Eureka Timberline 4 Real Review

"Timberline Tough!

Timberlines are the Toyota Tacomas of tents. You can beat the heck out of them and they'll still keep on working.

I was a boy scout (and am an eagle scout) and whenever we went camping, a few of us would volunteer to take a tent home and set it up to let it dry and prevent mold, mildew, etc. One summer, after going on a scout camping trip, we came home and I then immediately left with my family for a family camping trip. I had also volunteered to take home and set up one of our Timberlines, but since I was not "home", I simply set it up on an adjacent site to ours (it was weekday camping, almost no one was there). Well, shortly after setting the tent up, an absolutely monstrous storm rolled in, one so monstrous that our family didn't even feel safe in our pop up camper. We left the campground and took shelter at a local gas station convenience store; huge wind gusts, sideways rain, almond-sized hail, potential tornado warnings going off. Luckily it soon blew over, and we went back to the camp to check for damages on oyr camper. Things were looking okay, when I suddenly realized... THE TENT! Oh my God it had nothing in it, surely it was gone!

I rushed over to the adjacent site, and I found the tent... Right where I left it, but it was on it's side. I re-erected it, gave it a once-over... No damage I can see, not even a bent pole! I unzip the door, peer inside... Again, no damage, and dry as a bone! After everything was checked, double checked, even triple checked, I walked away with a perfectly intact tent, only missing 2 stakes!

It was then that I knew Eureka tents were something special, particularly their Timberline model. I am now the proud owner of not only a classic Timberline 4 person like we used in our troops, but I even got the big man edition SQ Outfitter 6, which is essentially the same tent, but with a more spacious and roomy interior! I look forward to many adventures with both of them, and hope one day to perhaps have some kods of my own who can use the Timberline as a first tent themselves!

I pray for the future of Eureka. I was intending to be a very long time, loyal customer, but the recent news of the upcoming end of their business has me deeply saddened. I wish for the best for all Eureka employees, and wish particilarly that someone from another outdoor organization pick up Eureka, as it would be such a shame to lose such a historical and important legacy in camping, scouting, and military equipment!"

"I bought my Timberline 4 tent in 2003 (anniversary edition), as a young single adult. I used to use the same tent as a kid in the boy scouts. We would sleep 4 with our gear as kids. I think its best for 1-2 adults with gear. Would be pretty cozy with 4 adults. It's easy for 1 person to set up. It is compact when put away in its bag. Never had any rain leakage in 20 years. I've always used the fly when I camp but you can camp without the fly on nice weather days. You get amazing breezes and views if you want as well. This tent is not for standing up in and not for tables/chairs or even cots. Well maybe a cot for 1 or 2 but its not really tall enough.

20 year update - I had 1 fly pole break but it was due to human error. I bought a replacement pole set but never had any more human error issues. The tent stakes are all mangled and bent. For such an amazing and durable tent, the provided tent stakes are the cheapest metals stakes possible. I bought new beefy stakes this year (2023), just because I was sick of the bent mangled stakes, not because they broke or got lost.

The elastic chords on the top of the tent and the ends/bottom of the rain fly, are finally starting to fail. They are pretty stretched out and contribute to some sagging. BUT, we are still regularly using this tent and it isnt causing any real issue yet. The tent is still waterproof. I rarely use a tarp under the tent. Just plop it on the ground and go. I do suggest some doormat.

I've tried to find reasons to buy a newer tent. Maybe taller and bigger, but who wants to lug around and store a taller and bigger tent? This really is perfect for 2-4 people. Big enough but small and lightweight. Looks good. Incredibly durable. Expect this tent to last decades IF you know how to treat the things you own with care."

"Though there are newer designs in 4 person tents on the market, nothing in my opinion beats the time-tested design of the Timberline. PRO: The A-frame design makes for a great, dry tent, that is especially nice to use in rainy weather because the overhangs keep the rain out and lets the air circulate through the tent. Rarely have I ever needed to completely zip up the windows....only on extremely stormy nights. PRO: The fabric under the rain fly is breathable so rarely have I experienced condensation in the tent, even on humid nights or frigid, sub-zero nights. PRO: Because the fabric under the fly is breathable, when using the tent in shoulder seasons where snowy nights are possible, you DO NOT have to put up with snow coming in by blowing up under the fly and going through a mesh wall -- like most tents nowadays. The breathable fabric of the Timberline keeps that from happening. PRO: The tent is warmer in shoulder seasons for the same reason as above: icy winds that blow up under the fly hit the breathable fabric instead of passing through cheap mesh like most modern tents. Zip up the windows and the Timberline is fine for light winter camping. PRO: The height of the tent enables you to string up a little wash line to dry socks etc. without them drooping down onto yoursleeping bag. CON: there isn't as much "sitting room" as a dome tent, you have to sit towards the center line of the tent......but this is mitigated by the much better ventilation than a dome tent. CON: Might be heavier that some new "wonder tents".....who cares? It just plain works. If you like gear that lives up to expectations, and just plain works, rather than the latest and greatest reviewed gear, then give the classic Timberline a try."

