The TIMBER RIDGE 5 Person SUV Tent with Movie Screen is a pleasant and tall freestanding shelter that can be used with various vehicles, and best suited for calm weather summer camping.
Key features & benefits
- Cabin type structure.
- Very tall.
- Freestanding.
- 2 Doors.
- 2+1 Windows.
- Great price.
What this is about
This TIMBER RIDGE 5 Person SUV Tent is what its name says, a family camping tent designed to be used with a variety of sport utility vehicles.
It is very tall and pleasant, and more or less freestanding. But because of its height, it should be staked and secured, you have all that is needed included in the package, see one of the pictures below. They claim it can be used also on its own, and no doubt this should be possible.
The doors & windows
I would describe it as a very typical pleasant cabin type tent with steep and straight walls and with openings on all four sides. One side is with an extra panel that connects the tent with the vehicle, see it on the left in the picture below.
The other door is also shown in the picture, and you realize it has a window on its upper part. Note that this door is with a small awning supported with a short pole, so this is a dry entry design.
Below you can see the inner door towards the vehicle. With this you have everything from your car at hand so the car and the tent make a functional structure.
The inner view below shows the two separate windows. They are double-layer type, with mesh and panels. Observe also storage pouches on the walls.
As the name of this tent suggests, it comes with a removable movie screen shown below, you can attach it when needed:
Materials
The poles: The tent comes with a combination of steel legs poles and fiberglass poles used for the roof and the mentioned small awning. The leg poles are with usual pin and ring system at the corners where the legs attach to the tent’s base. Higher you have clips, and on the roof there are sleeves.
Setting this tent up is easy, you start with the roof poles and attach them into the elbow connectors, and then add leg poles one by one. All the elements in the package are shown in the picture below.
The fabric: They do not provide much information, but this is a polyester with a 2000 mm waterproof coating. It seems that the same material is used everywhere.
Note that the fly covers only the ceiling, and it attaches to the tent’s base with straps and buckles.
Ventilation
The tent has large mesh sections on the ceiling, below you can see how this looks. In combination with the mesh on its windows, this will create lots of air circulation.
But, the tent would be much better with one or two floor vents. They are missing here, pity.
Please see more in this video:
Who is it for
Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 5 people, and for this it offers 80 ft² (7.4 m²). This would mean 16 ft² (1.49 m²) per person, not a real castle, but you still have the car for storage, so this is not bad.
Regarding seasons & climate, the tent is mostly one-layer type, it is boxy and tall, so it is best to avoid harsh weather situations and strong winds. This is a summer camping tent for calm weather.
Regarding the weight, it is quite heavy with its 28 lb (12.7 kg). But this is totally irrelevant, you will use it next to your car.
The packed size is such that it can be described as bulky, see the numbers below.
Regarding the price, I would say it is more than fair for such a great tent, a true value for the money.
Specifications
- Weight: 28 lb (12.7 kg).
- Official capacity: 5 people.
- Dimensions: 120 x 96 in (305 x 244 cm).
- Inner area: 80 ft² (7.4 m²).
- Inner area per person: 16 ft² (1.49 m²).
- Peak height: 82 in (208 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 31 x 10 in (79 x 25 cm).
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, this TIMBER RIDGE 5 Person SUV Tent with Movie Screen is nicely designed and functional. Its high ceiling and openings on all the sides make it very pleasant. The price is more than appropriate, a true bargain indeed. Fully recommended.
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:
TIMBER RIDGE 5 Person SUV Tent with Movie Screen
Pros
- Pleasant and tall.
- Easy to use.
- Great price.
Cons
- Small for 5 people.
- No floor vents.
- Bulky.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Cabin Tents. You might want to check also the Rightline Gear 6-Person SUV Tent, as you realize from the name it is designed for the same purpose.
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.
What is this smaller fiberglass pole that there’s only one of used for?
Also, are there Step by step instructions for how to attach it to your vehicle?
We have looked for better instructions on YouTube and online and I’ve been very disappointed that there are no step-by-step instructions that are satisfactory.
We are disappointed that there are not ties. How’s the window coverings when they’re open.
Hi, the pole is used above the door so you have an awning, this is already mentioned in the text.
You have straps to attach the tent to the vehicle and this can be done in various ways dependent on the vehicle. If you look at the pictures in the post and in the video, all will be clear.
Not sure what you mean about windows covering. I already mentioned in the post, they have inner panels plus mesh just like in any other tent, see the picture in the post.
What do you mean about ties? Please explain and perhaps I shall be able to help.
How does the movie screen work? I have to buy a projector?
No movies without a projector for sure.
Wondering if you could help me learn how to utilize all the straps attached to connect the Timber Ridge 5 person SUV tent to my vehicle. There are so many straps and I am not where they all go.
Perhaps the video will help, I added it to the text. The pictures in the post should also be helpful. Use the straps to close the space the best you can, this all will depend on the shape of the vehicle. I do not think there can be strict rules how to use the straps.