Tent for Two Adults and Two Dawgs

[Luke Coop]

My wife and I currently backpack with a Copper Spur HV UL2. We’ve always been happy with it, but Izzy the Adventure Dog has gained a sister and I fear we’re now a bit much for it. Thinking about just selling the 2 and buying a 3 to keep it simple, but I figured it was worth asking for other ideas.

Needs to house me @ 6′ 175, my petite bride and two 50ish pound dogs and be fully enclosed. Thoughts other than the Copper Spur?

[bradmacmt]

Two 50lb dogs might be a bit of an ask for any 3P tent. A pyramid might be the answer. Any reason your dogs have to be in the tent? I would have thought two 50lb dogs could handle sleeping outside a tent. Not trying to be snarky, just wondering.

Aside, for a tiny weight gain, my wife and I switched to a Nemo Hornet 3P from a BA Copper Spur UL2… a vast improvement and might work for you.

[Andrew]

I have a TT Cloudburst 3 that I use with my two large lab mixes. The tunnel design works well because you don’t lose much floor space along the tent walls. The 30d floor also holds up well to their nails although I keep them short and throw down an old ccf pad for them to sleep on. My wife refuses to join us but if your spouse is small this might be a good option.

[Luke Coop]

Why can’t they sleep outside? Good question – I guess they could, but they’re spoiled LOL! We actually haven’t taken Maggie yet other than a day hike. Frankly I fear they’d both party with the critters all night if we didn’t bed them down with us. We’ve been fine with Izzy in the 2 person tent, so hopefully the 3 will work with one more dog in the pile. Something to think about though, thank you! I also hadn’t considered the Hornet, but it’s actually not any heavier than our CS 2 because we have the Mtnglo. That could be a winner. The TT options caught my eye as well, but he’s currently out of all his three person tents. Thanks gentlemen!

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

Re: Tarptent models for two adults and two dogs, the Cloudburst 3 is back in stock and I would strongly recommend also taking a look at the Hogback.

[Dan]

We use a 3P copper spur for two people and two large (90lb) dogs, and I can confirm that it’s totally fine. I don’t have any other specific suggestions, but I’d imagine that nearly any true 3P tent would be fine. I have also had several 50lb-ish dogs over the years (Boxers), and they took up significantly less space than our current beasts.

Alternatively, my wife and I sometimes take two tents. This is advantageous for us because we’ve already invested into a quiver of 1P or 2P tents that make sense in this context. For example, my wife can use a 1P DCF trekking pole tent, and I can use a 2P DCF trekking pole tent with both dogs, and the total weight is substantially less than the 3P Copper Spur. Also, one of our dogs often eats a lot of grass and gets very gassy, and my wife can’t stand it.

If she and I went backpacking together more often, we might invest in a really lightweight 3P tent, but the majority of my trips are solo with one dog.

[Ben H.]

I have a Hogback and love it. I think it would be great for this situation without a lot of weight compromise.

[Sam Farrington]

< Why can’t they sleep outside?

Our pups can easily be scattered out in the wild.  Having them in the tent makes it much easier to protect them.  My smartest and cool headed pups have been shelties, and the only time or two when one  was almost lost, was when she was outside the tent and frightened by predators.  There was one shelty who could even unzip the doors from inside the tent.  Woke up and found her hiding in bushes nearby.  She was petrified by a thunderstorm.

[tkkn c]

Tarptent Hogback, I have had three big adults or a family of 4 in it. Should work in your situation.   I have noticed that silnylon acts like Velcro for dog hair.  I think it is the static.

[Luke Coop]

Thanks everyone for the input. Much appreciated! I seriously considered the Cloudburst and Hogback -both very impressive and intriguing. Ultimately I settled on the Hornet 3P though, mostly due to cost relative to frequency of use.

[bradmacmt]

Luke, I’m certain you’ll be pleased with the Hornet 3P. It’s really a palace.

[Author]

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