Discussion
MODS - I know we have a section for camping but the cobwebs in there look fairly undisturbed!
(3 posts since yesterday and one of those is mine)
Can we please leave this here for better exposure
We have a budget of around £400 for a tent.
Must be easy to erect and to pack away again.
We've seen some that are inflatable framed and wonder if they are any good and worth the price (way more than £400 though)!
We want a 6-8 man tent (only 4 of us but we want space too) and I need to stand up (6ft 1" tall) in the living area.
Something a bit like this.....
(3 posts since yesterday and one of those is mine)
Can we please leave this here for better exposure
We have a budget of around £400 for a tent.
Must be easy to erect and to pack away again.
We've seen some that are inflatable framed and wonder if they are any good and worth the price (way more than £400 though)!
We want a 6-8 man tent (only 4 of us but we want space too) and I need to stand up (6ft 1" tall) in the living area.
Something a bit like this.....
I've bought Skandika tents for the last two years from the same ebay seller. They were shipped from Germany, but both times the seller accepted a 'best offer'.
They have 5000mm skins, so are super waterproof. It rained almost constantly at last year's N24 but it stayed totally dry (the river running through the middle was my fault
)
Like you, I picked supersize tents (12-16 'alleged' berths) for four people.
They have 5000mm skins, so are super waterproof. It rained almost constantly at last year's N24 but it stayed totally dry (the river running through the middle was my fault
)Like you, I picked supersize tents (12-16 'alleged' berths) for four people.
I have a canvas bell tent.
If you want one for two adult couples you can get seperate 'inners' to make private rooms.
Google 'canvas tent shop'.
Or canvas bell tent.
You'll have many options.
I have the 5m bell tent with stove hole with a wood burning stove for warmth.
(Frontier stove)
I would never go back to "plastic" unless it was for hiking and I needed something lightweight.
If you want one for two adult couples you can get seperate 'inners' to make private rooms.
Google 'canvas tent shop'.
Or canvas bell tent.
You'll have many options.
I have the 5m bell tent with stove hole with a wood burning stove for warmth.
(Frontier stove)
I would never go back to "plastic" unless it was for hiking and I needed something lightweight.
I have a tent suspiciously similar to your pic - a Khyam Ontario/Quebec which is supposed to be a 8 man. It comfortably sleeps us 4 (2 adults + 2 kids). The kids have their own 'bedroom' each and i get to share a 'bedroom' with the missus. Even with the 3 inner compartments up there is plenty of storage/kitchen room in the spare bedroom space and loads of space for a table and chairs in the middle (probably enough to park a car in). Oh plenty of headroom too.
It's a 2 man job realistically to put up any tent of this size but is fairly easy otherwise. Bear in mind it all packs away into a large suitcase sized and VERY heavy bag. Also worth getting the matching groundsheet for a little more comfort and less crap/mud being packed up with the tent in soggy conditions.
HTH
It's a 2 man job realistically to put up any tent of this size but is fairly easy otherwise. Bear in mind it all packs away into a large suitcase sized and VERY heavy bag. Also worth getting the matching groundsheet for a little more comfort and less crap/mud being packed up with the tent in soggy conditions.
HTH
I'm sure you'll be happy with some of the mainstream Vango or Gelert stuff etc.
We bought a 6 man Vango Tigris 600 which houses 4 of us (both kids under 10) OK. When it's been chilly we all sleep in the 2 "double" bedrooms together on 2 double airbeds and use the 3rd bedroom as storage with a reasonable central room which fits a fold-out picnic bench and kitchen stuff around the sides. Can be put up by one person if absolutely necessary. A bigger one would give more room but take up more space in the boot. I quite like that mine isn't too big for solo weekends away to do hillclimbs with my old man.
Be aware that you can pick up some good deals on last year's model or old stock just after the new versions are brought out.
ETA, not sure about inflatable structure ones, the usual poles last well enough and don't take long to put together.
