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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

Wise and experienced campers .. please come and advise!

41 replies

DifferentFutureAhead · 02/08/2012 21:32

I have never camped before. I have always wanted to but stbxh never wanted to, so although I acquired some camping gear, we were never able to go Sad

However this is a new beginning and I want to take dd1 (4yo) camping in the summer hols (think it might be a bit ambitious to take dd2 (1yo) the first time we go)
In my mind I have planned a night at Wellington Country Park as this isn't far from us.

So what I need is advice about a tent. I have a tent. It's a huge thing. Never used. But I need a tent I can put up by myself, I was thinking one of those pop up things, are they any good?

I have:

A 2 burner stove and pans
Fat Airic for myslef (Going to take a quilt, is that good enough for bedding?)
A sleeping bag for dd1 (need to get her a mattress/air bed/ready bed. Which is best?)
Camping chairs

What else will I need. I need to go minimal as I will be doing all the packing, unpacking by myself!

All advice gratefully received! Also opinions on whether this is a good idea or not? Am I nuts for even considering it?

OP posts:
FannyBazaar · 02/08/2012 21:55

I go camping on my own with my DS (7yo) and have done it on my own since he was 4. We did start off in the tiny two man tent but that was really too small, we had a double airbed in that and bags stored at DS's feet. Our first trip was to the Isle of Wight on foot with me carrying everything, used folding wheeled trolley for that when possible.

I have a huge family sized tent, two bedrooms, which I only need a tiny bit of assistance to put up. Did it at a festival when DS was 4 and think it was me and him, with maybe the help of 3yo friend putting it up while the 3yo's mother unloaded the car.

I have just treated myself to a new 3/4 length 4cm(?) sleeping mat and will probably get one for DS, ATM he has a full length thinner one but space wise would be better with the 3/4. My DS will sleep on anything. We have a 3 man tent, which is just enough and lightweight so I can carry all of the kit.

DS always has to carry his clothes in his rucksack and I have now got him a compact sleeping bag which he carries as well as the sleeping mat, all in his rucksack. He carries his chair in his hand (if taking).

My DS does not have the luxury of taking a bag full only with toys, he has to fit those in with his clothes. I expect him to do a certain amount of helping out, more as he gets older.

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 02/08/2012 22:54

Thanks Fanny. The thing is I have no idea how to put a tent up, which is why I was thinking of a pop up.

Double airbed is a good idea. Hadn't thought of that!

OP posts:
Tommy · 02/08/2012 22:57

the tent should have instructions with it if it is new.
You might not need chairs if you don't want to take too much - you can sit on the ground/groundsheet/blanket

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 03/08/2012 09:12

I am not confident I could put a tent by myself, alone, just by following the instructions!!

OP posts:
lancarra1 · 03/08/2012 09:54

I have just been camping on my own for the first time for a week in the new forest. I went with my four dc's and two dogs! My eldest is 15 so could help put tent up, I bought a 5m bell tent as I was led by the fact it has one pole! I did need a trailer for the car though!

Lovecat · 03/08/2012 10:17

I have a 5m bell tent and it's so easy to put up, I always do it on my own while DH gets the kitchen set up! (lancarra, we have a roofbox, I keep eyeing up trailers!)

However, I have camped with friends using pop ups and they go up very quickly and easily. Taking them down again, however... I would watch the videos on Youtube and have a practice in your garden before going away with one!

fossil97 · 03/08/2012 11:37

Honest it is really easy to put a small or medium tent up. Can you find out what sort/model your tent is and we could give you some feedback - it might not be that huge? Try it out in the garden so you know what poles go where, after that it's all obvious.

fossil97 · 03/08/2012 11:44

Normally the tent will have its name printed on the bag it comes in: Vango MegaPalace 6 or something like that

FannyBazaar · 03/08/2012 22:37

Have you looked at Single With Kids holidays? They do camping trips for single parents so there are plenty of adults around to help with pitching tents and quite reassuring if you are on your own.

Kahlua4me · 03/08/2012 23:56

I would recommend the decathlon pop up tents. Very easy to do by yourself and plenty of room. We have the XXL llll but the slightly bigger one is also good and was on sale recently.

Your dd could use a self inflating mat and sleeping bag.

Take some toys for her for Eve's and early mornings.
A washing up bowl would be good. We use the plastic trugs for both as washing up one will stack/fit in toy one for travelling.

One other essential for me is a bucket for night time wee!

Think it is a fab idea going. We have been to Wellington as near us too and would recommend. Have fun.

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 08:40

The tent I have is a Hi gear zenobia 6.

I hadn't heard of 'single with kids' - off to have a look at that and the decathalon tents!

OP posts:
Ephiny · 04/08/2012 08:50

I would recommend a self-inflating mat for DD rather than an airbed, much more comfortable and warmer IME. You might be OK with a duvet for you, but sleeping bag is probably warmer and certainly would pack lighter and smaller if that's an issue.

(I know it's summer, and I'm going on about warmth, but it can still get chilly at night and there's nothing more miserable than being cold when you're camping!)

Bring waterproofs for both of you - being soggy is nearly as bad as being cold!

Don't forget your torch (headtorch is great if you have one, but a normal one will do) and spare batteries.

WendevilleAndManlock · 04/08/2012 08:57

I have the same tent as Kahlua, and it really couldn't be quicker and easier to put up. Folding it up takes a bit of practice, but once you have the knack it's easy.

fossil97 · 04/08/2012 09:56

Your tent is a tunnel tent - it's very easy to put up in theory but I would think it's a bit of a beast to handle without a second person - maybe hang onto it until the DC are a bit bigger? Or if it's never used, flog it?

of a similar type of tent

If you can get to a Decathlon they have everthing for camping, good mats and sleeping bags etc. Our DC sleep on just foam mats like these, I think kids sleep anywhere tbh!

You might be OK with a duvet if it's a double one and you kind of fold yourself up in it so half is underneath?

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 10:07

Where is the best place to sell tents? This one has never even been undone!

OP posts:
Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 10:13

Looking at that video, I think I would definatlely need help to put it up.

I've seen this one on amazon, which looks ok for two

OP posts:
WendevilleAndManlock · 04/08/2012 12:13

I have one of those as well Blush but it's the 'air' version. It's only £50 direct from decathlon at the moment btw.

It is quite roomy but doesn't have the convenience of a porch.

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 13:17

What's probably the cheapest tent I could buy with a porch?

OP posts:
Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 13:20

This one, I think

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 04/08/2012 13:22

pop-up tents are great. but i wouldn't fancy trying to get one down by myself!!

we have a giant gelert horizon 8 and i can easily put that up by myself.
i think you would be better with something like that which can be done in stages and is easy to dismantle by yourself.

i'd also invest in a decent sleeping bag. will keep you much warmer than a duvet

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 13:25

Are they really difficult to get down?

OP posts:
GranToAirMissiles · 04/08/2012 13:25

Popup tents can be really difficult to get down again. This is why a lot of tents are just left behind at festivals.

Original poster
DifferentFutureAhead · 04/08/2012 13:26

That Gelert doesn't look much different to the one I already have

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 04/08/2012 13:27

yeah we have one for weekends/overnighters and it takes both of us to get it down again!

twooter · 04/08/2012 13:29

I've got a scarfell eclipse 6 man. I can put it up easily with just a 4 year old, it was £70 on amazon, and didn't leak in torrential rain.