"I got my first timberline in 2000. My first timber tent has been through thousands of miles of white water river expeditions, backcountry backpacking and car campgrounds. It has seen 40 MPH sandstorms in Utah and snow in the Monagahelia National forest in West Virginia. It held up for 21 years of extremes. Finally, it was time to replace it. I chose the same timberline I had for the last 21 years. This is a great Tent! I purchased my new tent and immediately went to test it out on an overnight in Cranberry Glades. I had high expectations and this tent upheld those expectations. The 4 man tent weighs in at around 9 lbs, which can be cumbersome in a pack. However, that weight is very low for the space you recieve in this oversized 4 man. For warmer weather the rain fly would make a great canopy for a hammock. I have used the fly on my old tent in this fashion and it was effective. My only disappointment is the new model does not have 2 doors as the old tent did. It also seemed the zippers on the new model were somewhat smaller than the old model.

All in all these tents from Eureka are an outdoorsman must have. They stand up to all types of weather and keep you and your gear dry if set up correctly. I will continue to buy these products for the rest of my life."

"I am saddened by what looks like cost and marketing decisions in this current version, but I am ahead of myself.

I slept in a timberline for the first time in the mid eighties. So impressed with eaze of setup and space, I bought a four person timberline in the early nineties. It has lasted ever since (2020). But now the tent material has broken down due to UV exposure, so it was time to replace.

Cost of this new version s still a great value. Yet I am saddened where we are today. Evidently 2 door timberline's are a marketing feature to get you to upgrade to a different design, which I have used and found to be inferior to the old style timberline. Not having 2 doors is truly sad.

One of the issues I had with my previous timberline was that the roofline attachment cords were cut maybe half an inch too short always making fly setup a bit of pain. Seems to be fixed in this version. However the side attachment hardware is now plastic clips and rings with bungy ground cords. The plastic is bound to break and the bungies while useful in their youth ultimately will fail.

The cords that hold open doors or windows used to have convienent hooks and rings but now are just strips of tent material you have to tie. The material is slick enough that simple partial knots slip.

Other than those issues the A frame design is unchanged and still looks to last.

"I was a Boy Scout in the 1990s and these were the only tents we used from April-November all over New England. Of course when my son joined Boy Scouts I had to get the same tent for nostalgic and brand trust reasons. Not much has changed over the past 20 something years. The plastic connectors are less complicated, the colors changed slightly saving white and brown for the higher end models, however the ease of assembly (can be put together by one person in the dark is a win to me), and the quality remain the same.

I did peek at other brands when shopping for tents online. However Eureka won in the long run especially when they offer replacements parts and repairs which the competition doesn't. We just used our tent in the Maine Woods where it got down to 20 degrees in November and stayed warm and dry. I have three Boys and will be buying more Eureka Timberline Tents as they younger ones get older so they each have one for them and their friends. Even when I ran into a snafu Customer Service went above and beyond. We will be customers for generations. Thank you Eureka!"

"My family has owned a Timberline 4 person tent for over 30 years. We’ve used it a half dozen times a year every year since we’ve had it. No damage, durable, lightweight, easy to set up and easy on the eye. We’ve had several other big tents over the years that leaked or ripped, and thrown away. The Timberline has been a great tent for us! Highly recommend!"

"I have owned and used one of these tents for about 38 years. It has been a shelter for me backpacking in the Grand Canyon the AT various trails in the Smokies canoeing in the Adirondacks kayaking and canoeing adventures in local river and swamp areas and along the coasts of the Carolinas. Some of these excursions were Base camp experiences and the tent performs well in that scenario too. I have camped in heat and humidity all the way to the other extreme of waking with a coating of snow on the roof. It performed well in all of these conditions and kept me relatively safe and comfortable. It is a little heavy as a solo Backpacking tent but if more than one may use it the weight can be shared on the trail. There is also a 2 person version I think which may be a bit lighter. All-in-all this is a very versatile universal use tent for one to own."

"I'm on my second Eureka 4 man Timberline tent. First was when I was a Boy Scout age 11 up until my son started in Cub Scouts. Waterproofing was finally shot so I got my second and still current 4 man. My son is off camping in it this weekend and I turn 64 this year. That's 53 years and counting of Eureka tents."

After delving into the real buyer reviews of the Eureka Timberline 4, it's clear that this tent offers a blend of quality, functionality, and convenience that appeals to a wide range of campers. From its robust construction to its ease of setup, the Eureka Timberline 4 consistently receives high praise from users. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended camping trip, the Eureka Timberline 4 seems to be a reliable choice.

However, if you're looking for an alternative that offers similar features and quality, consider checking out the POMOLY brand. The POMOLY X4 Dome Tent, for instance, is known for its durability, ease of use, and spacious interior. Just like the Eureka Timberline 4, the POMOLY X4 Dome Tent is designed to withstand various weather conditions and provides ample space for a family of four.

In summary, the Eureka Timberline 4 remains a top choice for many campers, but exploring other brands like POMOLY can also offer excellent options. Whether you choose the Eureka Timberline 4 or another high-quality tent, ensuring that your gear meets your specific needs will undoubtedly enhance your outdoor adventures. Happy camping!