The Ascend 8-Person Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch offers two large doors, many windows, a pleasant space for sitting while being protected from insects, and this all at an incredible price.
Key features & benefits
- Tunnel type tent.
- Screen room.
- Two doors.
- Large windows.
- Cable port.
- Incredible price.
Overview
This Ascend 8-Person Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch is what its official name suggests, a very typical tunnel type structure with four loops. The picture below shows how it looks without its minimal fly so you can better understand its structure.
This is a single-room construction and below you can see how it looks inside. But as its name tells, there is an additional screened floorless room on the right in the picture above.
You see above that windows are on all the sides, three separate plus those that are on the doors. All the windows are with zippered panels for rain protection and privacy.
The screen room is roughly of the size 6 x 8 feet, and it is only partly protected from the rain. So this is a place to sit while being protected from flying insects.
Materials
The poles: You have a set that includes 8 steel leg poles combined with fiberglass loops on the ceiling. The poles are shock corded and color coded, see the picture below. The leg poles attach to the tent’s base through pin-and-ring connectors (one shown below).
The fabric: The fly and the walls are made of a 185T polyester with 1200 mm polyurethane coating. On the ceiling and windows you have a no-see-um mesh.
The floor is a strong bathtub-style polyethylene sheet with welded seams for extra durability, helping ensure a dry sleeping surface every night.
Other details
- There are two sets of interior storage pockets for gear, one is shown below.
- A mud mat is included to keep dirty shoes off the floor in wet weather.
- Cable port makes it easy to bring power into the tent safely.
- Included are tent stakes, guy out ropes, and a expandable zip carry bag.
Ventilation
The ceiling of this tent is all mesh, so this in combination with the mesh on the large windows will always provide lots of air cross circulation.
But when it rains, windows flaps must be zipped. From the view inside you realize that the tent is without floor vents that are needed in such situations.
Though, the door under the fly in the screen room can be kept unzipped even in the rain, so this can compensate for the lack of floor vents when the windows flaps must be closed.
Who is it for
Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 8 people, and it offers 116 ft² (10.8 m²). This makes 14.5 ft² (1.35 m²) per person and this is not much. It is best to ignore the official capacity and use the tent for up to four people maximum.
Regarding seasons & climate, this is a tent for up to three seasons. Waterproof rating is moderate but if everything is properly done you do not need more. The shape is such that it is best to avoid windy places, with such a screen porch it would not last long in strong winds.
Regarding the weight, this tent is a bit heavy, but I do not think this is a big deal, it is designed for car camping. The packed size is such that it can be described as a bit bulky, see the numbers below. The carry bag is well designed with those carry loops.
Regarding the price, it is simply incredible. So if you do not want to spend much and need a tent for occasional family adventures, this is it. Please check the links below for updates.
Specifications
- Weight: 26.2 lb (11.9 kg).
- Official capacity: 8 people.
- Dimensions: (14.5 + 6) x 8 ft [(442 + 193) x 244 cm].
- Inner area: 116 ft² (10.8 m²).
- Inner area per person: 14.5 ft² (1.35 m²).
- Porch area: 48 ft² (4.7 m²).
- Peak height: 78 in (198 cm).
- Packed size: 28.7 x 10.6 x 10.6 in (73 x 27 x 27 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, the Ascend 8-Person Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch is a solid, no-nonsense choice for families and casual campers who want decent living space at a very attractive price. It delivers a practical tunnel design with two doors, plenty of windows, and a useful screened porch that lets you sit outside protected from insects.
While the official 8-person rating is overly optimistic and the tent performs best with up to four people, it offers good ventilation, a durable bathtub floor, and everything needed for comfortable car camping trips in reasonable three-season weather.
Overall, if you are looking for an affordable tent for occasional family adventures and do not plan to use it in strong winds or extreme conditions, this model gives excellent value.
It is heavy and bulky as expected for its size, but the screened porch and simple setup make it a pleasant base camp option. Check the links below for current pricing and availability.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all of them here in the site so that you can easily compare:
Ascend 8-Person Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch
Pros
- Great windows.
- Very good screen room.
- Excellent price.
Cons
- Unrealistic official capacity.
- No floor vents.
- Bulky.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Tunnel Tents.
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FAQ
How easy is it to set up the Ascend 8 Person Tunnel Tent?
This tent uses a simple tunnel structure with color coded poles and pin and ring connectors. Most users can complete the setup in 10 to 20 minutes once they spread out the tent and stake the corners.
The shock corded poles slide together quickly. Practice at home first to make the process even faster on the campsite. The included guy out ropes and stakes add stability without extra effort.
Is the Ascend Tunnel Tent waterproof enough for rain?
The 1200 mm polyurethane coating on the 185T polyester fly and walls handles light to moderate rain well when the tent is properly staked and tensioned.
The bathtub floor with welded seams keeps ground water out effectively. In heavier downpours add a separate footprint or tarp underneath for extra protection. The screen porch offers only partial rain coverage so keep gear elevated or covered during strong storms.
How many people can sleep comfortably in this tent?
The 116 square feet main area works best for four adults with gear or a family of five including children. The official eight person rating leaves very little personal space. The extra screened porch provides useful space for seating or storage so the sleeping area stays clear. This layout makes weekend family trips far more comfortable than cramming the maximum number inside.
Is this tent suitable for car camping only?
Yes this model is designed for car camping due to its 26 pound weight and bulky packed size. It travels easily in most vehicle trunks or truck beds.
The roomy interior and screen porch make it a practical choice for weekend outings at campgrounds or parks. It is not intended for backpacking or situations where you must carry the tent long distances.
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