How easy is it to go from a regular tent to a bell tent?

[Frog253]

The reason I ask is that we have a Cabanon canvas tent, shaped like a house really. We like it and it only cost £50 from DH's family but it's a bugger to put up. However we have spent a few ££ buying equipment eg cooker and wardrobe for it.
I would love a bell tent simply because of the ease of putting it up BUT it seems that a bell tent is more than just a tent, it has v. specific accessories to go with it, does that mean it's no good with more conventional camping gear?

Our idea would be buy two bell tents, one for the 3 DCs to sleep in and one for us and the stuff, perhaps with some sort of connecting tarp?
Can you do 'Bell Tent lite'? Has anyone just transferred from one type of tent to another w/o any bother?

We moved to a bell from a vis-a-vis and for us it was a really fab decision.

However, since buying it last year I've also bought a utility tent because there's no way my beautiful bell is going to smell of bacon (and we do love our rashers of a morning)!

I'm also looking at purchasing a tarp as there is no escape from the sun unless you sit inside the tent, which is lovely, but when you've got two young DSs and a dog to keep an eye on, its not so practical.

We really love the space inside and it really suits us - we just all kip down on the floor together on a raft of SIMs and super thick sleeping bags. In terms of conventional camping gear, the wall height of ours is 60cm

The Cabanons are gorgeous tents too and it looks like you had a bargain that will, no doubt, last you for years. If you're going to get a bell tent a 5m will give you a higher wall but I guess you'd have to put your wardrobe fairly central (maybe not so good from an aesthetic view).

If you want a big, easy to put up canvas tent (not particularly cheap) but the Emperor has two poles so gives you the taller head height over a bigger area

Yes a utilty tent is what we would need! Having looked at some other tents I know that ours isn't particularly difficult to put up really in the scheme of things and as the DCs get bigger they might be able to help more.

We're such a titchy family, and I'm a weakling so I don't feel as if I am much help. The idea of having one that I might be able to do by myself really appeals.

Will look at the Emperor though.