To think fuck it and buy a new tent!

[CoffeeAndShortbread]

Posted here for traffic....I'm raging as NOT so 'D'H has had a complete meltdown and screamed at the kids that the camping trip we had planned for tomorrow is cancelled. (His fuckwittery is a subject for another day - so not looking for LTB etc that is being dealt with separately)

I'm still going and will do it on my own as I'm not being yelled at by a control freak and being scolded like a child.

The question is do I take the Montana 6p (Huge steel poles)the kids are 10, 8, 8 but are like chocolate teapots (Adhd/Asd, yes all 3) and ask for some help at the crucial stage from a neighbour/ warden OR do I say fuck it and buy an inflatable tent from decathlon?

I'm an experienced camper but the tent is a bit big, with heavy steel poles.

I'm torn as a new tent even if expensive will be smaller and we are away for 7 days, with some rain strongly possible, but on the other hand it would be so much easier with an inflatable.....

So wise people in my phone what's a girl to do?

YABU - Take the old tent and save money

YANBU- Just buy the inflatable one and make life easier, plus no begging for help from randoms

Ahh poor you!

Any chance of a quick market place search....see if you can grab a bargain. Failing that I would buy the tent, and make it my first new solo possession going forward.

Can you borrow a tent from a friend or neighbour?

As much as I love my air tent it is heavy and a bit of a pain move by myself.

Leave the kids in the car until the point where you really need the extra hands? I can imagine that they'll be no help milling around generally, but if it's a case of a short structured bit of helping, maybe they'll manage that much. And if people see you doing it single-handed, hopefully they may offer.

(My parents used to give us our lunch to keep us occupied while they put the tent up. As we got older, we'd be called on to help with selected tasks.)

Given your post I'd say you need to be certain you can camp independently now and in future with the dc, in case of a split or similar dh tantrum in future.

If its affordable I'd buy the air tent. I completely see your point, we camp regularly but I'd be completely incapable of putting our current tent together solo.

The air tent will probably be very heavy...but I'd imagine your dc can help to lift and carry it?

Omg! You have almost written down exact argument between me and my DH just before our recent holiday. Eventually after I screamed at him he came on holiday and we took the Montana 6! We ended up having a lovely time. If you can't get him to see sense I'd still take the tent you have there is always someone willing to help on a campsite.

I don’t think buying and pitching a new tent solo is a great idea. You won’t have time for a practice run and doing it alone first time on site in some charge of 3 DC is a guaranteed stress.

Take the old tent. You know how to pitch it etc. The 10 year old can definitely help at a crucial month and you can ask on site for a pair of adult hands to help - people are pretty friendly, you know that already.

Save the money for some awesome treats whilst away. And wine.

If you can comfortably afford a new tent buy one. Otherwise, just go & hope that a fellow camper will be kind enough to help you. You could buy them a bottle of something to say thank you.

I went camping with just my DCs a couple of summers ago - tiny site, just 2 other families there when we arrived. DS1 & I managed fine but both men from the other families offered their assistance. My point being I think if you seem to be struggling somebody will offer help.

My Quechua air tent is very heavy but it's bloody easy to put up and take down and solid as a rock in wind. I'd say it's worth the cash. The only time I get grumpy camping is the set up/take down so I minimise that bit as much as I can. I'd buy the smallest one you can that said as the more beams there are, the trickier it is to manage

@justinhawkinsnavalfluff wow suspiciously similar situation
but how do you know that OP is not your husband doing a reverse to prove that you were wrong ??

Camping. The stuff holiday dreams are made of, eh? 😁

So, we have a fancy inflatable/airbeam tent and frankly I'm not entirely sure it's easier/better than an non-airbeam one. You still have to hammer in about a million pegs. And it's a bloody nightmare trying to get back into the bag.

Probably not worth it, I reckon . . .

Bell tents are supposed to be quite easy to put up, albeit heavy., Have you considered one of those

Do what is right for you and have a brilliant time .

I hope things resolve themselves quickly OP and you have a fantastic time. Do whatever you need to do to ensure an amazing time, if it means spending more money so be it!

Air tents are still heavy and a complete faff

Go with the trusty Montana 6 ( assuming it's not the canvas version which is a different order of heavy ) and ask for help on the vertical lift

We have a Florida 6 with awning which I've put up with the help of 10 and 8 year olds - who just hold the poles as I peg and stagger the poles .

I would stick with the old, bigger, sturdier one. You have a short window of pain putting it up and then 7 days to be grateful you did so. If you can get (and afford) a tent that’s big, sturdy and easier to put up, do that. But with three kids at those ages who may well flail a bit, space and sturdiness are important (especially if some bad weather is predicted).

I’d stick with the tried and trusted rather than have the faff of new one you’re not familiar with. People will be happy to help a “single” mum!

We used to have the Montana, so I know your pain as it is heavy to put up and I know I wouldn't have been able to do it without my DH - even with little helpers. Saying that, we now have an airbeam tent and whilst it is much easier to pitch, there is no way I could lift it out of the car without the help of another adult. Think it would be easier to get someone to help you lift a tent out of a car though, rather than pitch one.

Thanks. I'm starting to calm down slightly, and I'm swaying to taking the big tent. Great idea about just getting the kids involved for the tricky bits.

Most Campers are a friendly bunch and willing to give a hand. It's also a camping and caravan club site, and the staff are normally helpful.

I've camped on my own with the kids before, but we had a fantastic folding camper that was a doddle to put up solo, which has sadly bit the dust.

Okay I think I'll watch a few YouTube Videos and see if there are any showing how to pitch it on your own before making a decision.

I'm a single parent.

My ds is autistic.

I've never been short of helpful makes wanting to Wade in and help me out the tent up 🤣

In fact the best holiday was a group of 3 couples (60's and retired) who were adjacent to us and the wife's told me and ds to come and have a drink with them and let their DHs get on with it 🤣

It's never done is a chauvinistic way ime and even when we camped as kids of a family/ couple were putting up tents the adjacent sites would offer help.

I put up our Quechua air seconds by myself in about 15 minutes the first time we used it. Easy peasy. Just remember to make sure you get the recommended pump. It's heavy but very simple to get up. It was really excellent value for money too. I'd go for that option.

I bought a new lighter tent when camping on my own with 3 kids. You can always sell it on.

I bloody love my air tent. My dc are feckless at helping. The air tent rolls out, pegs in, inflate and peg the guy lines. Easy to pack up too - one real benefit is that you can leave most of it pegged until most of it is folded, then do the last fold and roll, so I can pretty much put it away solo if it's windy.

I have a decathlon inflatable tent, the one that sleeps 4. I've never camped before this summer and go alone with my daughter, I can easily put it up myself in less than 15.

If your worried about putting your current one up I'd just do it.

Anything that makes camping easier is worth it.