Wenger Adler 17- by 15-Foot 3-Room 11-Person Family Cabin Dome Tent

Gather up the gang and head to the great outdoors with the comfortably spacious Wenger Appenzell three-family dome-style tent, which can comfortably sleep up to 11 people and divides into three rooms. It also features large zip-down walls that turn the tent into a screenhouse--perfect for hot summer afternoons. The rooms are created by simply closing the sewn-in divider curtains. It has a base measurement of 17 by 15 feet, 193 square foot area, and 80-inch center height. It has a polyester taffeta with double pass polyurethane coating tent body and a sonic-sealed polyethylene floor. The tent also includes an embossed rip-stop fly with quick-release buckles.

The Climate Control venting system allows for hotter air to escape and cooler air to enter the tent for more comfortable sleeping. The mud mat attaches to the ground in front of the door to help keep your tent floor clean. A number of storage options will keep your gear out of the way, including a gear loft organizer and e-port for electrical cord access. The frame is composed of shock-corded fiberglass poles that are color-coded for quick assembly. When packed up, the tent weighs 33 pounds, and can be easily toted around in the included zippered carry duffel.

Manufacturer's Warranty
Ten-year warranty

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Customer Review: Great tent! Would recommend!
We have a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 small children) and we were looking for a big tent. As soon as we got the tent we set it up and noticed that you really need two people to put it up with ease as the front and back keep falling in if no one supports the frame. Also, be careful witht the plastic tent clips that fasten to the tent poles. I already broke one trying to take it off and I'm afraid it won't be the last. The angle and force you have to use to open it makes it easy to snap it. Unfortunately once it breaks it really can't be repaired. I'm thinking I might have to buy a metal clip of some sort to repair it. Overall, the tent size is incredible and I think we will have fun.
Customer Review: Huge tent!
This tent is huge. It is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. Which is probably good because we want a couple more kids. My husband was pretty excited to be able to stand up in the tent! He's 6ft 2in. Over all we like it and plan to use it a lot! In fact we are going camping this weekend! The only thing is when I read 'dome' in the title I didn't realize that it seriously meant a circle! I thought from the photo it was an oblong tent, but it is round with 3 doors.

As we start the new camping season its always good to review some tips on keeping dry. Nothing makes a campout more unbearable than getting your gear all soggy! Although most people camp during the summer months when its warm and dry there are times during the season when you will get rain. But, fear not! Here are some tips to staying dry that I have learned from my 25+ years camping with the Boy Scouts.

TIP #1

Did you use seam sealer on your tent? Remember to seal all tent seams on an annual basis. Purchase some fresh sealer from a sporting goods or camping store. During your first outing in the spring, re-seal all your seams with a liberal amount of sealer.

TIP #2

Are you putting a ground sheet or cloth under your tent when you camp? Its not just enough to put the ground sheet under the tent, youve got to tuck the edges under the tent so when it rains the water will not collect on the ground sheet and run under the tent. :-(

So, if your rain fly is installed correctly, the seam sealer holding and the ground sheet properly tucked under the tent you should be go to go! at least from moisture getting into your tent.

TIP #3

When inside the tent during a rainstorm, make sure your gear, sleeping bags, mattress, etc. are not touching the tent walls. Why? Well, the tent walls and rain fly are designed to deflect the water droplets off the tent and onto the ground. If you upset this design by putting your pack, sleeping bag or other gear against the wall, water will pool and soak through the tent wall!

I learned this the hard way! I was in a small tent and didnt realize that my sleeping bag was resting against the tent wall. During the night it rained and I slept through it. In the morning I had a wet spot at the foot of my sleeping bag and a puddle on the floor of my tent. :-(

TIP #4

When you enter the tent after being out in the rain, take off your wet clothes and put them in a corner or at the front of your tent with your wet shoes. Some tents have a small vestibule that is ideal for this. By using this tip, you will localize all your wet gear and keep the other gear dry.

TIP #5

Bring rain gear or a poncho. Ya, I know that sounds pretty obvious, but youd be surprised at how many campers are ill prepared for rain. You can get a $2 poncho at Target that will keep most of the rain out. I have a lightweight rain suit, top and pants that I found to be a lifesaver a number of times. In a pinch, you can take a large, green garbage bag; cut three holes in it for your head and arms and it will keep you dry too! I know, my son does it all the time. Hes so fashionable! :-)

If you are prepared and follow these Tips you can enjoy even the most inclement of camping days. It can be fun to be inside the tent play a card game or reading a good book while you listen to the pitter, patter of the rain on your tent. Make some hot chocolate, tea or soup and enjoy!

Tim Dales, author of Discover the Secrets of Family Camping Without Breaking the Bank! reveals the tips and techniques that he has learned from over 25 years of camping and hiking as a Boy Scout, camping with his own family and as a Scoutmaster, leading Scouts on campouts. This book is chock full of camping secrets that will make any campout a success. For more information go to: http://www.thecampingguy.com

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go the Boy Scouts of America to assist with their great Scouting programs around the world.