Folding camper or bell tent?

[VivaLeBeaver]

looks like I'm finally selling the vw camper van. Just not using it enough to justify it though feel a bit sick at the thought of letting it go.

But we like camping and still want to be able to get away. As it's just me and dd I need something that's easy to put up. So I was thinking a bell tent at first. Could get an icy tech box to use as a fridge and we'd need one of those clever hook on to the bumper trailer things as I've only got a yaris.

But then I was remembering all the hassle of packing the car for trips away and realistically I thought wed be ulikely to go away for a weekend as it would be hassle getting g everything ready.

Plus the coldness of camping doesn't appeal, though I guess we could go ehu and get some sort of heater?

So now I'm thinking of a folding camper. We could tow a small one with a yaris. Storage space to keep some basic stuff in all the time. Would have a fridge and a cooker and maybe blown air heating.
Fairly easy and quick to put up so maybe more likely to use it for a weekend away.

Any advice on different models or things to look out for. How prone are they to rips, leaks, etc!.?

Can anyone think of a major benefit from one to the other?

Nice choices, Viva.

The Frontier also has a baffle (not sure why they don't specifically mention it on their own site!) You can see more details of what is included with the stove here, for example. As per other stoves, that means you don't actually need a spark arrestor too. However, I'll probably get one with a rain cowl on top eventually. Am hanging around a bit to see how the spark arrestor Campingsolutions is bringing out soo looks, as there isn't one commercially available (that fits) that I know of. Some people have made their own in addition to the baffle - scroll down to the middle of this link. Basically cheap bird feeder and beer can combo. I don't think rain cowl necessarily required (will evaporate), but if I buy / get one made, I'll combine the two.

The more upright a flue is, the better the draft, so more efficient and less smoke. The wider a flue, the less of an issue, I guess, so probably why bigger / heavier / less mobile stoves can exit through the side. As Frontier small and light, downside is a narrower flue. I've read of some people using flexi pipe for side exits in other tents, but it's not recommended and I don't think it would work as well unless you then buy extra flue sections. Example here, about a third down.

Well its good to know it has a baffle. I think I read on their site that they want to get a rain cowl/witches hat to fit their flue but haven't been able to find anything yet. That bird feeder spark arrester is genius. Not sure what he meant by fabricating an aluminium collar but for that price I could buy one and see how I can attach it.

I'm expecting the doorbell to go any minute for my prospective van buyers btw!

Will keep my fingers crossed!

Well they've bought it.

Not sure whether I'm happy or not. DD is gutted. They've paid a deposit and I need to get a bit of bodywork done that I'd said would be done prior to it been ready. So it'll probably be gone in a few weeks.

I need to buy a tent asap to take my mind off it.

Oh Viva. I'm glad for you, but can understand the sadness in a way. However, yes, once you've got your new tent it'll be a completely new adventure, and dd can help kit it out or create an oasis.

Is she girly or more minimalist / Ray Mears-y?

Val from UKCS has a couple of cool tents, so if girly, maybe she can take her favourite things and make it your big adventure kind of thing? Depends on how old she is, I guess.

She's quite girly. I've seen vals tents before, they are great. I'm going to have to get either a roof box or one of those tow bar less trailers I've Seen

www.tail-crate.com/

I think probably a roof box. Want to go to tk maxi tomorrow to get some stuff to glamp up a tent!

Ooh, enjoy, I love it there for bits and bobs. Some nice wool blankets in ours last week. And yes yes on roofbox - relations in this house improved considerably with the addition of one!

I've wondered about that tail-crate one - someone on here meant to review it, didn't they?

Yes aitch was meant to and never did. I started a thread earlier in the week asking about it but no reply.

Looking on ukc though someone had one and felt it affected the nose weight of the car too much. He also pointed out that if your numberplate is covers you need one on the crate. Then if you need to use it after dark the numberplate needs to be lit up so you need some sort of socket putting in at the rear of the car. Sounds hassle.

Taking the car to halfords and saying sort it out and coming back to roof bars and a box sounds so much easier!

Ah no, that is no good at all. In a way a relief to hear a definite no, as I've been wondering about it. Roof box so convenient, and takes a lot more when forced in than I thought it would.

Back from tk maxx and have bought a nice fleecy striped throw, a sheepskin rug and a wool blanket for under the stove. But it's alpaca wool so not sure if that works as a spark arrester rug, should do I think.

Alpaca wool is flame retardant, that's good.

That sounds lovely! Am jealous about your alpaca wool blanket.

My friend has a Soulpad stove in her mobile home. Apparently, its very safe, and the flue is stone cold about four or five feet up. She has the back plate and a slate slab to stand it on. It is also cool within half an hour of going out. Im going to sell my Outwell Montana 4 next spring and treat myself to a lovely bell tent, and there is definitely a stove on my wish list!

Get one haggy, we can virtually hold each others hands while we cut holes for the flue.

Ive got to sell the outwell, and save £200+ to buy the tent first! The chimney is waaay down the line!