We bought a 6 man Vango Tigris 600 which houses 4 of us (both kids under 10) OK. When it's been chilly we all sleep in the 2 "double" bedrooms together on 2 double airbeds and use the 3rd bedroom as storage with a reasonable central room which fits a fold-out picnic bench and kitchen stuff around the sides. Can be put up by one person if absolutely necessary. A bigger one would give more room but take up more space in the boot. I quite like that mine isn't too big for solo weekends away to do hillclimbs with my old man.
Be aware that you can pick up some good deals on last year's model or old stock just after the new versions are brought out.
ETA, not sure about inflatable structure ones, the usual poles last well enough and don't take long to put together.
Edited by captainzep on Tuesday 29th April 14:53
I've just had this through on their newsletter, which may be of interest.
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/202429/products/cole...
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/202429/products/cole...
have a look at Go outdoors.
We bought a gelert nevada?? 6 berth a few years ago.
It has done the last 5 LeMans, kept us completely dry and has been an absolute bargain as we bought it in a clearance sale.
They do seem to have stopped making them but this one
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-kalahari-elite... looks pretty good to me, 3000mm hydrostatic head is the minimum you need for a properly waterproof tent
We bought a gelert nevada?? 6 berth a few years ago.
It has done the last 5 LeMans, kept us completely dry and has been an absolute bargain as we bought it in a clearance sale.
They do seem to have stopped making them but this one
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-kalahari-elite... looks pretty good to me, 3000mm hydrostatic head is the minimum you need for a properly waterproof tent
Outlook Montana 6. Good tent for the four of us. Has lots of nice little thoughful features, such as a hook in the middle to hang a land from with velcro loops to hold the cable up along the ceiling so it doesn't get in the way, a ground-level window so you can see what the weather is like from inside your sleeping bag.
We got one for £250 new a couple of years ago (end of season) and have added the front extension and a carpet.
We got one for £250 new a couple of years ago (end of season) and have added the front extension and a carpet.
GOG440 said:
have a look at Go outdoors.
We bought a gelert nevada?? 6 berth a few years ago.
It has done the last 5 LeMans, kept us completely dry and has been an absolute bargain as we bought it in a clearance sale.
They do seem to have stopped making them but this one
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-kalahari-elite... looks pretty good to me, 3000mm hydrostatic head is the minimum you need for a properly waterproof tent
Yep, I'd agree on the 3000 HH minimum. We bought a Hi Gear Voyager 6 (for 2 of us) from Go Outdoors with the carpet and footprint. It has stood up to everything that Mother Nature could throw at it in 5 long weekends over the last 2-3 years and we have not had a drip inside until we open a door. It stands up to the winds really well as the poles cross in many places providing a lot more rigidity than a tunnel tent. The new Elite versions of their tents seem to have a higher HH too, so should be better than ours. Worth remembering the bigger the tent, the more fun you will have drying it out at home after tearing down in the rain on siteWe bought a gelert nevada?? 6 berth a few years ago.
It has done the last 5 LeMans, kept us completely dry and has been an absolute bargain as we bought it in a clearance sale.
They do seem to have stopped making them but this one
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-kalahari-elite... looks pretty good to me, 3000mm hydrostatic head is the minimum you need for a properly waterproof tent
Go Outdoors provide good value in their sales too, you would probably get the tent, footprint, carpets and a whole bunch more for your budget in one of their better sales during the year.
When you have a shortlist, check out the reviews on UKCampsite. It is a busy camping forum with lots of good info on specific tents, gear and sites.
Go for the largest tent you can buy. We have an 8 man tent for 3 people. One bedroom is used for our daughter, one for storage and the other two are made into one myself and Mrs RosscoPCole. A two man bedroom for 2 people is a very tight squeeze.
I agree with looking at Go Outdoors as they often have great offers. Also if you know what tent you want look at Ebay.
We bought our Vango Icarus 800 with a groundsheet and porch/awning for £300 on ebay. Having a separate kitchen and living room makes the tent more pleasant to live in.
I agree with looking at Go Outdoors as they often have great offers. Also if you know what tent you want look at Ebay.
