I think this Coleman tent sells for $50 or so. I have been though several storms with it and never a drop of water.
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Is that a little doggie door?

 

Yea, I don't know - for ventilation maybe.

 

In that price neighbohood it looks like alot of good REI options, and the nemo tents are awesome, but if i ever spring for one, i am going for an air beam unit.

 

I use to camp with a North Face Foundation 4 that was plenty roomy and tall enough to stand up in.............until I got caught in a thunderstorm with winds in the 40-60 mph range. Stayed up all night trying to hold it down and wound up with the poles so twisted in the morning I couldn't get them apart. Decided to give up some heigth for a better wind proof tent and bought a Big Agnes Gore Pass 3. Sturdy, waterproof, big vestibules and well made. Best fly design for attaching to the tent I ever saw. It attaches at 8 points, not just 4 like most others. The fly makes the tent extremely sturdy. Even the tent stakes are better than most others.
I also use this cot, it's expensive but it's better than any air mattress or foam pad. Quick and easy to setup and take down. No air compressors, no rolling the air out of a pad, just simple, quick and the best nights sleep you'll ever have on the ground.
http://luxurylite.com/cotindex.html

 

Update - 4 years later
I ended up purchasing the MEC Camper 2 from Mountain Equipment Co-op here in Canada. It's like REI.
http://www.mec.ca/product/5027-694/m...30+50818+50858
In the 4 years I've had this tent, I've slept approximately 50-60 nights in it, between bike trips and regular camping.

It has been amazing. I'm 6'2", 280lbs and have plenty of room for all my gear inside too.
No major downpours to test it with yet, but the few medium strength rainy nights have been bone dry.
1 flaw - it has very weak ventilation. The rain fly is full length to the ground with only 2 small vents at the top.

Hope this helps someone.

 

When I used to go to Sturgis I always took 2 cheap *** tents... one for me & one for the stuff. Never got wet in pounding rain & hail. When I left the campground I just left them there.

More room for packing T-shirts home.

 

http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-li...-and-gear-loft

I have one of these, has been to South Dakota and back trip up to the UP also.

 

Walmart has a Ozark Trail 5x7 for $29.99 Orange
Just as important Intex twin mattress 15.97 Blue
And a 120 volt air pump for a good nite sleep 13.70

 

How do you get 120V when camping in all situations? I made a cigarette lighter plug off om my battery (direct with an inline fuse) using a 2 pole plug from Pepboys for $2.00.



I use it to also plug in other accessories as well. I purchased a 12V cheap air pump to fill up air mattresses. You must have your motorcycle running as a pump will drain your battery & there is no kick-start any longer.