Albatros for 5? Owners?

[ImpYCelyn]

Right, we are now 5. And looking for a better tent.

When we were 4 we had a Decathlon pop up 4.2xl. After 8 nights in it I swore I would never again camp in a tent that I had to duck to get into, didn’t have decent headspace inside, and didn’t have a zig or a sig. it’s been retired to an overnighter.

I thought, tunnel tent, maybe? I was then seduced by a Wolf Lake 5. We didn’t get around to buying one, but I loved the general canvas-ness of it. And I don’t love the look of tunnels.

Which brings me to Dutch pyramids. Dave on Facebook says an albatros would be big enough for 5. What do you think? We’ve got 3xDS at 7, 6 and 1. We need space for card games and toy cars if it’s raining.

Also, are they bug proof-ish? In the pics they don’t seem to have mesh doors.

If I buy a second hand one, will I be able to find a varioluifel and storage pouches to fit?

And finally, if I may, what are these side panels people speak of?

Many thanks!!

[ScrubTheDecks]

I so sympathise on the ducking through the door thing!

Dutch Pyramid tents are beautiful. The wide A frame helps but they still have very sloping sides.

Canvas is a step up in terms of bulk and weight, and needing to pack away without a trace of moisture for fear of mildew. But such lovely tents to camp in.

Have you had a look at the Dutch Obelink website? They have some lovely cotton tunnel tents, the Palamos Pyramid which is cheaper than the Albatross for example.

I haven’t been inside an Albatross, just gazed in envy from nearby.

[ImpYCelyn]

Thanks for your reply scrubs 😊

I did consider the weight and size, thanks, it is a bit daunting. We have a hefty boot and a roof box, and so far we’ve never needed the roof box for camping, so I think we’ll be okay for size. We have a big enough garden to have it up to dry it, and can dry it indoors if we need to.

I’ve been offered a second hand albatros for a good price. But without the sun canopy, which is a shame. Obelink don’t have the Palamos anymore, but their superior 6 is the same price as the second hand albatros, which I suspect is a better tent, assuming it would be big enough.

I’ve also been offered an ESVO Kaaiman 6 man tunnel for the same price as the albatros.

Aargh, it’s so hard to make a decision!!

I prefer the shape of the pyramid over the tunnel, but does the tunnel have more practical space?

[ScrubTheDecks]

The Albatross is much more beautiful, but yes, I would say the Kaaiman has more space and more usable space. And is also beautiful as a tunnel, as it happens. It doesn't look like a standard blue Hi Gear, does it?

I think, for a family of 5 , I would probably go for the Kaaiman.

It always looks as if in the Albatross (like other pyramid tents) the main living space is under the tarp, rather than inside,behind a zipped door. There is less living space behind the front wall, I think. A zipped in living space is often good with small children and / or in rain.

Kaaiman: more practical. Albatross: more romantic and better looking. If I was camping with a partner I would pick the Albatross no question. However...

What sort of camping do you do? If mainly in warm dry France maybe the Albatross will serve your needs very well.

Have you looked at the user reviews for both tents on UK Campsite?

[ScrubTheDecks]

But yet again I have been looking at some interior shots of the Albatros with it's varifocal lufflewaffle or whatever it is called...and they do look very spacious.

You need to look at some people's set ups. Again UK Campsite might be useful - they have a whole Dutch Tent Appreciation Thread, maybe some people have posted pics?

[ImpYCelyn]

Thanks very much again!

As much as I’m leaning towards the albatros I think you might have convinced me for the Kaaiman. It is a beautiful tunnel, and larger than the pyramid (although I can’t find a readable floor plan anywhere). There’s only one review of it on ukcampsite, but it’s a guy who upgraded from a pyramid when they had their 2nd baby as they didn’t think the pyramid had enough room. So I guess for 2 children and 1 toddler we might struggle...

The zipped in living space is what’s selling me, and not just the space, but the light. There are no windows in a pyramid, but the Kaaiman has big windows if we are stuck inside. We live in France and that’s where we’d mainly camp, but not necessarily in the south. And it would be useful if we could be comfortable in it if we do take it back to England. I had sold the albatros to DH partly on its storm resistance, but no scout camp two years ago I pitched the pop-up well enough that it was still standing after a force 8 ripped through. So hopefully I can keep a canvas tunnel up!

The reviews for albatros are obviously glowing on ukcampsite, but I don’t think I’ve seen one where they got three kids in. I can’t find pics of the Kaaiman set up, just pitched. It does look lush with the natural and green colours. And the variable inner tent sound like a great idea. Dinky #3 in with us for now, and then later we can rejig that.

