Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot, The Leader in Off-The-Ground Camping, Rainfly and Carry Bag Included, Holds 350lbs, Sets up in Seconds

DTodd

Yep. It's that Good!

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2018

I was a boy scout, then joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet, then spent 24 years in the military, and I go camping regularly even now. So, I'm kinda familiar with tents; both good ones and bad ones. And no matter how big or small the tent, it was always such a pain on the rear to set them up, tear them down and find a flat place where rocks weren't jabbing me in the back all night. The final straw for me was when I had to stand holding my tent up for almost two hours in the wee hours of the morning when a sudden, violent storm swept through the area with gusts to 60mpg. After that, I trashed my shredded $400 tent and didn't go camping for another 7 years.
Then I got the itch again, and began looking at getting a small tent. I was looking for something that sets up easily, provides a bit more structure to resist winds and a bit more comfort for my aging back. And that's when I found the Kamp Rite Tent-Cot. After watching a few videos, I made my purchase.
When the box arrived, I opened it and removed the tent. There were no instructions. But I quickly found that none were needed. It's that intuitive. You simply open it up, lock the legs in place and secure them, then install the fiberglass rod top supports. It took me all of two minutes before my tent-cot was shelter-ready. I opened it, crawled inside and zipped the door closed. That's it. After half a century of tent misadventures, I finally found a tent that's truly easy to set up and tear down, and is comfortable and secure. I slept in it last night for the first time. And I slept like a baby. I used my nicest sleeping bag, and a Lightspeed sleeping mat. There's a handy tie for hanging a light or whatever top dead center too, so I chilled out with my reader before turning over to go to sleep. I would guess that you really don't need a sleeping mat because the 'floor' is more like the feel of a hammock, but try it with and without the mat to see if it suits your tastes. The tent material seems super tough, so I can envision this tent lasting a really long time too. The oversized dimensions suit me (I'm 6'2 and heavily built, and if it gives me plenty of room, most people will also find it very spacious (for one person, of course). The tent comes with a rain-cover and a well-built carrying bag. Shockingly, the carrying bag goes on easily. This is the first time I can say that about a carrying bag that came with any tent I've ever owned. The one drawback I can think of, if you want to call it that, is that this tent-cot is NOT very portable. I can virtually guarantee that you will not want to carry the tent-cot much more that a hundred meters before setting up camp. So, keep that in mind if you're looking for ultra-portability. But if you're still thinking this all sounds good, stop thinking and just pull the trigger. Sure it's a bit more expensive than similar-sized solutions on the market, but its worth every extra penny, and more. Yep. it's that good!

Edit: Over a year later and three uses, I can verify that this is an awesome tent. In fact, my last camping adventure included a rain storm that involved gusts to over 50 mph. With the rain-flye in place and all windows zippered shut, not a drop penetrated. I was cozy inside. My equipment-bearing tent next door was absolutely flooded by the same storm. I can honestly say that the Kamp-rite is a keeper!

251 people found this helpful

Gamikatsu

Such a comfortable tent!

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024

I absolutely love this tent cot! It is a great idea, and absolutely perfectly implemented. I got the oversized because I'm a bit bigger. I am 5'10" and 215#. It unfolds and sets up in 2 or 3 minutes. The cot is padded, and I slept well. The tent kept me dry during some very heavy rains. I did make an awning or canopy using a canvas tarp and my car, but both ends got pummeled by rain. No leaks. It is spacious enough for a grown adult to comfortably sleep and store a bit of gear. This is NOT a backpacking tent. It does not fold down small. Folded size is I think 36x36. For car camping however this is a great piece of kit. Would be fantastic to stop somewhere and set up next to your car to sleep.

I will be buying another for kids!

Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot

fstrchrstphrmchl

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2013

1st off please read the below info lifted from an older customer review, I put DTC443 in the search field on amazon to be sure I was buying the model that includes the rain fly. You will notice this model is more $ than the non-rain fly model.

" The product quality is excellent, but BEWARE. According to Antonette at Kamp-Rite, there are supposedly TWO DIFFERENT product numbers for this tent-cot, one with a rainfly (#DTC 443) and one without (#TC 401). "

I camp about 4-5 times a year with a scout troop, since I have to set up/tear down alone (and often have other troop gear to setup) the TentCot had my attention right away. I have become accustom to using a cot while camping, If the choice was cot with no tent or tent with no cot...I'd take the cot, even though they are either bulky to carry (folding) or tedious to set up (poles).

My 1st load out was a large 6 person (which means 4 person) tent with a folding cot. While I could stand up in it, the large footprint meant picking up rocks and sticks, laying tarp, erecting tent (2 man job), installing fly & setting up my cot inside. I smartened up and went to a 2 person (again...1person) tent since it went up way quicker (1 man job), required less ground cleaning & took up less valuable space at tight campsites. With the cot inside I had just enough room for shoes and gear bag, everything was perfect.

