Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Camping

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Thinking about getting a tent

45 replies

hmb · 22/05/2004 20:29

Having had a few happy caravan holidays in France I am thinking of getting a tent as it will slash out costs and let us take more short breaks etc.

Dh thinks that I am mad!

Advice please on the best sort of tent to buy (there are 4 of us) and what sort of kit is vital/helpful/a waste of space and cash.

OP posts:

Crunchie · 25/05/2004 09:56

I think we have the Vango Colorado 1200. I know it's a Vango and it sleeps 12!! Anyhow TBH it took us (mainly dh as I was keeping the kids out of the way!) about 2hrs 1st time and about an hour 2nd time. I think it would be quicker the more we use it I love it as you don't have to put the inner 3rd bedroom up, but it has a goundsheet anyway. I think we spent about £250 (off ebay) for it last year and I reckon in one holiday saved it's cost. We went for the biggest possible as it is nicer if you are somewhere for a week. Also it folds up to be like a heavy suitcase size, really small considering.

Maybe next year we might get a smaller 4 person one bedroom tent for single night on the way or weekend breaks when the hassle isn't worth it. You can get popup ones quite cheaply that will do the trick.

stellar · 25/05/2004 13:11

Cuppy - why did you swap from a trailer tent to a tent? we were thinking of getting a trailer tent (if we enjoy our eurotent holiday in Cornwall this July) thinking it would be better than buying a tent

tia

Stella xx

Soozi · 25/05/2004 16:32

Discovered that a mother has invented an inflatable cot - what a fantastic idea. A bit pricey at £89.99 though. Given that they are being manufactured in China, I bet it's only a fraction of that to actually produce.

inflatable cot

Soozi · 25/05/2004 16:44

Here is their website. Price has come down a bit to £69.99 whicch is better

\linewww.holidoze.co.uk\holidoz website{}

Soozi · 25/05/2004 16:45

Trying to get the hang of this jargon

\lindwww.holidoze.co.uk\website{}

Soozi · 25/05/2004 16:46

Arrrgh

here

secur · 25/05/2004 16:48

Message withdrawn

Soozi · 25/05/2004 16:58

I'm on a roll now. Here's a lesser cot, much cheaper but only for small babies

here

Janh · 25/05/2004 21:47

soozi, did you see the one I linked to further down (here? ) Can be used up to age 3! (And won't pop either....)

Granted it's a bit heavier than the inflatable but you wouldn't be walking with it anyway, I don't think?

Janh · 25/05/2004 21:49

Oh - it isn't heavier! Holi-Doze is 4kg, camping cot is 2.4kg.

cuppy · 25/05/2004 22:16

Stellar - the reason we sold out trailer tent is because we sold our 2nd car that had the towbar on it and so were no longer able to pull it.

But having experienced both tents and trailer tents, I would say there are pros and cons for both...

Tt's come with a cooker and a sink etc so u can cook inside the awning and there are drawers for all your stuff. *The awning part is usually a lot bigger than the living space in a tent and higher so you can stand up at full height everywhere in it. *you can put most of your accessories i.e chairs on top of the trailer, fold it up and away you go.
you are sleeping on proper mattresses , high up off of the ground. I never woke up - just like being at home.

However , unlike a tent , you cant make it one complete sealed unit when you have the awning part on it.You can always see the grass underneath the trailer iyswim, making it possible for creepies to get in.

Also you do need to always have a car with a towbar to pull it. We now just have a lease car and cannot get a towbar fitted , therefore we've had to sell it.

Hope this helps and hope you have a good hols. x

Janh · 25/05/2004 22:18

Also you have to have somewhere to park the thing!

Soozi · 25/05/2004 22:31

Thanks JanH I got the link - it prompted me to go off and do some research and found the others. It's pretty good although probably a bit too bulky for me. Having had a wee think about it, if you have a tent with separate sleeping compartments then unless DD is in with us (which would be a bit squashed with both the inflatable and the other one) then she can't really go anywhere unless she figures out zips. We have her pretty well trained to sleep on the floor using pillows or whatever as a mattress whenever we stay over somewhere. She usually just conks out and sleeps for hours without moving (I know, I'm blessed ) I think it's more the insulation thing I'm worried about - being used to Scottish camping I know how cold it gets overnight. However in my quest I've written off to Thermarest to ask why they've not come up with something since they are supposed to be the ultimate camping accessory company. Watch this space (but don't hold your breath)

munchie · 26/05/2004 20:45

Roisin, you've made my day. We have recently taken the plunge and bought a tent and all that goes with it, and are off on our first camping trip on Monday to the site that you have recommended. I feel a little happier now thanks to you!!!!

roisin · 26/05/2004 20:47

Oh gosh, I feel under pressure now! Hope you have a fantastic time, and some nice weather too.

Honeypie · 27/05/2004 00:46

We have an enormous frame tent, fridge, tables, air beds, various hanging baskets to keep things away from little fingers and love camping!
We take masses of addis stacker boxes to keep food in to stop it getting damp, for washing up as we have four children and a washing up bowl just is not big enough to transport it all down to the wash block and also to bath the kids in outside the tent whilst enjoying a glass of wine and cooking dinner. We usually have 2 on the go at once and it keeps the kids amused for ages.

Soozi · 01/06/2004 22:13

Ah well Thermarest replied stating that they don't make many items for car campers and that they concentrate on the lightweight backpacker market. She also sent me a link to camping 'cots' for sale at an outdoor company in the states. Lost in translation here because cots in the US are like adult zed beds here.

One can but try. I've found some polystyrene floor tiles so with my handy sewing machine and a creative mind I'm off to do a Blue Peter and see what comes up.

Janh · 01/06/2004 22:16

Ah, what we call cots they call cribs - don't know if that helps at all, soozi?

Our crib = their bassinet
Our cot = their crib
Our campbed = their cot

Have another go!

roisin · 29/06/2004 12:19

Munchie - how was your camping trip at half term? Hope you had a good time.

munchie · 29/06/2004 18:52

Roisin, Thanks for asking, we had a fab time. The site was excellent, had everything we needed. The boys made lots of friends and were happy to play on the playground and we could see them from our pitch, it was one of the best holidays we've had in a long time. We are off to Norfolk towards the end of July so if you know any good sites!!!!!

Flip

1 2