Just finished 3 weeks camping with Kingdom 8. If you want full rainfly coverage on your Kingdom tent you must buy the Garage - there are no other options available that attach directly to a Kingdom tent. This adds about 8 ft to the length of the tent. bringing the total for a Kingdom 8 to a whopping 20 ft. Yes the space is nice storage but its not water tight and was difficult finding tent sites big enough for this monster.
I finally caved and bought the Kingdom 8 tent to take the family car camping. With the size of the Kingdom 8, I did not feel the extra garage was really necessary. After seeing storms in the forecast this weekend, I went ahead and bought the garage and it was definitely worth it the extra 100 bucks.
We purchased this with our Kingdom 8 tent. I was a bit worried that the space that the tent + fly + garage would be very large and too big to fit very many tent camping spaces. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was wrong. The very first night we took the tent and garage camping we had a pretty good storm come through. I was very happy that we were able to have that extra space in the garage to put our gear. There was even enough space that my wife and I were able to put our chairs in there and watch the storm. There is a couple of things that I wish were different. First, there is no floor on the side that has the space to put gear, so if you have a good rain storm water can still come under the garage as well as any nosy critters. Second, I did not know that I needed to have extra poles to make the door prop up like in the picture. I am still on the hunt for those. Overall I am very pleased with the purchase and would recommend to anyone purchasing a Kingdom tent.
Okay, so let me get the caveat out of the way first. You've just dropped $400-500 on a Kingdom tent, it's easy to go "hey, what's another $99 to have extra space in case of rain?" But they don't tell you that if you want to use this as shown in the picture, you'll have to buy 2-4 more tent stakes and 2-4 poles to use the awning properly. As far as those poles go, the REI Adjustable Tarp Poles (6ft, don't bother with the 8ft) will work great - but know that you're going to spend $50 just on two of those, to use one side as an awning. And $50 more if you want to use the other side as an awning. Plus the stakes that you'll need - but aren't included - to make the awning stable. So that price listed on the site is a bit misleading, because you'll be spending at least $50 more than that to get it functioning like they show.
Largest interior and best design in a compact, easy to set up package. While tall it can take quite a wind if staked out properly. Additional stakes and lines needed.
I bought this to go with my Kingdom 6 tent. This weekend was our first time using it with our tent and it poured on the Oregon coast.
It serves as a mudroom to take off shoes etc. We also store our camping bins and drink cooler within the garage. We have a large indoor/outdoor (astroturf) that we keep under and in front of the garage. Since we implemented out new setup the tent stays dirt free.
This is a must if you have wet gear and way to keep folding chairs and bikes dry! Midnight potty runs made easier.
Kindom Rule for our tent: all shoes off in the garage, clean then they come into the tent to keep them dry.
Remember their is no floor for this product so you may need a mat to wipe you feet.
So we set up camp at a music festival and there are NO stake-down points. The tapered end of the garage is flapping all over the place. Itd be great but we're going to have to punch a hole in the fabric to stake it down. All the pictures show the tapered end staked down with straps/points like all over the tent. Not on ours. It kept kicking up and inward during the rain storm we just had and soaked our food box and shoes. Watet just whipped as it dripped down the fabric and rolled inward because of wind. It wont let me post a photo but im talking about the fabric that meets the ground. Returning when we get back home.
Our six kids, ages 2-12, lived in this tent for five weeks this summer while we climbed in Ontario. (Parents had their own tent!) This is by far the best large tent we have owned (previously had a Sierra Designs Mondo Condo and a Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6). The tent easily stood up to multiple thunderstorms and multiple consecutive days of rain-- never got wet inside. The kids loved being able to look at the stars on clear nights with fly rolled back. The tent is well made: we have now spent nearly 50 nights in it and it is as good as new.
Purchased this to go with out Kingdom 8 tent. We found the garage too finicky to set up and difficult to get a tight pitch. Without a tight pitch, the roof will sag in the entryway and yes, if it rains the water will drip on you where the flap is rolled up. To set it up, you have to make multiple readjustments and guy it out. The concept is nice but we use a different shelter to sit in. Returned it.
Great idea, but as other reviews have pointed out, the seams are not sealed and in a good rain, things get wet. I called customer support and was told that it was up to me to seal the seams. That is what I expect in a wally world product, not one from REI.
I’m glad I bought the garage. Amazing idea!!! BUT... at the zipper-connection, the garage was bigger so the zipper over lapped the kingdom 6 zipper. Also, challenging to get a tight pitch on the garage so it won’t sag. So I had to finagle it. Furthermore, does not do good in a hard downpour of rain. As long as it’s sunny or not raining it’s great.
Hello, we just bought our Kingdom 6 and used it 3 times last summer. Now, we are looking for the Garage and found out that it is no longer available. This is terrible since we now want to add it to the tent and cannot find it ANYWHERE. Poor decision to discontinue. The 2019 version is only a few months newer but completely incompatible.
We have a rule, the tent is for sleeping, not playing. The garage has served us well over the last year with a mat to collect dirt that would otherwise wander into the tent. It keeps bikes and toys dry, and kids out of the sun. There is a strap that broke on our 3rd trip that helps it hold shape, but is easy to trip on, need to get it repaired but that’s my only complaint. I’m 6’4” so I have to duck into it, but hey, I’m roughing it.
