(We were stubborn and didn’t look at the instructions.) Once you identify the front and back, the process is straightforward. The fly goes up and over the tent body, covering only the upper half of the mesh dome, and then forms the glorious vestibule with the aid of a third pole. Use the extra stakes and guy-lines provided to stabilize the vestibule as much as you need. After researching 30 six-person tents and testing 15 side by side on a total of five trips, we chose the Kelty Wireless 6 as the best entry-level camping tent for most families.
Like the Mineral King 3, the Tungsten 4 has a mesh canopy, though the opaque polyester part of its walls go higher, and provide more privacy, than the Mineral King’s. Its tape-seamed bathtub floor and fly had no problem handling rain. The Tungsten’s fly is not adaptable in the same way the Mineral King 3’s is, but it is treated for extra UV protection, which should help lengthen the tent’s lifespan. Though ozark trail canopy tent the Wireless’s fly kept water out of the tent’s interior, it took longer to fully dry once the rain stopped than some others we tested. If you don’t have time to let the fly dry before you pack the Wireless in its duffle, we recommend laying it out when you get home so it doesn’t mildew in storage. Many truck tents are designed to be versatile and compatible with different vehicle types, including SUVs.
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek Deluxe Shower Tent is handy and versatile. The hook at the top holds a 5-gallon shower bag and the mesh at the bottom perimeter ensures water drains properly. An exterior towel rack provides a place to keep your things dry while showering and an ideal place to hang your wet towel. A shelf and storage pockets keep your toiletries off the floor. The Ozark Trail Deluxe Shower Tent can also be used as a changing station or a lavatory.
The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. The fly is equally simple to attach and orient with color-coded clips. This type of pole tends to be less flexible and bulkier than pricier aluminum, and it can be a pain to handle. Underneath the fly, the Mineral King 3 has a full mesh dome with a waterproof, tape-seamed bathtub-style polyester floor. The tent doors are nearly wall-sized, and after you unzip them, you simply stuff them into pockets, rather than having to roll and toggle-tie the fabric.
The directions were very detailed and are attached to the tent storage bag so you never misplace them. But it’s one of the least expensive tents we found that had no significant drawbacks and will truly cover your bases for three-season camping. The tent also comes with its own footprint, a groundsheet that protects the tent from abrasion, which we recommend that you have. A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather. The structure is freestanding, but you have 10 steel stakes included for the tent and for the fly, together with all necessary guylines.
The key is to ensure that the tent’s size and shape match your SUV’s dimensions and that it can securely attach to your vehicle. Some SUV tents may have specific requirements or adapters to fit SUVs, so it’s essential to check the product specifications and instructions to confirm compatibility. It’s constructed from durable 185T polyester with sturdy fiberglass poles for lasting quality. Even with its roomy dimensions, it remains impressively lightweight at 22.5 pounds, so it’s easy to transport and compact to store.
Zippered doors can enclose the vestibule fully, so it serves as a separate room for the tent, or you can leave one or both open, so the vestibule can act like a porch or mudroom. The main tent body has a giant front door that’s oriented to make entry and exit easy for all the tent’s occupants at ozark trail shower tent night, and a smaller back window that doubles as a second door. Our only quibble with the Mineral King 3 is that it comes with only six stakes. (Our runner-up pick comes with eight.) Six is enough to secure the tent and fly but not to fully secure the tent’s extra lines in very windy conditions.
It can easily attach to an SUV or minivan, providing a convenient versatile shelter extension, but it also works as a free-standing dome tent. If you choose not to attach it to your vehicle, you still benefit from two separate entries, offering easy access for everyone. I was particularly impressed with its durable and weather-resistant materials.