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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

lovely campers, please help me find a canvas tarp or awning for my bell tent

77 replies

ReshapeWhileDamp · 20/07/2011 22:02

There are a few around marketed as specifically for bell tents, but do I need one that says it's specially for bells? (for instance, I'm sure I've seen one that attaches to the spike at the top of the A frame, but surely that's just an eyelet in the middle of one side of the tarp? Hmm)

There's the one sold by Bell Tent co and Obelink (obelink is selling it for 55 euros - I can't work out if it's one of the things they won't ship to the UK) but I'm not sure how large it is compared with others. There's this pretty thing, but £225?! And the one from Tortuga Tents is pretty expensive too, and only comes with one pole. But I just don't know what is reasonable for a cotton canvas tarp.

Ideally, we'd like to be able to have a pitched 'roof' extending from the entrance, for boots, outdoor storage, and so on, but it'd be useful to use the tarp alone in various configurations for picnics, etc.

Glampy sites and companies aside, does anyone else make cotton canvas tarps for camping, or are they likely to be all synthetic now? Could I even make my own, or would I need an industrial sewing machine for working with heavy fabric?

Thanks for any pointers!

OP posts:
MollieO · 21/07/2011 18:55

Slubber is this you? Grin

Slubberdegullion · 21/07/2011 19:19

hahahahah

yes!

and that is me!

only joking

But that is the GREAT RexGrant previously of ukcs who I think is my all time camping poster hero and is the VERY reason why I bought a Tatonka after his many recommendations.

I love Rex.

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 21/07/2011 19:20

Nothing like leaving a thread one evening, logging back on and finding it full of useful things and witty banter. Grin Thanks, everyone.

Slubber, despite my Bellish tendencies, I am no purist and probably don't need to be matchy-matchy. I was even contemplating buying this on ebay, and it's green. As long as it's not rustly, polycotton is fine. I like your Tonka one (sorry, no, that's a toy, isn't it?) and have added it to my shortlist. I do need poles though, not having old tents to cannibalise. Not the right sort of old tents, anyway. Needing poles is why I was looking at the Obelink one. Chimchar, thanks for the offer, will PM you later! Smile

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 21/07/2011 19:38

green is nice.

green goes with cream

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 21/07/2011 19:42

's what I thought. Green is fine.

Ooh, I do like that ProAdventure site. It has a Disaster Preparedness section for loons and SAS-wannabes and me who is deeply sad and likes survival pocket kits.

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 21/07/2011 19:54

The site is good. The shop is even better. I got my raincoat there and had to be physically manhandled out of the place by dh.

Slubberdegullion · 21/07/2011 19:55

of course it wasn't called a raincoat in there.

It's a technical walking jacket Wink

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 21/07/2011 20:06

It's a one-off? I'd never heard of them.

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 21/07/2011 20:12

I think it might be.

Near us and stockists of rain attire I desired hence trip to Llangollen.

AitchTwoOh · 21/07/2011 20:17

THAT MAN HAS A KITCHEN ROLL HOLDER IN HIS TENT. Shock

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 21/07/2011 20:33

I think he has two. One either side of his head.

OP posts:
MisSalLaneous · 21/07/2011 20:43

Got my camping brochure / pack today:
"21 It is prohibited:

  • to light (camp)fires, either open or in the fire baskets or pots
  • to drive posts in the ground
  • to tie hammocks to trees
  • to climb trees
  • to loiter in the bushes
  • to clip trees or bushes
  • to fly acrobatic kites

((which was all fair enough, until rule 22:))

22 You may only set up a satellite dish on your own pitch.

Shock a SATELLITE DISH??

I fear those Dutch are crazy we might not be natural Continental campers... Excited / nervous. Ah well, worst case I can just stare at the canvas all night and overdose on cheese and caramel waffles. Separately, would be an odd combination. Something ds would probably love, mind you.

MisSalLaneous · 21/07/2011 20:45

Argh, wrong thread, sorry! Blush

Original poster
ReshapeWhileDamp · 21/07/2011 20:50

Sal, what miserable buggers! What, no loitering in the bushes? Grin

OP posts:
startail · 21/07/2011 20:52

Just an idea since I'm no camper, but my Dad used to sell awnings to car racing teams and he got them made by a couple of dingy sail makers. They loved his jobs, because basic rectangles, even with cord down the edges were really quick and easy. Usually they made complex curved racing sails. There fore I can't help wondering if they would make tarps in any size and colour they could source the fabric for.

MisSalLaneous · 21/07/2011 21:01

I know, Reshape, aren't they just?! My holidays won't be the same... Wink

Slubberdegullion · 22/07/2011 08:24

Aitch, would you please not refer to Rex Grant as That Man

He is more than just a man. He is an inter web camping legend. I am a Padawan to his Jedi-Tarp mastery.

And I have been known to make a kitchen roll holder in my kitchen tent, do you want to make something of it? Do you?

AitchTwoOh · 22/07/2011 09:15

YOU HAVE A KITCHEN TENT?!

Slubberdegullion · 22/07/2011 10:50

yeah you big doofus

I have TWO

Thats what the utility tents are for.

Don't ask why I have two.

Slubberdegullion · 22/07/2011 11:47

Photo of the kitchen tent in all her glory on profile.

AitchTwoOh · 22/07/2011 11:55

i am in awe. at least i think it's awe...

Slubberdegullion · 22/07/2011 12:13

go with awe

MollieO · 23/07/2011 10:00

What make is your poncey lovely kitchen tent?

tyaca · 23/07/2011 14:05

re the obelink one, i got mine fine three months ago, but BIL just tried to buy one and has had problems. he bought it fine on website and they took money out of account but then nothing came and after fortnight he contacted them and they saying they won't ship to uk.

MollieO · 23/07/2011 20:40

tyaca do you mean the Obelink tarp or the tent? They won't ship tents to the UK because they have a deal with Belltent who allegedly took action to stop them shipping tents to the UK at a lower price than Belltent were selling them. The tarps that Obelink aren't supplied to Belltent afaik so I'd be surprised is there is a restriction on them. There is no restriction on the other canvas tents Obelink sell, just the bell tents.