Bell tent Aficionados, would you mind talking to me about inner tents / stoves please?

[ProdigalMNer]

Ok, so we're probably going to have sell the vw camper but still need to be able to camp.

Have been gushing over looking at bell tents (5m) but am confused about one or two things. Can you put 2 inner tents (quarter size) in any of them and still use a stove? (This is assuming we can actually afford one anyway!)

We camp from March to October so warmth is important (as far as is possible when camping!) and from past experience of awnings inner tents can improve the temperature but what do others think?

I'd be very interested to hear your opinions, and also expreiences with Soul Pad / Canvas and Cast , have ruled out Belltent UK as seen too much negative press.

TIA .

bumpity bump

(I know there are many other bell tent threads btw but couldn't find one which could answer my questions, not just being lazy, honest. )

Would be grateful for any advice.

Thank you Po, the dilemma has come from having 4dc who would like warmth (and privacy!). Looked at soul pad and they do seem lovely (product and people!) . Think I read somewhere that you can have one of the soul pad quarter inners but not two as they're too close to the stove

...but also thought I'd seen somewhere that one make had the flue outlet in a place which made it possible ...

We have a 5m bell tent from Obelink and an inner tent. We used it once and I think it did make the tent a bit warmer. However, it kind of ruined the bell tent experience for us (one of the best things about bell tents is the feeling of openness and space IMO).

That said, if you are keen to have one or two with a stove I would call Soulpad and ask them. I have heard great things about their customer service and I think they would be honest, particualrly if it is likely to be dangerous to have both in there.

I have just had a look on Soulpad's website and they say that the bijou(quarter) inner has been designed to give people enough space to still have a stove. This suggests they think the half inner (or two quarter ones presumably) would not leave enough space. I would still call and talk it through though.

Oh x-post - sorry

I've gone from a vw van to a 5m bell tent. We have the genie with the stove hole but have never used a stove init as so far have gone ehu. I have one quarter inner only.

From where the genie hole is I don't think you could have a second inner.

I suppose it would be possible to get a non genie and cut a hole in a different place. Ring soulpad or email and ask them, they're very helpful.

Thanks MPFT . I did the sensible thing and spoke to lovely lady Soul Pad who confirmed what you've just said. They are so friendly they make me want buy from them!

Know exactly what you're saying about the feeling inside a bell tent, they look so lovely completely open. > Interesting you only used your inner once though, I'm guessing it didn't make a really significant difference to the temp. then?

Maybe I should not have any inner tents at all

x- post withBeaver and Po... sorry I have diabolically slow internet where I live (may as wel be on dial-up! )

Beaver, the 5mgenie was the exact model we were looking at, have you used yours much? Any negatives to be wary of? Bit worried about transition from VW to canvas but think the bell tent will make the whole experience easier!! (aesthetically at least! )

How many do you sleep in your inner tent Po?

ATM the DC want to keep the camper and get a bell tent If we had the money it would be tempting as it would solve the problem of where to fit everyone. Really dreading selling her

Sod's law! Where did you get your pyramid from Po, if you don't mind me asking?

I've only used the tent twice. It pissed it down both times and dd is now at an age where she's gone off camping . Haven't used it this year and have booked center parcs for summer holiday. Not camping for first time in for ever....

Bloody weather.

Get an icy tek box, I miss having a fridge but the icy tek helps. I also got a foldable kitchen thingy so stove on top and food stores in the cupboard bit. Just used a plug in hob stove so far. I miss comfy bed and I miss the noise insulation of a van. But I don't miss all the garage bills!

It's typical, I got rid of my van as I worked so many weekends we hardly used it. Two months later I got a job where I no longer weekends!

Thanks,

Thanks Beaver, did you find drying the tent a total PITA? Off to look at the icy tek box too. Our DC had gone off camping as got sick of being stuck in flappy, draughty, leaky nylon awnings but all of them seem pretty taken with the idea of a bell tent... fell like it's a final fling to rekindle the camping bug before they all give up on it completely but can't help thinking we're being very optimistic...

*feel, not fell

Po... is the pitching time for the Palamos really 60 minutes??!?