Downsizing tent?

[Earslaps]

Hi, has anyone downsized their tent and did you regret it?

We haven't really used our big tent much as it takes us a while to pitch, requiring two people and a bit of arguing. And it is too big to put up in our garden, so I worry what we'd do if we need to dry it after a trip.

On the weekend we put up an old tent that we had pre-DC so I could camp out with the DC, and it got us thinking maybe we should get a smaller air tent that will fit in our garden, then a Coleman Event Shelter (maybe with a couple of sides) for sitting outside, or for cooking. Our current tent is 7.2m long, and has a decent sized lounge and a porch area, and we need a maximum length of around 5m, so we would have a smaller lounge and no porch.

We are a family of four (DC are 8 and 11) and currently have a five man tent, we'd be looking at another five man tent so we get as much sleeping space. We don't take loads of equipment with us, mainly just camping chairs and the camp kitchen, as we never go for more than a few days. Presumably we could take a small pop up tent as a storage tent if we needed more storage for a slightly longer break?

We don't have space to store two tents (the old one we used was stored in the old shed as we aren't precious about it, but the decent new tent needs to be stored indoors as we don't have a garage), so if we get a new tent we will need to get rid of the old one.

My gut tells me that this is the right thing to do, as we would get more use from the tent if we can use it in the garden (especially this year ), plus if I can put it up without DH's help then I could take the DC on my own in the holidays (he's not a keen camper ). However, I'm a bit worried it would be a mistake as people always say to get the biggest tent you can.

I'm thinking of something like the Outwell Ocala as it is really the biggest we could fit in the space and doesn't look too heavy or too big to put in the car. Plus it's reduced as it's a 2019 model!

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

I am not a fan of massive tents at all.

I first downsized because I couldn’t handle all the pole threading in our big dome tent with porch extension.

I downsized a bit too much to a pop up that I couldn’t fully stand up
In, and then got a modest tunnel tent that I can put up on my own.

But we never really sit inside the tent. We always go to sites that allow campfires, so always sit out round the fire. Cook outside, under a tarp if it is raining.

I think if you want blow up sofas and a big kitchen set up, and live inside the tent, making it as much like home as possible then you need a bigger tent. But we are very ‘back to basics’ and fairly minimal. It makes setting up and packing up so much easier!

That Outwell tent looks a nice tent. Just check you can lift it in and out of the car if you go on your own - though your 11 yo can lend a hand.

We have an inflatable tent very similar to the Outwell one and I have pitched it myself if needed. It's definitely easier with a second adult but is doable - I would certainly think you could pitch it with DC to help.

Thanks both, glad that small tents are ok!

We definitely need a nice tall tent as DH is 6ft2, and would hate to crouch in a tent. We don't tend to sit in the tent much either, mainly the floor just gets covered with DC's stuff! I don't want to take loads of sofas etc either, it's just stuff to have to pack/unpack. If we're going away for longer than a few nights and want comfort then we'd get a cottage instead.

I think with a smaller tent plus an event shelter we should have plenty of space, plus the event shelter should come in useful on its own as well.

I think the tent I like is 19kg, which is fine for me to lift alone. DC helped to put the tent up the other day but lost interest very quickly, so hopefully with something quick to pitch we'll be done before they get bored!

I think you’d be fine in a smaller tent. We don’t take much stuff either, but are a family of 6 and I’m finding I can’t get a 6+ man tent that isn’t enormous! I was jealously looking at 5 man tents like Vango Amalfi which is about your max size.

Looks like a lovely tent and a great price. I went smaller and have two small tents for me and the kids. Also suitable for me to go on my own with friends when I can. (I did have a tent similar size to the outwell but a friend borrowed and trashed it!). Putting up an air tent is an absolute dream comempared to a big pole tent. Drying a smaller tent is also much easier

What about two small tents? Perhaps one a little bigger for a main tent if it rains?

We've gone full circle, from tiny backpacking tents poor children/with babies to a big tent which I hated and only used a handful of times to a very good middle ground with a simple 5 man dome tent. We have three children. Very quick to get up, comfortable enough but also simple enough to feel like you're still"back to nature". I miss the tiny tents and we might go to two small tents soon, but I've never ever missed having a big tent!

