Tent help!

[wishing3]

Hi, I'm wanting to invest in a tent that can be stood up in an has higher ceiling bedrooms. There are only two of us, but soon to be 3 and want something that can be a family tent. The ideal would be something that can be put up easily (maybe pop up/inflatable), has an option of compartments but can also be one big room (or a living area and bedroom). Also something that fits on a tent pitch at a campsite. Does anyone have suggestions/recommendations, please?

What’s your budget, and would you consider second hand (I’m not selling but the second question impacts on the first!)?

Car size and/or trailer (air tents are significantly bigger and heavier than poles)?

Are blackout bedrooms a must?

*poled

DEf go to somewhere like go outdoors and see the type you want. Eg airbeam or pole. (I prefer pole). I like vis-a-vis style tents. Less popular. unfortunately. Vango is a good make. quite a few 4 man tents to choose from.

I wouldn’t be buying a four-man as a family, no way. I’d be looking at six plus.

OP, also, how long a trip do you envisage? Weekends only or a few days plus?

I have nothing against poled per se, but arguments in favour of airbeams are faster and easier pitching, typically. Getting it back in the bag is trickier than poled, mind.

Ooh, thanks for such quick responses! I want something that would do for a week, and where if it was rainy we could have social time in the tent. Budget-wise thinking up to about £650 (as that's the cost of a non-camping holiday I was looking at ), poss a bit more. Our car is not big!

I have no specific preference for air vs pole, other than wanting whatever would be less of an overall faff.

Will PM you now

Thanks!

We've had two Vango tents and been pleased with them. One thing that's worth considering is one with an extended canopy at the front, epsecially if you have a little one. It can get pretty hot inside tents and outside in the sun, so a canopy is worth having to give you respite from the sun/heat. Enjoy!

I bought a Coleman because it has decent black outs in the sleeping areas.

Ooh yes, this one looks good though pricey:
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/vango-taiga-600-x-tent-D1614091.html?colour=108

We’ve had the vango icarus 500 for a few years as a family of 3 (plus a newborn) which has been a great tent but now that newborn is a toddler we found last year it was a tight squeeze and won’t be using it again so now on the hunt for a slightly bigger size. We’re planning on another vango for now.
Also if you get a canopy it can act a bit of extra room for you.

Its not the size of the tent in the car that you need to watch but the weight @wishing3 . I learned this the hard way many years ago and ended up having to drive really slowly as the tent plus luggage plus camping gear was so heavy and then the tent got wet and we drove home with the suspension complaining even more!!

I bought an 8 man tent a coupe of years ago - has 3 'bedroom' areas plus a decent size living area which you can easily stand up in . if you in the Leicestershire area you're welcome to have it for £100 - only used once . Its very good in high winds!

We got a coleman 6 man blackout tent used it for a wk and stored it dry. Next ear. got it out. Black had come out onto the material of the tent and all the seems were damaged, we had to put ur gazebo over it to keep dry. We got our money back but it has somewhat put me off coleman.