Blackwolf Turbo Tents

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

I'm in the market for a new tent.
Currently we have a large double dome tent that is great in situations were we are staying for several days. But for overnighters and touring the set up and pack up time is too long. I've been reaearching and the Blackwolf Turbo 300 seems like it would be great. For overnight it's very fast set up with just the standard fly and for longer stays the addition of the deluxe fly with screen room and side and front panels would make it the size we want.
Armed with is information and credit card at the ready we headed to the camping store. We looked at the display tent (Turbo 300 with basic fly), had a go at collapsing it and setting it up and it was great. But before I was going to hand oover +$1800 for a tent I wanted to see it completely erected and this is where the wheels came off. The store din't have a deluxe fly and the associated extras on display. I rang all the camping places I know of in Perth and no one has them on display. So I made the sales guys drag one out and set it all up. The deluxe Fly and screen room went on with no fuss. But the side and front panels were another story. The fitting of the panels seemed very clumsy, flimsy and it was hard to believe that were even desinged for that tent. Considering how well thought out and made the rest of the tent is I'm thinking that maybe we and guys in the store had the fitting all wrong.
Is there anyone out there who has experience with the deluxe fly and side/front panels? Are they weather proof?

Leachy

Leachy

[Mike Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mike]

Hi Leachy

I have a Blackwolf 240 that I am very happy with. I don't however have the deluxe fly so cannot comment on how it works. I did some research before purchasing - do a search on the following sites where you might find some advice:

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.aspx

http://forum.camping.com.au/index.ph...c9850b34b74492

http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/

http://forums.overlander.com.au/index.php

My only negative comment is the difficulty in getting the tent back into its bag. I found that it took few attempts to work out the best way to roll it up . All OK with practice.

[embi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close embi]

We are going to buy the whole kit and caboodle in the next few weeks. (just waiting for the tax check).

We have the same issue...we want something we can put up in a hurry if need be or set up the whole lot for extended stays.

I hope yu just had it wrong with the sides...be interested to see.

[Guest Close Guest]

Also remember that the blackwolf turbo and some other named tents are HUGE when packed in their bag.

My mate spent about 1250 on one and then discovered it wont fit in the car!!!

The turbo 300 is 1450 mm long in bag, I dont think that will fit in the back of a prado unless seats are reclined.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

The size of the Turbo tent is no issue since I have a full roof rack.
I'd liked the idea of the Turbo 300 becuase it would be quick for overnight set up but with all the accessories large enough for an extented stay. So I'd only need the tent and acessories rather than carting a large tent plus swags.

Leachy.

[peterg4508 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peterg4508]

We have a Turbo Lite 270plus (cost about $650 @ BCF)which has an extension to the rear. It is great, quick to set up, also very sturdy in strong winds.
Fits across the Prado behind the second row of seat(when they are folded forward) or in the roof rack.
The packed up size was a small price to pay for a tent that goes up quick and doesnt lay down in a storm. The new lite series tents are lighter than the originals as they are now ripstop nylon, they also have vents in the top of the roof to help with ventilation condensation.

Peter

[Silver Rain Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Silver Rain]

I have had a Turbo 300 with the deluxe fly for about 10 months now. The standard fly is a breeze. The deluxe fly is not as good. After a few trips I was able to set the deluxe fly up with little difficulty, although the fit is not nearly as good as the standard fly. Despite the fit not been too good, it does keep the water out.

Last weekend I bought the netting to be used in lieu of the deluxe fly. It is meant to be completely bug-proof, but I am yet to test it.

Despite the deluxe fly being less than perfect, I am still a big supporter of the tent. I am able to erect it myself very quickly (while she who must be obeyed provides directions as to what I am doing incorrectly). It is great for a long stay (we camped at Mallacoota for a couple of weeks at Chrismas) and good for overnight stays (We travelled through the Blue Mountains for 10 days a month ago, stopping differerent places every night)

Peter

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

... (while she who must be obeyed provides directions as to what I am doing incorrectly).

You got one of those too. Deepest sympathies Peter.

Cheers
Chippy

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Silver Rain,

When you say you have the Deluxe Fly do you mean you have the side and front panels as well? If so what is the correct method for attaching the panels?

leachy

[Silver Rain Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Silver Rain]

I have the side and front panels as part of the Deluxe fly.

The trick is that the side panels (on the one hand) and front panels (on the other) are attached differently. I can't now recall which is which, but one set is erected by putting them inside the tent area, with the wrap around bits going outwards, whereas the other set is erected by putting them on the outside of the tend area, with the wrap around bits being pushed inwards.

The instructions can be downloaded from http://www.blackwolf.com.au/turbo_dfly_pitchguide.pdf

I hope to get away in the next couple of weeks. If you wish, I can take some photos and, if I can work out how to do it, will post them showing how to set it up.

Peter .

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Peter,

For the moment I have just purchased the Turbo 300 with standard fly. Unitl I can work out if we really want the other pieces. If you could take some pics of the setup of the side and front panels, and how it should look when setup correctly, next time your out that would be awesome.
Cheers,
Leachy

[lawrance Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lawrance]

I saw one of these Turbo tents at Grangers Camping World in Nunawading on the weekend.

If I recall rightly, the price was sub $900. So I'm curious as to why your price is circa the $1800 mark.

We were looking at the tent because our cheapie Tanami Tourer center pole tent is starting to leak water, and so a new tent is not too far off.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Lawrence,

What I think you saw was the tent and standard fly only, which has a RRP of $999.
To this you can add;
Delux fly
Screen Room
Side panels
Front Panel
Which effectly doubles the size of the tent but when added to the basic tent and fly has a RRP of $2000+

Since my previous post I have purchased the Turbo 300 (canvas) tent with basic fly (after a lot of searching got one for $800). We plan to add the optional components over time.
Last weekend we went away with a group that included two other families who were using brand new Turbo 270 plus tents (exclusive to BCF).
Both models set up very fast, and packed up reasonably fast.
The Turbo 270 plus has an extra room at the back that requires a couple of extra poles. But being nylon packs up smaller and lighter than the Turbo 300. Having a big roof rack the size of the Turbo 300 is no issue for me and I like the durability and thermal properties of the canvas.
We were very happy with the Turbo 300.

leachy.

[IRON-PAWW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close IRON-PAWW]

After looking at various tents on and off for a few months and doing a heap of reading on the web, I really can't go past the Blackwolf Turbo tents. I just keep coming back to them. The only issue with them is the price.

I'm after a strong tent that will go up without too much stuffing around. Currently we've got a K-Mart dome cheapy which is damn good for what we paid for it but takes ages to get all the guy ropes and tent pegs right to stop it flapping in the wind. Also takes ages to pack up again as there are 1000 tent pegs that I need to use to get it set up properly. Got thoroughly sick of doing this on our last trip. I was stuffing around with guy ropes and tent pegs while others were cooling off with coldies.

Currently I'm thinking I might go the cheaper Turbo Lite 250 which are made from Ripstop Polyester as opposed to the 220g Ripstop poly/cotton canvas on the Turbo series. The canvas ones really are good, but just too expensive.

Can you guys with them see any negatives? All I read so far has been pretty good.

Where would be the best place in Perth to get one? Looked in Ranger Camping in Balcatta who so far have the best price.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

When I was looking Complete Angler and Camping and Joondalup had the best prices in Perth.

Leachy