Now cut the setup time from 30-40 minutes down to 5-7 minutes.

Same effective size (when using the space under cot for waterproof storage bags/totes) with more bed. My new setup allows me to go from the car to ANY camp spot quicker than anyone, unused spots previously considered too small for a tent.

I received my TentCot in a cardboard retail box without damage. Packing was so-so with bubble wrap applied to all 4 corners of the cot prior to putting it in the carry bag. The carry bag was a bit nicer than expected, pretty hefty feeling with a shoulder strap making it easy to walk and carry. Compared to my old folding camp cot this model is bigger and heavier but with the tote bag it is a hand free carry. I suspect a simple set of backpack style straps would make this even easier to lug around.

I did not read the instructions; I had previously watched videos on YouTube and had the basics down. Setup is pretty intuitive with the exception of the cot opening in "chair mode" and it taking a minute to figure out I had to pull on the tubes to clear the chair stop. Construction seemed well thought out, designed as a total package as opposed to simply adding a tent to a cot.
Starting from the bottom...
The 4 legs have plastic molded feet on the corners to add to its stability, it is a non-brittle material. In the video it shows assembly requiring you to attach plastic clips to the underside of the middle legs...Between the legs and the ground. I attached mine to the cross bar above the legs, the cot set up stable and tight.

While the stretched sleeping surface is solid on the top, a quick crawl under the Tentcot reveals 2 missing sections of tarp. The open areas are on the 2 parts that fold, you can see the foam thru these slits. Again the quality and dense feel of the foam was better than expected. It uses a very rubbery "heavy for its thickness" pad sandwiched between the top and bottom material of the cot for insulation, the addition of a pad or blanket inside makes a big difference in comfort.

The cot itself was a bit soft compared to my stiff as a board camp cot, while the padding and large size surely added to this feeling. Laying on my back it had a tiny bit of a hammock feel, on my side and belly (my go to) I could stretch out in comfort. EDIT: after a couple nights I can say that the cot is not NEARLY as stiff as any other cot I have used. It is like a stiff hammock.

The 2 side doors make it easy to sit down and slide into the cot; the end doors are convenient for storage access from outside and for the screens that give the feeling of no tent at all. All 4 doors roll up and can be tied off with quick tabs; the 2 side doors have a small Velcro vent door near the top. My only gripe with the doors is that the screen is on the inside, meaning that to roll up or down the solid doors you must be outside. On the bright side, the zippers are quality and easy to keep separated as the outer door has metal tabs & the screen has par cord tabs.

Inside you have the standard 2 strings hanging from the center of the ceiling (which is pretty roomy) to hang a light or fan, both would go a long way in this little tent. Both ends have mesh pockets for little items & though the ends taper down I had better than expected head/foot room. The oversized is not claustrophobic and the domed ceiling feels like a standard 2 man tent.

Prior reviews noted the dome poles being tough to install. Kamp-Rite must have made a change to the design and now instead of a sleeve for the poles the roof has a series of hooks.

The poles are easy to install and uninstall. Set up and breakdown are quick and easy, nearly every step can be done without dropping on your knees or bending over too far.
This cot will install over rougher ground, divots, roots & rocky areas with less visible damage to the ground than any tent its size. This TentCot will allow you to set up in areas where other tenters have not burnt a tent shape dead spot into the ground, closer to shady areas or in-between other tents in busy camps.

Also, if you roll up the side doors it is easy to lean in and pick the whole thing up to move to shade, sun or under an awning.

I doubt I will use the rain fly in normal light sprinkle rain (unlike nearly all tents today, this model has a solid top) but it is nice to know it is there if needed. The chair option is a bit goofy, you will be sitting on the tent section folded up. Not a bad option to have and it really does not take away from the origional use.

USE:

APRIL 2013
1st use was great. I was set up in 5 minutes for 2 nights that dipped to 24* and up to 90% humidity.
I used 2 small blankets as a camp pad with a 0* bag. My body stayed warm all night but I did wake up to a lot of condensation on the inside of the tent and on the surface of my bag.

May 2013
2 more nights spent in this cot.
The 1st night it was raining and dipped into the low 30's. I used the "rain fly" for the 1st time, it was simple enough to install and gives you only 1 side door access. I awoke in the middle of the night feeling cold, but it was very warm in the tent. I sat up, reached in to my camping personal bag and fished out a small lighter.

The lighter did not light, even after many many attempts.
I unzipped the door flap and rain fly feeling a rush of cold air... At that point the lighter lit.

If the tent was really that air tight, I don't want to find out.
For the 2nd night I put up a tarp for wind/rain protection and left a bit of the outer door unzipped (with the screen door closed)

A tarp is now standard for me and I will never use the rain fly again, the small built in vents obviously could not keep up with my breathing.

