Was studying my Eureka Timberline 2 today and realized it will be going on it's sixth trip this spring. I'm mostly happy with it and it's still in fine shape but I got to wondering how long people go with a tent before deciding to get a new one? I suppose the smart $ move is to wait until it leaks or is ripped or whatever but by then it's too late. I'm not thrilled with it's one door and the fact the zipper is buried in the corner of the tent everytime I need to open it up. Cost tells me to just keep using it but I'd like to hear opinions on how you judge time to replace the home away from home. I do like it's footprint size, durability, and the vestibule I attach.

My Eureka APEX has been going for nearly 15 years. It also goes around here too.

I recently replaced it with a Big Agnes Tent. And I also added a Marmot Limelite when I plan on having 3 in a tent.

If you thoroughly dry them out before using them the next time and pick them, right, they will last a good 20 years.

Later,

Geo

quote bapabear: "...I got to wondering how long people go with a tent before deciding to get a new one?"

when it starts leaking. you can only put bandaids on then. best to just move on.

I have an REI Mountain Hut 3 that I used for 23 years, just replaced it last summer.

I keep tents 2-3 years max and then sell while they are still fully functional to get some return om my original investment and apply that to a new tent. That way I don't have to get membership in the "Innie Crowd"

I have a Eureka Apex 2 that I've used about 10 times a year....bought in '01.No problems. Buy a new tent when you need to..not when you want to. Just my philosophy.

My ALPS Taurus is 10 yrs old, goes on 2-3 trips a year minimum. No real signs of wear yet, certainly no leaks!

I've added new tents to get something lower weight or better suited to a particular set of conditions, but haven't actually gotten rid of one yet. The oldest is 15 years and still fully functional. Either leaking or a catastrophic event like a tree falling on it would probably be the two lines in the sand.

I have had my tent for 15 trips and it is still in great shape. I have sprayed it with Nikwax gear solarproofing on the fly and floor. helps restore the waterproofing characteristics.

I still have my Eureka Timberline 4 from back 20 yrs ago and it's still fine although I've hardly use it in the past 10-15 yrs as it's way too heavy for bping.

quote h20: Buy a new tent when you need to..not when you want to. Just my philosophy."

Why didn't you tell me that years ago - My tent collection is totally out of control. And, I am looking at - hoping for - a new one to add to the stable this spring.

One tent of mine went 12 years before it was no longer waterproof on the floor. I have had zippers fail early on in the life of a tent. I would say when in doubt, toss it out. You can always use it for the kids to play in the back yard or use as a loner for someone who does not own one. Better than nothing.

I'm guessing that many of us replace tents because we WANT to more than NEED to.

Tent longevity depends on several factors; tent quality and the frequency and location(s) of usage. Yes I know that’s somewhat of a “duh” statement.

During the 1970’s and early 1980’s, I almost exclusively used a Eureka Timberline 4 for canoe-tripping and a Eureka Catskill for Backpacking. (The Catskill was just a basic nylon “Pup Tent” with a rain fly.)

I loved the classic Timberline design. Unfortunately we’d wear them out within a few years. When not canoe-tripping in Quetico-Superior country, we’d be canoe-camping on the Lower Wisconsin River several times a year.

The Lower Wisconsin River is primarily sand bars and beaches. The problem was mainly with the nylon zippers, which took a beating with being used on the sandy and gritty Lower Wisconsin River. Aside from replacing the zippers, we needed to retreat the tent floor for waterproofness after a few years as well.

In the early to mid-80’s, I upgraded to a North Face VE-23, VE-25, and eventually a Tadpole 23 for solo tripping. I found the North Face tents were much more durable. This is especially true of the VE-25, which featured stainless steel zippers. (These were the original Berkeley, California manufactured North Face tents.) The aforementioned tents are roughly thirty years old and still going strong.

A few years ago, I replaced my North Face Tadpole 23 with a newer version of the Tadpole 23. The upgrade was mostly due to the fact I wanted taped seams and the “Quick Pitch System”, which my older, lavender 80’s version lacked.

I still own the older lavender Tadpole 23 and borrow it to friends who occasionally are in need of a smaller, lighter tent.

Hans Solo

I have a rack full of tents in different sizes and brands- (Timberline Outfitter 2-4-6, Taj, Sierra Design, REI, Marmot) they have been used well over the years but I just can't sell them - or even give them away. They are like old friends - each with great memories of past adventures.

ok, so I am really a gear junky hoarder trying to romanticize my tent collection.

I think that a tent that is used 7-10 days a year and stored in a cool dry location would normally have a good 8-10 years of useful life. That being said if you are a true "Tent Aficionado" you should be looking for your next tent as soon as you have purchased your last one. Lighter, more floor space, and easier set-up are always something look for. Once you have picked out 2 or 3 new prospects you can "kick the tires" and watch for sales and be ready to jump on the best deal.

