About to buy a 600xl

[Noloudnoises]

Does anyone have one?

We are two adults two young boys. Complete novices.

The issue we have is husband and I cannot sleep on a double air bed together. There will be murders.

So thinking we need a 6 berth.

Have seen a 600xl one bug is so enormous, do I need it? This tent is to last us the next ten years of fair weather camping really so is that too much space?

I would say that whatever tent you buy make sure it easy to put up! We have a hi gear Kalahari elite 8 tent which myself, DH and two DD's find comfortable and it's easy to put up/take down.

Also do yourself a favour and buy proper camp beds, with thick self inflating mattresses to put on top - don't bother with an airbed, they're awful and I very nearly gave up camping after too many awful night's sleep. We invested in a double camp bed (like this www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/zempire-speedy-twin-campbed/ ) and 7cm thick self inflating mattress and I sleep like a baby on it, you don't get cold either like on an airbed!

We have the berghaus air 8 and bloody love it. We bought the porch too...

Ok. Happy with the 600xl tents.

But yes. Beds. Child will be in his travel cot.

I have a double ready bed. Planning to take duvets and pillows. But husband is a wriggler.

I see everyone raves about the SIM exped megamat but that's crazy expensive.

So perhaps a camping bed base and two SIMs on top and a sheet to hold them together??

We're getting the Vango taiga if interested, btw

Airbeam!

Could you have a two-bedroom tent and each share with one of the boys? We have an old Gelert 5-berth that has what amounts to one large bedroom with a flimsy curtain dividing it into two. I’m assuming that the issue of movement on the air bed rather than snoring though?

FWIWI we have airbeds and find them comfy - I prefer that to being higher up on a campbed. And I’m not really a fan of Thermarest-type mats unless you’re hiking and camping and are restricted on space.

@slavetolife may I ask if that camp bed has a big pole down the middle and if you get two SIM on it or a double? Just wondering if the double wouldn't sit right if there is a natural ridge in the middle if you see what I mean?

@Laquila yes we would share with the boys as they like to slip into bed with us anyway which is why I'm after double beds!

Yes it has a pole and the double sort of just sits across it, it works for us, two singles would also work well it's just no good for spooning lol!

If he's a wriggler, the double camp bed could still be an issue - I'd go 2 separate beds and 2 single SIMS

That looks like a lovely tent! Happy camping!

We’ve bought an exped megamat, yes it is expensive but our previous SIMs (thermarest) lasted us almost 20 years! And they haven’t worn out, they’re just not as comfy as the megamat.

@SlipperyLizard would you mind me asking how much/where you bought it from?

@Noloudnoises we bought it from outdoor gear - paid £5 more than it is currently on sale for:

www.outdoorgear.co.uk/Exped-MegaMat-10-LXW-sku52136101.asp

Which reminds me I must order a second before our holiday!

Against the grain I recommend this Coleman air bed https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15900276/coleman-maxi-comfort-double-airbed-15900276/?istCompanyId=c2ec8a5d-93c1-4850-a97a-f4d89d7c99c8&istFeedId=2755fba0-7dfe-46a9-bfd0-09b37aed8b93&istItemId=wapiwmqli&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrLWo1um54wIVVZnVCh29ewBNEAQYESABEgILXDD_BwE
It has two sections meaning that dh and I both sleep despite despite him song double my weight

thats a huge tent ! do you need teh 600? some good offers on the 500
www.allweathers.co.uk/vango-taiga-500xl-airbeam-tent-2018-model?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvYbf7um54wIVCbTtCh2FiwjIEAQYAiABEgJxXfD_BwE

still big though...are you going for ages ? have a trailer?

we use single thermarests which have lasted for ages (shame as I fancy something thicker - but they are fine)
this place had the bed with sims on display - it was a really good combo as I hate airbeds and DH wriggles as well!

www.thefamilytentshop.com/stores/shepperton.aspx
they also had bunks for kids which I though was a great idea....

If the exped ois £160 for a single, consider this outwell double. Dreamboat It's massively reduced and the comfiest thing I've ever slept on in a tent!

Thank you. We got the 600xl second hand for cheap and it's all working well (not tried in the rain yet though!). It is HUGE and I have mild regrets. Shit. Oh well.

But beds yes. I have been looking at the 10cm sims with square edges so they fit together nicely. Kampa 'high rise kip' looks similar to an exped and is cheaper? Similar to the Vango and Outwell ones I guess. I just wondered what was so special about the exped ones as they look v similar.

But yes need to go and have a lie down on them!

We have the double Vango Comfort 10. It’s absolutely fantastic. Expensive, yes but a decent nights sleep is utterly essential when camping. I’m a real princess and the pea person and I sleep really well on it. Friends have just bought one after borrowing ours. It’s worth the money. It doesn’t pack down particularly small, and get the little people to help you squeeze the air out at the end. Good luck!