*EDIT* On review, I did not unzip the main doors prior to installing the rain fly, I have since and had success keeping fresh air coming in.***

***UPDATE SEPT 2013***
I have spent a few more nights in the Tent-Cot, comfort and seemingly endless set up location choices still keep me choosing this over my tent.
since the addition of a standard no-name self inflating air mat, I feel no heat loss on sub 30* nights.
Keeping the main doors rolled up and using the rain fly has worked for me in rainy weather, condensation continues to be the biggest draw back (in all fairness, I have only used this in weather/temp conditions that are favorable to condensation build up)

***UPDATE OCTOBER 2013***
2 more nights and still no rips tears or product issues.
Overnight temps in the low 30's, waking up to ice on the outside of the tent.
Slept warm and dry.
Condensation improved with max venting but is still present, I keep a small hand towel at the head of the bead to wipe the ceiling in the AM.
I have coated the tent 2x with 3M water seal & touched up seams with seam sealer.
The carry bag is showing signs of wear, small holes forming at the bottom & strap seams starting to stretch.

433 people found this helpful

Easy set up and comfortable

Dana

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2020

First of all the tentcot fits into the supplied carrying bang easily with room to spare, I was able to include my down sleeping bag, pillow and a few clothes as well, the bag seems to be water resistant. It was amazingly easy to set up, the zippers are quality and aren’t little and fragile. I especially like the how the four sides can zip open and are large openings for great air circulation with no see’m screens. I used a self inflating mattress and the cot was very comfortable with no cross bars to poke you. I’m 6’2” and 236 lbs , the cot felt roomy and had plenty of room for a day pack or medium sized duffel bag inside too, my bag made a great head rest. You can sit up straight without bumping your head and the cot is closer to the ground than the other tentcots so your legs don’t hang over the edge while putting on shoes, it’s easy to get into and out of , I’m 64 years old. The rain fly has only one opening to enter and exit, and it fits snugly around the tent and has two nylon straps and four tiedowns so I won’t blow off easily and there are two small triangular shaped windows at each end. The cot did not feel wobbly and I never felt like I was going to tip over or have a leg collapse during the night. The first night it poured rain and no leaks at all. In cold weather these do condensate a bit with everything zipped shut but a handy towel wipes the due off the inside, might have to do that a few times depending on the due point and how many windows are closed. These tentcots are great for warm and cold weather and rocky or damp terrain, no more rocks poking you and heavy rain running through the camp not a problem. I had a lot of folks asking where I got it because they thought it was unique and easy to use. I don’t mind setting up tents but if you just want to unfold something in literally 180 seconds and be done with setting up your personal sleeping arrangements... this is for you!

6 people found this helpful

Awesome if you have space

H.M.

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013

I've used the tent-cot twice now. My initial thoughts are that it is sturdy, easy to setup (5-10 minutes including rainfly), and is comfortable with a 26" Coleman Skinny Air mattress.

There are a few drawbacks, it is bulky, so versus a standard tent, it takes up a lot more room in your car. It only folds down 34" x 34" and is 7" thick. If I were to do it again, I might go for a pop-up tent that the poles are already installed and are foldable, but this keeps you 11" off the ground which is nice getting up in the morning and no creepy crawlers near by. The carrying case would be better if they put on straps on instead of a handle so you can carry it like a backpack. It is too heavy to carry for long distances. I also wish it was a little wider to fit a standard air mattress, I had to get a coleman 26" wide skinny air mattress. It does the job, but a little more room to roll around would have been better. The length of the tent is excellent (90"), I am 5'11 and fit comfortably, and can put a fan at the feet of the tent with room.

The rainfly kept me dry, not 1 drop entered the tent under a heavy downpour of about 20 minutes one night. For those who complain about moisture, the trick is to leave the tent doors up, and the screens closed, then have the rainfly on top, so that air can circulate inside the tent. I haven't had any moisture issues. I haven't had any high winds in the areas I've been camping, so I'm not sure how easy it will be to topple over. The legs seem sturdy and it's weighted towards the bottom which helps. Also, it has pockets inside the tent above the head and feet. The pockets face the top and bottom of the tent, this is designed for you to place your belongings while you're laying down. People have complained that the pockets are facing backwards, but they actually make sense the way they were designed. You can put your glasses away, right before you go to sleep for example. Also in the center of the tent on the roof there are two straps to tie down a flashlight or very light fan.

Pros:
Sturdy
Easy to setup
Comfortable
Rainfly included
Carrying case included

Cons:
Heavy
Bulky
Narrow for sleeping

Recommendations:
Purchase a 26" Coleman Skinny Air Mattress to accompany you.

7 people found this helpful

Never Throwing A Tent Again!

Mike B.

