Hello -
So this is not the normal topic of this forum- but figured you might be able to hlp me.
We have a new addition to our camping family - have a toddler now and hoping to make our first camping trips soon with her.
I am looking for a larger tent - likely a 6-8 person tent. We want something that we will use a couple of times a year, but will last and allow us to grow into it - something that will comfortably sleep 4 (if she brings a friend). Something with a divider to give a little privacy.
Definitely needs to stand up to the elements (wind and rain) as we sometimes camp on the beach here in NC.
I am tall (6’3") so like something I can comfortably stand up and walk around in - especially on those rainy days were we may hang out in the tent.
Likely will have a queen size blow up and then maybe a 2nd twin/full for the kiddo(s).
Since we won’t be hiking in with this, being lightweight isn’t a big deal, as we are willing to sacrifice weight for quality - but the don’t want something massively heavy if not needed.

Any specific brand names you all would recommend, or products you love? I have a kelty for backpacking, but they don’t make big tents it looks like.

thanks!

I did a quick check of the Kelty website, and they sell several 4 and 6 person tents.

The best bit of advice I can give you is stay away from anything that has fiberglass poles.

Because you've indicated you want to be able to set up on a sandy beach, where you can only stake down in sand, one major problem you'll need to consider is that a big tent you can walk around in and maybe have a room divider in will present a lot of "sail area" in strong winds. This difficulty is mostly solved by using broad sand/snow stakes you can bury deep, but you'll need plenty of strong guy-out points for them and poles that can take the strain. You'll want to think about excluding blowing sand, too. Or you may want to reconsider the wisdom of tenting on a beach in stormy weather.

haha - ya- I won't intend to camp during the stormy weather, but you know things come up!.

Mostly will be just in our mtns, which is pretty protected, but the occasional open bald is on the table.

I Missed the 6 person ones the first time - the fours are too small if we all want to sleep in them comfortably (we are car camping with this one) - their 6 person are dome tents, which have less space than a wall tent (if I am using the right term)- but thanks, I wish there was a place I could see one actually open and walk around in it

I just replaced my aging REI 6 person tent with a Eureka Space Camp. I have not used my new tent, so I cannot give a competent review. I will say what attributes we looked for.

As you mentioned I would have loved to have seen stuff setup, but the only option for that was a one or two REI tents in store. The one thing I looked for that was surprisingly difficult in a 6 person tent was full rain fly coverage. Our old REI Hobitat (no longer sold) had vertical walls and a ceiling at 7'6". It was great in California where it hardly ever rains In Alabama with four people and two dogs enough stuff was pressed against the walls that we woke up soaked after a night of rain. I looked for a full rain fly coverage, as much head and shoulder as I could get without breaking the bank. The Eureka Space Camp fit the bill. Two rooms would have been nice but the tents we found had flaws in other areas (not fully enclosed in a rain fly, too big, too expensive, poor reviews).

Other tents I considered: REI Basecamp (more expensive) and the Alps Mountaineering Taurus 6 (not as roomy, fiberglass poles).

We are using an REI Basecamp 6 and it is big and bombproof in storms, super strong design and steady in a gale. At over 6’ I can stand in the center. You could put four in there but no privacy. There is a huge front vestibule with no floor, good for cooking in weather. A guy had a picture of a campground hit by a microburst and his Basecamp 6 was the only big tent of many dozens still standing.