Features
- Free Standing 2 Pole Design with Fiberglass Poles
- 75D 185T Polyester Fly resists UV damage and stays taut
- Factory Sealed Fly & Floor Seams gives best weather protection
- 210D 110T Nylon Oxford Floor with 1500mm Multi-pass Urethane Coating
- Extra Large #10 Zippers on Doors and Vestibules
- Easy entry with 2 Doors and "single zip operation"
- Great Ventilation with 2 zippered windows in the doors
- Weatherproof Fly with a Ridge Pole provides an Awning over each Door
Included
Rain fly, Tent Poles, Pole Bag, Stake Bag, 7001 Aluminum Stakes, Guy Rope, Repair Swatches, Gear Loft, Mesh Storage Pockets and Tent Bag
The Meramac ZF series tents are all free standing 2-pole designs with shock corded fiberglass. The ferrules are the "connectors" that hold the poles together and we use aluminum, rather than steel, because aluminum can never rust. Our fiberglass poles are also normally one size larger than normal to offer you a sturdier, stronger tent. We use lightweight but strong polyester fabrics. The walls are uncoated so the tent can "breathe" under the urethane coated fly. The fly uses a pole in the top, which gives you an awning over each door for excellent rain protection. Our fly is full length on the sides, not 3/4 length like some others, for better weather protection. We even have our factory seal the seams on the floor and fly for maximum water repellency. Entry and exit are enhanced with 2 doors, which means if you have to get out at night, you don't need to crawl over the others to get to the only door. The second door is also nice for extra ventilation in hot, muggy weather. Our door zippers are a #10, which is one size larger than most, for extra durability. Mesh storage pockets and a gear loft are included to help you keep your gear organized.
ZF Series: which stands for bigger Zipper and heavier Floor. The zipper for a ZF model is upgraded from a #8 to a #10. The floor used in the ZF models is a 4 oz. nylon oxford, which is almost twice as heavy as normal nylon taffeta floors. ZF models do not have windows on fly.
Materials
Fly: 75D, 185T, Poly Taffeta, 1500mm Multi-pass Urethane coating
Floor: 210D, 110T, Nylon Oxford, 1500mm Multi-pass Urethane coating
Walls: 70D, 190T, Nylon Taffeta
Mesh: Nylon No See-um Mesh, 40D
I was looking to step up to a quality 5 person tent that I could have for a few years and not just a one season throw away tent. Yours was just a little more expensive than the throw away tents. I got the ZF model because I figured that I would need the extra heft with my family. I was blown away at how heavy duty it is. The poles are twice as thick as my last tent and the zipper is industrial grade. The rain fly is a real rain fly that covers the whole tent. Even the stuff bag was heavy duty. I was really impressed with the quality and workmanship of your tent. I would recommend the Meramac 5 ZF to anyone looking for a real heavy duty family tent.
- Michael B.
Last year, I purchased a Meramac 6 ZF, and have used it on a number of occasions. I purchased the tent based on its specs as well as the testimonials on your web site. We use it for car camping in the sierras and California and Nevada desert. Having worn out several previous tents, I was very impressed with the materials and workmanship in your product. This workmanship has been proven out through several trips involving wind and rain. Our most recent trip to Death valley was particularly stressful in this regard, with winds of approx 20 to 30 mph and gusts easily over 50 mph. The winds were a benefit to us in that they cleared the campground of many tent campers by leveling and in some cases ripping their tents. We had our pick of sites! I honestly expected our tent to be damaged, but set up anyway because of limited options. With full guyouts and the van as a wind block, the tent survived the winds without a problem, despite being partially flattend by the strongest gusts. I fully expected to have to repair guyout and pole clip points after the wind, but upon close inspection, I couldn't even find signs of stress. Thanks for a truly superior product!
- Mark H.
Labor Day weekend was my second motorcycle camping trip with my new tent (Meramac 5 ZF FG). This weekend would prove to be the worst weather I have encountered while camping in several years. Saturday we awoke to heavy overcast skies after a low temp of 47 degrees during the night. I tethered the tent down, prior to leaving for a ride. Upon our return that afternoon, we were told to get our motorcycles under cover as a large storm with damaging hail was approaching the rally grounds. As I parked my bike, I heard the National Weather Service broadcasting a Tornado Warning about 40 miles from where we were located that was headed in our direction. As the Storm approached us, the winds increased with 25 - 40 mph gusts. Hail the size of marbles began pounding down, accompanied by rain which was driven horizontal from wind. The storm lasted the better part of an hour. All the while several of us were huddled under a large fabric screen enclosure attempting to hold it down. The tent was several feet from me at this point and, as I watched it, I was thinking "my new tent is going to get trashed". To my delight, not a drop of water was inside the tent and it stayed upright with no damage. Several hours later a tornado touched down a mere 13 miles from us. This time, however, we were ordered into a tornado shelter; upon returning back to our camp area once again I was happy to see no water inside my tent. This is the best testimony I can give as to the durability and construction of this tent.
PS: Between the two storms we received in excess of 4.5" of rain. Many tents around the campsite were destroyed in these storms. Mine was dry and in great shape.
- Tim S.
About a month ago, our family went on what turned out to be a very rainy weekend camping trip (1.5” of rain). It was the first trip I took with our Meramac 5 ZF AL, and I was very impressed with every aspect of it, but particularly that we stayed ABSOLUTELY DRY in our tent – I mean, not a single drop of water got in! The no-sag fly covered every inch of the tent that needed it…and the water just beaded up and slid right off. The flap over the door zipper not only didn’t get caught in the zipper, but it actually lay flat and kept the water out. I should also say that I didn’t do any seamsealing myself on the tent before I took it out – a testimony to the excellent sealing done at the factory! An AMAZING tent!
I wish I could say the same thing for our kids’ tents (Eureka Backcountry 2s). These tents are similar in basic design to the Meramac – 2-pole freestanding dome tents with comparable fly. Unfortunately, they are not made nearly as well as ALPS tents. Our kids got totally soaked. It actually looked like the rainfly on their tents was absorbing the water! Water got in everywhere – corners, door, you name it. We actually abandoned our trip a day early just so they could get home and dry.
This past weekend was also a rainy camping trip (gotta love this New England weather!). But this time I put a tarp over a large part of our kids’ Eureka tents. Unfortunately, given the layout of our campsite, I couldn’t completely cover them, but I’d say roughly 80-90% of each tent was protected. I thought that would be enough – but was I wrong! Again, they got soaked – water got in wherever the tent wasn’t covered, and also looked like it was getting in from the ground. When we were breaking camp and our son picked up his sleeping pad, it was dripping wet on the bottom! Needless to say, hubby and I stayed COMPLETELY DRY IN OUR MERAMAC!! HOORAY!!
I have just gotten home and ordered Meramac tents for our kids. The Eureka Backcountrys are in the trash, where they belong.
I should also say in closing that I’ve spent a good bit of time in the past couple of years searching for my ideal tent: 80-100 sq. ft., tall enough to stand in, relatively lightweight, 3-season weatherproof, aluminum poles. I’ve tried the TNF Trailhead 4, SD Nomad 6, and the Kelty Traildome 6. None of them can compare to the Meramac in design, features, quality or price! My quest is over!!
Keep making these fantastic tents! Now I can’t wait to purchase some of your other products – I’m probably in danger of becoming an ALPSaholic!
- Deb B.
Instructions
