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Every seven years since 1964, in what's known as the Up series, Granada Television has caught us up on the lives of 14 everyday people. The subjects of the documentary series were 7 years old when it began; in the latest installment, 56 Up, they are well into middle age.
The original idea behind the series was to examine the realities of the British class system at a time when the culture was experiencing extraordinary upheaval.
"We weren't interested in the personalities so much," says Michael Apted, who was a researcher on the original episode and has directed all the subsequent ones. "We needed children ... who weren't fazed by us, who could speak to us, but we weren't looking for any particular characteristics. We were just interested in their backgrounds.
"[T]he idea was that we would get some 7-year-old children from different backgrounds — from rich backgrounds, from poor backgrounds, from rural backgrounds ... and have them talk about their lives ... and see whether that told us anything. And of course it did, because it was both very funny and also chilling, showing that, in fact, the class system was very active, and that people in certain backgrounds had a real vision of their future, and others really didn't know what day it was."
The breadth of a project like this inevitably translates into a great deal of intimacy between the subjects and the audience. These people have repeatedly shared with millions of strangers some of their most private thoughts on screen. It's not an easy exercise, as one of the subjects — Nick Hitchon — tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross.
Hitchon never watches the films; they make him deeply uncomfortable. While he is happy and willing to be a part of the project because he thinks it's an important exploration of life, "that doesn't change the fact that it's kind of terrifying at times."
The intimacy the audience has come to feel for the subjects of the Up series is inevitably even greater for Apted, for whom these people have become not just subjects, but friends. He was 22 when they were 7 — but the age difference has long since ceased to matter, he says.
Interview Highlights
Hitchon on why he doesn't watch the Up films
"I don't like the sound of my own voice. I think I look ridiculous, and I just am uncomfortable. ... If I say that I am uncomfortable with this, it doesn't mean that I don't like the project, and it doesn't mean that I am mad at Michael, but I am deeply uncomfortable doing the interviews. I pretend while I'm being interviewed that it's just a chat. I pretend to myself that nobody else is watching, and I don't want that particular bubble burst."
Hitchon on whether he feels pressure to demonstrate positive change in his life every seven years
"Actually, no. Some of the people involved do feel that way. I never have. You see, I've been insulated from that because I've always been portrayed as somebody who started out quite disadvantaged, so anything that I did was always, 'Oh, look how clever he was,' you know. 'He came from a background where it was going to be hard for him to get up in the morning.' So, you know, I always look good."
Apted on what this experience has been like for him
"What can I say? I mean, it's the favorite thing I've ever done, the thing I'm most proud of. It's nerve-wracking, because you think you're always going to blow it and you'll wreck the whole thing. It seems fragile, and I've learned a lot of lessons about it. I've made mistakes on it and had to correct those mistakes. You know, particularly I got into a situation, I think, early on where I became judgmental about people — that if they didn't agree with my standards of success, failure, happiness, whatever, then I would feel they were the lesser for it. And also I try to play God. I try to predict what might happen to people, and sort of set it all up for that. And I did that, and that was an embarrassing mistake. And I think what I've learned all the way through is the less I do, the better."
Apted on what surprised him about 56 Up
"That people seemed happy. I mean, I thought they'd be getting depressed, worried about age, very worried about the economic climate, looking back on their lives, maybe, sometimes with regret. But no. ... What was interesting to me was that a lot of them had found a real kind of comfort in their families and extended families. I was of the belief in my life that you can't have everything.
"I have pursued a career. I was ambitious, and I paid a price for it. I wasn't as good a father or a husband as I should have been, and sometimes I thought, 'Well, maybe that's my way and maybe that's the right way.' But then I saw the payoff, that people who'd put their energies into their families, and their loyalties into their families, that at this age — in their mid-50s, you know — that they got real pleasure and power from it."
This is FRESH AIR. I'm Terry Gross. You know the sensation of looking back at photos or videos of yourself over the years and seeing how you've changed? Imagine getting that kind of feeling by watching movies made, over the years, of people you don't know. The documentaries known as the "Up Series" have that affect on many people.
The series began in 1964, when Grenada TV in England broadcast the documentary film "Seven Up!" about the lives of 14 children who were seven years old and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Every seven years since then, filmmakers have returned to the people from the original film to document how their lives have changed.
The new edition, the eighth in the series, is called "56 Up" and catches up with its subjects at the age of 56. My guest Michael Apted was a researcher on "Seven Up!" and has directed all the subsequent "Up" films. Apted is British and now lives in America. He's directed many fiction films, including "Coal Miner's Daughter," "Gorky Park," "Gorillas In the Mist" and the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough."
Michael Apted, welcome, and thank you for joining us. Let me go back to the very beginning. When "Seven Up!" was first made, you were the researcher for the series, you weren't, you know, the director, which you became.
MICHAEL APTED: Yes.
GROSS: So one of the things you had to do was choose the children. How did you go about choosing them?
APTED: Well, it was pretty arbitrary and very quick. It was part of a weekly series of programs, "World in Action." I would ring the schools up, the schools, I'd say would you help us make this film, and they would say yes or no. Then I'd go to the school and say to the teachers teaching the seven-year-olds, bring me your brightest and your best.
And I would look at them, talk to them and then pick a couple. And the next thing that happened was, you know, there they were in front of the camera. So it was done in a very arbitrary way because we weren't interested in the personalities so much. We needed children who could - weren't fazed by us, who could speak to us, but we weren't looking for any particular characteristics. We were just interested in their backgrounds.
The idea of the film was to examine the British class system in 1963, '64, to see whether it was changing, see if it was reflecting the very cultural upheavals that were going up in the United Kingdom from the Beatles onwards. So instead of getting professionals in to talk about it, the idea was that we would get seven-year-old children from different backgrounds - from rich backgrounds, from poor backgrounds, from rural backgrounds like Nick Hitchon, from people who were removed from their parents, to get within about 14 children and have them talk about their lives, their ambitions, their dreams and whatever, and see whether that told us anything.
And of course it did, because it was both very funny and also chilling. Showing that, in fact, the class system was very active and that people in certain backgrounds had a real vision of their future, and others really didn't know what day it was. And so, you know, it made that point, and then the rest is history.
GROSS: So this was supposed to be just a one-shot, and then you stepped in, and you wanted to make it - you wanted to do another one and eventually make it a series. Why did you want to do that?
APTED: Well, I wish what you said was true because then I could claim credit for it. But no, the film went out. It was a huge success. It was funny and chilling. And it took us five years before someone actually piped up and said, well, why don't we go back and see what happened to them. And we all thought oh, that might be good.
So we did go back. It wasn't a very interesting film because they were monosyllabic, spotty and just general teenagers, but, you know, you could see the beginnings of a great idea that I don't think anybody had ever seen before. And so from there on, we all got behind it, and we decided let's keep going back as long as we could and let this thing grow and see what happens to it.
GROSS: So what was it like you? What's it been like for you every seven years to drop in on these people's lives and, you know, ask them about the landmark events that have happened in the seven-year interim?
APTED: What can I say? I mean, it's the favorite thing that I've done, the thing that I'm most proud of. It's nerve-wracking because you always think you're going to blow it, and you'll wreck the whole thing. It seems fragile. And I've learned a lot of lessons about it. I've made mistakes on it and had to correct those mistakes.
You know, particularly I got into a situation, I think, early on when I became judgmental about people, that if they didn't agree with my standards of success, failure, happiness, whatever, then, you know, that I would feel that they were lesser for it. And also I tried to play God. I tried to predict what might happen to people and sort of set it all up for that.
And I did that, and that was an embarrassing mistake. And I think what I've learned all the way through is the less I do, the better, that the more I let them speak for themselves because what's so interesting about the films to me is that they're all different. They all have a different tone to them.
The 56 took me completely by surprise, and my feeling is if I'd gone in just to update 49 when I did 56 and ask the same questions and see what the response would be, then I wouldn't have got such an interesting film out. I in a way try and become like a blank slate and start all over again and have a conversation with them about their lives and what's going on and try not to lead them anywhere I think they should be led and let them do the leading.
GROSS: That's Michael Apted, the director of "56 Up," the latest film in the "Up Series." We'll hear more from him in a few minutes. In a minute we'll hear my brief interview with Nick Hitchon, who has been profiled in all the "Up" films, starting when he was seven years old. Hitchon now lives in the U.S. and is a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Here he is in a clip from "56 Up," showing how he responded in earlier films at age seven, 14 and 28 to the question do you have a girlfriend.
GROSS: Nick, I'm sure you've seen "56 Up" once or more times.
: No, I haven't.
GROSS: Excuse me, you haven't?
: No, I haven't.
GROSS: Really? That's a statement. Why not?
: Oh, it's I mean, I think this is a wonderful project, but it's a profoundly uncomfortable thing for me. I don't willingly watch myself.
GROSS: Because?
: It feels to very, very uncomfortable.
GROSS: Is it uncomfortable because you just don't like watching and hearing yourself, or is it uncomfortable because you don't want to see your life played out in front of the camera in seven-year increments?
: Both of those things. I don't like the sound of my own voice. I think I look ridiculous. And if I say that I am uncomfortable with this, it doesn't mean that I don't like the project, and it doesn't mean that I am mad at Michael, but I am deeply uncomfortable doing the interviews.
And but I don't - I pretend while I'm being interviewed that it's just a chat. I pretend to myself that nobody else is watching, and I don't want that particular bubble burst.
GROSS: Has your level of discomfort changed over the years?
: It actually seems to have gotten more so. And it's very hard to explain. Before the "49 Up" taping happened, Michael came and visited for a couple of days, and we just talked about what we might discuss. And after he left, I was just depressed for two days, and I couldn't figure out why, and I can't altogether tell you why.
But there's something really disturbing about the process for me. Some of it is just the issue that I'm really scared that I'm going to get on there, and I'm going to hurt other people that I care about by something I say. So it's just profoundly worrying to me.
