Bass Pro Shops 8-Person Hybrid Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch

Looking for a spacious, affordable tent with a screen porch for your next camping adventure? Discover everything about the Bass Pro Shops 8-Person Hybrid Tunnel Tent here.

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Key features & benefits

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Overview

This Bass Pro Shops 8-Person Hybrid Tunnel Tent with Screen Porch is a nicely designed tunnel type tent supported with four loops.

But from the picture below you realize that the leg poles are completely straight and this makes the side walls almost vertical, similar to a cabin type tent. My guess is this is behind the word Hybrid in the official name of this tent.

In addition, the peak height is 78 inches (198 cm), so the volume inside is impressive and the tent is pleasant and livable. The general shape is very similar to Portal 8 Person Family Camping Tent with Screen Porch but there are differences. 

The side view below reveals its structure, this is a single-room shelter but with a large porch on one side.

The doors and windows

The tent has two doors, one is on its longer side and this is a double-layer design, with a full size zippered mesh and a separate zippered panel. The zipper is an inverted-T type as you realize from the pictures.

The second door is in the porch, the picture below shows that it is double-layer in the upper part, so here you have a mesh window plus a zippered panel for privacy. 

This door is D-shaped, and below you can see how it can be rolled to the side and kept out of way. You can also see here that the porch is with a central zipper that creates a protected area where you can sit undisturbed by flying insects. 

The fly is minimal, it covers only the roof. The advantage of this is that you have three separate windows that offer views around. They are all with zippered panels for rain protection and privacy.

Screen porch

You have already seen from the pictures that this is a floorless area with mesh walls, and the fly protects this space only partly. Its area is around 48 ft² (4.7 m²), and dimensions are 8 x 6 ft. No doubt you can put here a camping table with a couple of chairs.

So this is not an area to store your gear, it is best suited as a sitting area where you can be at least party in the shade and protected from insects. If you need more protection, check in my list of best tents with a screened porch.

Materials

The poles: You have a combination of steel used for 8 leg poles, and fiberglass used for the four shock-corded roof poles that are 8.5 mm thick. The tent is easy to assemble, two people can do the job in less than 15 minutes.

The poles attach to the base through the usual pin and ring system shown below. On the roof you have sleeves, and clips are on the sides.  

The fabric: They use a 190T polyester for the walls and the fly. I could not find any information about its waterproof rating, and reports from various users are mixed, some complain about leaks but some claim it is fully waterproof.

The floor is a bathtub-style polyethylene with welded seams for extra durability, very thick and fully waterproof. The picture below shows how it looks.

Other details

• You can keep your devices powered with the extension cord access port shown below.

• There are plenty of options to keep your smaller items in the hanging accessory bags for easy access and organization, see the pictures.

• The included mud mat makes it easier to take off your hiking shoes before entering the tent. 
• You also have all stakes and guy out ropes included in the package, plus a heavy-duty zippered carry bag. 

Ventilation

The tent has mesh windows on all four sides, and the ceiling is all mesh. So you have plenty of options for cross-flow and air circulation, and vapor can escape through the ceiling.

The side door has mesh all the way to the ground, so when the sky is clear this will work instead of floor vents. But the tent would be more functional with a rear floor vent which may be needed when you have to keep the door closed. 

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Who is it for

Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 8 people, and for this you have the floored area of 116 ft² (10.8 m²). This gives around 14.5 ft² (1.35 m²) per person, not much but in principle you can put 8 pads on the floor. In reality, it is best to downgrade the capacity by half.

Regarding seasons & climate, they describe it as a 3-season tent and I would say this is indeed so. But I would not put this tent to harsh tests. It minimal fly would not last long in very windy places, and it is best to avoid areas with lots of rain.

Regarding the weight, with 26.2 lb (11.9 kg), this tent can be described as moderately heavy. The packed size is such that it is suited for car camping only, the numbers are given below. The carry bag is shown in the picture.

Regarding the price, it is simply incredible, you will see it in the links below. The tent is a great value for the money.

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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).
• Warranty: Their proprietary brand merchandise carries a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship.

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Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

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:

 

BEST PLACEs TO BUY:

Cabelas

Bass Pro Shops

For more tents of this shape please check in the category Tunnel Tents.

Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.