12 or 16 man?

[bbbowers]

Looking to get my first tipi as our family is growing. We live in Iowa so we have been hesitant to get a tipi due to bugs. We also worried about setting up in wet conditions. I think we are finally settled, and might end up getting a nest with it.

This tent is going to fulfill multiple roles for us going forward. We currently have my wife and I, 4 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old, and one on the way. I forsee us having around 6 kids down the road total, and then two adults. I would like to be able to use this for car camping, and shorter hike ins when needed. My wife likes the idea of cots, and I know there are some sweet bunkbed cots out there for kids we might get down the road. We love camping and the goal is to hit a national park a year (I am a teacher) as the kids get older.

Question 1: What size would be best for us to fit the need. I am a teacher, so I am trying to spend money wisely, so we won't need to upgrade in the immediate future.

Question 2: Do I need the stove now if I am going to be doing mainly three season Iowa camping for now? Eventually I will be doing cold weather camps, but now maybe 40-50 might be the low. I guess do you only use the stove when it hits a certain temp, or do you use it to dry out damp areas?

Question 3: Is the foot print too big to even consider for backpacking trips or regular camp sites.

Question 4: How are they in storms (we always get hit by tent breaking storms. Our NEMO has been the last tent standing multiple times haha).

[Akicita]

Question 1: What size would be best for us to fit the need. I am a teacher, so I am trying to spend money wisely, so we won't need to upgrade in the immediate future.

Answer: Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. I highly recommend going bigger for your your young family. Mamma will be much happier and so will the kids when weather has you confined to shelter.

Question 2: Do I need the stove now if I am going to be doing mainly three season Iowa camping for now? Eventually I will be doing cold weather camps, but now maybe 40-50 might be the low. I guess do you only use the stove when it hits a certain temp, or do you use it to dry out damp areas?

Answer: If you can swing the stove get it. To take the chill off in the morning or evening before bedding down will keep the young ones happy. You can also dual purpose by cooking on it thus saving money and space on inefficient gas or alcohol stoves. Here in Colorado I pack and setup my stove regardless of temps. Again better to have it then to need it. I would get the XXL.


Question 3: Is the foot print too big to even consider for backpacking trips or regular camp sites.

Answer: Footprint is big but not unreasonable in my opinion for pay campground and sites. Should not be a problem at all if you camp in Forest Service land or BLM. Even most National Parks have large tent sites. If you split the load with another person the weight would be okay for backpacking. Canopy is 7.5lbs pole and stakes is 4.5lbs. I have, and still do carry a 9.5lb mountaineering tent on expeditions and I'm old. . .

Question 4: How are they in storms (we always get hit by tent breaking storms. Our NEMO has been the last tent standing multiple times haha).

Answer: I have experienced 50+ mph winds in an other brand tipi and currently own a Redcliff that has not been fully tested in severe weather but so far has proven very durable in 30+ sustained winds, rain and hail. I have no doubt that the tipi will buck high winds with ease. After all, Plains Indians survived the harshest of weather for centuries in them.

[MontanaMarine]

The 16-man would be a better fit for eventually sheltering 8 people in one tent, especially with cots.

Some food for thought. If you went 12-man now, and down the road added another smaller shelter (maybe a 6, 8, or Redcliff?), you would have plenty of shelters for all-hands, and smaller options for backpacking, where cots are pretty much a no-go anyway, and spreading the load is desired.

Here is a thread with some pics of 12-man from myself and others, for some visuals,

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=369



Shane

[kevin_t]

16 person.

Footprint can be a problem in pay spots, it depends on the spot, not an issue for a lot of forest service stuff. It can be an issue in FS areas where level ground is not common. Around here in SW Colorado, there are FS areas it would be easy, and FS areas it would be no way. I can't go to every trailhead and make it work, however I can go to many an it would not be an issue.

[bbbowers]

Thank you for the responses, that really does help! One thing I saw with the 16 is that you can get the half nest if needed. With the 12 there is no option for the nest. Level ground is no issue for me in Iowa. Would the 12 be alright if I used two bunk bed cots (Disc-o-bed-kid-o-bunk), and then two regular adult ones? I see the photos, which does help. I do like the idea of getting the 12, and then getting another smaller one down the road. But it might be better to just get the big one and when we start backpacking, get a UL one anyways. Such a tough choice!

[kevin_t]

Half nests are only available for 6 and 8 but they will fit larger tents.

Honestly, it depends what you are trying to solve with the half nest. Flying bugs are probably better handled with a thermacell. Dirt is probably better handled with a ground tarp. Condensation is better handled with liners. However, a nest does handle all 3 pretty well.

[DaveChenault]

Toddlers and wood stoves are a problematic combination. I'd say hold off on that until the whole crew is older.

[bbbowers]

Gotcha, that makes sense. Thanks Dave, I was thinking about that. I think I will hold off on a stove for now. I don't forsee us camping in cold weather until they get a bit older anyways. So a 12 person with a liner should work out well. Then down the road I can add a second smaller tent.