These are simple fast steps that can be done super quick during set up. I purchased this tent at a local Wal-mart prior to going on a dirt biking trip with friends in March. For those who don’t know, March in Colorado ozark trail sun shelter means sudden snowstorms and REALLY cold nights in the mountains (even though the days are warm). You unfold all the poles and make sure to extend them out. Extending them was the part that took us a bit to figure out.
I also rain tested my Coleman Sundome Tents, and I have the regular 6-person version, the 6-Person Dark Room version, and also the Elite 6-Person version. All these tents were able to stay dry for about 30 to 35 minutes of heavy pouring rain. Ease of setup (how easy it is to pitch and take down a tent) is pretty much always a high mark for Ozark Trail tents. These tents are built for first-time and/or fairweather campers, so Ozark Trail puts a lot of effort into making them easy to use.
I’ve had great luck with the Ozark chairs, sleeping pads, and other basic camping items. These products are overpriced at name brand stores like REI. You are buying the idea of being some cool, unique, outdoor person. ozark trail sleeping bag The type of guy that would list hiking as a hobby on his dating profile. The legs are locked into place with old school metal push button locks, something you won’t see on many modern pop up tents now-a-days.
Simply type the product you want to compare and find the cheapest superstore. Unfortunately, Shad Shack tents are no longer sold. If you don’t mind, I will ask you further questions about the Bahamas. If you KNOW it’s going to rain more than 48 hours continuous, stretch out a tarp over the top of it, as the rainfly only holds up to 48 hours of continuous rain before you start seeing leaks.
I don’t know why they didn’t put a straight zipper in the center with two straight zippers across the bottom. That design would probably be more durable long term. Ozark Trail has re-innovated its sun shelter models since the 2080 model, made prior to 2011. The newer generations include a Model W418.1A 8-foot-by-6-foot sun shelter with two poles that slide through pockets. The other model, the Ozark Trail 8-foot-by-8-foot Instant Sun Shade, is an unfolding model with its tent poles attached.
In the morning we woke up to a STILL warm tent (grill still running of course) and 20 inches of snow on the ground and about 10 inches still on the tent. Tapped tent walls and snow slid right off the dome. That day it all melted and tent stayed dry inside while the fabric dried very quickly. Wind was now blowing at a constant 30mph and snow driving HARD. Lit the propane grill inside the tent and soon the tent was warm enough to take off our jackets.
To set up the 8-foot-by-6-foot sun shelter, spread the canopy out on the ground with the pole sleeves facing up. Each section of pole is permanently connected to the other by elastic cord, eliminating the time needed to figure out which piece goes where. An Ozark Trail Sun Shelter weighs as little as 4.8 pounds, making it easy to carry with you on your next outdoor adventure.
After my rain test, I found that my Coleman Instant Tents, I have both the 10-Person and 4-Person versions, were able to stay dry for about 10 minutes under heavy rain. I’ve camped in lots of Coleman tents over the past few years, and even an Ozark Trail Cabin 10-Person tent, and here are my thoughts on both brands. If you’re looking to save money but still want that cabin tent experience, the Ozark Trail 10-Person Two-Room Cabin is tough to beat. If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks (emphasis on few), the Ozark Trail 9-Person Cabin with a screen room gives some added livability at a similar price point. The three-room cabin is definitely one of Ozark Trail’s more expensive models though, so if you’re shopping on a budget, there are plenty of other models worth considering. The Clip & Camp dome is particularly affordable, and also happens to be one of the most dependable models the brand currently makes.
The Ozark Trail Yurt gets high marks for its overall interior space with 169 square feet of floor room and ceilings over 7 feet tall at their peak. That’s plenty of room for two queen mattresses with room left over for some chairs, a cooler, and a camp table. Speaking of camp tables Ozark Trail actually includes a small table with this shelter, which mounts at the base of the main support pole to make the most of the tent’s interior space. The table includes four large hanging mesh pockets at its sides, which, along with the multiple pockets found along the walls of the Ozark Trail Yurt, make storage and organization another high point of the tent.
Again, Ozark Trail tents are mainly fair weather camping tents (so you won’t be hiking into the backcountry with them) which means weight and packed size aren’t a big priority. The Ozark Trail 9 Person Cabin shares the same shortcomings as the other discount cabins found in the Ozark Trail lineup, most notably being its weather protection and durability. We also don’t recommend this tent for high winds because although all the poles are steel, Ozark Trail uses a thin-walled alloy that can bend under stress and plastic hubs that we wouldn’t trust in serious storms. As far as fairweather shelters go, however, this one may be the best value in terms of livability for your money.