GROSS: Do you also feel a certain pressure that even seven years your life sort of had, like, an incremental change where, like, you've climbed the ladder of success or, you know, accomplished something wonderful in your personal life or, you know, found a new measure of happiness or - do you know what I mean - so that you could demonstrate something to yourself and to those of us watching?
: Actually, no. I mean, some of the people involved do feel that way. I never have. And you see, I've been insulated from that because I've always been portrayed as somebody who started out quite disadvantaged. So anything that I did was always, you know, oh look how clever he was, you know. He came from a background where it was going to be hard for him to get up in the morning. So, you know, I always look good.
GROSS: Right because you grew up on a farm, you went to a one-room schoolhouse, and now you're a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. So yeah, you've accomplished a lot. So how did you get into this in the first place, considering how uncomfortable you are with the whole project?
: Well, I was - hey, as far as I knew, they put a camera in front of me and asked me some questions, and I love to talk to people. So these people were talking to me. I chatted to them perfectly happily.
GROSS: What have the ground rules been for you? Like if you say something, and you're sorry you said it because you think it might offend your mother or, you know, offend somebody else in your life and be misinterpreted, or it's something you decided which is too personal, you were sorry you said it, do you have the right to say to the director Michael Apted I regret I said that, can we delete it, can we edit it out?
: Oh yes. Michael's always been very good about that sort of thing. So yeah, that's - the problem comes when he says I want to talk about this because it's interesting. And so I say OK, we'll talk about it, I mean these are important things to talk about. You know, he's not being sneaky about it, but there are just things that are hard that he wants to talk about. And I agree maybe these things need talking about, but they're still hard.
GROSS: Well, thank you for talking with us.
: You're welcome.
GROSS: That was Nick Hitchon, one of the subjects of the documentary "56 Up." Let's get back to my conversation with the director of the "Up Series," Michael Apted.
So you heard what Nick Hitchon had to say about being in the series and how he really respects the series and really likes you, but it's just painful to be a part of it, and it's hard for him to watch it, and he usually doesn't watch it. Does it make you wince at all to hear that?
APTED: No, I don't think so. I mean, he's very willing to be in it, and he's very, very good. He has very incisive things to say, you know, about himself and about society and about his life. There are others who feel the same as he do, that don't watch it, but it doesn't particularly worry me. I mean, it would worry me. I mean, it would worry me if they didn't want to do it, or I was dragging their ankles to the fire and all this sort of stuff.
But no, it doesn't worry me that he feels like that. He's a great contributor and has some of the most, you know, intelligent and interesting things to say about what we're talking about.
GROSS: What did surprise you about "56 Up"?
APTED: Well, the people seemed happy. I mean, I thought they'd be getting depressed, worried about age, very worried about the economic climate, looking back on their lives, maybe, sometimes with regret. But no, I mean, what was so interesting to me was that, you know, that a lot of them had found real, kind of, comfort in their families and their extended families.
I was of the belief in my life that you can't have everything, that I have pursued a career, I was ambitious, and I paid a price for it. I wasn't as good a father as - or a husband as I should have been. And sometimes I thought, well, maybe that's my way, and maybe that's the right way.
But then I saw the payoff, that people who'd put their energies into their families and their loyalties into their families, that at this age, in their mid-50s, you know they've got real pleasure and power from it.
GROSS: Can I say something that will contradict what you just said? And this is just coming from my perspective.
APTED: Please.
GROSS: As a film viewer. I didn't make the movie. So, you know, I'm just a casual filmgoer. But it seems to me there's a lot of pain in "56 Up." You've got a woman who has rheumatoid arthritis, and she can't sit long, she can't stand long, she can't walk long. She has pain in her fingers. She can't type. And she's unemployed. And she says: Who's going to employ me? I can't even guarantee I'm going to show up to work.
You have somebody in the movie who has had a nervous breakdown years ago who suffers with what appears to be chronic depression. And among the things - he has some very fulfilling things in his life now, but one of the things he seems very bitter about is that even with all the attention that this series of movies has brought him, no one will give his writing a second look, no one's even going to take it seriously enough to pass judgment on it.
You've got somebody else who has, like, five kids I think from his first marriage, three of whom aren't talking to him. You know, I could go on. But it seems to me there's a lot of pain in this film.
APTED: Yes, you're right, everybody has their failures, everybody has their regrets. But let's go through these people. Let's take Jackie, who's lost her - the father of her children. She's lost her mother-in-law. She's lost her sister. But have you ever seen anybody as bright and courageous as that, someone who keeps saying lines like, you know, my glass is half-full, not half-empty? You talk about the girl...
GROSS: I'm going to stop you right there. But I hear that, and I sometimes wonder are they saying that because they want to say it? I mean, I did really wonder, like, does she really feel that way, is she really more sad and depressed about her life right now but is wanting to put on a good face for the camera or just for the world in general?
APTED: Well, that's not my feeling about it. I mean, you may be right. We all have our own perspectives on the things that you've numbered out here for me. And I think you relate it to your life, I relate it to my life, but I think what's unique, rare about these films is that you do in some ways know these people quite well, although you don't know them at all.
And I think you can relate to them and make your own judgments on them and, you know, get something for yourself from it. Now if you get a negative thing from this, so be it. I didn't. And I was surprised. I was happy that I didn't because we've had glum ones, "35 Up" was pretty glum because they seemed to be losing a lot of parents. And so it was much more about death and loss than any of the other ones have been, and I thought we may be getting a rerun of that at 56.
But to my way of thinking, I came away, and it's only me, with a sense of positivism about it.
GROSS: My guest is Michael Apted. His new documentary is "56 Up." We'll talk more after a break. This is FRESH AIR.
GROSS: Let's get back to my interview with Michael Apted, the director of the "Up" series of films, which has been documenting the lives of a group of people, returning to them every seven years since the age of seven. The latest is "56 Up," and it catches up with them when they're 56.
I'm interesting in hearing some of the ground rules, so to speak, that you've set for the "Up Series." I know, for instance, like you've paid the interviewees in the movie. Was it that way from the start, or is that something that you instituted in subsequent films?
APTED: I started paying them at 28, you know, when we became, as it were, more international. Once it came to America, the film, and 28 was the first one to be shown in America, you know, then there was sort of some money around in terms of, you know, royalties and things like that. And so, you know, there was that money going around, and we would give them their share of it.
But I also thought they should have a fee for being in it. It was very, very small, but it's increased over the years, not that the films make money, but, you know, I feel they should be paid for it. And so I juggle the budget around, you know, so I can pay them a bit more each time because I think what they do is courageous, and not many people would do it, so why shouldn't they get some material advantages out of it.
GROSS: And when you ask a question, and you know that that question is making the person you're interviewing uncomfortable and maybe pushing them to speak a little more privately than they'd care, how do you balance your desire to be protective of them because they've become people who you care very much about with your desire to get the best film possible, which probably means pushing them a little bit past their comfort zones?
APTED: Yeah, what you have to understand is there's a set of rules when you do longitudinal films. You know, you have to behave yourself, as the director, as the interviewer, because you want them to come back. I mean, if they say they don't want to talk about something, and I ask them the question, and I embarrass them or unsettle them, and then I insist on using it, then they'll never come back.
So I do have these moments. I have moments when, you know, I know there's a question I've got to ask them, and I know there's a question that if I don't ask it, the audience will say why didn't he ask that, and I know that question might be hurtful. Now, to some of them I wouldn't ask it because it would break them down. Others I think are more resilient, and I ask it.
And sometimes they get upset about it, and then we have the discussion about do I use it, or do I not use it. And, you know, that happens in "56 Up" sort of fairly graphically. And we had this discussion, and, you know, we used it in the film. So it's that sort of process. But it differs from what you do, in a way, because you have me here once, and you can use whatever you want because you probably won't want me back again.
APTED: But with these people, I want them back.
GROSS: Never.
APTED: No, I'm not being childish, but I want them back, and so, you know, I do have to behave myself.
GROSS: So can you give us an example of something that you actually, you know, talked about whether to use or not, use that was...?
APTED: Yeah, I mean, it was with Tony, the jockey, you know, the - we just, we've had long discussions over the last three or four films about the changing racial profile of the East End of London, which he left and he left because, you know, he regarded it as being invaded by Bangladeshis, you know, by people from, you know, particularly Asian communities, and the East End of London has changed dramatically.
You know, and he has had things to say about that. Sometimes I wondered whether he was pushing it too far, what he was saying, and so in "56," I just came out with it and said, you know, you sound to me, Tony, as though you're being racist. And he answered that, and he was very indignant about it and upset about it. And I thought he answered it very well.
And so I put it in the program, and then, you know, he knew I'd put - he asked had I put it in, and I said yes, and he said how is it, and I said, well, I think you should look at it. So he looked it, and he said I don't know what to do. And I said, well, I think you answered it well, that's my opinion. So he, you know, he took some advice from family and whatever and decided to keep it in.
But that was an example of the process that can go on between us because we all have a commitment to, as it were, staying on the same page.
GROSS: Director Michael Apted will be back in the second half of the show. His latest documentary in the "Up Series" is "56 Up." I'm Terry Gross, and this is FRESH AIR.
GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. I'm Terry Gross back with film director Michael Apted. We're talking about his "Up" series of movies, which have documented the lives of a group of English people, returning to them every seven years. The series began with the film "7 Up" that showed them at age seven. In the latest edition, "56 Up," they're 56. This excerpt from "56 Up" recaps how one of the men, Neil Hughes, has talked about the possibility of having children, starting with his response at age seven.
GROSS: Let's get back to my interview with Michael Apted, the director of "56 Up".
Do you expect the people in the "Up" series to keep you updated as to where they are so you can find them every seven years? And I'm thinking especially here of Neil, who is somebody who seems to have struggled most of his life with depression and...
APTED: Mm-hmm.
