To buy a tent box

[Turnedtochaos]

Even though they are probably overpriced and overhyped?

No chance of affording a holiday any time soon. Young kids and would love to do adventures quickly and cheaply.

Are they a fun adventure or something I’ll regret?

Also considering a caravan but I can only afford an ancient one. I also only want to stay places 1-2 nights so feel that’s maybe a bit much for the length of time?

There’s a Facebook group called Tentbox W***s for a reason. Get a good tent instead. You would have to dry out the tentbox so make it easy and get a tent that you can hang over the washing line

Yes they're overpriced and over hyped. Why not buy a normal tent? Maybe consider a Quechua pop up tent. They're amazing. You could get one from eBay for about one hundred pounds.

I don't understand the tent box craze. Camping isn't complicated.

Just had a look at the Aldi website. They’re called car tents and say they turn your car into a camper van. £69. They seem a lot better to me than the ones you put on the roof.

I haven’t got one and can’t comment on anything about them, but I live in Devon and there’s been an increase in tent boxes being stolen off of people’s cars in the night, just on their driveways! Apparently they are easy to steal, which sounds crazy, just an idea to look into making it as secure and theft proof as possible if you do get one.

That’s where the giant dogs we are competing go 😂 would be a squash

We have a tent box but it was bought for a specific purpose, and that was not family camping trips!

DS races mountain biking, the events are often on hard standing so no option to pitch a tent. We bought a tent box so that he can keep his race bike and kit locked securely in the van and he can sleep up on top.

For family camping trips we take a big tent, with awning and gazebo.

The tent box is fab for its purpose, but absolutely not in your scenario of small DC and dogs.

@stringbean The honeymoon phase tent box shaggers had a small car tent that they had attached to the side of their car tent for their loving breakfasts.

Well mine coped with a yellow wind warning, toddlers and a bouncy dog! But I did get a good brand with a good warranty.

Please note: I am very lazy 🤣

For being a 'tent box wanker', I believe 😉

I've always gone camping - as a child, as a parent and now as a 50something with a 60something partner.

Camping is like any other activity. Some people are hardcore wild campers, some like manicured 'lawns' and electric hook ups, some will privately judge others for their kit, the age of their kit (older is preferable for some; new and more high tech is preferable for others), their conduct and camping etiquette... most people won't verbally abuse you (even if they are judging silently).

For some people, it's a cheaper way of holidaying, for some it's who they are 🤷🏻‍♀️

For some, tent boxes are like 'playing' at camping. And, tbh, I share all the thoughts of others about space and inconvenience. For a lot of experienced campers, they appear to be an expensive, impractical novelty that will soon lose their appeal.

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like it would work for just me when I go and compete but not a family.

Off to look for something else!

Oh, I thought you were competing in sports or something- leaving said giant dogs behind- and only taking them on the family camping trips! For some reason I'm now imagining you sitting in a ring of wolfhounds under the light of a camping lantern, playing cards with them.

I would agree with getting an inflatable tent too. They're very robust and, unless you're planning on attacking the tubes with a hunting knife, they're unlikely to burst!

There's a tent box wanker on my favourite Dartmoor campsite. He has a spaniel that he exercises off lead in the camping field by chucking a ball for hours. This makes the spaniel very excited. Yap yap yappity yap for hours, starting quite early in the morning. You're surrounded by 900 square miles of moorland you twat, put your dog on a lead and take it for a walk.

Also, he stares at me (TBW, not spaniel). Every time I happen to look over in his direction, there he is staring at me. Makes me lock the van at night, which I resent.

So based on a sample size of one, that's tent box owners for you. Case closed.

Yes she was called a "tent box wanker" in the dark when she was alone. The very next day another man shouted "all the gear and no idea" at her.

It frightened her. Of course. Didn't realise shouting abuse like this was so normalised 😳

It suits her as she travels around the UK to take part in trail running marathons.

get a small trailer tent, or a folding camper, even better ( but bigger)

I just saw this ^^

www.amazon.co.uk/ZHNANDAMAI-Tailgate-Portable-Lightweight-Durable/dp/B0F887FSYV/ref=asc_df_B0F887FSYV?mcid=6d5f8f28cc013fe7ab409e8c43c85336&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=801104979500&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17221950002364544985&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045929&hvtargid=pla-2479482502012&psc=1&hvocijid=17221950002364544985-B0F887FSYV-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1#immersive-view_1778489607754

To do it properly you also need to fit a big awning that folds out from the vehicle, so you have somewhere to sit/cook/be when you aren’t in bed. Some also have zip-on side panels so you can create a windproof living space, and just sleep in the roof tent.

Couldn't a lion figure out how to climb on top of a car?

I completely disagree!!!! We have a tent box XL on our van and it’s brilliant. 5 of us, 4 sleep in the tent box and one plus dog in the van. We have an awning which encompasses the ladder and means there’s somewhere to leave shoes and anything wet. It stays clean and tidy because your stuff goes in the car/ van. Packs away in literally 5 minutes. Used it all over Scotland and Europe and never had any abuse, it’s withstood all sorts of weather and as far as I’m aware no one has ever tried to steal it, not sure how that would ever be possible to be honest, it weighs a ton! I think it’s great. We camped in tents for years but feel like this actually gives us more freedom and it’s soooooo much quicker than putting a tent up/ packing away a wet tent. I would totally recommend one. And going down a ladder for a pee? We generally sleep through the night anyway but in the grand scheme of things it’s not a big deal.

I will caveat this by saying i also own a dry robe and a spaniel. So maybe I am also a tent box wanker.

I'd imagine a leopard must be able to, at least 🤔 (have you been watching Big Cats 24/7, by the way? Highly recommended!).

But maybe it wouldn't be capable of balancing on a shiny bonnet whilst opening a zip?

Photo not taken in Devon.

@Wineandrun You've made that set up really perfect for your family. Sounds like you have a lot of fun!

We chose a actual tent over a tent box before tent boxes become a massive thing. The only reason why is because a tent box is limited on space and we got a big tunnel tent for cheaper. As a family of 4 (2 adults and DS8, DD4) the tent box setup wasn't suitable (even when it was just DS).

But depends how you camp - we like space inside in case it rains and go more comfort camping (electric, gas BBQ etc) not basic camping.

When you were travelling around Europe did you book camping sites or just set it up wherever you could