Eureka! Timberline

I used this Timberline A-Frame tent for two weeks in Canada during a canoe expedition through the Boundary Waters area. I was issued the tent from the outfitters there. This tent is great. I first noticed how worn out it was when we first set it up. It was very wrinkled and dirty, but the tent was very well constructed and showed no serious signs of damage. The tents issued there had been in service for at least a year, to several other parties.

The tent itself is a strong nylon tafetta. The floor is a very heavy duty nylon oxford cloth that reists wear very well. The fly of the tent, a highly water repellent nylon goes down almost all the way on the sides, and support bars hold it out over the door and window on opposite ends. The construction is top notch. Heavy Duty #10 Zippers for the doors. A real quality item.

Setup is not very hard, but may require two people. The A-Frame design is sturdy but you need to stake it down very tightly during windstorms. The tent is comfortable and can fit 3 with a little bit of gear, or 4. It ventilates well even without opening the windows. During a heavy rainstorm, everything stayed dry. Moisture will not permeate even if you hit the sides of the tent. The seams don't leak like Wal-Mart tents do.

I love this tent. For two weeks I used it without a problem. We used it over sand, dirt, roots, and sharp rocks and the material of the tent never had a problem. It is extremely well constructed, as this is an outfitter type tent. It had been used for more than a year before me without any repairs made to the tent. It is built like a tank.

I have had my Timberline for about 10 years. I think it is a good "first tent" for someone on a budget, but there is little need to upgrade. My friends also have owned these tents for several years. We think the quality is good. They hold up over time.

It is a two person tent. A little cozy for two adult men. I use mine as a one person tent. When my son was a lad, there was room for two of us; but, as he grew, I bought him his own tent.

I am 6 feet tall, and have room to sit up in this tent. There is room at the ends. It does not feel cramped.

It does well in the rain. The fly covers most of the sides of the tent. The ends are open, although the fly does extend out over the end about a foot. I have been out in a down pour with no leakage. You do need to make certain you have sealed the seams well.

Used by one person, it is pretty heavy at 7 pounds. I believe that the weight makes it best for a trip of two or three days. If you were going out on a trip where you need to carry five or six days food, the extra weight of this tent is definitely a nuisance. But, it would be okay if the weight were shared by two people.

My Timberline is about 6 years old, used for "car camping" about 5 times per year (trips ranging from a weekend to two weeks).

Unfortunately, these aren't the Timberlines I remember from my Boy Scout days, which were nearly indestructible. I kind of wish I had something else, to be honest.

The floor on this model is thin and delicate, and ceases to hold out water after a good, all-day rainstorm. Clips are plastic and cheaply made. Poles feel very weak and are easily bent. If you want the OLD Timberline quality, check out the Timberline Outfitter, which has the thicker floor and metal parts of the older models. Like all A-frames, the Timberline suffers from a lack of headroom.

There are pros, however. Floor space is amazing. The tent is easy to set up, even in pitch darkness without a light. Accessories (such as vestibules and lofts) and replacement parts are easy to find. Holds up well in high winds if you stake it down well. The A-frame design allows frozen precipitation to slide right off, extending your season a bit (I wouldn't use this in heavy snow, though, give the aforementioned floor issues). The twin doors are a huge plus.

If you like the upsides to this tent, consider the Outfitter version. Avoid the standard model which, unfortunately, is not the product it once was.

Have had the tent since 1979 and think it's great. Have camped and hiked through Alaska with it twice, plus hiked and camped with the Scouts all over California. Been in the rain and snow and it holds up as any tent should. For a 3 season tent it is an excellent first tent for two. Little heavy hiking for 1 person but easy to split up the weight between two.

My son and I used it through his scouting years but it is a bit tight for two adults. I blew a pole out after a windstorm in Alaska, repaired with duct tape and tent pole. When I returned Eureka replaced all poles, no questions asked. Excellent folks to deal with.

My only complaint with the tent is that it smells. The seam sealent used 20 years ago has an aged smell of barf and I must set it up in the sun for a day before I can take it out. After 20+ years though I don't think Eureka has a responsibility there.

Liked it so much I bought the 4 person version for car camping. Like Eureka so much I bought the 1 person Zypher for single use.

I learned about the Timberline as a boy scout years ago. I took it to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, all over Pennsylvania, West Point NY, Charleston SC, the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Everglades, Colorado, and Philmont NM. Rain, high heat, snow, high winds, and hell's worst mosquitoes all had no effect on the tent. I bought a T2 secondhand for 50 bucks and took it to the San Pedro valley in AZ and the San Gorgonio range in CA. No surprises. I just got another Timberline, this time a T4, for a more ambitious trip up Mount Whitney. It's not ultralight, brightly-colored, or asymetrical, but it does kick butt. Goes up quick, durable, all the features. Perfect size with the vestibule. Get one.

The only experience I have, is one desert southern/central Utah trip (by Moab), with one person setting up the Eureka Timberline on the edge of the bluff, and a pole snapped in the wind; and one High Uintah's trip, we were in our own tent,and some boys "knocked" on our tent, their Eureka Timberline had snapped in the rainstorm. So I got some rope, and tied it up to a tree, so that they could make it through the night.

Given that's the only time I have seen anyone in these tents, I would be very leery to get one. Besides, who wants an A frame when domes are so much better?!

I've had this tent at least 15 years and used it many times in the spring, summer, and fall. It handles the rain well. During hard rain the tent stays dry inside even when standing in a puddle of water.

It has done fair with snow. It has done well with mild winds and I've never had it in hard winds. No condensate buildup during cold nights.

It may be a little heavy for backpacking, but, I consider it to be a bomb proof tent.

I have an Eureka Timberline from the '70s and it is still a favorite. It is very easy to set up and wears like iron. I washed it in woolite once and destroyed it to shreads. I wrote and told Eureka just what I did and to my delight, they sent me a new tent. Great Company... Great tent! Highly recommended if you are on a budget ...or not.

I backpack alot and it has never let me down. Great value!

Although Eureka has been know in the past for its quality, things have changed. My Timberline leaks like a sieve even after numerous applications of seam sealant. The nylon floor is thin and not coated with urethane. Eureka was unwilling to help me with my problem and simply told me to reapply the sealant. I will never again purchase a single Eureka prduct and must recommend the same to others as well.

I have several Eureka tents as well as Kelty and Coleman. I have to agree with what I read one guy say. Eureka is not putting out the same stuff as they did. Not nearly as well made are sealed. Seems to be out to make a buck with less quality in mind.

Have had this tent since 1977. Been through torrential rain, snow, heat (have thrown the worst at it). Never any problems whatsoever. Sleeps two fine, but cramped with gear.

Excellent heat retention in winter, never froze even at 12k+ feet in the eastern sierras. Lightweight and easy to arrange on the backpack. Highly recommended.

Don't buy this tent - it is a poorly made copy of the original Timberline that was made in the '80-'90s. The aluminium rings easily bend, the fabric is cheap and is totally a disappointment from the old scout tent I know and still love.

I bought the Timberline about 30 years ago and love it, but now i need the set up instructions. might be giving it away to family, the sheet nunber is 225 if that is still good.