Eureka! Wind River 2
The Wind River 2 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.
First time out at 11 thousand feet I had a thunderstorm with freezing rain cover the tent with ice. We stayed dry. I have been car camping many times since. Unfortunately after 25 years of use the sealer on the nylon gave way and it leaked. I have the pole set if anyone has a less used tent.
Pros
- If stacked out it is good in wind
- Clips make setting up a snap
- Two doors give good airflow in the heat
Cons
- The poles are heavy and I had one break. Replaced it with an generic pole and it was fine. I used a Dremel cut off wheel to cut to it to length.
Four-person tent. Easy to set up. Always dry, even in heavy rain.
Background
Can be pitched in the dark without a flashlight. Been through a high winds thunderstorm, with a Texas tornado a few miles away. Always stayed dry for its 25 years of heavy use. Last time I used it, it leaked, time to retire. I am getting a Eureka El Capitan 4-Person Tent $379.95 It is similar and has aluminum poles. I'll be 80 when this one wears out.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $280
Loved the tent. How can you rehab it and clean it? Was bought new, used around five times many moons ago. Former assistant scoutmaster till my knee got blown out in 1990s. I had the knee replaced finally a few years back. The tent cost me $300-350 new.
I have come down with "camping fever." Like to listen to hf radio and dx'er too.
Pros
- Built like a tank
- Plenty of room too for just one :)
- Can stand up to the wind and rain too :)
Cons
- Nothing
The customer service folks were able to get me some information about the tent. They answered my e-mail in just a few days. That is real customer service.
Can't wait to set it up again, and get it ready for use. Think I've got to seam seal it and possibly patch the floor on both sides here and there.
Where can buy an attic for this tent, and footprint and a cover for the tent floor inside? Somewhere cheap?
And any ideas for light inside the tent and a standalone fan setup in case it gets hot inside?
Please advise. I'm in the SF Bay area and on a budget $$.
Thanks
Darryl
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $300-350 new
Unfortunately the Wind River model has been discontinued. Mine is about 25 years old, and hasn't been used in many years. Back problems curtailed sleeping on the ground.
Other than my physical ailments, this tent has served me well. Upon inspection right now, it looks like it could go for another 25 years. I'll be a great backyard tent for travel camping. A bit heavy for serious backpacking, but it would sure hold up for you.
Pros
- Wears like iron
- Easy to set up
- Three person tent, if you don't mind a little coziness.
Cons
- A bit heavy and bulky for serious wilderness backpacking.
- If you don't mind the weight and bulkiness, it worked well as a backpacking tent.
Used for jeep camping mostly in Colorado and Wyoming. Fast setup and take-down. If you put it away wet, it needs to be dried as soon as convenient. This goes for most tents.
I never had ventilation problems or condensation issues. It packed up nice and was tight in the protective sleeve.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: Can't remember, but it came from CampMor.
Purchased the Wind River 2 back in the '80s and it's still going strong.
Pros
- Built like an old Timex. Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.
Cons
- Fiberglass poles hard to slide through sleeves.
Purchased the Wind River 2 back in the '80s and it's still going strong. Only thing is I wish I had gotten aluminum poles. Solid tent for car camping or backpacking.
I have an old Quest Preying Mantis, Walrus Armadillo, and a North Face, but for some reason I keep taking this tent.
Source: bought it new
I have used this tent in every season and I use it now primarily for my winter/mountaineering tent. I have had it for 15 years and have never had a single problem. I have the full cooking vestibule, polyvinyl footprint and attic.
I was sold on it when three of us spent 18 hours in the tent on top of Algonquin Mountain in the high peaks of N.Y. in February. Bombproof. Only wish Eureka still made them! Definitly not a one-person tent though...I split the tent between myself and girlfriend to lighten the weight with ultralight stuffsacks.
Design: three-four season freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easier set up with two perople
Weight: 6+ pounds
Price Paid: can't remember
I have had my Wind River for probably 15 years -- maybe more?? I've camped for 45 years maybe more and this little tent is the darndest thing I've ever seen. When everyone else around me is sleeping wet -- we're high and dry -- I've taken this tent everywhere and it had served me well.
Now for the bad luck -- I was out last weekend and one of the rods came up missing -- can I replace it -- or am I doomed to buy a new less exciting tent??
Design: free standing dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: 3 - 4 pounds
I inherited this tent from my brother, who I remember loved it.
Can anyone provide what size poles are required for the tent? I have the tent and fly, which are both in great shape, but no poles!
Thanks for any help.
David
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: Not sure.
I didn't actually buy this tent, it was handed down to me. The previous owner had had it for a couple of years before me. It never failed him and the only problem I had was the zipper and that was easy to get fixed.
Design: dome
Sleeps: 2-3
Ease of Setup: very easy
Weight: unknown
Price Paid: about $300
Very tough tent, also very practical with back window, and the green tarp cover, the coolest tent imaginable. I still love mine after all these years.
Design: dome style 1987
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: 20 min.
Weight: very light
Price Paid: $230