We bought our Vango Icarus 800 with a groundsheet and porch/awning for £300 on ebay. Having a separate kitchen and living room makes the tent more pleasant to live in.
Thanks all for the feedback and suggestions so far.
I note though that a MOD HAS MOVED this thread to caravan and camping section even though I specifically and politely asked them no too.
Since my original post here had no replies and the entire forum had just 3 posts today (and one of those was my own) that the responses will now stop.
Thanks whoever that was - PH, over moderation matters!
I note though that a MOD HAS MOVED this thread to caravan and camping section even though I specifically and politely asked them no too.
Since my original post here had no replies and the entire forum had just 3 posts today (and one of those was my own) that the responses will now stop.
Thanks whoever that was - PH, over moderation matters!
The last tent I bought of that type was an 8 berth Outwell. Like many here, we wanted plenty of space for two adults and our son (at the time) and this delivered.
I also wanted it because it had a 5m hydrostatic head, so it came with a sewn-in groundsheet that did the job very admirably.
The size of the thing, though.... 8m x 4m. We called it The Starship Enterprise. Fantastic quality and usability once erected. Two person job.
I've not looked at tents much over recent years, but can vouch for Outwell quality. Khyam are better from what I've seen but I doubt you'd get a lot for £400 these days unless it was end of season stock.
It depends what you want.
My criteria changed to quick-erect for an overseas holiday, so we then bought a canvas OzTent RV5 but you'd never buy a fully specced one of those for £400 in a million years. Last count with everything, new, was just shy of £1,000. But then it's not quick erect any more. And far less space than the Outwell. Far, far nicer in very hot weather, though. Canvas can't be beaten in that respect.
The bell tent is a very good suggestion. Very quick to erect and a lovely environment. Plenty of space, too. That'd be what I'd buy if it were my money, I think.
I also wanted it because it had a 5m hydrostatic head, so it came with a sewn-in groundsheet that did the job very admirably.
The size of the thing, though.... 8m x 4m. We called it The Starship Enterprise. Fantastic quality and usability once erected. Two person job.
I've not looked at tents much over recent years, but can vouch for Outwell quality. Khyam are better from what I've seen but I doubt you'd get a lot for £400 these days unless it was end of season stock.
It depends what you want.
My criteria changed to quick-erect for an overseas holiday, so we then bought a canvas OzTent RV5 but you'd never buy a fully specced one of those for £400 in a million years. Last count with everything, new, was just shy of £1,000. But then it's not quick erect any more. And far less space than the Outwell. Far, far nicer in very hot weather, though. Canvas can't be beaten in that respect.
The bell tent is a very good suggestion. Very quick to erect and a lovely environment. Plenty of space, too. That'd be what I'd buy if it were my money, I think.
Edited by Simes110 on Tuesday 29th April 16:22
I have Sunncamp one just like your pic, 8 berth although its only 2 adults and 2 kids. It has plenty of room, easy enough for me and hubby to erect in less than 15 mins. Sewn in ground sheet.
We use it about 4 times a year mostly at windy race tracks and has been excellent. We also take it to a festival each year. It's a bit heavy for that but once we are set up its a godsend.
Cost about £400 new.
We use it about 4 times a year mostly at windy race tracks and has been excellent. We also take it to a festival each year. It's a bit heavy for that but once we are set up its a godsend.
Cost about £400 new.
GreatGranny said:
We have something similar to this but an older model and its plenty big enough for the 5 of us.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-anteus-600-famly...
We had a much bigger tent before but just got fed up of the time and effort it took to put up. Also the space it took up both on the pitch and in the car.
Also if you camp in decent weather you won't spend much time in the tent anyway.
RE. height, over a certain size they are mostly a standard height inside anyway.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-anteus-600-famly...
We had a much bigger tent before but just got fed up of the time and effort it took to put up. Also the space it took up both on the pitch and in the car.
Also if you camp in decent weather you won't spend much time in the tent anyway.
RE. height, over a certain size they are mostly a standard height inside anyway.
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