You finally decided to make a trip to the wild with your friends and family on a car camping trip. You will need to load up the gear and everything, including a tent for your uninterrupted sleep.
But what is the best 4-person car camping tent that will give you generous space while fitting in the vehicle with no hassle? You may not know. Picking up random items out there may cost you a fortune with no benefits in return.
I’ve been camping thorough the years, and this is the time for me to show up my tent experience. If you’re looking for a tent that will sleep you and your buddies, my list here will help you hone in on the very right 4-person tent.
Here are the best 4 person car camping tents (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: Coleman Sundome Tent
- Hexagon-Shaped: Toogh Hexagon Waterproof Dome Backpacking tent
- Best For Dry Conditions: Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent
- Best For Fry Weather: Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
- Best For Rainy Days: Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent
- Most Spacious: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent
| Top 6 Best 4 Person Car Camping Tents | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Coleman Sundome Tent | Read Our Review |
Hexagon-Shaped | Toogh Hexagon Waterproof Dome Backpacking tent | Read Our Review |
Best For Dry Conditions | Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent | Read Our Review |
Best For Fry Weather | Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup | Read Our Review |
Best For Rainy Days | Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent | Read Our Review |
Most Spacious | ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent | Read Our Review |
1-Door Camping Tent
Best Overall: Coleman Sundome Tent
- Great in keeping water out
- Enhanced ventilation
- Easy to assemble
- Compact package
- A bit squeezing for 4
- Fabric is thin
The tent came to me in a nice package weighed 10 pounds measured at around 3 feet in length. So, it fitted in my car trunk with no problem.
When fully set up in about 10 minutes, the tent stands up in 9 feet wide by 7 feet deep with a ceiling height of under 5 feet. That gives a spacious interior for 4 people. It comes with a detachable rainfly.
You need big windows? All over the tent are mesh panels that allow the best view while you're inside. Meanwhile, the front is zipped tightly by a D-door sewn in welded leak-proof seams. That’ll keep you safe from weather harassments for most of the time in the tent.
More than that, Coleman applied their WeatherTec technology featuring proprietary welded floors with inverted seams to protect you from wet ground.
| Coleman Sundome Tent Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | N/A |
Dimension | 9 x 7 ft |
Packed Dimensions | N/A |
Tent Base | 49 ft square |
Shape | Rectangular |
Highlight Features | WeatherTec system makes the tent perfect in any weather |
You can camp in any weather thanks to the excellent weather protection this tent gives.
Hexagon-Shaped: Toogh Hexagon Waterproof Dome Backpacking tent
- Easy to set up
- Spacious
- Great weather resistance
- Minimal instruction
This tent fitted a queen air bed snugly at my surprise with enough room on the sides for a duffel bag or backpack. The porch looks cute, and I love the pop-up design that makes it so easy to set up.
If you camp in the raining season, this tent will separate you from the water with a waterproof level of 3000mm. The interior looks spacious on the outside, but as I stepped inside, the hexagon structure makes the space even bigger.
| Toogh Hexagon Waterproof Dome Backpacking tent Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 11 lbs. |
Dimension | 90 x 83 x 59 inches |
Packed Dimensions | 35" x 7.4" x 7.4" |
Tent Base | Fit a King size mattress |
Shape | Hexagon |
Highlight Features | The Oxford base is waterproof with a level of 3000mm |
The ease to assemble is second to none, and hexagon shape makes it so roomy for 4.
Best For Dry Conditions: Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent
- Lightweight
- Cost-efficient
- Super easy setup
- Good ventilation
- Get cold during winter camping
- Tent stakes are sub-par
This tent will stay neatly on your backpack thanks to the compact gear and attachments that weigh little. It’s suitable to camp in all 3 seasons.
The top highlight about this tent is the open top of no-see-um mesh. When you need darkness, just cover the roof with the rainfly provided. That’s why this is a great tent for dry seasons as you can have all the light and chill steering through the top mesh.
Once assembled, the unit gives a spacious vestibule space for 4 adults. You can get in and out without squeezing your body with the large D-door.
| Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7 lbs. |
Dimension | 99”L x 80”W x 56”H |
Packed Dimensions | 13 x 17 inches |
Tent Base | 55 ft sqr |
Shape | Square |
Highlight Features | Lightweight and well-constructed with open top mesh for dry seasons |
It’s a plus to be able to look outside and enjoy the dry cool days of your camp in no-rain seasons.
2-Door Camping Tent
Best For Fry Weather: Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
- Instant setup with ease
- Very durable
- Block heat
- Wind and rain resistant
- No rainfly included
- Heavy to hike with
Assembling a tent was once a skill, but no longer it raises difficulties to you using this Coleman tent. There is no hassle of setting poles or connecting tubes. You’ll get a tent ready to stand up in 1 minute. You just need to pike the corner to spread the whole unit fully.
If heat is what usually keeps you off the tent, this Coleman tent with Dark Room Technology will block 90% of sunlight, reducing temperature buildup in the tent.
If the wind is a major concern when it’s dry, this tent can withstand the blowing speed of up to 60 mph, which makes it a solid rock. There is a massive amount of ventilation coming from mesh windows on 3 sides.
| Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 18 lbs. |
Dimension | 8ft x 7ft x 4ft11” |
Packed Dimensions | N/A |
Tent Base | 56 ft sqr |
Shape | Square |
Highlight Features | Dark Room Technology keeps the heat away |
Wind, Sun, and Heat are no longer problems when you camp with this Coleman solid tent.