GROSS: ...like really serious depression, and maybe other issues as well. And there was a period - an extended period where he was homeless. And I don't - I don't know how you track down somebody like Neil when they're in that part of their life.
APTED: We did lose track of Neil a bit at 28. And so we did have to try and, you know, get through some piece of bureaucracy to find him. He's always been, you know, very willing to do it and he's incredibly articulate, as you know if you've seen them.
GROSS: Mm-hmm.
APTED: But he's been a worry. I mean what a rollercoaster he's had. And it hasn't ended badly. It's not - you know, in his 20s we did think whether we would lose him, literally. But he was, you know, he recovered himself in his early 40s and 42, 49, 56, you know, there's - again there's a sort of solid ground there. But, you know, you get the sense of a very fragile personality, but a very intelligent and articulate man.
GROSS: So do you have to grapple with feelings of responsibility for the people whose lives you're documenting during those periods of their lives when they're in trouble?
APTED: Well, I would, yes, and I have done. Yes. I mean, you know, I've given up any notion of objectivity. I mean, you know, I care about them all if they need help and I can help or they need advice and I can give it, then certainly I do. Yes, I don't shut myself off and say, look, I'm a documentarian here and I have to be objective, so please be quiet and I'll see you in seven years. It can't exist like that.
GROSS: Are you saying there are times you actually like helped people out?
APTED: Yeah. Sure.
GROSS: What kinds of things - if don't mind my asking - and if you do, that's fine.
APTED: No, I don't mind. I mean I've lent money to one or two of them if they've needed it and they've always paid it back. But, you know, if they're in trouble with stuff, I've always been prepared to help. And, you know, on a brighter side, a cheerful side, I mean if people come out to California, they come and stay with me. Bruce was here this summer with his wife and two kids. And Nick's been out with his son and stayed with me. And I love all that. And if I have a movie opening in London, I always, you know, hire a theater and invite them all and their neighbors and friends to show it. It's great for me to be able to do something for them without, you know, without me asking for stuff in return. I mean I'm always the supplicant asking them to do things, and it's nice when I can do things for them when I'm not asking for anything, just to give them something and to have a good time.
GROSS: You started "7 Up" long before reality television.
APTED: Mm-hmm.
GROSS: And now in the area of reality television, many of people in those shows are there because they have outsize personalities, they're willing to do things that are ridiculous or shameless even, and are willing to be ridiculed because that's how a lot of people watch reality TV, to ridicule the people who are in it. Do you find ever that people are watching your "Up" series in the spirit of reality TV, which is not the spirit that the movies are intended to be in?
APTED: I honestly don't think so. I mean it was a big issue for us, especially when we did "49 Up," because that was the elephant in the room. You know, reality television had really got a grip of - in British television at that time, and so my participants are saying: Are we another cheesy reality show? And if so, why are we being paid tons of money like "American Idol"? And I had to try to explain what I perceived as a difference between a reality and the documentary. With the reality they take people out of their comfort zone, out of their homes, as it were, and put them into other situations. And sometimes that's very interesting and rewarding; sometimes it's cruel and unusual. What we try and do is in a sense every seven years get a - as truthful as we can - snapshot of what these people's lives are. And we are not driven, you know, by having to have high drama. As you said earlier, this is the drama of real life. This is like a novel, like a Victorian novel when characters move half an inch every seven years. But since it's all so familiar to us, we're tracking that, and in the end that's much more dramatic than watching, you know, cops and robbers or whatever, James Bond or whatever, because it's something you really relate to. So, you know, I don't feel I have to beef it up like reality, I don't feel I have to compete with reality because in another way I think this series of films exists on a different plane from reality, and not an unpopular plane. I mean we do very well in terms of crass, you know, numbers in business and all this kind of stuff.
GROSS: Michael Apted, thank you so much for talking with us. And congratulations on yet another in the series of "Up" movies.
APTED: Well, thanks. Nice to talk to you.
GROSS: Michael Apted's latest documentary in the "Up" series is "56 Up". Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Note of caution: apply seam sealer to the fly before using the tent for the first time! That said, except for small drips during three ferocious thunderstorms, the tent passed its inaugural camping trip with flying colors. Very roomy, nice center height of 92", and good ventilation even with all the windows zipped. The remote light was 'fun' but not very useful.
DO read ALL the instructions through carefully and follow them to the letter. The first time we set the tent up, it took about 45 minutes (with two adults) but most of that time seemed to be undoing what we shouldn't have done in the first place! I would not recommend this tent to those who don't follow directions (both set-up and take-down) but I would definitely recommend it to large families (says it sleeps 10; I think maybe eight would be more comfortable and six easily) or people who do car camping. Wouldn't want to lug this 50 pound beauty up a hill or through the woods! And joy of joys, after take-down, ALL the pieces fit nicely back into the wheeled carrier without having to sit on the bag to zip it.
All in all, very nice tent for the money and we've had no problems with it. We even had several other campers and the park ranger ask where we got it and they were all very surprised at the relatively low price.
Love this tent. It is huge. We bought this tent in…
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $150
Love this tent. It is huge.
- Large enough for two queen size mattresses
- Tall enough to stand in
- Has a screen roof so you can vent it
- Fits in a small case
- Screen porch
- Poles are fiberglass and become brittle after a couple of years
- Discontinued
We bought this tent in the summer of 2013 from K-Mart for about $150, but we have seen it everywhere else for around $200. The tent is very well made and is very spacious.
We set up two queen size mattress, there is space for a small fold-up table (TV tray) and space to walk. There is a closet and a "front porch" where we setup two inflatable couches we bought from a yard sale. They are Coleman brand. We get a lot of compliments for the setup. We love this tent.
The only unfortunate thing is that I left it in its case but outside last summer while I was organizing the garage and with California's 110-degree heat the plastic fittings became brittle. This summer when we "pre set it up" to clean it before out camping trip the wind bent it and two of the fittings broke. Fortunately I was able to find some information to order replacement poles.
I believe this is considered a "Summer tent." The roof of the tent is mesh and there is a 5 to 10 inch space between the mesh and the top tarp for better ventilation during the summer. However we camp at the California mountains. Our favorite place is Courtright Reservoir, CA. It gets pretty cold out there so we purchased some fabric tarps (like the ones used to cover furniture while remodeling) and made small holes for the hooks to go through and that made a HUGE difference retaining heat.
I noticed that a lot of other people are also looking for the replacement information so I included it below:
Northwest Territory 16 x 14 ft. Vacation Home with Closet
(For picture of the tent go to searsoutlet and search for Vacation-Home-10-Person-Tent
Description Item # 00627622000P Model # 68-07040R-2
1 (888) 280-7876
HKD Global
888-280-7876 (Toll Free)
888-996-4244 (fax)
About replacement I received the following reply from HKD:
Thank you for your email, I would be happy to assist you in getting the replacement poles for your tent. I show that the horizontal poles or leg poles are available on this model. I show that the poles range in price between $8.50-$9.50 per pole. Our usual shipping for two poles is set at $12.00 by weight. Please note that additional sales tax applies to MO and TX.
To identify the exact poles needed, I have attached a diagram to this email. If you could please identify the colored poles needed from the diagram we can ensure the correct poles are ordered
(Unfortunately I'm unable to attach any files so I can't post the diagram.)
Welcome to Trailspace, Armando! Thanks for taking the time to share all of this information with others. As for adding pictures to a review, here is the info. I hope it helps. To add photos to your review (full/non-mobile version of the site):
1. Click the yellow "Edit this review" button at the top or bottom of your review (you can do this to update your review, add new info, pics, etc).
2. Click in the Detailed Review section of your review where you'd like to place an image.
3. Click the Insert/Edit Image icon (third from the right, looks like a tree) at the top of the Detailed Review section.
4. Select and Insert a photo you've already uploaded or upload a new one.
5. Once done with any edits, click the "Save Your Changes" button at the bottom of your review.
1 year ago
Apparently this model of the tent is no longer available.
Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $75
Apparently this model of the tent is no longer available. I like it well enough that I will be building my own framework with better materials to replace the one that came with the tent.
- Roomy
- Compact for storage for a large tent
- Tent itself is well-constructed.
- Framework tubing is comparable to tinfoil
- Plastic connectors for tubing framework are highly fail-prone and break easily. They should have been made out of Nylon!
I have one that I set up in our backyard last October, and was using as a "hideaway" to kick back and read or use my computer. Went into town three days after setting it up, and when I got home found we'd been hit by high winds (we live less than 2 miles from the Wind River mountain range in Wyoming), and 7 out of 9 of the plastic tubing connectors were obliterated, and 1 center roof tube and 1 section of the front side roof tubing were ripped apart, leaving the male insert part of the tube in the mating tube.
The rain fly clips and tiedowns came loose, and resulted in a 6' tear and a 2' tear from whipping against some nearby branches in the trees.
Other than that, The tent was fairly easy to set up, very roomy, and I like it well enough that I'll be fabricating a new set of framework for it, out of heavy materials that should have been used in the first place, (thinking 3/8" galvanized pipe to replace the tubes, and connectors made from block aluminum).
As you can't get parts any longer, that's about the only answer.
Bought this used at a garage sale, and re-waterproofed…
Source: bought it used
Price Paid: $80
Bought this used at a garage sale, and re-waterproofed using Star Bright PTFE and seam sealer. Some of the side clips need replacing, but remains water tight without them.
- Sturdy
- Comfortable.
- Side pole clip straps break and need replacing with sturdier strapping.
Sturdy, HUGE interior, and true stand-up, cabin style tent accommodates two queen air mattresses with storage bin used as night stand in the middle, as well as 8 ft. table in entry area.
Setup is confusing at first if you do not have directions, but instructions found easily online: google Northwest Territory Vacation Cottage III instructions. Use colored tape to make setup easy. 15 minutes to assemble.
I went camping with my children and I put the tent…
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $249.99
I went camping with my children and I put the tent up, with help of two teenagers went up quickly. I also was able to get it back into the bag!