Thank you! You constantly hear to get a big tent, but it just seems better for us to have a smaller one and then something extra for a bit of shelter.

In terms of extra space I love the look of some of the airbeam shelters/day tents, but cost wise I think we'll go for the Coleman event shelter and get a couple of sides for it, then we can position the camp kitchen right in the corner. Plus we can use it in the garden or for days out, so if we don't camp much it's still getting use.

Totally agree about the six man tents @TwinningIt- seems crazy you can't get a smaller one! My preference would be to have a six man, as we could go slightly wider in the garden but not really any longer than 5m. The shortest six man tent I found was over 6m long. And as tents get bigger not all campsites will accept (or can fit) the giant tents. I like the Amalfi too, but I think the Outwell is very slightly better for our needs.

Most campsites allow a moderate size tent plus a pup tent plus an awning/shelter, so at this age we can use a pop up tent as storage, when the boys are a bit older they can sleep in that and I'll have their room as storage.

We went from a large 12 man when the kids were younger, to the 5 man vango icarus. We had the extension for longer trips. I'd say it was pretty perfect and your suggested tent is similar but has the added benefit of the inflatable poles.

DP couldn't stand upright in our dome tent. We got a tunnel tent instead but isn't as strong it blows over easily in bad weather and we had a pole snap in it in year 1, however it it easier for getting changed and spending time in.

The dome fits in the garden but our new one doesn't which means its hard to dry out and clean when you come back from holiday.

You could use the old tent for sleeping and buy a gazebo for the living area, you see this alot on campsites.

Now is a good time to sell tents. With the good weather, bored kids and no prospect of holidays abroad. We had 3 enquiries for ours in 1 day last week.

Yawnfest- the old tent really isn't practical to use. DH and I bought it in Australia and you pitch it inner first, so it's absolutely terrible if it's raining... and we live in the South West . It also got lawn treatment on it when our old shed roof leaked, so it's got big brown stains there and would need re-waterproofing. Might see if anyone wants it for free though to make some space.

Qgardens I can't even imagine how giant a 12 man tent is!

Yes, I thought it might be a good time to sell a second hand tent to people who want to try out camping. Lots of people are hoping for a late summer camping holiday, and I guess a lot of people won't be able to afford their usual holidays if they've been furloughed etc so might be considering a camping holiday next year too. Our old tent has only been pitched four times and used for a total of ten nights away, so is in great condition and has the footprint etc.

Yes, do it! We were getting to the point where packing and pitching the big tent setup was taking the fun out of camping. Once DC reached secondary age they had separate little tents and we have a 4 berth 2 pole tent and a tarp for extra shelter. There is such a thing as peak camping stuff.

I have an Outwell Nevada 5, and can pitch it with my 7 ye old ds and no other adult help. It’s a good size and fits a camp kitchen nicely, with space for chairs etc.

Watching with interest. We've had the outwell Montana for 8 years and it was fab with 3 small children, especially in the rain but we are leaning towards a mid size 5 man with event shelter for the same reasons as op.

Ours was the Outwell Montana 12. It was fab at the time. Huge amount of living/bedroom space for 4 of us but it wasn't an odd shape so easy to fit on a pitch.

Well I've ordered it! Fingers crossed for nice weather so we can go camping (in the garden!).

Our big tent is fantastic but a right PITA to put up and a proper 2 man job. We picked up a little 4 man dome tent (4 man my hairy backside, comfortable for 2) for the kids when they went on a trip and it's fantastic. Goes up in 10mins, easy for 1 person, little porch for extra space and folds down into nothing. We're thinking of getting a second one and just pitching 2 small tents (Me, DH, 13 & 14 & dog), we think we'd get away a lot more, especially weekends.

If we were looking for a standing height tent we would go with MSR Habitude range. Super light and their other products are soooooo easy to pitch.

We have an Outwell Oakland XL 5 person tent and a few years ago I bought the equivalent 3 person version. They both have an open extension which is perfect for kitchen set up. So if it's just me and 2 kids I take the small one and if it's all 4 of us we take the bigger one, although we have managed all of us in the small one. We only sleep in the tent so no big deal.