Tent:
get a GOOD one... a WATERPROOF one... on that will LAST in the HOT SUN and POURING RAIN...
To get an idea of how much sun, imagine that it's the middle of the Sahara Desert, and it's 120F or 45C, and you're in the direct sunlight, for 6 solid months... any waterproofing you have on it WILL go, the fabric will FADE and be eaten by the heat...
THEN there's the rain, think about taking a hose from the local fire department and pointing it at the tent - that's the force I saw on occasion there...
I saw tents literally have their poles broken in the down pour (after the tent had been used for several months).
But, I'd do it in a tent again, no problem.
Someone questioned USD 1000 per month, well, having done it, I can tell you that that's not easy if you drink beer... ha ha Sure, everything seems cheap, and you might be able to get away with less, but honestly, plan on MORE, things always seem to happen, and you always want more than you have.