- Spacious
- Easy setup
- Finding replacements parts
Only problem I'm running into is finding replacements parts for the poles and pole points. If anyone can help please email me firstname.lastname@example.com
We have had two Northwest Territory tents and loved…
Price Paid: $179.99
We have had two Northwest Territory tents and loved them both, but the first tent the canopy that goes over the tent after a couple of years shredded and we couldn't find a replacement. Now we have a 14 x16 and the corner poles and one side piece has broken do to a storm we were in camping.
Thank God we weren't hurt, but again we can't seem to find replacements for them. The tents aren't cheap. Do you have any suggestions on what we are to do do in order to get our money's worth out of the tent?
Thank you,
Thomas McGuire
For California camping this tent is the bomb! I'm…
Price Paid: $150
For California camping this tent is the bomb! I'm searching today to download a new copy of the manual and also pick up some replacement parts.
After having this tent for 5-6 years and using it approx. 7 times, the last trip we finally broke a pole. Or rather the elastic inside the pole snapped being over extended. I think that's pretty good. I would also like to replace the bag. The top handle strap tore off and the wheels don't really work anymore. This is pretty good considering how long we've used it and the space you get with this vacation home tent!
Per the other reviewers, we have had it in rain..a little leakage and regarding the wind near the beach, it held up well. But I remind, this is California camping. It's cold in Big Bear and windy at the beach.
We purchase this tent for a getaway next month. We…
Design: family cabin dome tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: fair (2 people)
Weight: unknown
Price Paid: $99.99
We purchase this tent for a getaway next month. We set it up in our back yard so we could get an idea of the internal dimensions, where we'd like to put what and coordinating with the electrical input etc.
Today (2 days later) it rained for about 3 hours. We both thought this would be a great test for leaks so we went out to take a look. We found a uniform leak around the entire tent!!!!! Where the tan sidewall meets the black lower skirt. This would have been a disaster if it had not rained before we took it camping, as most belongings are kept near to the sides allowing for adequate living space in the center.
Since the head of the inflatable mattress was also wet and nothing was touching the sides of the tent coupled with the fact that this was uniform around the entire tent tells me "bad design". Defects are a given, they happen, no one's perfect but the entire dang tent???? This is a factory/design flaw.
Trying to make a decision of purchasing seam sealer or just return it and buy another brand name from different named store as this bears the K-Mart logo as well as Northwest Territory.
I'm giving it this rating due not only to the flaw in the product but the resulting widespread damage it would have caused, let's face it this wasn't a puddle at the zippered door.
We have had this tent 3-4 years and love it. It has…
Design: Vacation Cottage III
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: on scale of 1-10: 5
Weight: approx. 15 #
Price Paid: $150
We have had this tent 3-4 years and love it. It has withstood major Minnesota wind, hail, and rain storms. Easy to assemble, easy to disassemble-but remember how it went in the bag. It feels almost like a camper=but not quite.
I bought this model back 4-5 years ago. And we love…
Price Paid: $149 on sale
I bought this model back 4-5 years ago. And we love it. It is mostly my grandson and myself who go camping but I have had other family members at times with us. My grandson sets up this tent by himself and he is only 13 now. Goes up so quickly. And comes down quickly also.
We had camped in several rainstorms and never had a problem with it. Until last summer, we had gotten a replacement for the rainfly and it was a bit bigger than old one. Collected water in one corner and caused the connecter to break.
Only bad thing is that we can not get replacement part for it since the tent is no longer manufactured. I am trying to manufacture one on my own or rather making piece to go over the broken part so we can keep on camping with this tent.
Update: May 11, 2011
I have had this model for several years and have loved it!! My grandson, who goes camping with me, is able to set it up in less than 30 minutes by himself.
Unfortunately, the company has discontinued this model so you cannot get replacements parts for it anymore. But I have had a friend make the corner connectors for me and use duct tape to fasten the poles together where the cord has ripped apart.
My family saw this tent at a family reunion and could not believe the size of it and the space it had. I since have gotten the newer model that is 14 by 16 and love it also. My dad even had me get him one to keep on hand as a guest house for when all of us go to see him.
We have now had our cottage 3 for three years and…
Design: 14 X14 VACATION COTTAGE 3
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: SOMEWHAT DIFFULT BUT TWO PEOPLE CAN DO IT
Weight: 40 LBS ??
Price Paid: $160
We have now had our cottage 3 for three years and it's been through two tornados in Hugo Mn. and it's held up great. Just a little water by windows but that probably came from driving winds.
We use ours five times a year and we got two of our friends upgraded too the Cottage 3 and a lot of other campers ask what kind it was and if they could look inside our family calls it "the condo" of tents and i buy another in a heart beat.
The parts people are very good as well our friends dogrip a hole in it they sent us s repair kit in less then a week. I highly recommend this tent. Very roomy even holds the new twins stuff.
Kim Wagar and Family
We have this tent for about 3 years. I've had to replace…
Price Paid: $289
We have this tent for about 3 years. I've had to replace some poles due to heavy winds and rain. This year I needed to replace some of the plastic hubs. Well as you can see, I'm very disappointed.
I called the customer service to order the parts only to find out that they discontinued them and what parts they have are gone due to a large volume of BROKEN HUBS and POLES! UGH! I just want some parts!!!!!!! The tent (fabric) is just fine..no leaks. We really can't afford another tent...Especially for a big family.
We have had our tent for 4 years. Have rode through…
Design: Vacation Cottage II
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Not bad, must follow instructions to the tee!
Weight: 50 lbs (approx)
Price Paid: $159.99
We have had our tent for 4 years. Have rode through torrential rains and thunderstorms in Michigan's North!! No leaks, no wet floor. We couldn't believe its durability.
My husband has a bad back and needed something he didn't have to bend over to get into. I did most of the set up which could have been a bit more user friendly but that's why I'm taking off a 1/2 star!
This past weekend we went camping and thought it would…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: hard
Weight: 40 pounds
Price Paid: $200
This past weekend we went camping and thought it would be great. This was the second time we used the tent and had no problem with it the first time. That is probably because it didn't rain last time.
Well it poured this time and the tent collapsed. The tent joints (pole holders)snapped like they were wax. They were not made well at all and we had to Duct tape it in 5 separate places just to make it through the weekend.
I love my tent. I bought it in 2003. My husband &…
Price Paid: ?
I love my tent. I bought it in 2003. My husband & I went camping a lot for 3 yrs after that then 2007 we put it up to air out to go camping we got a bad storm it broke some parts and we are trying to get a hold of someone to help fix it but no luck so could anyone help cause we really love this tent.
This is the K-Mart brand of a tent made by Northpole.
Design: three-season cabin tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Lots of parts that can go together the wrong way
Weight: not bad for a large tent. The bag has wheels.
This is the K-Mart brand of a tent made by Northpole.
The instructions are difficult to follow. It is easy to get almost all finished with all the external tent pole framework and then discover (or not discover) that the tent below the framework is running the wrong direction.
During set up, the design makes it very easy to over-bend the plastic angled joints and break them if you're not an expert with the product.
Once its all set up, hope it doesn't rain. The windows on the sloped walls are way out past the fly that covers the roof and if you have a real rain, it comes right in the zipped up windows.
My family and I love the tent. We have had it for…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Need two people
My family and I love the tent. We have had it for a few years, however the zippers for both doors will not stay zipped therefore we can no longer use it. Any ideas on how to replace the zippers.
I left mine up during a storm and it broke also, so…
Sleeps: 6+
I left mine up during a storm and it broke also, so I need to get a part also. The thing says to get a replacement part you are to either call 18882807876m-f 8-5cst and have your part number and model number ready or you can send a request to hkd global ltd 317 elm street washington mo 63090 usa or email at customer service @hkdglobal.net
my model number is kmt07040. if anyone needs anymore help contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com if ya have the same model number i can give you the part number from my paper also i found my list and the place for the number to get ahold of them attached to the tent sleeve that it comes in its on the back of the assembly instructions.
I bought a Northwest Territory tent Model kmt11164 last year at K-mark and I have only had it up twice before the sipper on the bottom of the door seperaed in several places. I can not get it back together. Is this item warrantied?
7 years ago
it was great, had fun when we used it for the first…
Price Paid: $229
it was great, had fun when we used it for the first time. Now two years later we want to go camping and cannot find the instructions or one of the parts. We are so disappointed we may not get to go because there are 7 of us and nobody else has a tent to use.
I really love this tent although we had a terrible…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: need at least 2 people
Weight: approx. 60pounds
Price Paid: $159
I really love this tent although we had a terrible storm last time we had it up. We had a bad storm with a lot of wind damage. 2 connector plastic pieces broke and I don't have the replacement part insert anymore .
So I cannot find where to get replacement parts for my Northwest Cottage 2 tent. Does anyone know how I can find them?
We have been using our tent for six years and have…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 20 minute easy setup
Weight: probably about 60 lbs. in storage container
Price Paid: $200
We have been using our tent for six years and have never had a problem. It is intelligently designed and is great for those of us, (my wife and I) who hate crawling in and around the inside of a tent. This has plenty of room and you never have to stoop down. There are even shelves to attach in the corners. It's great. I would buy another in a second.
Our family loves this tent. It has plenty of room…
Design: Vacation Cottage Tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Very easy set-up with 4 people
Price Paid: $150
Our family loves this tent. It has plenty of room and is easy to set up. After purchasing the first one and trying it out, we purchased 4 more of the same. We have used them for several family reunion camping trips during the past few years. They do fairly well during rainstorms if they are scotchguarded and straps are used across the tops. They do leak al ittle near the doors during heavy rains.
I love this tent. I've had it for 4 yrs now. It's…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Very easy; I've set it up myself.
Weight: 50 lbs.
Price Paid: $149
I love this tent. I've had it for 4 yrs now. It's sustained high winds & heavy rains. When you first get it, you definitely need to use sealer on the seams and waterproof.