Best For Rainy Days: Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent
- Easy for one person to install
- High waterproof rate
- Anti-tear groundsheet
- Lots of ventilation
- Sturdy frame poles
- No footprint included
How about dogs and cats rain? Go for this Weanas Pro Tent. I’ve already spent some nights in it recently. It’s a light tent weighs at 5.8 pounds. That’s a decent weight for a 4-person tent. It will fit 4 people in across with a 20-inch air mat, but it would a bit tight squeeze.
Now, this thing comes with a rainfly to cover the whole tent with a mesh canopy for the best view while you’re in the tent. It has a waterproofing rate of up to 4,000mm and wind resistance. That will protect you in harsh rain.
All by myself, it took me around 10 minutes to set up everything, including staking.
| Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5.8 lbs. |
Dimension | 88"x80", Peak Height 53” |
Packed Dimensions | 17.6” x 17” x 16.5” |
Tent Base | 7 ft sqr |
Shape | Square |
Highlight Features | Rainfly is SPF proof by special UV coating and breathable nylon |
When the rain comes, you know you have a place to snug in without getting any touch of water.
Most Spacious: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent
- Well-built
- 2,000mm rainfly
- Durable zippers
- Simple to assemble
- Rainfly keeps the heat on hot days
Need more room? You got it. This is a pretty budget 4-person tent that seems to be lightweight and roomy. I actually camped in this tent with another buddy, and the tent provided a nice, cozy, and spacious space for 3. There was still a lot of room to fill two more campers, and I believe that everyone wouldn’t get too annoyed.
The exterior of this tent features nice vents on the rainfly. It also has some windows so that you have visibility through the canopy. I found these vents work excellently in keeping moisture out as well as no-see-um mesh to keep mosquitos out.
| ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8 lbs. |
Dimension | 7'6 x 8'6, Center Height: 52" |
Packed Dimensions | 7" x 23.5" |
Tent Base | 64 Sq. Ft. |
Shape | Square |
Highlight Features | Large base gives a generous room for 4 campers |
Have your own place to snuggle while keeping the story going and laughing with your buddies inside one tent.
How To Choose The Best 4 Person Car Camping Tents?
Very rarely will there be one tent that fits all solution. I took roughly at least a year to do lots of research, own several tents, and withdraw these experiences. So, I hope you will consider them.
Weight
- In car-camping trips, where you load everything onto your vehicle and drive them all the way, weigh, doesn’t matter. You can have a 10-pound or 20-pound tent, it’s fine.
- But who knows if you need to carry those stuff to the campsite where your truck can’t get in. That’s when every ounce counts. Ultimately, weight translates to comfort. The lighter the weight of the pack, the more comfortable and fun you’re going to have.
Cost
- Many don’t understand why a tent would cost that much money. But when it comes to money, you should pick a range that makes sense for you. If you’re the type of person that goes out once a year for a couple of miles, you don’t need to spend a ton of money.
- But if you are serious with backpacking, you should definitely invest in the best quality gear.
Protection
- A tent that doesn’t protect you is absolutely worthless. It’s also dangerous. Most people die from hypothermia in the warmer months. You would think of that to be in the coldest part of the winter and all you have to do is to let your body temperature drop. One way to do that is getting soaked inside of your tent.
- So, you need a strong tent to protect you from the elements, to get you through your night, and through your trip. It wouldn’t be fun if you couldn’t make it through a strong storm or snuggle with someone else in their tent. Think about it!
Freestanding vs. Non-Freestanding
- In my opinion, you should pick the type depending on where you’re going.
- Tents that you can pull it out anywhere without staking poles or pick it up anytime are freestanding. Those are more suitable for non-windy camping as they are going to be blown away. Even when you sit inside, the corners won’t be where they are. However, these tents are quicker to setup
- Non-freestanding tents are typically lighter in weight because they don’t require an elaborate pole system to be hunkered down.
Which Brands Make The Best 4 Person Car Camping Tents?
Coleman
- It’s hard for any outdoor recreation brand nowadays to pass the standard of Coleman. Camping gear from Coleman has been out for years with a large variety of types coming with excellent quality acceptable worldwide, hence their camping tents.
Kelty
- Kelty and their daily “jams” concept has brought enjoyment and recreation to a different level. The brand focuses on building great gear and tents for adventurers to explore the world in extreme joy.
FAQs
Can I use beach camping tents for car camping?
Absolutely. Beach camping tents with great weather protection and durability can be excellent on your car camping trips as well.
Should you put a tarp under your tent?
It’s not a must, but if you do have a tarp for the floor, it can prevent holes and moisture from the ground. However, when camping at the beach, don’t use a tarp under your tent but rather inside. This is because, in case of rain, a tarp won’t do anything but holding water under your floor.
Should you put a tarp over your tent?
It can play the role of a rainfly if your tent doesn’t come with one. But keep the wind in mind as it can blow your tarp away.
How often should you waterproof your tent?
2 to 3 years is the average time for a time to maintain its waterproofness. So, if you use your tent a bit often, you should waterproof it once a year. Or if you see the water start leaking into the tent, it’s time to reproof it.
How waterproof should a tent be?
The lowest level of waterproof is 1,000 mm, and the highest can be 10,000 mm. For this rate, you don’t have to go for the max number but consider the average, at least. Also, it is recommended to reproof your tent after a certain to ensure you will have enough protection in the next trip.
Conclusion
Have things got more comfortable for you now? Did you have the best 4-person car camping tent of your own in mind?
With the choices above, I believe you will have the best and most exciting moments outdoor with your loved people.
Let me know what you chose and ask me anything. Happy camping!
Bryan Listor
