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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Help! I need a new tent by Friday!

32 replies

pigleychez · 28/07/2014 19:16

Meant to be off Camping Friday with the Bro and Sis in Law for a few nights. We are complete newbies, they are pro's.

We had borrowed a tent from a friend to use but went to trial it today and its totally not going to work!! Its a massive old pole and cover tent that has no instructions and looks horrendously complicated! Dh has refused to spend hours working it all out.

So... it would appear we are tent shopping!
ANY help would be apprieciated. We dont want to spend too much really as we arent sure we are going to like camping and want to do it often. There are 4 of us (2 adults 2 girls aged 4 and 6). Had planned for the girls to use thier ready beds and us to use our air bed so guessing seperate bedrooms would be best. Needs to be EASY to put up. And somewhere where can go buy one tomorrow!

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
chaosisawayoflife · 28/07/2014 19:31

Where are you based? You really need to go somewhere where you can see them up and get a feel for them and the size? As a guide you'll want at least a 6 man tent, possibly bigger. I've been out of tent shopping for a few years so can't recommend any personally (mine has been discontinued). Is there anywhere nearish you can go look at some? What's your budget?

jaynebxl · 28/07/2014 19:33

I would massively recommend a Quechua pop up tent. We have the 4.2. Pops up so no faffing with poles and you just have to out the tent pegs in.

jaynebxl · 28/07/2014 19:34

Ours was 220 quid and has 2 separate bedrooms and a lounge you can stand up in.

chaosisawayoflife · 28/07/2014 19:39

I've just googled my tent and if you're anywhere near Swindon there's one ending on eBay in 4 hours. They're throwing in loads of other equipment too which may or may not be useful. Search eBay for Kampa fistral. It's a Fab tent, great size and layout and easy to put up. Cost around £375 new.

Original poster
pigleychez · 28/07/2014 19:50

Thanks everyone,
We are in the south east, in Kent.

I think we are talking budget budget..probably say £150 max

OP posts:
ColouringInQueen · 28/07/2014 19:55

We have a Vango Icarus which is fab. Can be reduced now...
I think RRP is about £200 - but you might be able to pick up a bargain. Or their other models would be well worth a look. Good luck!

on ebay
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Icarus-500-Green-5-Berth-Tent-Including-Carpet-Sewn-In-Groundsheet-/151361217976?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item233dd4e5b8

currently £57, ends tomorrow!

gingeroots · 28/07/2014 20:01

If you can get to Lakeside there is a Decathalon . They have great budget tents and some good offers at the moment .
Good Luck .

chaosisawayoflife · 28/07/2014 20:05

Could you get to wm camping at Horne hill? It looks like they have lots of tents on display.

Original poster
pigleychez · 28/07/2014 20:29

Lakeside and Herne Hill could be doable.

Anyone any thoughts on any in Argos? Would be super easy to get too.

OP posts:
Blu · 28/07/2014 20:46

Go to GoOutdoors in Canterbury or Lakeside and buy one of these or go to Decathlon and get one of these or for more money one of these

The Vango tunnel tents will be a doddle to pitch - and in Decathlon they will give you a demonstration of easy pitch and pop up tents - how to fold etc. And look on YouTube

The ones I can see in Argos are either not tall enough to stand up in, don't have sewn in groundsheets, or have low HH - i.e not waterproof enough. So, basically, shit tents

jaynebxl · 28/07/2014 20:56

The last link of blu's is ours. Decathlon Lakeside stock it.

MrsAtticus · 28/07/2014 21:09

We have one very similar to
this
I think this is just a slightly updated version. It's a pop-up tent which is great, very quick and easy. The size is good, you can stand up in it (DH is 6 foot), and fit a double airbed in each room.
Taking it down in easy once you've done it a couple of times, but did nearly result in divorce the first time we did it. You know those pop up sunshades for cars that you have to twist and fold? It's like that on a big scale.

jaynebxl · 28/07/2014 21:20

That's ours too MrsAtticus. Very easy but I still sometimes need to refer back to a youtube clip on my phone for how to fold it all into the bag!

MissWimpyDimple · 28/07/2014 22:35

There is a decent Regatta Premium 4 man tent in Argos that would do the trick. It's £125. Has sewn in groundsheet and comes with carpet. It's not going to be the ritz, but for the price the features are good!

If you can get there the Vango in GoOutdoors is possibly a better buy, but if Argos is next door the Regatta would be fine. Just check the bedroom size, a double air bed and 2 ready beds should fit in, but you might not have much extra space around them. Shouldn't be a problem though, specially with the sewn in groundsheet.

Springcleanish · 28/07/2014 22:41

If tou can get to Go Outdoors they have reasonable starter tents and packages for £99 and up. At the price they will be fine for once or twice a year fair weather camping, and most will be on display. Hope you have a great time.

silversixpence · 28/07/2014 22:46

The Quechua 4.2 xl is now £170 which is a bargain (we paid £260 a year ago!). Only small issue is the lack of sewn in groundsheet otherwise it is a brilliant tent.

preggersbycheggers · 28/07/2014 22:48

We also have the family 4.2. It's absolutely brilliant.

Blu · 28/07/2014 23:56

But as you will absolutely love camping, you could invest in an Icarus 500 on sale in GoOutdoors (Canterbury / Lakeside) which will have tons of space, good features, dark inner pods (later mornings!), be easy to put up and fold, and be a very well made long lasting tent.

jaynebxl · 29/07/2014 07:21

Blu makes a good point. As you will love camping it is worth an initial investment Grin

Stengor · 29/07/2014 08:01

Try looking on ebay for one that you could collect in time or you could pay extra for next day delivery if you order online.

Original poster
pigleychez · 29/07/2014 08:20

Sad Im so not going to like camping! Dh has decided to pay as little as possible and has reseved a 4 man tunnel tent from Halfords. With 10% off its only £45. Reviews ive found are so so. (halfords only publish great reviews!) Forecast is for heavy rain saturday so were going to get wet arent weSad Who's big idea was this!

OP posts:
gingeroots · 29/07/2014 09:07

You're going to be fine . Modern tents are amazing ,even ones from Halfords and I really doubt you'll get wet .

Just remember to make sure that nothing is pushed up against any part of the tent .

Cardboard boxes squashed flat at entrance for muddy footwear . Umbrella at entrance for any quick dashes to car or loo .

But you'll probably only have the odd light shower .

profpoopsnagle · 29/07/2014 09:07

Is it the Aventura? I think if the weather forecast was good then it would possibly be fine but I would be more wary for any amount of rain.

The HH is only 1500mm, which isn't very much. The higher you can go on this, the more confident you can be for wet weather. Most of the other tents posted above are 3000-4000HH.

Wet bedding, and clothes is not fun for anyone, even seasoned campers.

Would it be worth paying more with a view to selling it on if you don't want to camp anymore?

NonnyMuss · 29/07/2014 09:15

Ah it'll be fine, had a look and the reviews just seem to say that it's a faff to put up and a faff to get back into the bag.
Stand well back and let dh do those bits as penance and enjoy the wine rest of the camping experience. Grin

Have a look at the measurements for the bedrooms though, 2 readybeds in one, 2 airbeds in the other, where does your stuff go? If there's 4 of you you need a 6 berth really.

gingeroots · 29/07/2014 09:17

We have Quecha/Decathalon tents ,5 years old , well under £100 used in very heavy rain and wind and they've never leaked .

They are quoted as " Tested under 200 mm of water/hour " ,which if that's on the same scale as prof's above seems very low .

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