My only complaint really is that it might be nice if the rain fly was perhaps longer? This would help keep rain out better during high winds.
Tip I've learned; in setting it up. Once you get the initial roof pools in place, put the rainfly on. Being only 5'1", putting the rainfly on AFTER the tent is completely up was nearly impossible.
It's the most roomy tent I've ever owned. I love the screen porch area with the floor attached. I noticed most tents now do not have the floor in the screen area. Which explains why I've had this tent so long. It's roomy, homey, I love it!
I have purchased two of the Northwest Territory tents.
Design: Vacation Cottage
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: pretty easy
Weight: 50 lbs.
Price Paid: $179.99
I have purchased two of the Northwest Territory tents. One was the condo size, the other was the vacation cottage, both have broken connector pieces from setting up or taking down. I like the size and easy set up of the condo but hate that the connector pieces break so easily.
Luckily I purchased the warranty, but none of the K-Mart stores in the Chicagoland area have a replacement.
It worked for a while, but poles broke, and when we…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: it was hard
Weight: 50 pounds
Price Paid: $140
It worked for a while, but poles broke, and when we staked it down it bent and cracked and ripped.
This is our third summer with this camping cottage.
Design: Cabin tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: medium
Weight: 64 lbs.
Price Paid: $150
This is our third summer with this camping cottage. The room is fantastic! It is by far the best tent I have owned over 25 years of camping.
The only complaint that I have is that there is a leak by the one door--that no matter how much sealing and searching I do just will not go away. It isn't very much water, but it is annoying.
As far as the rain flap goes, keep it taut with the guy ropes that come with the tent--this prevents any pooling.
We bought this tent 4 years ago. We have owned 3 other…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 2 or more
Weight: bulky but do-able
Price Paid: $150
We bought this tent 4 years ago. We have owned 3 other tents over the years and this by far has been the best. I have read some of the other reviews...we have had no problems with leaks, tears, none-working-zippers, or snapping poles.
We camp about every other weekend. I have put it up by myself in good weather, but it is easier with 2 or more. The same with taking it down..1 experienced tent camper can take it down, but it is easier with more, because it is so big.
We are a family of 4 and we have ample space. We have camped in rain storms and gusting winds around 15mph, we all stayed dry. Others around us did not fair so well. I have not used any water repellent on it, but will this year just because it has been used a lot and no use it being careless. We have always used and put in place all the hooks and clips.
Yes, I was given my tent, but it didn't come with…
Design: northeast terriory vacation cottage 3
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: dont know yet
Price Paid: free
Yes, I was given my tent, but it didn't come with the poles or instructions and I need them badly. Can anyone knows of the number I can call? I would be very happy.
Great tent for the money. Lasted two years, but I…
Design: three room cottage
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: no problems. thirty min.setup
Weight: 110 lbs
Price Paid: $160
Great tent for the money. Lasted two years, but I need a replacement rainfly. Can't find where to order parts.
In my opinion this is a great family tent. Only a…
Price Paid: $179
In my opinion this is a great family tent. Only a tiny leak around a zipper.
For replacement fittings etc contact North Pole Ltd customer service @ 1-800-366-1599. These guys are located in Washington, MO, and offer good service at a fair price. I just ordered two replacement fittings for under $12 shipping included.
Hope this post helps those who might be looking for parts!
Happy camping!
We too had problems with leaking and a connector broke.
Price Paid: $139
We too had problems with leaking and a connector broke. We have since sealed the seams and sprayed the entire thing. Hopefully when the grandkids come up this summer, our camping trip will have a better ending. As for the broken connector, DUCT TAPE. I can't seem to find where to get replacement parts. Any help?
We bought this tent 2 years ago and absolutely love…
Design: Cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Weight: 46 LBS
Price Paid: $189.99
We bought this tent 2 years ago and absolutely love it. We have a family of 6 and there is plenty of room. We camped in the Florida Keys last summer it rained the first night and we stayed dry as a bone without sealing the tent. Setup was a little difficult the first time ,but now is a breeze. It takes about 20 minutes with two people and is worth every minute. We went on a group camping trip in April with extended family and everyone was calling our tent THE CONDO. The height is great ,you can section off a room and get dressed easily inside the tent. We had three queen size air beds and still have room for a table. Great tent for a great price.
I absolutely love this tent. I have been camping since…
Design: Warm Weather Tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Sets up in 20 minutes, or less of your in a hurry
Weight: 30-40lbs - but case has wheels
I absolutely love this tent. I have been camping since I was 10. I have staying in many tents from the old 2 man Pup tent to a 30 Man Canvas tent (w/o floor). This tent is the best I've seen. Spacious, very versatile. My wife and I have been using the this tent for 2 to 3 years. We even set it up in our yard first time in using it, just to see how big it was. I love (during warm Weather) to have all the doors and windows open for the breeze to come through.
I only gave it 4 stars with a suggestion to make it 5 stars, by asking the manufacturer to make one minor addition. The ceiling has four (4) 6' screens. This is great for warm weather and warm nights. To make it an all weather tent (or cooler weather also) I suggest putting zippered screened areas for the ceiling also. My suggestion is the flap would be connected, just like the screen room. Zippers on both sides. Connected at the bottoms. and connectors at top. The only flaw with this is the height of the ceiling. Keep the height, but make a cord or handle for each zipper that can be reached, but can be connected to the tent in some fashion so that it would not hang down. I would buy it if you did so. I am currently seeking to put these in myself if you don't. Four Stars can absolutely be Five if you do so.
This is by far one of the best tents I've ever camped…
Design: mini house
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: I set this tent up by myself in 20 minutes
Weight: 80 pounds
Price Paid: $200
This is by far one of the best tents I've ever camped in. Set-up was easy by myself (20 min.). No runs, no drips, no errors, no problems.
Added 300 gold lights from bronners and it was a show stopper. I added 4 extra top straps and had no problem
with the wind or weather.
It may say 10 people, but with two it really was a
Vacation Cottage II. (45-year-old pro camper)
I found the plastic pole connectors very weak and…
I found the plastic pole connectors very weak and they break easily. The fly sheet should be made out of one piece to avoid leaks and the doors leak when it rains. Keep the replacement parts number that came with the tent as you'll need it.
We loved how spacious it was, but we also had a problem…
Design: vacation cottage
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: tent was very easy to set u-p
Weight: not sure?
Price Paid: $159?
We loved how spacious it was, but we also had a problem with it collapsing due to heavy rain. One black connector and one pole actually broke so we cannot use it this year. We also leave our tents up all year long and this was the first one that snapped like this. Perhaps adding more cross poles would help due to the size of the roof?
We purchased this tent from K-Mart after seeing it…
Design: Cabin Tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Very Easy to set up
Weight: 46
Price Paid: $179
We purchased this tent from K-Mart after seeing it at a campground. We absolutely loved it until we were camping during "gale force winds". We thought it would hold up and should have dropped it until the wind died down. But unfortunately we didn't and suffered some pretty major tears. For a quick fix, we patched them with "duct tape" and that did the job for the weekend.
We've tried to purchase another one, but K-mart doesn't carry this model anymore or at least the ones we checked. So today I just purchased the Northwest Territory Vacation Home with Closet and we'll see how this one is. I'm sure we will be quite pleased and I can only hope they've made some improvements.
I had this tent set up in my backyard for 3 months…
Design: cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: easy-- might need help for final set-up or during windy conditions
Weight: heavy! 60# I carry in two bags
Price Paid: $170
I had this tent set up in my backyard for 3 months last summer. The only problems experienced were the water pooling (solved by using the straps across the bars). Most omninously was the corner connector snapping during a mild windstorm. I take partial blame for this as I hadn't used the tethers that would have prevented the tent from trying to walk away.
The connectors are flimsy anyway. I advise ordering extras for your tent while under warranty (esp the corners) and maybe even duct taping them for extra strength. I duct taped the broken one and it held up fine.
Overall, I love mine and am looking for another. Will have to drive to a Kmart two hours from me to get it but once you experience the spaciousness, you will have hard time going back to the dome tents. East to set up if you follow directions.
I show JRTs. I bought the 14 x 14 cottage tent. Mainly…
Sleeps: 5
Price Paid: $179.99
I show JRTs. I bought the 14 x 14 cottage tent. Mainly because of where we show. Out in the country. BEST TENT I have ever bought. I was the talk of the terrier trial. I have a queen size bed, a table, lights and a tv. The porch area I have a table chairs and a cooler.
My next thing I am buying for this tent is a generator. Could not be happier with it.
My family of seven camps at least 10 times a year.
Design: Vacation Cottage II
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Extremely easy. Less than 20 minutes.
Price Paid: $159
My family of seven camps at least 10 times a year. This is by far the most spacious, durable, and sturdy tent I have ever owned in the past 25 years. The tent goes up with ease in less than 20 minutes and can be down by a single person. I have read the other reviews and have not experienced faulty zippers or collapse due to rain. The zippers do require you to place your finger between the zipper and the overlap to prevent the zipper from snagging however. We recently camped and experienced high winds with a torential downpour and the tent held up with no leaks and no structural problems. This tent is large, comfortable and reasonbly priced. It is fairly heavy when packed but the wheeled carry bag tackles that problem nicely. I would recommend it without hesitation.
We purchased the Northwest Territory Vacation Cottage…
Design: warm weather
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: easy
Price Paid: $179.99
We purchased the Northwest Territory Vacation Cottage II 14 x 14 last year (Sleeps 10). A strong wind knocked over the tent and broke some of the connecting parts.
My question is: We need replacement parts for the plastic couplets for the corners. Does anyone know where I can purcase?
NorthPole Limited
23 Town & Country Drive
Washington, MO 63090
I worked long and hard to talk my boyfriend into getting…
Design: 2 rooms (one doubles as a screen porch. Still nice!
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Two of us set it up in about 15 minutes
Weight: Pretty darn heavy, but the bag has wheels on it.