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2017

Purchased earlier this summer for deer hunting season. SETUP: Rather than pitching a tent, stakes, struggling to setup any number of poles, throwing a rain fly and those dreaded elastic cords ... the Kamp Rite Tent Cot is completely setup with a few minutes and is so super comfortable, no more worries about uneven terrain, roots, rocks, etc. The cot easily folds open just like a lounge chair with clip together straps and a rain fly that securely attaches with clips and elastic corners like a fitted bed sheet. Tear down is just as easy and fast. You can have this whole setup packed up in a matter of minutes. SIZE: The cot easily accommodates me (at 5'10") and I can fully stretch out without touching either end. CONDENSATION: In warmer weather, I install the rain fly but leave all of the sides and ends unzipped. No condensation yet. I'm just now camping with this in colder weather with temps in the low 30s. I still use the rain fly and leave only the ends open with no condensation or frost on the inside of the tent. Very happy with this setup so far. RAIN FLY: I have camped in some very heavy storms with all day rain. I have not gotten wet yet inside the tent. I do wish the door opening would open a little higher to make a better "porch" as another user has cleverly done. COLD WEATHER: I have only camped down to the 30s so far in the tent but every time I've been out I have been very warm in the tent. It feels like the tent is a small enough volume that your body heat keeps the inside comfortable. DURABILITY: After about a dozen camping trips, the tent cot is holding up very well with no signs of wear and no indication of any points that would cause concern.

Recommendations: Consider using the rain fly opening as a little porch cover as another user has done here. Include a small tarp in your pack to put under the entrance of the tent cot. This will provide a dry, clean area to remove your shoes without getting dirt in your bed. For extreme cold weather camping, consider a heat reflecting pad.

18 people found this helpful

Impressive ease of use and good quality

Wasan J.

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2022

I've been camping for a long time and solo camping is also something very exciting. Untill 2019 I was happy with taking a ton of stuff with me for camping setting up tent, inflating mattresses and a ton of unnecessary things bcuz I was young and healthy and fit. In 2020 I got a lower back injury and now taking all that stuff and setting a tent up seems alot. So I started doing research on camping cots, I've been after these for over a year. Reading reviews watching videos. You can't just look at the number of reviews and look at the ratings and believe it's a good product. I personally k ow that there is a huge business for fake reviews. So I had to read the reviews of people that posted pictures with it and real experiences. First on my lost was another brand the cot came with tent, cot, inflatable mattress, sleeping bag, set of extra clips to hold the mattress firm with the cot and many more little things that you could think of. But I was worried about the material. So reading the ton of reviews helped me get to know that it was very good in rain or keeping the bugs away. Then I tried searching again and thus kamprite cot came up. Then I did my research on this although it's pricy and not offering the extra things I couldn't get with a double sized cot for less money but my heart was satisfied on trying it. I've recieved it and I'm so impressed with the material, easy setup and the space you get inside. It's amazing. As soon as you tohc the material you know it's weather proof. It's design is so good that it can hold in storms easily. I wish it came with its own mattress and came with a packing that had wheels but so far so good.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent Self Contained Tent/Cot

Mark Alexander DeHut

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024

Could not be simpler to setup, basically self explanatory.

Reasonable size and quality components.

Set up first time indoors to inspect the construction.

Well made and should be durable for many uses as long as you treat it with some care.

Being off the ground is a different experience from a standard tent.

Purchase a 3 or 4 inch thick roll pad foam /inflatable type for best comfort.

Highly recommended.

Tent Itself is NOT water proof - and does not ventilate well

Hugh

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024

1: Moisture and Condensation IS an issue for this tent. More so than any other tent I’ve used. Even with all 4 screens open, but still using the rain fly. I’ve learned to keep a towel handy to wipe down the ceiling and walls after it starts dripping on my face. Needs a vent up top in my opinion.

Yes, it comes with an awkward rain fly - that isn’t easy to use or comfortable to get in and out of when in use.

2: The tent itself does NOT have flaps for rain on the zippers, and you will get soaked inside if you don’t use the rain fly. The stitching on the tent is also not waterproofed - which is a bummer.

3: The rain fly does work, Which again, is awkward to use, and doesn’t breath at all so you get the condensation issues no matter what it seems. Worse so with the rain fly on.

Water WILL run under the cot portion, soaking the floor of the cot - plan for it.

I do like how quickly it sets up, I wish the seams and zippers would be rain resistant - or it had a better designed rain fly.

And I wish the roll up windows could double as an awning for sun protection, like some others do.

For the money, and for my use - I would not buy this again.

Killer idea, wish it had some revisions to make it even better.

Spent 2.5 weeks in Sedona AZ in March, from below freezing temps to hot afternoons.

Have used it locally a handful of times on the east coast also. If no rain is in the forecast, I’d probably use it again.