Coleman Coastline 4 Deluxe Four Man Tent

NOTE 1: See the Update below for help with the door flap.
NOTE 2: I've since sold this tent. Read this first especially if you are pitching alone.

I bought this tent after seeing it in our local camping showroom and being impressed with the size and build quality. Then, after getting home, I looked online for reviews (hoping to find lots of positives to equal the sales pitch that I got instore). I was somewhat dismayed to read bad reviews (here in particular) regarding the zipless bottom. I had fears that wind and rain would be blowing in all night. Luckily, I can safely say there is no problem.

After researching online I found that this zipless bottom is common to SIG tunnel tents. On the first morning, I actually thought that the tent had a leak as there was water dripping (not much) from both of the window loops. This wasn't water, though, but condensation: it is true, you do need ventilation in tents with a SIG as condensation is a real problem. I know it wasn't rain now as it did it the next morning when there had been no rain. You can get around the problem by opening the tent up in the morning and letting it air.

As for the door blowing in and it being hard to close from inside, I didn't have any problem at all (See the update below). Once pegged down firmly, the door will be very secure with enough ventilation to keep down condensation. It won't blow inside the tent or budge and there is also a lip around the base of the groundsheet which keeps water out. Safe as horses. I tested this tent in the windiest conditions (50mph winds + thunderstorms) and there wasn't a drop of water inside the next morning. The tent took a total battering all night long and was fine the next day. I didn't sleep a wink, and neither did my dog, but this is a very good quality tent!

To review the tent itself, it is very spacious inside; you can easily stand in both living and sleeping areas. I'm on my own and managed to put it up easily -- just remember when pushing the poles through not to force them; push them in a way and then move to where the pole end is and feed it through a bit more then go back and work the creases to the edge. Once the poles are pushed into the brass rings, peg the back one with the guys and hooks at the bottom and then pull out the front to form the tent like a concertina. Peg all the other guys and hooks (front then middle) and then put in the inner tent. Simple. Takes me 45 minutes. Once up, the sleeping area can be split into two double bed areas, one big (2 double) area or one double area + extended living space. The living space itself is very large for one or two ideally, three pushing it slightly, and would be crowded with four -- the six man version will probably be better. It has a hole for EHU and also a vent hole for a Coleman fan in the summer. It also has automatic windows which curl up as you unzip them -- no need to fasten them up.

One small problem (hence 4 stars) was that there isn't an insect net built in. However, go along to your local market and ask the material stall if they would put you together a 60 x 65 inch net square with velcro (the soft part, not the hooks) on each corner. You can attach them to the hooked tabs that fasten up the two narrow side windows. I got two for a tenner and they work fine when the tent is airing in the morning. They are also the perfect size for rolling up and putting along the gap at the base of the door to stop Daddy Long Legs getting in! ))

Note 1:

After using the tent again in heavy rain this week, and having no problems again, and after reading numerous complaints on here about the tent door flapping in and letting in water, I wrote down what I did to get it tight.

- Peg the first set of loops around the front of the tent firmly to the floor (they are small black loops made of the same material as backpack straps). Next, peg the second set (made from elasticated loops -- about 2 inches higher up from the first set) firmly away from the tent to pull a lip around the door opening up.

- Next, zip the door fully down. You want to peg the elasticated loops along the bottom of the door tightly away from the tent too. Do the side ones first, and peg these diagonally away from the tent and door. Then peg the middle one (straight) away from the tent. The following diagram shows how the pegged loops of elastic should look, viewed from above looking down at the base of the door (ignore the full stops, I just put them in to space it out):

/.....|.....\

This will pull the door tight, there should now be a gap between the door and the lip.

- Finally -- don't peg the door and then try to get in -- pull one of the side door pegs back up slightly, and take off the elastic loop. Unzip that side, get in the tent, and then pull the loop back over the peg and push (or hammer) it back into the ground and rezip the door. Sorted!

Hope this helps. I had no problems, the only other thing is get a decent rubber based bath mat and keep it by the side you use as an opening to catch any water that comes in if you are closing the door. When you open up the tent in the morning, simply loosen all 3 pegs to remove the loops and then knock them back in when you want the door tightly shut.

NOTE 2:

I've decided to sell my Coastline 4 simply as it does get hard work on your own. It is very possible to pitch it by yourself, but because the pole sleeves are full length it is somewhat hard work. It's not a problem with 2, however you might also wish to consider the alternatives...

I initially considered a Coleman Lakeside Deluxe 4 as it is about the same size and much easier to erect alone, but you can't get a porch for it. Also thought about a Vango Icarus 500 (or the 2012 400--as it has standing room), but the standard (cheap plastic peg loops and much thinner tent tabric) isn't as good as this Coleman (they are also quite dark inside in comparison). I've settled on an Outwell Virginia 500 (they're not on here, but can be bought elsewhere online) instead for the quality is about the same (probably a little better), it only has sleeves across the top of the tent and clips down the side (like the Lakeside and Vango), has a built in porch, an extra side door and insect mesh on both doors. It also has an extra porch extension (similar to the Coleman one but with full sides)...

To be honest, there's not a lot in them. If you can find an OW V500 Package (with porch included) on sale (as I did--close season) get one of them (if not, they are usually a lot more expensive). If you are on your own definitely get one (it is worth paying extra for the ease of erecting it alone). If you are not on your own, though, and the Outwell's are full price then I'd reccomend this instead. For the price of a cheap custom made mesh from the market (see main review above) you'll have pretty much the same tent (minus the side door) and these are great, very spacious and durable quality. Make sure you also get the Coleman Coastline Porch as rain will come in the tent when you get in and out otherwise.

Should help you make your mind up, its my first go on an amazon video review so dont expect hollywood:-)
I think this tent is excellent for the money and it's good quality too. Hope you like the vid.

There are many things about this tent which are great :
1. Good quality sewn-in ground sheets
2. Loving the window thing that rolles them up automatically - would be great if they did longer ones for the door.
3. Bedroom pods are spacious and I didn't have to worry too much about the kids touching the sides.
4. Very easy to put up and to take down myself - have to say it was easier to put up and would have been easier for 2 to take down.
5. Liked the fact you can keep the bedrooms attached after putting it up the first time round so that will make it easier and quicker for the next time
6. Velcro down the side of the zips to keep it closed.

Down sides - which I have to say are pretty major in my view
1. This tent does not zip fully around the front door only down the sides - they say this is for increased ventilation however if you get even the slightest wind then the front door goes into the tent and thus if it is raining you have a real problem. I emailed Coleman about this and was informed there were velcro fastenings along the bottom which there are not. You can peg the door down to try to stop it from blowing back into the tent but this is very tricky to do from the inside before you go to bed and by the time you have done it you would probably be fairly wet!
2. The other thing is that on some websites (including Coleman's) it states there are two doors one on the front and one on the side - this is only true of the delux 6 and 8 model - NOT the 4 berth.

I will be trying to return this item it's just a pity that inorder to find out what is wrong with it you have to use it first! Here's hoping.