The best ground tents for overlanding | Are Gazelle tents really worth it?

[@twiztidtrucker3989]

I've had my T4 for going on my second year and absolutely have zero regrets. It is awesome how quick and easy it is. Highly recommended them!!

[@larryfisher7056]

I have the T3x and have used it on a two month road trip to Alaska and the Canadian Yukon and Dempster Highway to Tuk. And recently another month trip to cover most of western US . I use it solo and there is room for my cot a table and chair. I have used it in all night rains and never got a drop inside. I love the tent. Sets up easily and takes down and packs away just as quickly.

[@waxifari5528]

Especially for family camping you can’t beat the gazelle. Beyond all the obvious advantages mentioned, you can’t stand in rooftop tent. Nor can you sneak out the back for a quick leak when nature calls leaving the others undisturbed. Rooftop tents are like oversized tires. They are just bro cred but are objectively inferior.

[@mcwalker949]

i packed up my gazelle tent on a 20 day camp trip in southern california. 12 days in a regional park campsite. the first 3 nights the tent stood up to an April torrential downpour with gusty winds. my other campsites were the coachella music festival and then the stagecoach music festival both in indio, california. the tent endured the desert weather with winds gusting up to 40 mph. the gazelle stood strong. i’m a solo female traveler. the gazelle tent is easy to set up. footprint is 8x8 or 64 sq feet. very roomy for one. i’m 5’4” and i can stand up easily inside. if you’re 6 ft i guess you can stand up inside the tent without any problems. putting the tent back in its duffle bag was so easy because the duffle bag is oversized. i’ve been camping off and on for 40+ yrs. the gazelle is a great tent for car campers like myself. oh, i’m 65.

[@Glenn.Cooper]

Perfect video. I was just researching that very tent yesterday and then your video popped up today. Cool! The videos from people that have actually used the tent are fantastic, and I'm sold on it.

[@varsityoverland]

That's great to hear! Glad this video could help.

[@Vikingbastich]

Have had a t4 for a year now, just picked up a g6 on sale and taking both our to PA for a few weekends of camping with the family. T4 is rock solid.

[@elpermerino1160]

Have the T4 plus and absolutely love it. So easy to set up and tear down. The quality is light year better than your standard Core/Coleman tents.

[@firstpathfrontier]

I have had my T4 Orange for about 2 years now and very happy with it. Awesome 3 season tent with plenty of room to set up a work space while out for a long stint. It's really nice to stand up when you want to. Seems to be holding up and keeps me dry. Down side: Can be a comedy of errors trying to set it up in the wind. The open vent roof makes it not the best option for winter camping but it can be done with a cargo blanket over the top and a diesel heater or Mr. Heater Buddy. I have just recently ordered a 23Zero swag to have as a camping option as well. Just. a different style of camping and nice to have when your campsite is small.

[@gud2go50]

I just got one of these tents, but haven’t even set it up yet! I plan on using a tarp over the front door area to give me a place to put my shoes and hang out. I never thought of the gazebo! Sounds like a good idea though! Thanks!😊

[@varsityoverland]

@@gud2go50 I'm glad I could help! You'll love the tent 👍

[@M.evolvE]

Great storytelling! I’m so glad to have found your channel. Very informative and helpful. Keep up the great work 👍👍

[@varsityoverland]

Thank you! Much appreciated 🙏

[@CicadaAppreciationSociety]

I've had a Smittybilt Overlander tent for 3 years but now I'm moving to using a Gazelle tent. Offers a lot of flexibility to have a rooftop storage box instead of tent on my vehicle, plus I hate having to stay in one place when I'm camping for multiple nights. Now I can go drive to trailheads and leave my tent set up.

[@GirdlerFamilyOverland]

Great Quick look at both products! We went with the Magellan knock off because we’re not using it super often, but the hub style tent is definitely the way to go!

[@varsityoverland]

Thank you! And yes i agree. There's a few different brands that produce hub style tents. I cant only speak to the products ive used but i bet they're all very similar!

[@NVLunarTaco]

Totally agree. I’ve had my Gazebo for a couple years and have used it camping, at the beach and at the park. I’ve used my T4 for the first time last week and very impressed with the experience over all. My only complaint (which is common in reviews that I’ve read) are the doors on the T4. Just a minor complaint on its shape, but is not a deal breaker. Still worth every penny! I’ll be buying one for my Sister since they camp all the time.

[@varsityoverland]

Yeah i agree 👍 i actually addressed the doors in a previous Gazelle video. I know what you mean.

[@sozekeysersoze]

Cheers from Denmark🇩🇰 I have had my Gazelle T3 for 5 years now. Absolutely love this tent. I don’t have the option of a rooftop tent, since I drive a Suzuki Samurai softtop. I have taken my T3 all over Europe

[@varsityoverland]

That's awesome though! Cheers!

