Outwell Idaho XL - I Want it! Sleeps 8 but only 2 beds, should I go for 3 beds or are 2 big bedrooms fine?

[notimefortv]

Going blind with research on tents now. Have 3 kids under 5 and excited to be going to Woodlands in Devon soon. Been camping couple of short trips when had 2 kids and loved it so now going for a proper big family tent.

Loved the Idaho XL, looked spacey good standing room and great reviews on ukcampsites. Really want an 8 berth which has at least 1 x 4 berth room (ie not 3/3/2 combination). My heart says I want this the only things stopping me is there is just 2 bedrooms - what if we want to split kids up or there are friends with us?

Am I thinking to much?!

Anyone seen a better offer that gooutdoors for £395 - fab price!

Sorry bit garbled, is late and I must stop looking at tents!

Thanks

P.S. How the hell do I fit everything into a car even with roofbox?

[choufleur]

why do you need a four berth?

[notimefortv]

good question - my thinking was that I want at least 1 larger bedroom so the baby can crash in with us or we can have lots of space for our room.

Really, my question is should we go for a 3 bedroom tent. With some of the 8 berths you can obviusly divide the rooms up more but I don't think you can with the Idaho. Am hopefully going to see one today as only seen it online - but then seeing more tents = more confusion!

[tinateaspoon]

Hi we have an Idaho XL and it is huge. I bought in online from Yeomans for the bargain price of £280 but I don't think this offer is still on. We are a family of two adults and two children and a dog and it is fine but a bit too big if anything (we have the front extension too). It is quite flexible inside as in front of the bedrooms there is the changing area with its own curtain so someone could sleep there. The living space is huge too. It is a great family tent. The only downside is getting it back in the bag - make sure you remember how it was folded when you get it out!!

I hope you get to see one up as it does really help to see them up. One with more bedrooms is the hartford, but they seemed smaller to me (I saw one up at a tent show) and I prefer two larger bedrooms than three smaller ones as I feel a bit claustraphobic in tents.

Good luck

[notimefortv]

ooh - thanks Tinateaspoon - every review I have read says about struggling to get it back in the bag!! I will read up instructions on that before we go! I liked the look of the Hartford as well but feel the same as you that there is likely to be more headroom with the Idaho and the bigger bedrooms are nice. Fingers crossed seeing it will make up my mind totally. You got it at a great price - wow!

[tinateaspoon]

Hi notimeforty - did you get to see one up - have you made your mind up yet??

Hopefully we will take ours out at the weekend if the weather is good - I can't wait! Am v excited

[notimefortv]

I saw the Idaho XL and loved it!! Bought it online from Go Outdoors - am so excited to go away in it - the house has become a right mess and kids are being ignored whilst I search through camp sites and look up more camping gear - have loads of bits but also used to borrow stuff but now I want all my own ....!

[tinateaspoon]

Oh hooray - I wish you many happy trips in it . Hmm I know the feeling I am waiting for Millets to deliver a camp kitchen and am rather excited about it . And to think I thought my DH was mad when he first mentioned camping .

[shellar25]

We have just come back form camping with our Idaho XL, it is just aan amazing tent, so much room, we are a family of 4 and the tent is huge, so much space adnd plenty of room to hide the junk you aquire over the holiday period
Happy camping

[tinateaspoon]

Oh it is big isnt it. We took ours out a few weeks ago and with the front extension I think it could be seen from space! Did you get it back in the bag though??

[ShelleyK]

Hello fellow Idaho XL campers. We are also proud owners of this rather large tent. We had our first trial weekend with the tent and it was fantastic.

We did feel a bit in your face next to some of the other smaller tent but we did get a lot of positive comments from other campers and caravanner's with two groups coming in for a look around and someone taking a photo of it as they want one !!

Roll on 6th June for our proper holiday. Hope you all have fun in your Idahos !!!!!

[ShelleyK]

Oh by the way, we struggle with fitting it all in the car, trailer and roof rack, but I am not known for minimal packing !! Good luck with fitting it all in.

[gsally]

Hi
We have the Idaho XL and it is fab. Getting the extension for this years holiday. Baby slept with us last year and still lots of room. This year the 3 boys will share with the baby in a travel cot, but confident there will still be plenty of space. Don't think we had trouble getting it in the bag - the men did it and I don't remember hearing lots of swearing so must have been okay! I remember the main door zips were a bit difficult to get too, but we love it.
Happy Camping everyone!