Eddie Bauer Dome Tent - Round 2

So in my previous review, I lamented about the poor design of the Eddie Bauer 10x10 5 man dome tent.  My most specific complaint was a design that guaranteed the tent would leak.  In addition- and I didn't mention this in my previous review- but the only people that could fit this tent in the carrying bag are the people the pack this tent off the assembly line.  As you can tell... I'm really unhappy with Wenzel/Eddie Bauer.  However, today's blog entry is not to bash them further, but to describe what I did to work around their ineptness.

First for the obvious and quick fix... I purchased a $5 stuff sack at Wal-mart for packing the tent.  Not nearly as stylish as the Eddie Bauer case, but I don't bust a neck vein trying to put the tent back into it.  I don't expect anyone to find this particularly clever either- I'm just sharing because I'm letting you know that if you get this tent you'll probably need to do the same.

To fix the leaking tent required a bit more work.  I purchased several yards of black 210D waterproof nylon.  I cut the material into a 5ftx5ft square and sewed a loop on one corner and grommets on two of the corners.  I was able to run the ridge pole through the loop and attach bungee cords through the grommets on the corners so the finished product looked like this (repeated on over both doors):

I had hoped it would look more like it came from the factory- but alas, I wasn't so lucky.  However, I'll accept the looks of this in return for staying dry.  It's also easy enough to put on or remove, I can leave it off most of the time except when I am expecting rain.

The proof is in the waterproofing though... all this is for naught if the tent still leaks.  Fortunately, there is a 70% chance of rain over the next 2 days so I'm going to leave the tent setup and see how it fairs.  With any luck, it should stay bone dry.  I'll update this blog after the rain.

U PDATE:  So the flaps made a large difference.  Although some water still managed to make it in the tent, it is probably because I have yet to waterproof the exposed black areas of the tent.  Water accumulation in the tent was negligible... probably about 2~3 tablespoons if I were to guess.

DESTINATION REVIEW: Martin Creek Lake State Park

I've reviewed this destination at one of my other sites, but I wanted to offer a high level review of this state park.  Martin Creek Lake State Park is a Texas State Park south of Longview, Texas.  (I believe Tatum is the closest town.)

The unique draw to this state park was an island accessible via a footbridge where primitive camping is allowed.  You will not find a map anywhere that shows the exact locations of the primitive campsites.  Even when I asked the ranger, he said the sites are dynamic and people move the steel fire rings around the island.  Consequently, you rather find yourself wandering the trails until you find a spot you like.  To help out though, I've produced a map that shows the approximate locations of several of the primitive sites shown as blue stars.  However, I would strongly recommend the site we stayed at marked with the red star.  It was definitely one of the largest sites on the island.  We setup 6 tents for our Webelos and could have fit another 6 rather easily.  By comparison, some of the primitive sites we walked past would have only fit 2~3 tents.  Another benefit of the site I am suggesting is that it is on the back side of the island so you don't have people walking through your site on the way to their own.

As you look at the map above, you'll notice there is a large field/meadow in the middle of the island.  Ironically, the meadow proved to be a lousy place to try and setup camp.  Even in mid-April, we found the grass in the meadow so high it simply wasn't practical to try and setup camp.  Furthermore, the absence of fire rings that can be found in some of the wooded campsites make the meadow a poor place to try and setup camp.

As a final tip/note about the developed campsites (as opposed to the primitive sites), there is a WIDE variation in the different sites even though they are all categorized the same.  For example, there are multiple lakefront sites, but several had a marshy waterfront that made fishing access impractical.  There were others that you could pull a canoe on.  As another example, some sites were large enough and level enough for 3~4 tents.  Other sites however, were significantly sloped enough that the only place to setup a tent was on the tent pad.  As yet a third example of the variations, certain sites have a pre-built shelter/covered picnic table but other sites do not (see pictures).

Sites are first come, first serve so arrive early.  To get a preview of some of the sites, look at the pictures on my review at ScoutDestinations.com

Cabela's Heavy Duty Army Cot

So first let's look at what Cabela's says:

• Built to exacting specifications demanded by the military
• Heavy-duty polyester oxford
• Heavy-duty aluminum frame with steel tube inserts
• Will support up to 500 lbs.
• Easy to set up and take down
• Folds into a compact package

We built this cot to exacting quality standards demanded by military specifications. The sleeping area is 77''L x 28''W and constructed of heavy-duty polyester oxford for years of use. The frame is heavy-duty aluminum with added strength supplied by steel tube inserts that will support up to 500 lbs. The cot is easy to set up and take down, and it folds into a compact package secured by attached webbing straps with ladder locks. Imported.
Dimensions: 77''L x 28''W x 18''H.
Carry weight: 18 lbs.
Weight capacity: 500 lbs.

Now for my review... I actually purchased two of these cots so my experience isn't limited to a single defective unit.  (See I'm already being negative again.)  I suppose it's because I demand quality from my camping gear and I am sorely disappointed when it doesn't deliver.  As I review more items, I'll disclose some that truely are stellar products that I strongly endorse, but the cot today won't make that cut.

Well, the cot certainly handles weight well enough.  I didn't try to verify the 500lb limit, but it handled my 6'1" frame @ 270lb frame with relative ease.  It was stable in most directions and did not wobble or otherwise unduly sag.  I never felt like my heft was concerning to the cot.  However, the term "heavy duty" should be constrained to the weight bearing capacity of the cot and not the build quality.  I had problems with one of the straps that actually came off the rivet the first time I tried to use it.  Also, most of the plastic plugs did not want to stay in the holes.  I even lost 2 of them transporting the cots back and forth and campouts and never did find the plugs again.

That said, it was VERY squeaky from the polyester oxford against the aluminum.  I never did find a way to quiet it down, so any time I rolled over or repositioned myself, it was VERY creaky. 

I take significant issue with the claim of easy setup and take down.  The practice is much easier to describe than to perform- much in the same way as rock climbing.  "Just pull yourself up using the natural cracks and ledges and don't fall down."  Reality shows the physical strength to do this is much greater than the simple directions might suggest.  So it is with the Cabela's Heavy Duty cot.  While it is probably true of all Army style cots), the fact remains it was VERY difficult to stretch the material tight.  There was *NO WAY* that my 10-year old son could do it... nor even my wife.  In fact, with a small amount of embarrassment I admit that it was difficult for me to set it up and pull it tight enough to get the end pieces over the pins. 

One day after unsuccessfully trying for almost 10 minutes, I developed a technique that made it MUCH easier!  I discovered I could put the end pieces on rotated 90 degrees from where the holes needed to be.  Then by using a tent stake, dowel rod or large screwdriver I was able to excert a fair amount or torque and twist the bar into place.  This still proved too difficult for my wife and son, but was a technique I used repeatedly with pretty good reliability and minimal strain (that's compared to what it was previously).

I discovered I could also remove the plastic plugs that so easily fell out and it was MUCH easier to slip the end pieces in place as well.  This works as a solution as long as you're not planning to use the uprights to hold a mosquito bar in place, but the plastic pieces are necessary to keep the bar from needlessly rotating when the mosquito bar is up.

Finally, even after getting the cot up, it was still uncomfortable.  :-(  Ok, let me be fair, it's an Army cot, not a serta.  I used my thermarest base camp pad and achieved a decent level of comfort, but that is a credit to the Thermarest pad, not the cot.  I get near similar comfort with the Thermarest pad on the ground.  Consequently, I decided to sell the cots.

All-in-all, they just weren't worth keeping.  I wouldn't discourage you from buying them if you want an Army cot but it's not going to make the grade for Anthony's encorsement.