The varioluifel does look great, and really makes the albatros, but the one I’ve been offered doesn’t come with it. I’m not sure it’d be straightforward to track one down for an older model.

Look at that, I think I’ve talked myself into it

[ImpYCelyn]

Oh, my one concern is that it’s about 7.5m long. Is it hard to get pitches for tents that big?

Thanks again for all your help!

[AgedTawnyPort]

We have an albatros with vario and I would say it is more than big enough for 5 as long as you have the vario up. We leave our table and chairs under the vario unless the weather is awful when we bring it inside.

We don't use the vario for short stays but have never had a problem pitching it size wise.

We have got the bedrooms but don't bother with them. Ours does have bug mesh, we can use that or the zip down doors but we bought it new in 2015 or 2016, I forget now.

It is a very big tent when packed. We have a trailer and nothing at all in the car.

If you phone Pe Bouman at DeWard he will know whether a canopy is available or whether one can be made.

[ImpYCelyn]

Thanks Tawny, I actually bought a second hand one yesterday which comes with the vario! I’m really excited.

Do you have a tarp underneath yours? Or do you just put the groundsheet straight down?

[AgedTawnyPort]

Thats great!

Most of the time we use a tarp but it depends on where we are. We have cut a tarp to the exact size of the tent but we wipe/dry the groundsheet as we are folding the tent away as we fold it/roll it at the end. Sometimes on good ground we are lazy and don't bother.

[NettleTea]

there is a bigger version of the albatross - the zilvermeuw. instead of one central pole there are 2 but basically they are the same.

[ImpYCelyn]

Thanks Tawny I think I’ll get one in case the ground is ropey.

Wow Nettle, that’s a beautiful set up!

[AgedTawnyPort]

I would but when we know where we are going (been there before) sometimes we don't bother.

There is loads of room for a table and chairs inside ours although we don't always take them. Have you looked on the dutch pyramid appreciation thread or whatever it is called now on UK Campsite.

You can actually close down the vario to make an enclosed storm canopy (I think you might need the windshield bits for that, did you get them?). We have done that a few times in gale force winds, leaving our cooking setup outside under the zipped in vario.

You will have tons of room for now, perhaps not when you have got three teenage lads . During the day we put all our sims and bags on top of each other at the back of the tent and just pull them out for bedtime. That was when we ditched the bedrooms, we love the big space without them.

[Shantotto]

I'm sorry I can't help at all but just wanted to say this is my dream tent! I'd love to see a pic if you put it up for a trial run in the back garden! My hopes of owning are way off bough, we don't even drive yet! I'm planning to learn in the main to just be able to carry one of these around.

[ImpYCelyn]

Here you go Shantotto. I put it up yesterday in glorious sunshine but today it’s sadly a bit gloomy. I think our vario pitching needs work though! Definitely need a car! But it’s not as huge as I was expecting when packed up.

If/when you are looking for one, I really recommend Ab at Dutch Quality Canvas Tents on Facebook. He was so helpful!

Tawny -are the windshield bits the side panels? It came with 4. And the vario and the xl sun canopy, so I think we’ll be storm proof. We can’t quite get the vario taught yet, we need to practise with that. I’m going to try to order a tarp this week. It’s in our garden for now, so it’s fine, but it’d help with ground sheet cleaning too I suppos

As soon as they start to smell the teenage boys will be in a pup tent! No smelling in my Albatros

[AgedTawnyPort]

There isn't much wrong with that ImpY! You just need to alter the pole angles on the vario very slightly and then tighten (or loosen) the guys and change the angles of them if necessary to get it really tight/smooth.

Yes, they are the side panels.

Looks fab.

[Shantotto]

ImpY thanks so much! What a fab tent! Hope you have many happy holidays in it.

I've got about different Dutch canvas related web pages open and am dreaming! I've almost convinced DP we can manage a tent a fold up table all our camping gear and a buggy and a nearly 3 year old from London to Penzance 😬😬😬

Really got the camping bug again so badly!

[Kaleidescopix]

@ImpYCelyn
Hi hope you get this
Just wondered how you are fairing with your de waard as we are considering purchasing one.
Specifically an Albatros from Ab, who you mention above, and I just wondered if you wouldn’t mind discussing what you paid, and got, for yours, as I’m unsure whether we are getting a great or fair or poor deal, And whether we should try to barter on price or just send him virtual hugs for his efforts. He seems like A genuinely great guy but I’ve had my fingers burnt before so I’m cautious of buying from overseas on something unseen and untested by us.
Fingers crossed you receive this
Hope all is well with you and yours in the current coronavirus situation! 😬