Price Paid: $149.99
I worked long and hard to talk my boyfriend into getting this big and comfortable tent. Despite the fact that we have a 16x10 Eureka Blue Mesa, I wanted one that would feel more homey. Homey I did get. We spent about $25 on "Seam Grip" to seal the mammoth fly, no problem, $20 on "Camp Dry" to waterproof the walls and doors, again, no problem. It started to thunder and lightning and rain, still no problem. Then it got windy...PROBLEM.
We set up our little portable palace at my family's cabin about two weeks after we bought it and spent hours waterproofing it. We slept in it for a total of two hours before the wind picked up and blew our little house in. I woke up at about 3:30 a.m. to the ear shattering sound of the ridiculously weak plastic joints snapping one by one as they broke. My boyfriend tried to hold the ceiling up while my 8-year-old daughter and I made a run for it, I felt like Dorothy dragging Toto to the storm cellar until I stepped outside... I'll just say it sounded a heck of a lot windier inside the tent than out.
As rain poured in on my poor boyfriend he tried to find the door through the maze of screen and wall material that just five minutes earlier had been our sleeping quarters. As we stood in the cabin, soaked to the bone, I dreaded the first conversation I would have with my boyfriend which undoubtedly would start with, "I told you not to get that tent!"
I was wrong. He acknowledged the fact that it was no way windy enough to do the kind of damage that was endured by that tent. The plastic connectors are a joke. There was not one stitch of damage anywhere else on that tent. If those bubble gum and mickey mouse connectors had held, we would probably still be camping in it. Instead, we had to go home and get our Old Faithful, the Eureka.
Another storm blew through while we "slept" in the Eureka and I waited, on pins and needles for the snapping to start on that tent too. Waited in vain. It held up and I slept dry and secure, unlike the few nights before in my "brand new Vacation Cottage".
If you have this tent or are thinking about getting one, buy some rope so you can anchor down the poles to take any undue stress off of those connectors, because believe me, THEY WILL NOT HOLD UP TO MUCH.
We bought this tent because we have small children…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Claims to be easy for 2 people; really need more
Price Paid: $189
We bought this tent because we have small children and need lots of space for STUFF when we go camping. This seemed to be the perfect solution. The layout of the tent is great! We love the "floor plan". HOWEVER, the first time that we used the tent, it leaked in every single seam! The GOBEDRY label is an absolute joke. Everything we had in the tent was drenched. We had to purchase a huge tarp to place over the entire tent structure to alleviate leakage. This worked well, but considerably reduced the airflow making the tent very hot.
Fabulous concept ~ very poor workmanship!
We started our vacation with a Kelty by Ridgeway Sonoma,…
Design: Large freestanding cabin tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Very easy, 15-18 minute setup, less with familiarity
Weight: about 48 pounds
Price Paid: $149
We started our vacation with a Kelty by Ridgeway Sonoma, 18' x 18' dome tent we found at Costco. It looked ideal and was very easy to set up. We spent one night in it in Oregon at our in-laws in the backyard to try it out. Too short inside at 80"(not quite that as we set it up) but nice, easy, and somewhat comfortable.
We went to Tahoe with reservations at D.L. Bliss State park. Arrived with daylight to spare but found our campsite to not be able to accomodate the huge tent footprint. In fact, no tent site at D.L. Bliss wil accomodate an 18' x 18' tent!
Parks Service very kindly moved us to Sugar Pine Point in the group section where they were sure the tent would fit. We set it up under headlights and spent the night.
Next day, we found it hard to place the cross shaped Kelty ANYWHERE with room for an 18' x 18' footprint, which we all know means even larger space is needed for stakes and guys.
At any rate, we went into South Tahoe the next morning and stopped into K-Mart. We needed a few things in the camping section and I ran into the display for the Northwest Territory 14'x14' Vacation Cottage III.
"Wow!" was my first reaction.
After trying so hard to find the best tent with enough comfortable room to change clothes and not have to stoop to move around, we thought the Kelty would be it.
But when we saw the NWT VCIII, it was all over.
We checked the instructions first in the store so I would be sure I could understand them. Simple enough.
Checked the screens, wall fabric, and fly fabrics along with stitching and all looked very good. So we bought one.
Back at camp, took down and packed the Sonoma and set up the NWT VCIII. With help from my 18-year-old daughter we had it all set up in 18 minutes from start to finish while my wife timed us and watched our 3-year-old son.
First impression on entering...VERY ROOMY, lots of headroom, room to move, room to breathe. I particularly like the one solid backwall without vents or windows. A good idea for windy sites. There is a top vent window at the front wall peak, double "D" doors and side windows. Very nice for good airflow.
The first night, temperatures fell to 41 degrees and was chilly, but with the windows all zipped closed it was plenty warm without additional interior heat.
The floor is strong and well made.
The fly is exceptionally good, made of a good quality, tight weave rip-stop nylon and sewn well with double seams. We used seam sealer before mounting the fly, but did not have any rain.
The steel pole framework was very easy to set up and holds the tent very well. It feels sturdy and strong.
We had one day with a few very strong gusts of wind but the tent hardly moved at all, and this was without having the fly staked down or additional guys added anywhere.
The design weight of the poles is more than adequate, yet not too heavy. The shock cords that connect them are joined at the breaks by flat chain, adding strength and minimizing possible breaks during assembly or takedown.
We used long Steel Stakes rather than the plastic ones included with the tent. Probably not necessary, but my personal preference for stakes is steel.
We set it up over a 14' x 16' silver tarp for additional floor protection. I recommend this with any tent, but typically just slightly smaller than the actual tent floor itself, to prevent flooding in the rain.
Taking it down was very simple and easy. The two handled bag has additional expandable zippers and a wheeled, rubber bottom. We rolled it tightly and it all fit in the bag along with the 14'x16 tarp with a room to spare.
Overall, we are very happy with the tent. We considered several others and as I mentioned, and settled on one which was not quite right. We had two Coleman twin air-beds joined as a king size bed and two more twin air beds for my son and daughter. There was probably room for two more twin beds without difficulty.
Without airbeds, the tent can probably sleep 10 people as advertised, but eight would be more comfortable with room to move around inside a bit.
If you want or need height inside, you'll love this tent. I am 6'4" and my wife and daughter are 5'9" and 5'10" and we all enjoyed the "Stand Up" roominess of this tent.
We were in it for four days and nights and each day someone had to ask us about, remark about or compliment it. It is a handsome tent and in my honest opinion an incredible buy at $149 (on sale) regularly around $180.
I purchase this tent because I like the design and…
Design: cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: fairly easy set up
Price Paid: $150
I purchase this tent because I like the design and the price was right. The family went on our first camping trip this year and were excited about our new tent. Setting it up was fairly easy. The amount of room was great and we really enjoyed our first four nights of rest. Unfortunately on our fifth night we got a storm.
The tent began to leak along the side seams at the back of the tent in the beginning of the storm. Then it began to leak along every seam on the rain flap (roof) and everything was drenched and we had puddles inside both rooms. We had to leave for the night and return in the morning to collect our belongings.
I am unhappy with this product. Before we even went home I stopped by Kmart and returned this tent for a full refund.
Hi, I really like the tent...but we were hit by a…
Sleeps: 6+
Price Paid: $150
Hi, I really like the tent...but we were hit by a storm and one of the side poles next to the door buckled. Other than that, my friends and I enjoy the tent. I was just wondering if anyone knew what's the size of the poles. We are going camping in two weeks and our tent is up north and I have no clue about the size. If any of you could help me out I would really appreciate it.
We purchased this tent at the end of the summer. We…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: simple and streaight foward
Price Paid: $160
We purchased this tent at the end of the summer. We thought it was a great buy for the size. The setup is pretty easy and straightfoward. It helps when you have a family of four to help. We, like so many others, enjoyed the space.
On only our second time using it in the middle of July we experienced a summer micro-burst wind that blew our tent away like it was nothing at all. I guess mere size doesn't guarantee that it would stay in place. Many poles were bent--plastic fittings broke. It was a mess--unfixable out in the wilderness.
We sure would like to keep it. We need replacement poles. I know mother nature is unpredictable but it would have been nice to have a tent that could withstand some of mother nature's wrath.
Great tent until the storm came. The rainfly did not…
Design: warm weather
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: easy!!!!
Weight: ?
Price Paid: $150
Great tent until the storm came.
The rainfly did not hold up and the tent broke.
I really enjoy the size and space. I would improve…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: I find it very easy to set up.
Price Paid: $100
I really enjoy the size and space. I would improve the design by having canopies over the doors so that when it rains the inside of the tents won't get wet while going in tent. I would also design a 5' to 6' canopy that extends from the large screen in porch area to be able to leave my cover down when raining and as an extra sun shield.
The tent does leak on the floor seams and the brittle rods that hold the bay window out break too easly. It's hard to find replacement parts. I have been camping for many years and if these few design additions where done I would rate this tent one of the best.
Hi everyone who posted their thoughts before and convinced…
Design: cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: fairly straight forward with one, easdier with two
Weight: at least 60 lbs. You wouldn't backpack this one in!
Price Paid: $143
Hi everyone who posted their thoughts before and convinced me to go ahead and purchase this behemoth. I followed the advice to follow to the letter set-up, did it on my own in one hour and found it not too difficult. (Though having help with the rainfly would sure be nice.)
It's a darn impressive set-up and comfortable to move around in. I sure don't get the claustrophobic feeling that other tents can induce in me.
I notice that the seams on the tabs that attach the tent to the poles are stressed to a possibly unhealthy point, is it me or some technique I need to do? They aren't twisted or anything, but very taut and I wonder about them tearing down the line.
Other than that concern, I'm impressed thus far and leaving it up in m y backyard for the summer under the shade of a tree. Will make a great get away.
We bought this tent because we have a large family.
