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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

Basics for first time campers - advice needed from veterans under canvas!

65 replies

puddle · 06/04/2006 12:09

We're really going to do it this year - we're going to buy a tent ad go camping. My plan is to go away for short periods - a couple of nights only - although if we love it we may end up doing a week somewhere.

Can all you camping experts tell me what I will need as a basic starter pack. We have NOTHING, not even a tent - so any tent recommendations would be good, best blow up matresses etc etc etc.....

Any ideas for campsites too - we are in Brighton so looking at a two hour drive max.

I did do a thread on this last year (we decided dd wasn't quite old enough in the end) but can't find it in the archives, so apologies if you have already given me advice.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Lucycat · 06/04/2006 14:26

camping kbear Blush

Original poster
puddle · 06/04/2006 14:27

Loads of great posts thanks so much. Kbear - I have already planned first camping trip in my head to be near good pubs for food!

Lucy I have looked through that link too and loads of info - will be looking at tents tonight I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
puddle · 06/04/2006 14:29

You're all making me laugh now - I feel like I've entered a secret camping club.

OP posts:
Lucycat · 06/04/2006 14:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

madamechocolat · 06/04/2006 14:37

I'm lurking - planning first camping trip in Aug with seasoned campers. Have two litle ones - 1 and 3 1/2 ...... I'm hald excited half dreading it!

Lucycat · 06/04/2006 14:40

ooh where are you going?

madamechocolat · 06/04/2006 17:59

St David's or Tenby .... I'm addicted to the camping threads now. Just about to buy a tent but have most other things. Will be taking a 16 month old - so any advice?

Original poster
puddle · 06/04/2006 19:03

Ok I've been looking at tents - can someone tell me what the difference is between a dome tent and a tunnel tent?

Can anyone recommend a tent to me that's easy to pit up and has a good amount of room for four - my dp is 6ft 3 too.

OP posts:
Lucycat · 06/04/2006 19:26

Ok, if you look at \link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Family_Clearance_Tents.html\this link} you should be able to see the two types of tent. A tunnel is literally a tunnel shape, usually the bedrooms have the same ceiling height as the main bit of the tent and they are ded straightforward to put up. A dome tent is more like little domes attached to each other, some used for sleeping around the edge and then a big one in the middle, some also come with a porch, useful for cooking in!

pootlepod · 06/04/2006 19:27

Try the New Forest, there are many campsites ideal for families.

\link{http://www.forestholidays.co.uk\here}

Lucycat · 06/04/2006 20:49

Personally with your dh being so tall, I'd go for a tunnel tent, we are both tall and when we went to look at some of the dome tents we found them claustrophic, we also loked ours because it had windows - try to visit a camping show if you can!

crunchie · 07/04/2006 13:17

I'm going to throw in a quick question here.

What about electric and fridges??

We have just booked France and have all the basic stuff, but I said to DH I wanted electric and a fridge this year too. Anyone else got one? Where from??

Blandmum · 07/04/2006 13:28

You will need an EHU link up. This is basicaly an extension lead that plugs into the campsite sockets, and leave you with sockets in the tent. You can't just use an ordinary extension lead, as they are not waterproof and safe enoug. On the continent you also need a continental EHU adaptor.

Go to a caravan sho to get this, not a camping one.

Re a fridhge they sell them on line in outdoormegatore, the also sell them in Halfords.

On the continent many campsite hire them out! We did this last year and it was great. In the UK i tend to use a cool box

Lucycat · 07/04/2006 14:07

We bought \link{http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pp/Caravanning/Camp_Electrics/Powerpart_3_Socket_Mobile_Mains_Kit.html\this ehu} last year and it's plenty long enough, we've also got a cool box that has a small motor in it, so you can use it in th car and then it has a mains adapter for the tent.

IMO an ehu is the best thing we bought, it means you can take a kettle for that early morning cuppa!

Blandmum · 07/04/2006 15:50

and also recharge light/gameboys and plug in, dare I say it? a lap top if it is peeing down with rain, and watch a DVD!

Lucycat · 07/04/2006 16:06

rain - on holiday? nah not when you're camping Grin

Original poster
puddle · 07/04/2006 16:16

Am loving this thread. Thanks for advice on tents everyone - we're going to look at tunnels.

OP posts:
crunchie · 07/04/2006 16:59

we are going to france, no rain :) I need it to keep my wine chilled :)

KBear · 07/04/2006 17:23

I've got a tunnel tent - a Nevada 5. Perfect for my little lot.

Blandmum · 07/04/2006 17:23

Know what you mean crunchie, nothing quite so nice as watching your children playing in the park, while sitting outside your tent sipping some nice chilled white wine! Grin

Ask if the campsite rents them out.....many french sites do, and it will save you the cost/space of taking your own. We rented a fill sized fridge with a little ice compartment.....made a good place to store all the food and stopped clutter in the tent/attracting ants with jam etc

Blandmum · 07/04/2006 17:24

I have an outwell colorado 8....we love it! takes up 30 minutes to put it up/pack it away

First outing at Whitsin!

crunchie · 07/04/2006 19:13

Brill tip MB, I will ask.

Original poster
puddle · 07/04/2006 19:18

Any more tips for tents - to fit 4 including v tall dh.

Needs to be easy peasy to put up and take down.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 07/04/2006 19:18

well worth asking, the worst they can say is no, and you havn't wasted anything except a phone call.

We have one booked for this year, last years site rented them out too. Also worth asking if they rent BBQs!

fullmoonfiend · 07/04/2006 19:20

Can I butt in to ask a campingy question please?? We have outgrown out tent and dh is looking at trailer tents on ebay. Anyone got any experiences of these? Pros? Cons? Good makes to look out for?? Ta in advance

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