I purchased the 6 man dome tent several months ago. The extension over the entrance to the tent is not long enough and allows the rain to pour in to the screened area with very little wind. Also, the third time I set up the tent, the metal connectors attached to the flexible tent poles with the shock cords nearly broke in several places leaving visible disconfigurations in the metal due to the stress of flexing the pole to set up the tent. I expect to have to replace them after the next use. Additionally, the size is grossly over rated as when I set up 2 cots in the sleeping area it was full.
Put it together in the driveway before we went camping, I wish the instructions had pics in them, we went to the internet once to see how the long pole on the fly fit. Once at the camp site, it went together easily, 30 minutes later we were struck with a STRONG thunderstorm, high winds and driving rain, and were amazed at how dry the tent stayed. Only a little rain came in at the bottom 4 inches of the screen porch, NO rain in the sleeping room. Next day AGAIN! Also wonderfully dry. Heartily recommend!
I Love this tent, but it is NOT a 6 man tent. I bought it for our family camping trip, figuring that we could use it to sleep 4 plus gear. Boy was I wrong. The screen room does not have a floor or a front door on the rain fly (which really wasn't clear in the advertising) so the only place you have for storage of gear is in the sleeping area, which is about 10x8. Why LL Bean doesn't add a floor in the screen room and a front door on the rain fly is beyond me.
The tent itself is excellent, and highly recommended for 2-3 people and gear or 4 people without gear. It was easy to set up (I did it myself in about 20 minutes, and I am not mechanically inclined). The quality is excellent, and it is rain proof.
A tip, and a flaw...
Make sure you use a ground cloth, so that you don't puncture the floor on uneven ground. And the only flaw that I noticed was the awning on the rain fly. The pole puts a great deal of pressure on the screen room door, making it difficult to work the zipper through the top part of the door.
All in all, I would give this tent 41/2 stars, if it wasn't for the misleading advertising on the size. Bean's customer service is, as always, impeccable!
I purchased this tent to use on camping trips with my two 80+ lb dogs, who take up as much room as a 10 year old child. It is roomy enough for the three of us (me in a cot and them on the floor with my 'luggage'), and easy for a 'novice' tent camper like me to set up...the instructions sewn into the carry bag are a great idea. The net "compartments" sewn into the sides are perfect for eyeglasses, books, flashlights, etc. Various clip attachments are perfect for hanging a lantern, fan or light. The vestibule will hold two (opened) folding chairs, but I used it to store extra gear, dog water & food bowls, etc. I personally think it would be crowded with six people, but it was perfect for the "three" of us. I would recommend buying the footprint for added protection for the floor of the tent. The entry from the front or rear of the tent is also very handy.