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: two people can set it up in about 20 mins
Price Paid: $170
We bought this tent because we have a large family. It was great for the first few trips, after the fourth trip one of the zippers stopped working so we switched sides and after one trip that zipper also has stopped working. It needs more durable zippers put in it. This tent has even been through a thunderstorm that dropped 2-3 inches of water but it only leaked a little near the walls if something was touching it.
Same problem as most other reviewers. . . Rain collapsed…
Design: 2-3 room cabin tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: difficult unless you are over 6 foot tall
Weight: heavy!
Price Paid: $179.99
Same problem as most other reviewers. . . Rain collapsed the tent. We camp almost every weekend, and always leave our three tents and equipment tent set up for the entire summer, as we are only nine miles from home and it is a pain to put them up every weekend. We had a downpour this week, and when we went to the campsite this weekend, this tent was on the ground and everything in it was soaked.
The other two tents (not of this make or model) were perfectly dry. The black connectors were all broken. I am in the process of trying to find replacement parts, but by reading these reviews . . .I doubt I will have any success. I am very disappointed and will not buy from this company again.
I love this tent, it is so wonderful to go camping…
Design: Northwest Territory 14x14 Vacation Cottage II
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: not hard at all
Weight: 80lb. ?
Price Paid: $169
I love this tent, it is so wonderful to go camping and be able to have a tent like this one. It's like a small cabin to stay in. The last time we went camping a big storm came and really pulled at the tent and I need to order some things to do some repairs on it and if anyone can help me please e-mail me so that I can get some new parts before we go camping again. I need a phone # so I can call and order parts. Please help me I need to fix my home away from home. Thank You. Rita
I bought my three-room Northwest Territory Vacation…
Design: Northwest Territory 14' x 14' Vacation Cottage II GoBedry North Pole Limited
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: rather confusing
Weight: Unsure
I bought my three-room Northwest Territory Vacation Cottage II last year at K-mart for the purpose of being able to camp at the Randolph Portage County Fair during the last week of August. I have to say for the amount of money I spent on it, I really liked the size because I am in a wheelchair and I needed the space. But the only problem I had, brand new out of the container, no where on there, and being a first time tent owner, was there any indication that this needed to be water proofed. So needless to say during that week and during the rain it leaked very badly.
Then after taking it down, and getting it dried out, somehow the instructions to put it back up got lost, blew away or something, but now I am in desperate need of assembly instructions so I can use the same tent again this year and start getting it set up for water proofing. Can u help me? I am at email@example.com if anyone has instructions.
Thank you in advance, and I am really appreciative of its size, not the leaks, but all in all it was a wonderful tent.
I recently purchased this product with enthusiasm.
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: very easy and logical
Price Paid: $159.99
I recently purchased this product with enthusiasm. I went camping and everything was well. When I come home to clean it out I set the tent up by instruction only and a black connection piece cracked and broke in half. I would like a replacement part if possible. Overall the tent held up well and was very comfortable for my family.
Excellent tent, sets up for us in no time flat. Only…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: 15
Price Paid: $159
Excellent tent, sets up for us in no time flat. Only drawback is leaking on flooring and in pockets under windows. This was taken care of by sealing the seams and using spray to protect the bottom. I have found that if you seal the tent right away before use, it saves a lot of grief.
We loved the room this tent and it has given us several…
Design: Vacation Cottage ll
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: pretty easy setup
Price Paid: $150
We loved the room this tent and it has given us several camping trips. Until the first time it rained then the seams leaked on the rain flap. I woke up to a soaked blanket. Not too impressed. The tag says GOBEDRY on it. Yeah, go be dry somewhere else, not in the tent that's for sure. So this tent is great for camping if it isn't going to rain.
My family and myself have owned two and have been…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: for the size of tent, I had the tent set up in less than an hour
Price Paid: $119
My family and myself have owned two and have been nothing but pleased. The construction of this tent is so unique and sturdy that I feel very comfortable at night when we camp in it. I definitely would recommend it to anyone. I have had one small leak out of two tents, pretty good ratio if you ask me.
We camp every chance we get with this tent! We took…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 10 min. and bring in your gear, GoodNight!!!
Weight: 75 lbs. i think bag,stakes,tent ,fly
Price Paid: $179
We camp every chance we get with this tent! We took it up to Splitrock State Park in Minn. We walked a mile to our campsite along side of Lake Superior. When we set the tent up every other camper had to come through our tent. They wanted to know where we found such a "cool tent". We told them at K-Mart! Thank you for a fine product!
This tent... where to even start. Seemed great when…
Price Paid: $189.99
This tent... where to even start. Seemed great when I set it up in my yard before we went the first time because my sister-in-law bought the same one and it was missing pieces.
So upon setting it up in my yard... one of the poles that went in the window to keep it open snapped in half. Then I just said, whatever it's fine we were leaving in two days anyway. So I packed it away and camping we went.
We were flooded the first night. We woke up to see the cieling about 10 inches from our faces pooled with water. Everything soaking wet. Plastic snapped. Horrible!!!
Took me three months to get ahold of someone to get replacement parts. They said my warranty on the tent wasn't good because I sprayed stuff on it to keep it dry. The tent wasn't as bad as the people you have to get through to to get help.
I love this tent, we have used it a lot. One summer…
I love this tent, we have used it a lot. One summer we left it up for over one month and it did not get water in it one time.
I went camping with this tent and it rained all weekend.
Design: nice
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: takes awhile
Weight: Light, comes with a case that has wheels
Price Paid: $149.99
I went camping with this tent and it rained all weekend. First problem, the seams on the rain fly leaked. I put a tarp on and it quit. Second problem, the floor leaked. This is a good tent for camping long weekends but for two or three days the set-up is not worth it. I would have probably loved this tent if the weather was great, but is it ever really great? Look forward to trying it out again.
Needs more support on back ends of fly. Right end…
Design: vacation tent 14' x 14'
Sleeps: 4
Ease of Setup: poles need a better color marking
Weight: ?
Price Paid: $179
Needs more support on back ends of fly. Right end fills with water. Two more belts I think would do it to each side.
I am a 61-year-old Native American. I dance Men's…
Design: Cottage style tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Not bad if you follow directions.
Price Paid: On sale with senior discount
I am a 61-year-old Native American. I dance Men's Traditional
at pow-wows. Until I got this tent, changing into "regalia"
(Native Attire) was a real challenge. I'm 6'2" and most of the other 6' tents, aren't. It was like the hunchback trying to get into leotards.
This tent, I stand tall and dress easliy. It holds a queen sized platform air bed with no problem.
Last season we had a terrible storm at a pow-wow with gales, torrental downpours, and very high winds. As a result, we had a puddle about the size of a basketball, on the "sunroom" side of the tent. Some fool didn't close the window flap all the way. (Ah hem, I pulled that duty that nite.) Shhhh.
Overall, the tent is fantastic. I agree, set it up first in friendly territory first to get the hang of the poles and fly direction. It's not that hard if you READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! (Comment to those who had trouble setting up.
Would I buy another one of THIS tent? No. Cause this one is holding up just fine. Don't need one.
Within 24 hours of buying, our family decided to set…
Design: vacation cottage II
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 1st is always tough but seems to be easy to do
Weight: 50 to 70 lbs
Price Paid: $196
Within 24 hours of buying, our family decided to set up the cottage to check it out and it was GREAT. It did take a little longer to set up but seemed to be worth the time. We loved the size and the big screen room. There wasn't anything that we found wrong with it at all. We were planning a trip next weekend our first in the new tent, BUT...we decided to leave it up overnight, bad decision.
A terrible thunderstorm came up in the middle of the night with tornado warnings and winds 40 to 50 mph. The tent fell victim to the storm, it could have been worse, but only one pole was bent, two connector hubs broke and the tent itself suffered multiple rips and tears. We will be contacting the company for replacement parts and hope that we have no problem. It really does need stronger poles!
We purchased this model of tent last summer at Kmart…
Design: 14'x14' vacation cottage with screened porch
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: not too tough
Weight: 50-60 pounds
Price Paid: $180
We purchased this model of tent last summer at Kmart in International Falls, Minnesota. The first time we used it there was a thunder storm that evening and the wind came up and most of the plastic connectors that link the poles together broke and the tent came crashing down on my family and myself. Nobody was hurt but the trip was a mess.
I tried to return the tent but was told the incident was due to operator assembly error and that they would not return or replace the tent. I have even tried to order new parts but have been unsuccessful in this endevor as well. I do not recommend this tent to anybody. Save your hard earned cash and purchase something else. Thank you for reading and happy camping.
My husband and I were camping at Pymatuning State…
Design: Cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Not difficult to set up. You just have to read the instructions.
Weight: Unsure
Price Paid: $150
My husband and I were camping at Pymatuning State Park in September. As a result of the hurricane in Florida it rained and the winds were at 50mph, all night. At one point I thought the tent was going to collapse because of the way the wind was pushing in the side. It was a miracle this tent held up under those rough conditions. It survived with just one strap that was torn and not one single bent pole. I highly recommend this tent.
We feel it was a great buy. We and some friends went…
Design: Vacation Cottage 2
Sleeps: 5
Ease of Setup: We ave had no proublems in setting up. It is easy
Price Paid: $179
We feel it was a great buy. We and some friends went camping on the beach inlet. While we were there the first time two storms came up and met over our tent.The storms had heavy rain and bad blowing winds. The tent withstood all of it and we slept safe. And stll able to enjoy our outing. We later went back to the same spot four weeks later. Storms were coming and high tides. The tent withstood the bad weather again and the high tide. We love our tent. The problem we are having is our directions on setting it up got wet and we need a new set of plans for parts and instructions.
First thing that went was the brittle rods that hold…
Design: warm weather family vacation cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: excellent
Price Paid: $200
First thing that went was the brittle rods that hold the bay windows out and the sleeves that hold them. A freak hail storm in the middle of August collapsed 1/4 of the tent and broke the top bar. I repaired it with a lead pipe. As the screening started developing holes, I'd stuff a silk scarf in the holes. Another storm the following May pushed it over, breaking more poles, which I creatively repaired. Then the landlady's dog tore into it with her claws. I glued pieces of the divider material onto the rent walls.