I have a 15 year old Mountain Hardware Room for 3 tent that has seen >250 nights in the bush. I have never sealed the seams, applied a waterproofer, or used a ground cloth with it. Bone dry and not a single thing wrong with it.

I am looking to upgrade, however...

Winner

I think most tent/shelter purchases are upgrades to accommodate changing camping styles as opposed to tent failure. If you take reasonable care a quality shelter will last for decades of use. I have a few that old in the garage and still use them.

butthead

a tent that has been used 6 times is almost new.

quote butthead: "I think most tent/shelter purchases are upgrades to accommodate changing camping styles as opposed to tent failure. If you take reasonable care a quality shelter will last for decades of use. I have a few that old in the garage and still use them.

butthead"

I agree 100%

Hans Solo

I found a trekker two man tent in the bargain cave at cabelas for 45 dollars. 8 years later it still gets used and was one of the best purchases I have made over the years.

my personal experience has been that after 15 years the rain flies start to delaminate and get a gummy feel to them

My Eureka Timberline is over twenty years old and, doing just fine. Of course, since I switched to hammocks, the tent only gets used for beach camping these days.

I just replaced my 20 year old Eureka with a new Eureka ! The old one did not leak yet, but time to retire or pass it on to a new explorer!

When I like a tent I now buy a 2nd, or even 3rd rain fly. My old tent is going on 16 years, my 'new' tent about 12. They are in great shape, but I have started to think about when they will need to be retired.

I have a standard Eureka Timberline, 2 person tent that I purchased in 1986. For 15 years, it was set up and taken down nearly every day of the summer! I still use it on solo trips.

I use a Eureka Sentinel 4 for my spring, fall and winter trips, it it at least 20 years old, and has been used in some nasty conditions. I have no plans of replacing it in the near future.

I also have several other Eureka Timberlines (4 person and a 6 person). They have been used many many times, and are showing some wear but by no means are they needing to be replaced.

My advice to you is this, take care of your tents and they will last a lifetime! Make sure that they are cleaned after each trip, and put them on the clothesline to dry. Dont' roll them tight for storage, but instead fold them in 1/4's and place on the shelf. If they get a rip in them on a trip, DO NOT use duct tape to patch! Instead by a roll of Nylon Repair Tape (K-Tape). A seamstress and sew a permenant repair on that without gumming up their machines!

I've found that if I buy quality gear in the first place, and then do the little things to take care of it and maintain it.. that most of these items last longer than it takes for me to want to upgrade.. no other reason than to try out something new! I have a bibler tent that has been used about 2-3 weeks a year for the past 12 years and has faded slightly but works fine. Also a Mtn Hardwear Light Wedge that's probably 8 years old, has about 50 nights in it and that one is doing great too! Biggest threat to tents (that you can't easily patch) is UV damage I would say.

I've had my Moss tent for 15 years and it is going strong.

When I bought it, I also bought some Tent Sure water-based urethane for re-coating, should it need it--which it doesn't, yet.

Has anybody used Tent Sure, and can it actually extend the life of a tent once the waterproofing starts to go?

I used a Timberline 4 for 10 years, one monthly weekend and one week long summer camp w/the scouts. replaced the zippers once. It died when I let my son take it a couple of times. Replaced it with a Timberline outfitter about 10 years ago. still going strong. (My son doesn't get to use this one.)

I have a timber line 4 man must be 15 years old now use it a couple week long trips a summer. I see no need to replace it still going strong.

If you accumulate enough tents and you rotate them for your trips depending on group size (or mood), each tent might only get used every couple of years and if they're decent quality and dried out after every use you could have them for decades!

My LL Bean Ultralight3, I purchased it in 1994 and it's still in great shape.

quote bapabear: "Was studying my Eureka Timberline 2 today and realized it will be going on it's sixth trip this spring. I'm mostly happy with it and it's still in fine shape but I got to wondering how long people go with a tent before deciding to get a new one? I suppose the smart $ move is to wait until it leaks or is ripped or whatever but by then it's too late. I'm not thrilled with it's one door and the fact the zipper is buried in the corner of the tent everytime I need to open it up. Cost tells me to just keep using it but I'd like to hear opinions on how you judge time to replace the home away from home. I do like it's footprint size, durability, and the vestibule I attach.

"

I had a timberline 4 person and bought it in about 1970. Got over 30 years of hard use,did re-waterproof the floor.
Got a new timberline about 6 years ago and maybe it is just me,but brought this up before on a thread,I think the quality is not as good as years ago.
I mainly us a LLBean tent and very happy with it.