Which of these tents can I put up by myself?

[mugginsalert]

New to camping - taking DC aged 7 and 3 in halfterm and then again in summer.

I have bought a 5 man dome tent, thinking it gives a lot of room for weight (I'm on public transport so trying to balance weight/size/headroom). Didn't think about the pitching but now worried because heard that dome tents are hard to put up! Would I be better off with a 5 man tunnel tent instead (same weight (about 9kg) more room, but more money)?

The two contenders are the outwell cloud 5 (cheaper blacks colour, tacoma 500) and the vango omega 500xl.

www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/041668-outwell-tacoma-500-5-person-tent-green.html

www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Omega-500XL-Tent/dp/B01EGA10JO?tag=mumsnetforum-21

I don't have anywhere to try it out before we go!

TIA for any advice

I personally find tunnel tents are easier to put up. Tents in general are quite tricky to put up on your own though. You will prob find someone who would give you a hand at the campsite though

I don’t know about that particular tent but I’d be very surprised if you couldn’t pitch the outwell tent by yourself. We have a Montana 6p which is ginormous and I can pitch it by myself (although it’s hard work). Outwell tents can be packed away and pitched as one (don’t have to do the inside separately) which helps speed things up considerably.

A 7YO can hold on end of a pole into the peg while you do the other end with tension, but any tent will be difficult in a wind.
Both tents you have linked should be completely manageable for the two of you (or you alone).
I strongly recommend having a practice before you go though, even if its just in the local park.

How about buying an air beam tent? Then you just push a button and watch it go?

I've put up several vango tunnel tents on my own, the larger ones (6 man) I got DS to help with putting the poles in the other side from about 8yo.

That Vango is expensive for what it is though. The Icarus is popular for a reason, it's nice and roomy, but dead easy to put up.

Just remember to open the doors a bit when you're threading the poles through, lets the air in and makes it easier. Close the doors before pegging out though.

Really good link.

I've gone camping with my kids by myself quite a few times. I have the Berghaus Air 6 - it's great. So easy to put up - tent pegs at each corner and in the middle - 1 minute to inflate each beam - think there are 4 beams and then peg out the rest of the tent. I would def recommend an airbeam

Missed the bit about public transport.
This one might be worth a look? Vango Ascott 500, 5 Berth Tunnel Tent - 2018 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078K92V6T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dgT.AbG5FRFHA?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Check out Decathlon tents as well. They seem to pack up smaller and are considerably lighter than Vango/Outwell. Anything airbeam will be too heavy and bulky though.

I'd strongly recommend the Quechua brand, at Decathlon. I have a 2 second pop up tent which is just amazing. Takes more like 3 minutes from start to finish though! 😉

Do you need a 5 man tent? Would slightly smaller do? What's the weight limit for carrying?

This one goes up soo easily.
www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-family-41-id_8378237.html?_cclid=v3_d6e7773c-dadb-5b7d-8ca3-c523bd0439d6&gclid=CjwKCAjw8_nXBRAiEiwAXWe2yVgDdWiCGmiuM0h8EmfjChVdArsQKTfFmwTagKOs_n6Mx69bYs1FkBoCSv8QAvD_BwE

This one has the added bonus of an extra dark bedroom area, which I love in mine and a good sized living room: www.decathlon.co.uk/air-seconds-family-4-xl-fb-id_8384154.html

How long are you going for?
If its for one night at a time and you'll only go if the weather is good I'd go for an even lighter/smaller tent (just a 3-man to crawl into at bedtime. Remember on top of the weight of the tent itself you'll need mats and bedding as well as clothes/mugs/toys/etc. Public transport camping is tough even if each person can carry their own stuff and 1/3 of you won't be able to.
I second pp who suggested Decathlon: there's a 5-man for about £80 on there at the moment including postage.

Thanks all, sounds like I should be able to manage either one then which is great.

Thanks for the other suggestions - I've seen both the Icarus and the berghaus Air ones and loved them both - but I just couldn't manage them on public transport along with all the other stuff.

I've got a list as long as my arm of camping stuff I want if I ever get a car though....

Ah - missed those last posts, sorry.

Weight limit for carrying about 9kg tent, and 90l rucksack with everything else in. I know I can manage the everything else (will buy food when there). Kids will need to wear as much as they can on the way though! Going to look at decathlon too

I'm going to up to 6 days at a time so I would prefer a 5 man for the headheight and also because having no car we'll probably spend more rather than less time in the campsite. (and of course have no where else except the tent to put anything so a couple of feet storage space will make a difference. )

It seemed a good idea at the time....

That Decathlon tent I linked is 9.8kg

Decathlon will show you in the shop how to put up and take down any tent you buy. That could help!

Whatever you do, make the time to put up and take down the tent, nothing worse than not knowing how to do that, especially if you arrive in the rain. Is there a grassy park near you for a quick practice?

I have only used public transport for camping when taking a youth group away and it was tough.
But here's a tip: A Hermes parcel costs

I'd be more worried about the public transport element than tent. Could you rent a camping pod or small caravan.. or already equipped tent?

That Decathlon one is definitely an option, thanks IWMHB! no shop near me so hadn't thought of them before.

That Hermes parcel idea is great. (Now I'm wondering what I can pack for 15kg....)

Camping people are usually really friendly and willing to help in my experience. I’m sure if you need a hand, someone will happily help you.

What @ShowMeTheElf said!!

I have friends who only ever camp using public transport and the always "ship" the tent and air beds to the site and home again using somewhere like my Hermes, they just carry their clothing and sleeping bags

This Hermes suggestion has really got me thinking....
And it's really reassuring to hear that people on campsite are generally friendly.
Thanks everyone!

Campers are always friendly. Unfortunately I've never had any offers of help at all. I must just look too capable

Sounds like you are on the 'helper' side of the line! Happy to report back on whether looking incompetent provokes offers of help since it seems likely I shall be presenting that appearance in the next few weeks. But now I will claim its for research purposes!