I love my tent. I am disabled 55-year-old woman who lives in my cabin tent nine months out of the year in No. California. I love the size and all the screen area. I would pay $500 to $600 for the same model to be made out of heavy duty canvas, stronger steel frame, and tougher screening that will be easily replaced. Something that will last more than five years.
By the way, the shelves are crap. Barley Waters
We love our tent! It has great headroom so you can…
Design: Large cabin
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Incredibly easy set up after practice try
Price Paid: $169
We love our tent! It has great headroom so you can get dressed without being hunched over. The first night of camping it downpoured and we stayed completely dry. There wasn't even any seepage with the fabric. The two bay windows also allow you to open the windows without getting water inside. We were going to buy this tent a few years ago when it was the first model but Kmart pulled it. We like this model and got it 25% off during a camping sale. I would suggest setting up once before you go camping because it is a different setup then most tents.
We thought we had the world's greatest tent until…
Price Paid: $175
We thought we had the world's greatest tent until a thunderstorm snapped the poles on the tent. The tent is extremely roomy but the quality of the poles is weak.
This tent was awesome. We stayed very dry and we had…
Design: 3 room cabin tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 30 minutes for 2 people
Price Paid: $150
This tent was awesome. We stayed very dry and we had torrential downpours being just off Lake Michigan. I would suggest to the other owners to use the straps that go under the rain fly. They just snap right on the top poles of the frame and reach over the peak to the other side. That is what keeps the water from puddling up on top.
Use it twice and it fell apart at the zippers and…
Design: vacation cottages
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: It was easier to put up than to back away
Price Paid: $200
Use it twice and it fell apart at the zippers and the windows. The floor was already wearing holes in it. I was led to believe that the product would be a wonderful choice, but they were wrong, so I am returning my Northwest Territory.
P.S. But I love to shop at Kmart.
I was so excited when I bought this tent. Finally,…
Sleeps: 6+
Price Paid: $189
I was so excited when I bought this tent. Finally, I thought, a tent with lots of room my family won't be cramped in. The design, however, is seriously flawed. When it rains the water collects at the bottom of the tent roof in huge amounts. My husband stayed up half the night one trip pushing the water out so we wouldn't get flooded. The pole connectors are very flimsy too. I've had to replace three of them so far and have only used the tent two times. Thank goodness for duct tape!
Got dome tent for my birthday, used it once and zipper…
Got dome tent for my birthday, used it once and zipper ripped the flap over the zipper. being too small decided to get a bigger one. Checked many Kmart stores to replace it with a cottage tent but reviews made me change my mind. I will look at other brands.
I used it once and it leaked. the next summer set…
Price Paid: $200
I used it once and it leaked. the next summer set it up to clean it before camping trip and it collapsed. KMart said too bad. reciept
The tent looks exceptional but what other reviewers…
Ease of Setup: fairly easy = the more times the easier
Price Paid: $200
The tent looks exceptional but what other reviewers are saying is true--the rainflap will pocket and hold rain water even in light rain storms! We just spent the weekend with our family (2 daughters and a granddaughter and we only had to set it up three times, once in the begiining on Friday afternoon and then again Friday about 9:30 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m. and needed to poke "weep holes" in the tent floor to let the water from the pockets seep out -- entirely too much to mop out!
I now need a new side pole as the original bent and then finally broke in two due to rainwater pocketing. Does anyone have the original instruction manual and parts numbers?? Our's got W-E-T and stuck to itself and we cannot use it. If so, please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com with information for left side top rail post (the one under the rainflap) and cost, please.
We just ended a 7-day camping trip July 3rd with a…
Design: three-season cabin
Ease of Setup: easy, but we practice at home first
Weight: 50 lbs.
Price Paid: $150
We just ended a 7-day camping trip July 3rd with a 2-, 3- and 9-yr.-old plus mom and dad. We had 4 suitcases, 3 duffle bags, plus we sleep on cots and we still had some room left over. It rained very hard one night for hours and didn't have a single leak (and we didn't seam seal either). We also got a thunderstorm with pretty good winds and still no problem. We used the screened room for sleeping but (unlike some other tents we've tried) we could really air it out during the day by opening up the screen. None of our stuff was damp when it was time to sleep or pack up. Room to stand up!
First off, I bought the tent. Once home, I read the…
Design: 14X14 Summer Cottage tent
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: 2, maybe 3 people tops
Weight: mildly heavy but worth it
Price Paid: Ballpark $170
First off, I bought the tent. Once home, I read the reviews and had mixed emotions. I dance Men's Traditional at Native American Pow-Wows. Camping for most Pow-Wows is a must. Most dome tents and larger tents are great for sleeping and storage, but dressing in regalia (native clothing) is a chore. I am 6'2" tall. You do the math. I dressed as a hunch back. This tent solved my only problem with ease.
Now, I read the other reviews, and I can only say, Hmmmm.
This Memorial Day weekend Pow-Wow was held just outside Columbus, Ohio. When I got to the sight, several people helped me erect my "cottage." The wind was gusting from 15 to 25 mph. I mean we had our hands full. BUT! once up, we had us a tent.
Friday, my other half showed up and we finished setting up inside. Try as hard as we could, we could NOT fill up the tent. I mean we had two queen sized air mattress set up, and one was the type on the collapsible stand. Still had room. So we took the "ground" one down.
Saturday night, a violent storm came in. Winds up to 15 mph, and a torrential downpour. As a Viet Nam vet, I would compare it to a "mild" monsoon. Other tents collapsed under just the rain. We had a puddle in our tent about the size of a large serving platter. Came to find out, I, in my infinite stupidity, left a small opening in the one window for venilation.
There was a "roof puddle" in the back section of the screen area, but a few good pushes and the bulk of it was gone, and pulling the "roof" section taut, and the puddle was gone.
Overall, this tent was magnificant!! Because of the time element, I didn't have time to waterproof it with the commercial sprays. Didn't even need it!
If you do decide to purchase this tent, by all means, do so. If it is put up properly, and by someone who knows what they are doing, and talking about this tent is a God-send.
Most of regailia that we Native dance in is primarily feather, fur and intricate bead work, nothing that should be left to the elements. This tent did its job of protecting it, above and beyond the call of duty.
Excellent tent is too modest a term in describing it!
My daughter bought this tent and it also came apart…
Design: 14+14 vacation cottage cabin
Ease of Setup: 2 people at least
Price Paid: $179
My daughter bought this tent and it also came apart during a heavy rain. The tent top would get water pockets. It tells you this in the manual but it's a boxy high tent. For backyard use the kids and adults will love it. We tried to reach the company and when we did they were so kind and replaced every pole and part we lost. North Pole owns the company and they can take a while to reach because they are busy. The number is on the owners manual. KMart told us too bad. Save reciept. Even after the tent did this we still love it. We will put it up in a protected area. Our other Northwest tents are great and I camp with them. The company is great.
The tent held up very well. We have used it in all…
The tent held up very well. We have used it in all kinds of weather. We even had one trip that we had four days straight of pounding rain, it never leaked. It is very spacious and airy. Fits four very comfortably with plenty of room for all. It is very easy to set up and take down. It is nice because most campgrounds you go to have a specific spot to set up your tent and they are usually square pads, which fits this tent perfect.
We own two of these tents, which one is for our children and they just love it. It gives them plenty of room to put all their toys they bring with them along with their beds and clothing. They can also set up table and chairs in the screen room so they can play their games on a rainy day.
Had tropical downpour and winds. Had only one small…
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: two people set it up in 20 min
Had tropical downpour and winds. Had only one small leak. Roof fly was not taut enough and water pooled on top of the tent. Tightened up the top and no problem--withstood 30 mph wind gust and horizontal rain.
I purchased this tent as a birthday gift for my husband…
Design: External frame at which the tent clips onto
Sleeps: 6+
Ease of Setup: Easy with 2 people
Weight: About 60 pounds
Price Paid: $179.99
I purchased this tent as a birthday gift for my husband as our previous tent (an Ozark Mountain) was pushing 14-years-old and still in good shap, but wanted something different. The tent sleeps 10 and came with shelves and a bay window, remote control light all of which was attractive. It also comes in a roll on bag much like a travel bag on wheels. The rainfly goes on over the outside of the external frame.
Well, don't waste your money on this one. It is a great tent on a dry non-windy day, but a small rain storm blew in. It wasn't overly windy. Even with a tarp hung above the tent we got wet. I had previously sealed all the seams especially around the windows. The water still came in right good. The flap over the outside zipper at the door leaked badly no matter how we tried to seal it. The wind gusted a bit at about 15mph and the center side support kinked and when it did the whole right hand side of the tent came down ripping about a 2 foot section in length on the top (roof) of the seam. The shower hung on for about an hour and we had a great amount of water in the tent. The poles are not easily replaced and are expensive and I sewed the seam shut only because I intend to get the money out of it anyway and let the kids use it for a summer time play room.
Buyer Beware! also should you buy this one anyway. Put a piece of plywod in the bottom of the roll on bag or the wheels break off!
We have the 14 x 14 Vacation Cottage and it is always…
We have the 14 x 14 Vacation Cottage and it is always the talk of the campgrounds, as well. For all of you needing information or needing to order parts, here is the information I found on my owner's manual:
Tent Customer Service
3333 Yale Way
Fremont, California 64538-6169
At the bottom of the owner's manual, it reads:
To order replacement parts, call toll free
at 1-800-366-1599 Monday thru Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM (PST - West Coast)
Mention complete model numbers.
(The model number for the 14 x 14 Vacation Cottage is
#88-97-08 )
I hope this helps all of you.
Tom and Connie
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Northwest Territory Vacation Home 10-Person Tent 14' x 14'
The Northwest Territory Vacation Home 10-Person Tent 14' x 14' is not available from the stores we monitor.