I've had a number of tents over the years, from some of the better brands like North Face and others. I've found a really good rain fly is critical, and of course, a ground cloth that does NOT extend past the walls of the tent. That and seam sealer. I took a garage sale North Face tent on my motorcycle trip to AK a couple of years ago. It rained every day. Never had leak problems. The problem with my NF tent was size, too small to sit up in. I wouldn't use it again, and in fact I sold it when I got home for a nice profit! At some point, a pull behind trailer is the way to go. If budget doesn't allow for it, start saving, sell stuff, look for a fixer upper, etc. The challenge with a fixer upper is you really need a covered work space (carport or garage) where you can take the time to do the job right without worrying about weather (rain or snow).
