item that isn't made in a country with wages & living standards for factory workers that are far lower than our own. The instant Camp Inn starts offering them with for-sure no-see-um netting I'll order one for our trailer; in a heartbeat.

I see the price as totally reasonable.

[Big Dan]

If you want to fend off the foul weather. You might want something like this. They will work on the side as well. I love this setup. easy in and out, good standup room. storm proof.

[jerry101jlh]

If you want to fend off the foul weather. You might want something like this. They will work on the side as well. I love this setup. easy in and out, good standup room. storm proof.

What brand/model is that SUV tent you have?

[jerry101jlh]

Downside is size and price, almost 300 for a shower tent a bit much in my opinion.

They are actually pretty popular & were originally developed as a result of requests for place to stand & dress along with a place for a porta potty. If you are wanting a full size tent, there are already plenty of large manufactured SUV type tents available that will work with a teardrop.

Also, these are not mass produced in China...handmade by a gal in Wisconsin, so the price isn't out of line.

Betsey

$300 for the Camp Inn side tent sounds like a very reasonable price to me, particularly for a low volume production item that isn't made in a country with wages & living standards for factory workers that are far lower than our own. The instant Camp Inn starts offering them with for-sure no-see-um netting I'll order one for our trailer; in a heartbeat.

I see the price as totally reasonable.

It's solely a case of whether the buyer perceives the value of what is offered. In the current market with the disposable dollars most have dwindling, sales of any item driven more by price than quality. Not true for all of course. If one feels it's a fair price, buy it. If one feels the perceived better construction, materials, whatever better and worth the extra money, buy it.

[Shadow Catcher]

The Camp Inn side tent is made by Paha Que and they can make it however you want it. Quality is a factor our side tarps are Kelty the rear tarp is Paha Que which is superior in fabric and they have a life time warranty. I will eventually have them make a side tarp shower/potty combo, could just be an enclosure that zips to the side tarp.

[Otto13]

I went all in and got an OZ (4) tent. In ideal conditions it's great. However, while in Death Valley our OZ snapped like a twig in a gust of wind. Not talking heavy winds...just a gust. OZ Tent people did NOT stand behind their tent. I had to spend another $189.00 for a replacement frame. They sent me an OZ-5 frame and NOT an OZ-4 frame. After a full day of trying to make it work, Randy (OZ America rep) questioned whether I knew how to read a ruler because he "personally put the correct frame in the box"...I had to pay shipping for the new frame as well.

I repackaged the frame and mailed it back to OZ and lo and behold...T'was the wrong size! Randy never contacted me after the return but he did have his secretary send me an email telling me that I indeed received the wrong size frame.

Now the Oz tent sits in a Thule holder on the teardrop's roof and we us a Wal Mart awning with a privacy tarp on one side...all for under $200.00.

Sorry for the rant but in my humble opionion, Oz makes an inferior product. An $80 Coleman holds up better...

Otto

ps...love my teardrop!

[Big Dan]

If you want to fend off the foul weather. You might want something like this. They will work on the side as well. I love this setup. easy in and out, good standup room. storm proof.

What brand/model is that SUV tent you have?

Its a Sport 10X10 suv tent But you can unhook it and drive away it works as a stand alone tent too. two weeks ago I got hit with some major rain and everything stayed dry. I took my gally out and I use the rear for my main entrance. door to the tent can be on the side or in the back.or both for ventilation.

[jerry101jlh]

[/quote]What brand/model is that SUV tent you have?[/quote]
Its a Sport 10X10 suv tent But you can unhook it and drive away it works as a stand alone tent too. two weeks ago I got hit with some major rain and everything stayed dry. I took my gally out and I use the rear for my main entrance. door to the tent can be on the side or in the back.or both for ventilation.[/quote]

Ran a search and can't find it, but my curiosity is how open is it with the privacy curtains up? We want something more screen room like for the rear of the tear, but something open, yet screened, that allows maximum air flow. Most I've seen are very tent like, not open like a screen room.

[iplay10us2]

Why not get the First Up and add the screen sides and the wind curtains? I have this and like the option of the screen sides for air flow, and the wind curtains for privacy.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=15904161&findingMethod=rr

http://www.walmart.com/ip/First-Up-10-x-10-Wind-Curtain-Tan/8486791 Temp. out of stock.

[Betsey]

The Camp Inn side tent is made by Paha Que and they can make it however you want it.

You are mistaken...the Camp-Inn side tent is not, nor has it ever been, made by Paha-Que...it is made by a retired seamstress in Wisconsin.

Betsey

[Big Dan]

Go to google then click on images then serch for suv tents. then take your pick. there are several on the market.

[k1w1cruzer]

my reason for suggesting a look at oz tent was not to buy but to use the idea behind it and design your own set up. I have always found that no one ever has exactly what you need but if you take ideas from several different sources you can often come up with a unique design that does everything YOU want. I have done this often and now my 4x4 sports a universal awning that fits both sides of my truck, a rear awning as well. I'm not very clever in the inventing things area but give me a piece of gear and I'll make a copy of it or an improved version in no time flat

[schaney]

At the end of the day, weigh the trade-offs and figure out what works for you.

Keep in mind, Droid was asking for examples / input on making one. I have a different philosophy than some when it comes to DIY. IMHO if it's only about how cheap or I can't afford what I really want, you may not have the most rewarding DIY experience. Now if you are mechanically inclined, get satisfaction from making things with your own two hands and want it tailored to your needs / spec, DIY is a great way to good. You'll save money and normally end up with something much better than a "disposable" product from Walmart.