User Review: Eureka! Timberline Outfitter 6

Eureka! Timberline Outfitter 6
Above: The current Timberline Outfitter 6, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 31, 2005 by Pierre

Rating:
Design: (3.5 season) Freestanding A Frame
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: 22(?) pounds
Price Paid: $299

I have purchased (and returned) an (Eddie Bauer family dome tent -- flimsy zippers, and weak floor) and a (Coleman family 3 room--everyone tripping over the lines and not easy to set up). The Eureka Timberline Outfitter 6 took me 10 minutes to set up (I'm 5'5") and held up well to 6 kids (5-10 years old) romping around inside even if the inflatable mattress did not--the 6 1/2 foot ceiling encourages jumping.
When one of the kids fell on the tent -- full weight (60 pounds)to my horror-- against the wall from the outside, it held up without any problem with the rainfly staked down and prevented injury--A new use for a tent, however not recommended. The floor, albeit taped instead of tub and with a tarp underneath, held up well to gravel and hiking boots (for 15 minutes) before we told the first time lil campers to take their shoes off first.
Despite the kid's best attempts, the zippers stayed intact and were easy to unjam. (Kids seem to know just how to jam the zippers every time, despite often catching on the covering flaps which did not fray or tear).
Warm soapy water took out chocolate fingerprints and marshmallow that was melted to the front door screen. There was no condensation within the tent when all flaps were closed when the external ambient temperature went down to 34 degrees.
The only issue I had with the tent was that the stakes provided were hard to pound into a gravel base campsite--I used some metal stakes instead and everything was fine. Takedown time from pulling the first stake to getting it neatly in the bag -- 7 minutes. Good materials, easy setup, durable, sturdy and well worth the money.