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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

Want a 4-ish man tunnel tent. I think

24 replies

hopefully · 15/02/2008 13:11

I need a tent for supremely unadvanturous holidays - about as extreme as it will get is a lake district camp site in May. It needs to fit DP and me, and from September (touch wood), DC1.

It doesn't need to be light (can take current small tent for anything involving walking) and I'd quite like it to have decent headroom (hence the tunnel tent idea)

Anyone got any good recommendations? I'd like to spend under £150-200 in an ideal world, but am prepared to blow the budget for the perfect tent.

Thanks for any thoughts, and sorry if someone's asked this recently!

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Kbear · 15/02/2008 13:19

Argos Nevada 5 - great tent, easy to put up, withstands gales and heavy rain (trust me I know). Not sure if they are in the new book though - if not something similar to that. Lots of headroom and storage space but not massive and overwhelming for new campers!

dustystar · 15/02/2008 13:23

How about an Outwell montana? Its more than your budget but its a lovely tent.

Blu · 15/02/2008 13:30

look at the outwell tunnel tent on this page1

or these

or these

We have one like the £99 Vango 500 one, but the bedroom compartment has a divider - it is roomy enough for two adults plus one child.

Original poster
hopefully · 15/02/2008 13:38

I quite like the look of the Coleman Columbus 4 man tent, but there are so many to choose from! What do I need to think about, other than having enough room for 2 adults and a baby?

The Outwell tents also looks nice, but massive. Will I regret getting a tent waaaay bigger than I need?

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dustystar · 15/02/2008 13:40

It depends on what you want. I like to have plenty of space in the tent as it makes it easier for storage and for rainy days with the children. The Monty isn't huge either although it is bigger than some of the other tents.

dustystar · 15/02/2008 13:41

If you are going to be going early or late in the season then a SIG is a good idea.

Astrophe · 15/02/2008 13:42

We have an Outwell Indiana, and are very impressed with it. It goes up easily and is really spacious and light inside.

Astrophe · 15/02/2008 13:45

outwell Indiana - it comes as a 4, 6 or 8 person. We have the 6, for two adults, 2 year old and a 4 year old and I am so glad we did not get the 4 - we love the space.

It has a sown in ground sheet. I think you wont regret having a big tent, especially if you plan to have it for many years, or if you expect more children in the future.

Original poster
hopefully · 15/02/2008 13:46

Seems to be a lot of pro outwell sentiment... I could be persuaded!

Is a SIG a sewn in groundsheet? I appreciate that after 3 years' camping I should know this.

Want to book some camping holidays now! oly have one booked in early May, have to decide if DP and I are hardcore enough to go earlier.

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dustystar · 15/02/2008 14:34

It is a sewn in groundsheet yes. I really like the design and layout of outwell tents. The earliest we go is at Easter and it drops to 4-5 degrees at night. I don't think I'd want to go earlier than that.

ulB · 15/02/2008 15:10

You're more likely to regret buying a tent smaller than you need!

In ours we can fit our 3 camping chairs in the living bit, and have some storage space in the unused bedroom space.

In tent-world, anything described as a '6 person' is suitable for 4. I think the Columbus 4 would be a bit tight, tbh. Better for just two adults.

Original poster
hopefully · 15/02/2008 15:27

Interesting. I may have to inform DP we are having a 6-man tent! And I thought I was being extravagent getting a 4.

Will definitely be nice to have space though - would be lovely not to have to worry too much about how to cook dinner if it rains etc etc.

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Original poster
hopefully · 15/02/2008 16:26

OK, I'm narrowing it down slightly..

I'm liking the Khyam Kansas 6 here

The outwell nevada L here

The outwell colorado 5 here
although I can't tell if the sleeping areas have sewn in groundsheets...

The Coleman Darwin 5
here

the outwell indiana 6
here

half of them are more than I was planning on spending, but I'm hoping for something that will last a few years (and maybe a second child?!)

Any thoughts on any of them much appreciated.

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dustystar · 15/02/2008 16:37

Are there any displays near you? I find it really helps to look around before I make a decision. Personally I prefer the tunnel tents with the rooms all at one end as i find the living space less cramped. Others on here much prefer having them at either end (vis a vis) so that the childen sleep away from the adults.

ulB · 15/02/2008 17:45

Ours is allegedly a 6 person tent and is not big at all. Will your baby be in a travel cot? I would get one big enough so that you, dh and travel cot can fit in one sleeping compartment, with space or flexibility to put her on her own as she gets older,

Blandmum · 15/02/2008 17:48

For a degree of comfort, you need to double up on the size, so a sleeps 6 would be reasonable for 3 of you

ulB · 15/02/2008 17:57

and don't buy anything with a hydrostatic head that MB hasn't approved!

Blandmum · 15/02/2008 18:25

Dear god, am I that strict!????

How awful!

Babysamrocks · 15/02/2008 18:52

Another thumbs up for the outwell indiana here, although we have the 8, I like to have plenty of room!! They are easy to put up and lovely and light inside.

discoverlife · 15/02/2008 18:59

try ebay

Try this seller, Tentastic, as he seems to have some really nice new ones. I had a 12 man tent from him (£56) and it was a really good tent.

discoverlife · 15/02/2008 19:03

tentastic shop page on ebay

SheherazadetheGoat · 15/02/2008 19:03

we have had this for the past 3 summers and it is fantastic. bit of a beast to put up.

SheherazadetheGoat · 15/02/2008 19:05

isn;t it a bit early for tent porn?

Original poster
hopefully · 16/02/2008 18:08

What on earth is a hydrostatic head? OMG, I know nothing...

It's never too early for tent porn! I have just booked first camping trip of the year (not till first weekend of May though), which means I am officially able to look for tents.

DP has also fallen for the Outwell Indiana 6 man tent, so it looks like that one's the winner. In an ideal world it would have had more flexibility in terms of taking the inner sleeping tents in and out, like the khyam, but it's got so many other benefits that I think it's worth it, and everyone seems to love their's.

Thanks for all the advice everyone, would never have looked at the outwell otherwise and might have missed out!

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