The Wenzel Great Basin 10-Person Tent is a budget-friendly option for family camping trips. This spacious tent features a dome-like design with plenty of room for everyone. It’s made with fiberglass poles and includes a special Light Reflection System to brighten up the interior. With its numerous windows, you’ll enjoy ample natural light and ventilation throughout your summer adventures.
Important characteristics
- Here are some key features:
- Single door with a window: Provides easy access and natural light.
- Three distinct windows: Offer excellent ventilation and views.
- Fiberglass poles: Ensure a lightweight and easy-to-assemble structure.
- E-port: Conveniently bring power into your tent.
- Three-room design: Provides separate living spaces for added privacy and organization.
- Tent Light Reflection System: Enhances interior brightness for a more comfortable experience.
Where to Purchase
- This tent is widely available, and you can find it at popular retailers like:
- Amazon: They offer international shipping, so click the link to explore their global service.
- Walmart: Another convenient option for purchasing this tent.
This is what kind of tent it is.
The Wenzel Great Basin 10-Person Tent is a classic extended dome-style tent that’s been a popular choice for campers for over 6 years. It features a traditional design with two main poles supporting the central area and additional poles extending the sides, as you can see in the diagram below.
While it might appear freestanding at first glance, it’s important to note that this tent requires staking for proper setup. Staking the tent securely to the ground helps to create the necessary tension to fully extend the side extensions and achieve the proper shape and stability.
This tent offers a surprising amount of privacy for its price, thanks to two included partitions that allow you to create up to three separate rooms. However, it’s important to note that there’s only one door for entry and exit, as shown in the image above.
With a peak height of 78 inches (198 cm), most people can comfortably stand upright inside.
Another notable feature is the partial coverage fly. This design provides some protection from the elements while still allowing you to enjoy the surrounding views. You’ll also find three separate zippered windows, a rare feature in such an affordable tent, plus an additional window on the door, as seen in the photo above.
Who is it for?
While the Wenzel Great Basin tent claims to accommodate 10 people, it’s essential to consider the actual space available. The floor plan below shows the layout and how the manufacturer suggests using sleeping pads. With a total area of 159 ft² (14.8 m²), this translates to only 1.59 ft² (1.48 m²) per person when at full capacity. This limited space might feel cramped with 10 people and their gear.
Space and Capacity:
While you could technically fit three queen-size beds or up to six twin-size beds inside, this tent is best suited for smaller groups. A family of five, such as parents with three young children, would find it more comfortable.
Suitable Weather Conditions:
This tent is designed for summer camping. The mesh roof provides excellent ventilation but wouldn’t offer much protection in colder or wet conditions. Also, due to its height, fiberglass poles, and partial fly, it’s best to avoid using this tent in strong winds or heavy rain.
Weight and Packed Size:
Weighing 28 lb 2 oz (12.8 kg), this tent is reasonably lightweight for its size. You can compare its weight to other 10-person tents in the table below. It packs down to 27 x 10.75 x 10.75 inches (69 x 27 x 27 cm). Keep in mind that this is a car camping tent, so weight and packed size are less critical than for backpacking tents.
Materials
Poles: This tent uses shock-corded fiberglass poles for its structure. While fiberglass is a common material for budget tents, it’s not as strong or durable as aluminum or steel. The tent includes four poles for the main canopy and one for a small awning above the door.
Fabric: The tent fly and walls are made of polyester with a PU coating. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify the waterproof rating, the seams are sealed to help keep water out. The floor is reinforced with polyethylene for added protection against moisture from the ground. Two removable dividers with zippers are also included.
Ventilation: This tent offers plenty of ventilation options with mesh panels on the ceiling, windows, and door. However, it lacks floor vents. The low position of the windows allows you to keep them open with just the mesh in clear weather, providing good airflow. However, during extended periods of rain, you’ll need to close all openings, which could lead to condensation and a less comfortable environment inside the tent.
Other characteristics
- Storage loft: Provides a handy place to keep your gear organized and off the floor.
- Integrated Light Reflection System: A reflective panel in the ceiling amplifies light from a flashlight or lantern placed in the gear loft, creating a brighter interior.
- Wall storage: While there are two small wall pockets, they may not provide enough storage space for some campers.
- E-port: Allows you to conveniently bring electrical power into the tent.
Specifications
- Capacity: 10 people
- Weight: 28 lb 2 oz (12.8 kg)
- Dimensions: 18 x 10 ft (549 x 305 cm)
- Floor area: 159 ft² (14.8 m²)
- Area per person: 1.59 ft² (1.48 m²)
- Peak height: 78 in (198 cm)
- Packed size: 27 x 10.75 x 10.75 in (69 x 27 x 27 cm)
- Poles: Fiberglass
Final thoughts
Just a quick reminder that this is my honest and unbiased review of the Wenzel Great Basin 10-Person Tent. I haven’t received any compensation or incentives from the brand to write this.
If you have any questions or comments about this tent, please feel free to leave them in the comment box below. I’m always happy to hear from my readers!
