Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned the Sunrise 9 since 2002 and have used it on dozens of camping trips in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California.At the time I purchased it, I was the only one using it and it's way more tent than one person needs, although I absolutely loved having it to myself.

For those doing intensive research on their next tent purchase, I will provide as much detail as I can, as I find reviews aren't terribly helpful if someone only says "the tent is great".Details are very important.:o)Read on..

SET-UP:

First and foremost, the tent is very easy to construct and only takes me [and my now partner] 10 minutes to stake and raise.I always stake tents first (and then raise them), as I never trust a free-standing tent.I don't recall ever having read the instructions, as Eureka makes this tent about as fail-safe as it gets.Staking out the corners first also allows the sidewalls to be very taught once the poles are raised.

SIZE AND COMFORT:

The center height of 6' is adequate for me and my partner, as we're both 5'7".We generally use a king size air mattress, which takes up the majority of the center of the floor, but we have plenty of room to store bags and shoes on either side of the mattress.Head room, on the other hand, is moderately compromised on either side of the mattress, as it is a dome tent.The tent would fit a queen air mattress and two children's sleeping bags with perhaps a little room to spare.It's a fabulous and very spacious two-person dream tent.

Cross-ventilation is superior, with large windows on all 4 walls (including the door), as well as a low vent on the bottom of the door to allow cooler air at lower levels.The ceiling also contains several mesh vents.Since the fly is elevated, air circulates throughout the tent and it never becomes stuffy.

There are very handy storage pockets below each window which provide a very useful space for sunglasses, reading glasses, flashlights and other gear.The hanging gear loft is great for things you use occasionally, but wouldn't need access to at night.It's also a great place to rig up a battery powered overhead lantern.

WEATHER:

Our Sunrise 9 has seen it all - rain, shine, snow, wind, hail and sleet.As noted above, I always stake first, then raise.Since the sidewalls are always taught, wind never conerns me.The tent flaps slightly, but integrity is always good and has never been jeopardized.I've never owned a tent that remains so confident during high winds.

Since Eureka tapes most seems, water has never been an issue.As always, we did waterproof each seem and the inside floor of the tent has NEVER seen a drop of water.The fly provides ultimate rain protection while still allowing a view out any window and without limiting air flow.The fly is genious and easy as pie to install.We also always place a tarp underneath the tent to prevent floor seepage.

We've camped at sea level in California and at 12,000 feet in Colorado and the tent has never disappointed when it comes to any weather conditions.Because of the excellent ventilation, the tent is never more uncomfortable inside than it is outside - an important note, especially in very hot temperatures.I've taken a nap in the tent with 98o outside and was perfectly comfortable (albeit quite warm).

BOTTOM LINE:

Without a doubt, Eureka makes one of the best budget-conscious tents you can buy if you plan to have your tent for many years.All tents require the owner to put forth a little effort and care to maintain its integrity.It's not going to remain perfect if you don't take the time to set it up properly, waterproof the seams, take it down carefully and re-pack it in the fashion you un-packed it.If it takes 5 minutes longer to ensure you're doing it right, spend the extra 5 minutes and your Eureka tent will provide you with years of enjoyable trips with your family.

I would like to think Eureka has good customer service, as I've heard they do, but my tent has not failed me in any way, so I've not needed their assistance.They make a great product, which is evidenced by the fact that they're still offering tents they've been manufacturing for many years with minimal changes.

I've recently ordered the Eureka N!ergy Screen House and the Eureka Copper Canyon 1512 so we have more room for lounging and relaxation and will post reviews once they've been put to good use!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent

Product Description:
Spacious enough to comfortably sleep up to five campers, the Eureka Sunrise 9 dome-style family tent is easy to set up and very well ventilated with four large hooded windows and no-see-um mesh panels in the ceiling. It has triple-coated fabrics and a heavy-duty bathtub floor made of 4 ounce 210D oxford polyester that repels water.
The fly is made of Stormshield polyester, which won't stretch when wet and resists UV breakdown. It has a shockcorded fiberglass frame (two poles) that features a pin and ring as well as combination clip and sleeve system for quick assembly. Other features include:

Twin track D door with window for easy exit/entry
High/Low door vents top and bottom to aid air circulation
External guy points help secure the tent in high winds
Hanging gear loft/organizer
Two water bottle holders
Corner organizer and wall organizer with mirror
Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:

Area: 81 square feet
Floor size: 9 feet by 9 feet
Center height: 6 feet
Wall fabrics: 1.9 ounce Polyester Taffeta 1200mm coating/1.9 ounce breathable polyester
Floor fabrics: 4 ounce 210D Oxford Polyester with 1200mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9 ounce 75D StormShield polyester with 1200mm coating
Pack size: 9 by 27 inches
Weight: 16 pounds, 4 ounces

About Eureka
Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka's long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company's annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka's new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20