I bought the Garage to go with the Kingdom 6 Tent and I am so glad I did. The garage connects easily to the tent and provides a massive space to cover bikes, coolers, chairs, grill, etc. Well worth the price!
I have an older model Kingdom 4 tent that I love. I also have the add-on vestibule for it that I also love. So I bought the garage expecting to like it. The old colors were no longer available so I had to get the new color. I set it up for the first time a couple weeks ago and tried to like it. I will give it one more try but pretty sure it is going back.
This garage was the perfect solution for rainy weather, or so I thought. It made it pretty convenient to keep the weather out but as usual our camping trip was accompanied by rain all 3 days. The tent was great and the rain shield or what have you did a great job keeping the water out of the tent. However the garage was not water proof, anytime you touched the fabric the water came in and especially around any seams. I also tried spraying the wax spray I bought in store at rei to help waterproof the garage when the rain cleared up but even that didn’t help... not sure what can be changed but the waterproofing was quite terrible. As for the height that would be the only other complaint I have, unless you’re 4 feet tall you’ll be bent over the whole time you’re using the garage. I figured when I purchased online I’d be able to stand tall or at least somewhat comfortably but that’s not the case. (I’m only 5’6”) this is also my fault because I didn’t pay close attention to the dimensions. The function of the garage though was great, it kept our food out of the rain without having to haul everything back to the car. It was also a nice place to relax in a chair and read a book while it was raining. I would recommend this garage but I would forewarn future purchasers to find a better way to water proof before their camping trip.
The garage is the best part of any tent we ever had. Keeps our stuff within reach, but out of the way. Nice place to put a floor mat to keep the tent clean. The dog's water bowel and dish works well to keep him out of the way, but out of the tent.
Is the garage going to become available again??????
We bought the garage this year as an add-on to our 2015 Kingdom 6 (the old green and orange style). First off, yes, it attaches to that model just fine. This year we encountered our first real multi-day stretch of intermittent rain for our trip, complete with torrential downpours and decent winds, and the new garage really saved the day. It makes a dry outside space for the tent that is more useful than the vestibule on the main rain fly. I knew when we bought it that it would not be large enough to really stand in, but it turned out to be plenty enough space for two adults and two kids to sit in their respective sized camp chairs and have meals. We did also cook with a gas two-burner stove on a roll-table nestled into the end of the garage space without a problem.
Leaks in light rain. Essentially a sunshade since it won’t keep your gear dry. Weak points are the door clips and apparent lack of sealed seems. Even as a sunshade you have to come up with a way to prop the door up or buy the poles for it for an additional cost from REI. Disappointing because the draw to us was to give a space to hang out/play games when it rained.
Mom, dad and two middle schoolers that live in Colorado - we like the tent but not sure about the sizing. We purchased the six person for us four. Four regular cots take up the entire footprint...as in the ENTIRE footprint. Kingdom 4 would have been a major mistake. If I could repurchase I would get the eight man for us four, plus, a garage. However, it does seem like a decent tent, easy set up and tear down plus it does have a good overall feel, and we plan to purchase the garage which hopefully will be a solution.
We want the garage. Please bring it back. It's the only reason to buy a Kingdom tent. The are great in rainy area because you can live under it. I have one so it gets 5 stars. Was going to buy another Kingdom tent and gargage but now I can't.
I like the garage a lot, but mine had the stake-out straps mis-sewn in a way that prevented the tightening buckles from ... tightening. Kinda minor, but still annoying.
6' x 8' tarp fits perfect inside
this garage really saved the day in it's inaugural camping trip. we were under flash flood warnings for 36 hours and received 4 inches of rain. we were able to cook in the garage as well as hang out in the dry. I had no issues with leakage, but must suggest getting a roll of AstroTurf to cover the ground and the strange strap that seems to get in the way. I don't think the kingdom tent would be complete without the garage.
This vestibule was a great add-on purchase for us. It attaches easily to the tent, and looks clean, like it is supposed to be part of the tent. The garage helped give us a place to keep our boots and chairs protected and out of the elements but outside of our tent.
Bought the garage on recommendation of people on GOBA. We used it camping the next week. It was quick easy to set up. It kept our bikes and me in my folding chair dry during a good rainstorm. Very grateful to have it.
Purchase the Kingdom Garage about a month ago and we have used to four times already. A great addition to an already outstanding tent. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, and LOVE IT
This seems like a good match for our Kindom 6. Have not had an opportunity to use, but it looks good. The price was nominal for the extra space the garage provides.
Bought with the Kingdom 8. Rained all weekend our first trip out; this kept our bikes and gear dry. Just wish it would have some floor included
The Garage provides useful space to stow gear and you can set up a couple of camp chairs inside just in case a sudden rainstorm hits.
Purchased this to keep gear dry and out of sight. I also use for a sleeping room for my dogs to keep my tent clean and works great.
Does what it is intended to do. But, zippers do let water in although not bad. I was able to rig it to not do that after the fact.
We bought the garage to store our bike in while camping and it was a great purchase. It is nice to have extra dry storage space.
The one pole seems to bend pretty easy during setup other than that it gives a lot of extra room to the tent.
makes the camping experience even better having the extra covered dry space instead of filling up the tent
EBPomi
Are the tarp poles shown in the product pictures included with the garage, or do they need to be purchased separately?
Just purchased the tent and garage. Poles are not included, and I recommend buying expandable quality poles.