Outbound Chateau VI

I bought this tent 1 1/2 years ago as I wanted a large, roomy tent for car camping. This one fit the bill as it was the right price, had three seperate rooms, enough room to stand in, and a full coverage fly. It was a bit tough to set up (broke a pole the first time) but like anything, gets easier with practice.

The tent is the perfect size for myself, my girlfriend and my dog. On rainy days there is enough room to put a small table and 2 large Coleman inflatable chairs in.

We usually put our queen sized inflatable air mattress in one of the side rooms (each being the same size), our gear and clothes in the other side room, and leave the main centre room for rainy days and a place to change, etc.

The tent has been through some torrential downpours (4 days worth) and has never leaked. We have also used it in late fall and early spring (in northern Ontario) and it was quite suitable.

For those reasons, we love the tent....However...

After the first summer of use, the no-see-um mesh was pulling away from the stitching at the main zipper and creating large holes. We took the tent back and it was replaced (several months later) with a brand new one. Apparently there had been some design flaws and they redesigned the tent (exactly the same but new materials I guess).

So we got our new tent, and seam sealled it AGAIN. Now after only 3 trips in this one, the zippers on the fly, and main door (3 zippers on door) don't work! You cannot close them.

So, we are taking it back AGAIN and are going to ask for our money back. I guess we need to spend a bit more money to get something of better quality. We are looking at perhaps some of the Eureka family tents.

Too bad because we love the tent, just hate the craftsmanship.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments.