Awesome car-camping tent with awesome opticsplanet product support. - ALPS Mountaineering Meramac Sage/Rust Tent

I camped with a 20 year old WM Ozark Trail 8'x10' (5' tall) tent. A deluge came and almost floated me away. I was on a tent pad at a national park. The water that decided not to come through the tent floor seams, passed under the tent and it was like walking on a waterbed as I scurried around bailing water so my air mattress wouldn't float. The next morning I got on the internet and found an Alps Mountaineering Meramac 5 for only $99, free shipping no tax from OpticsPlanet. I received it in time for my next trip and built the tent for a trial run in my garage. It’s a puzzle but I had fun. The most challenging task is trying to get the rain fly secured on all corners of the tent – it’s slippery and keeps wanting to slide off. Speaking of the fly – it was missing a critical piece of Velcro strap that’s intended to help hold the fly in the correct position in the event of high wind. I photographed the problem and emailed OpticsPlanet. They hurried out a second fly that was complete. As to the tent itself, I had recently purchased an Alps Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool and found the product outstanding in all ways. I can say the same thing re: the Meramac 5. I’m 6’ tall so I can stand up without getting a neck ache. The tent pan has seams in it for which I purchased Kenyon Seam Sealer. I also purchased a 10-mil poly tarp (8’x10’) to help protect the floor. I think that’s absolutely essential – there were many small indentions in the floor, even with the tarp underneath, after walking barefoot for 4 days on it but no damage. Excellent airways for venting in warmer temperatures, but great privacy with the rain fly attached. I highly recommend dealing with OpticsPlanet and the Alps Mountaineering Meramac 5.