[@dougcopeland387]

Like you, we have the T4 and the gazebo. We love the T4 and how easy it is to set up. It is sturdy in the wind, and feels roomy inside due to the vertical walls. We have had only a couple issues with ours, small water leaks in the rain was one issue. The other I am curious to see if others have had and if anyone has a solution, that is that we have had bugs getting in at the bottom corners where the hub pole goes through to the outside. We also had the gazebo set up in the rain and it did well for a while but eventually wetted out and began to leak. Thank you for your helpful and honest reviews.

[@varsityoverland]

Thats interesting about the bugs. I haven't had that issue although my tent doesn't stay in the same location very long. We tend to hop around various campsites each night as we travel. So far my G5 has only been used in light rain so i dont know if it would leak under wetter conditions. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@dannymcneal]

Being a 66-yr-old single guy, I’ve been intrigued by the Gazelle T4 due to its simplicity, ease of setting up/taking down, spaciousness for its size, etc. Not so fond of the seemingly inferior rain protection at the windows though. Still, I’m pondering this purchase. Now going to your other videos to see what all you point out. Thanks for this one!

[@AT4OB]

My G5 hub is definitely worth it especially now that I can’t run my awning at the moment. I will be using the G5 way more for my trips this year

[@varsityoverland]

Definitely an additional benefit of the G5. Awnings can be optional.

[@PismoKam1]

I have a t4 plus. I like it but my health took a dive and I can not carry it or put it up myself. I am wondering about getting a smaller gazelle tent. I need to be able to,put my cot in the tent.

[@brianwilliams3146]

I also have the T4 hub tent and the Gazebo and they are the best. I actually enjoy putting up the T4. Also the overland tent stakes they sell are great and the handle makes it easy to pull up. I would buy the stakes even if I had a different tent. However, it is diffinitely is not a winter tent. The roof is all mesh which means all the heat escapes.

[@varsityoverland]

Totally agree with you there. Im always apprehensive about winter camping with the T4. Ive done it once and it was ... ok lol

[@thomasbeirne8213]

@@varsityoverland Apparently Gazelle recommends a 'moving blanket', placed over the mesh top before adding the rain fly to retain heat.

[@GZCon]

I know they're not big in America but we use swags in Australia. Great for setting up and taking down and mine has my whole sleep system in there, ready to go

[@varsityoverland]

Ive looked st swags before. I definitely see their function but sometimes i feel like they're a bit small for me.

[@GZCon]

@@varsityoverlandI only really need it for sleeping so it's perfect for me, best nights sleep you'll get out bush. Saying that when the family joins us we use a tent so my son has somewhere to hang out.

[@stevescramo592]

I have a gazelle hub tent. It is a little heavy and bulky but I do like being able to stand in it and allows for a small table and chair if it is just me.

[@varsityoverland]

Yes! Standing is a huge benefit and additional furniture inside is helpful when its raining at camp.

[@stevecole9441]

How is the ventilation in both the T4 and Gazebo, especially in warmer weather? I’ve read the mesh is so tight it restricts airflow and they’re susceptible to heat buildup.

[@Toubabou]

I like my T4 as long as there is breeze and mild to cold weather : ventilation is an issue

[@thedkracing]

How well do they hold heat, I have a rtt and it hold the heat from my diesel heater very good, but I’m thinking of getting a gazelle and curious of how it does with a diesel heater

[@varsityoverland]

I have zero experience with the heater unfortunately. The tent held heat pretty well with a Firecan but I turned it off before sleeping. Then used a lot of blankets lol

[@kyle6703]

Has anyone used both the shiftpod and gazelle style tents? Which do you prefer?

[@varsityoverland]

Id love to know that as well! Maybe a future video topic?🤔

[@jeffweston9743]

No regerts. Woah what is that truck bed topper set up you have?

[@varsityoverland]

@@jeffweston9743 it's an Ibex bedrack from Kuat! Love it 👌

[@gordonwood3184]

Hello.i am in the UK .i have been looking at the T4 for a while now and wandering if it is worth the 500 pounds sterling about 670 u.s dollar,s from Amazon..I messaged gazelle and another outlet firm in America but they don't ship to UK witch is a shame .so I am still thinking about it . cheers and good luck on your adventure,s

[@karlstriepe8050]

Like mine, but bulky af.

[@muddnyreye]

My question is how much you love it hopefully getting free stuff in the future maybe ? When compared to standard style tents they were found lacking…. Poor doorways, poor craftsmanship poor ventilation as per the outdoor gear review . He test tents from basic to high end. Just because everyone is buying them doesn’t mean they’re good. The overlanding community is really full of followers trusting other people. Not knowing better. Nobody likes to admit that they got screwed for $400 .

[@varsityoverland]

Ive seen that channel and i dont disagree with any of those points he makes. There might be one or two aspects i haven't experienced that he has but still all good info. I didn't make the video hoping to get free stuff, i just noticed my Gazelle videos were receiving attention and thought id make a shorter, simplified review. In my longer videos i point out several flaws with both the T4 and G5 but overall I still enjoy them 👍

[@crxhp3689]

Gazelles suck get off the ground your gonna get a cold