Looking for anyone who uses a pop up tent. I'm planning on pimping out the van interior and adding a tent. Does anyone have any experience with a certain make? I'm a solo guy so room isn't that important, I guess waterproofness (after I seal it) would be the highest criteria for me. TIA

Well, I guess that I will toss this out there, as I suspect others are thinking the same thing; IMHO I've never viewed pop-up tents as more than toy tents, really. Quick, OK, but sturdy? Waterproof? Wind resistant?

I've never seen one that even had a full coverage fly, and precious few even have guylines, and so good luck in any kind of inclement weather in a pop-up.

You are not going to be able to seal a tent that does not have a full coverage fly, and a bathtub floor, neither of which feature much in pop-ups as far as I know.

So, really, a pop-up would be the last kind of tent I would want to bring on a canoe trip, and as far as car camping goes, well, one would be fine, until the wind came up, or it rained, but at least then you could crawl back into your car.

OR, (late breaking thought...)
Have I completely misunderstood your meaning, and what you are calling a pop-up is what you call something that attaches to your pimped out van interior, like an added room? In which case I would say, sorry, I know nothing about those sorts of rigs.
Cheers.

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Ubique

guyfawkes041 .. I should have been a bit clearer. The tent I'm inquiring about attaches to the back of your vehicle. In my case I leave the back hatch open and crawl out into a 10x10 tent. I make tarps and drybags so waterproofing and seam sealing is not a problem. I do see tents that have the bathtub flooring, so they should be good.

My current gear is mostly low weight "techie" stuff for extended hikes. In the end I'm looking for a more "comfortable" set up. The plan is to take extended trips so I need a happy medium between the way I camp now and spending 80k, buying a Spinter and becoming a Vanlifer.

This probably isn't the forum where people are going to have these, but you never know.

https://www.amazon.ca/Backroadz-19100-T ... 015&sr=8-5

Ha! Alright, I understand, it was just a terminology thing. And I think I have seen some pretty Gucci rigs that serve as added rooms to vehicles of various kinds, which is what you're referring to; I just don't know much about them or where to point you.
My solution to heading off solo cross country for days to get to the start of a canoe trip was to buy a weird little Australian designed folder camper. It has a queen size mattress, a 7' ceiling, and a hard floor up off the ground. It's a tent frame that opens up and pulls its canvas up as the trailer unfolds. Fairly uncommon in North America, here they are called Kamparoo, but in Australia, Kamparoo is just one model of a fleet of various similar folding camping trailers. The whole thing only weighs 700lbs, take literally 4 minutes to set up, will carry your canoe, and costs less than $10k. An option. Check them out if you get tired of sleeping in the back of the truck. Cheers.

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Ubique

Wilsauceez, I tried something similar for the tailgate end of the tripping truck a few years ago, hoping it would provide a less confined space and, mostly, better ventilation when sleeping coffin-like under the cap.

While it succeeded in that regard it was a dismal failure in another important aspect. The back of the truck is very well sealed, with the curtains draw it is essentially light-tight. Which also means it is bug proof; I sleep back there and biters and bloodsuckers are not welcome.

The tailgate/cap door tent was far from bug-proof. I diddled with making it so for a day before deciding that the “solutions” were too fussy and would take too long for me to ever use it. Fortunately it was returnable and I got my money back less return shipping $.

The Backroads SUV Tent notes “The universal vehicle sleeve fits all CUV’s, SUV’s, and Minivans. The easily adjustable sleeve straps ensure a bug free and watertight fit”.

Maybe so, but few things “universal” have every proven to live up to that billing. If it isn’t truly “bug free” you’ll just have a buggy van and buggy tent.

If you try one please let us know.

Thxs Guy & Mike ... I'll check that $700 one for sure. I'm thinking the same thing you are. Summer/Fall of 2023 I'd like to spend 3 months travelling Northern Ont. Strap the canoe to the roof racks, camp in the van, maybe buy a portable solar charger/inverter and I'm thinking I'll be good.

Ya Mike, I don't believe the "bug free" thing, I think it's actually a silly statement for them to make. I've pondered this as well, but I've spend a few camping trips living out of my van (for a day or two) and the only real "drawback" is the room that's available. That's why I'd like to think that one of these tents could be the answer.