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second camping trip was better...now help me choose a new tent!!

6 replies

hyperhops · 23/08/2014 12:04

OK, firstly thanks so much to all those who helped with my original thread. This trip was definitely better than our first attempt!
however we still need to make some amendments to improve more for next year!

Firstly the tent has got to go (not least because we actually ended up with a snapped pole form extreme winds!) It is a vango vista 800 that we bought off friends many years ago. Quite simply it isn't big enough for all of us. We can fit 8 people in the sleeping pods but with no space left at all for clothes etc and then the living area is WAY to small to spend any time in - which is not good if it is pouring with rain in the evening.
However it seems that it is hard to find a tent that sleeps more than 8 people. although I have found a couple of 10 berth.
really I think I need just way more living space.

I love the idea of a bell tent as it would be nice and light and airy for sitting in...but a 5m wouldn't sleep 8 would it? I have looked at a 6m or an emperor but am worried they may be too big for a lot of pitches and a nightmare to pitch. So maybe a 5m bell and then a separate 4 berth for older dc to sleep in and book 2 pitches? How easy is it to get 2 pitches next to each other?
Or abandon ideas of a bell tent and look for some sort of monster giant tent to fit us all in? Maybe outwell bahai plus extra pods? think there is kyham 10 berth....any ideas??

I would like to be able to use it for weekends as well as longer in summer holiday so ideally easy-ish to pitch (though will be plenty of us to help) and think we will have to get a trailer anyway so space to pack not so much of an issue.

so mn camping experts help me plan the perfect set up for next year!

OP posts:

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MissWimpyDimple · 23/08/2014 12:45

Friends had a Gelert Horizon 10 and it was huge! They had a porch on the front too so there was plenty of space. Not sure if they still do them though but it was fab.

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mairimack · 23/08/2014 15:54

Have you thought about a trailer tent? The larger ones are 6 berth but I am sure there ones that you can add an annexe to for extra sleeping area and the living areas are pretty big. Watch out for some used ones on ebay

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hyperhops · 23/08/2014 16:24

misswimple will have a browse at gelert tents...
mairimakyes, I have spotted a couple of trailer tents when browsing - they do look very spacious...don't really understand how they work though...so they take ages to put up?? will have to go investigate...

does anyone own a 6m bell or an emperor? Would like to know how manageable they are in real life and how much trouble you have finding pitches big enough for them....

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gingeroots · 23/08/2014 17:13

You can get tent extensions- variously called canopies ,porch ,awning .

www.google.co.uk/search?q=vango+vista+800+porch&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gLz4U52nGsa40QXRyYDIDw&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=1517&bih=741&dpr=0.9#facrc=&imgdii=&imgrc=uKzigDNaTgQmcM%253A%3B4_oKJtx-DW05zM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi65.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fh214%252Fodds123%252FP8170079.jpg%253Ft%253D1284927594%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ukcampsite.co.uk%252Fchatter%252Fdisplay_printer_threads.asp%253FForumID%253D40%2526TopicID%253D179827%3B799%3B598

Like that ,which I think is discontinued ,but lots of tents have them .

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CampingClaire · 24/08/2014 12:23

Outwell used to do a Maryland XL which would be vast as we have the normal one and it's bigger than some retirement bungalows! Try checking ebay for one or maybe one of the megastores would have some left. Think they were just too big to be popular but we love ours. Living area huge, porch huge and 2 x 3 man rooms and 2 x 2 man rooms. Think the XL had another 2 man and another 3 man area stuck on the back.
We only have two kids but loved having the other room as a bag/changing room. Can't stand clutter in my tent...unlike at home when I'm a messy moo!!

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hyperhops · 24/08/2014 13:52

thanks for the suggestions.
Have looked for a porch but cant find one for tent we have, although obviously could get one for a new tent...
will check out Maryland XL. It does seem that vango/outwell etc don't make the big tents they used to anymore....suppose like you say generally folks don't need them so big so they weren't popular!

(in all truth though I ma hankering more and more after an emperor bell....any one got one????)