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[Glide Boy]

My father in law is heading up to Alaska this summer and is going to ride to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.  He is needing a tent that has a very good rainfly and is easy to setup.  Does anyone have any experience with the new self erecting tents, or are they lame like they used to be?  He is looking for like a 2 man tent, but is not that great with setting up a tent.  He is definitely looking for a easy set up tent that will withstand the harsh Alaska weather.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Glide Boy

[2k]

I have used a Cabelas XPG Ultralight, which is not totally self-erecting but only has 2 cross poles and is very easy to put up. As rain/wind proof as a small tent can get. Don't know how much room he has, but I cut a piece of old boat canvas to fit the bottom and use it has a ground cover. Makes it a little more comfy & protects the tent. Think I paid $129, which aint the cheapest. I got caught in a real blow in Va. one year and stayed completely dry!!

[rganz]

In my experience I have not found a self erecting one that packs small enough to carry on my bike. The ones I looked at folded down to a 2 or 3 foot disc shaped package and were just not practical to carry.  I also ended up with a good 2 pole rig that is tiny (not cheap either) with aluminum  poles and it is fine.
Rob
 

[Mrs Rooster]

 Quick set up tents are the best IMHO. We have used one for years (12+) easy up and down and you are packed before the others have taken the poles out. Nothing is worse then someone setting up their tent by themself and trying to tread the poles...hitting your motorcycle with them or poking you in the face etc....My favorite is to watch someone setting up a new tent. We turn our chairs towards them and heckle them as they try and figure it out. Yes we laugh at others. 
 We have packed the tent on a Wide Glide, Road King, Ultra and have had no problems.   

[cvobiker]

Find an REI Outdoor store or go on-line and purchase any of their 2-4 man 'back packing' tents. (i use the half dome four man) These tents were designed for the rigorous mountain weather conditions and will hold up under any conditions your father in-law will come against in his Alaska road trip. These tent are extremely light and take up no space when rolled up. I've been using Backpacking gear for years on road trips and have found it all to be very dependable and amazed how small everything rolls up too. i also have an REI mummy sleeping bag which rolls up as small as the tent. I've slept it freezing weather and was still sweating inside that thing. Check out the attached site, i think you'll find what you need  

http://www.rei.com/category/4500457

[Mrs Rooster]

  REI   

[k9guy]

Check the April edition of Back Packer Magazine.  Editors Choice reviews on all camping equipment.  +1 on REI.  Cabela's is another option.  Good luck.

[dayne66]

Not sure if you have Mountain Equipment Co-Op there.....but they are good for light-weight stuff as well.

[Half_Crazy]

This sets up really really fast, comes with air conditioning, a hot shower, and a bed too.... fits right in your wallet....

[Glide Boy]

Just a little hard to use that credit card when you leave Fairbanks and there are no hotels for over a 900 mile round trip.  There is always a bad comedian in the bunch.

Glide Boyu

[Midnight Rider]

I've never been to Alaska, but I would assume you could possibly expect snow/ice no matter what time of year you go...especially as far North as he is going.  I used to backpack in the snow, and I can tell you that you MUST have a 4 season tent, as opposed to a 3 season, if you remotely expect wintery type weather, or extreme winds/rain.  With that in mind, I would look at REI for a 4 season, two man, backpacking type tent.  And I would expect to pay more than $250 for a quality tent made to withstand that kind of weather.  In that world, you really do get what you pay for...better poles, better stitching on all the seams, sealed seams, generally a vestibule (sp?) area under the rain fly to keep wet boots or other things you don't want in the tent with you.  It also doubles as a cooking area if it's bad weather outside.  With a couple of practice runs setting the tent up at home, it is really easy to set up today's dome style tents.  It also pays to get a heavy duty piece of poly, cut the size of the tent's bottom, to use as a ground cloth under the tent to keep abrasion down to a minimum, and also to keep the bottom of the tent floor clean.  REI probably has ground cloths for any given style/shape of tent already cut to fit.

Regarding sleeping bags:  Prime Goose Down is still the best insulator for the weight that there is...no man made product comes close.  It also packs down to a smaller size in the stuff sack...BUT, you MUST keep it dry at all times, otherwise it is useless.  If I were headed up there, I'd look for a mummy style bag rated to at least 15 degrees F...that will weigh about 2.5 to 3 lbs, and be half the size packed than a similarly rated bag with man made insulation, and about 2/3 the weight.  Again, expect to pay around $250 for a good Goose Down bag.

All I'm sayin' is that you generally get what you pay for with this type of stuff, and if he's going to be "out in the wilds", even if it is just off the road, it's not worth being miserable or putting your life in danger to save a few bucks. Been there, done that... He is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime...I envy him and hope that he gets lots of pictures to share.

[Keats]

The North Slope warmest month is July with average highs in the mid 50's and normal lows in the low 40's.
June and August being about 5 degrees lower in temperature.

I assume that is when he will be traveling due to the very harsh environment and terrible roads,

no need for super arctic equipment for that time of the year,

The roads are the bigger problem. lots of unpaved uneven surfaces.

really tough on paint.

need a beater for that trip.

[cvobiker]

This sets up really really fast, comes with air conditioning, a hot shower, and a bed too.... fits right in your wallet....

can you provide snapshot of the back of card,, need that three digit number on the back   

[141_starlifter]

I just saw in the may Outdoor magazine that North Face has a new tent with Drywall technology that keeps the condensation down. That is usually the biggest problem with light weight tents.

[sullyboo]

Tell him to take bear spray just in case.