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Camping

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

Original poster

camping advice please - what do you think of this deal?

73 replies

policywonk · 15/02/2008 21:18

We're thinking about getting some camping equipment for the summer (travelling in the UK, probably in the south). Argos have this offer on at the moment - I'd be very grateful if anyone who knows something about camping could have a look at it and tell me if there are any obvious drawbacks to it.

(I know we'll also need to get stove, kitchen stuff, pump and so on.)

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hercules1 · 15/02/2008 21:21

Personally I'd go for a 3000 waterproof thing.

hercules1 · 15/02/2008 21:21

Have you looked on ebay? They often have good deals on tents.

Original poster
policywonk · 15/02/2008 21:24

OK... '3000 waterproof thing'... you might have to be more specific, I am a little slow on this topic.

I liked the look of this because it saves me having to hunt down individual items on eBay, being as how I'm lazy. Do you think the tent looks a bit shite then?

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Lucycat · 15/02/2008 21:33

i think that would probably be fine as a starter package until you know whether it's for you!

Original poster
policywonk · 15/02/2008 21:38

Thank you lucykate.

hercules1 has worried me now... is this tent not waterproof??

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Original poster
policywonk · 15/02/2008 21:38

aaargh sorry lucycat

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Lucycat · 15/02/2008 21:51

tis ok
it might not be quite as waterproof as some but it will be fine to start off with.... and a good price.

Original poster
policywonk · 15/02/2008 21:58

Thank you lucycat. Is it still true that you shouldn't touch tents from the inside when the canvas is wet? (Please don't laught at me...)

Just had a gander at your profile - your tent is mighty impressive!

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Lucycat · 15/02/2008 21:59

btw your boys are gorgeous!

Lucycat · 15/02/2008 22:01

we try not to touch them but polyester ones suffer from condensation more than leaking.

I love my Lakey too - she's fab

PeachesMcLean · 15/02/2008 22:03

I think that's our tent. Ours has two bedrooms not the three but is it a Lichfield? Doesn't say on the link but does look like it. If so, we've been rained on several times, main problem has been "water ingress," as they say, under the sides into the living area. I guess I'd choose a sewn in ground sheet next time. But no leaks through seams at all.

Original poster
policywonk · 15/02/2008 22:04

at us checking each other's profiles

I'm sure I will be back to bother you with more idiot questions, but thanks for now!

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madm00se · 16/02/2008 12:02

It looks comprehensive enough for a newbie to camping. If it only lasts you a few seasons & you've enjoyed it, then you've had your monies worth & can go on to buy a more expensive tent. One tip I would give is if you do decide camping's for you, to buy some better tent pegs, cos the one's that come with the tent, even if you buy a decent one, tend to be pretty naff! This is really annoting when you've got a very stoney site (as is Coniston, in the Lakes) and you end up bending all your pegs!! Enjoy.

madm00se · 16/02/2008 12:03

FAO: Lucycat.....whereabouts in Dorset did you camp in 2006? The site looks familiar.

Original poster
policywonk · 16/02/2008 12:08

Thank you madm00se - that's very useful!

I think I have persuaded DP that we should give this a go.

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Blandmum · 16/02/2008 12:12

To be reasonably sute of a dry camp! You should look for a hydrostatic head of 3000 in the UK, but as a 'suck it an see' starter it would do you for a bit, and would pay for itself in the first few trips

Original poster
policywonk · 16/02/2008 12:14

You're all making me nervous now...

So, if there's a real downpour, there are going to be puddles in our tent?

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Blandmum · 16/02/2008 12:18

to put it in perspective the Army call 800 'waterproof'!

3000 just gives you an edge. So long as you are camping from whitsum to sept, you'd probably be fine. If the weather is awful you'll probably get leaks, but with that sort of thing you might well get wind damage, whatever your HH rating.

This will let you knw if camping is for you....use your own pots and pans, get a picnic set from argos for plates etc, most years they sell them for 2.99. Get a reasonable cooker, set you back about 30.00

You'll be able to get a week on a quiet site for about £70-£80 in the summer. the first holiday you take will pay for the kit. If yo like camping, you can replace stuff as and when you need to.

We love it, its fab!

dustystar · 16/02/2008 12:19

I'm sure our old gelert was only 2000. The newer models are 3000 but we never got wet in our old tent. For a starter tent its a good buy.

Original poster
policywonk · 16/02/2008 12:40

thank 'ee, thank 'ee

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Blandmum · 16/02/2008 12:44

'cos you said 'Thank you' so nicely I'll let you in on the secret of my Fav UK campsite
\link{http://www.dolbryn.co.uk//In south wales, not sure if that is good for you}

Fabbo place, tiny little bar for the grownups in the evening, animals for the kids and a play area. Bev the owner is an ex child minder and extended breastfeeder, what more could a MNetter ask for in a site! Cheap as chips as well!

Blandmum · 16/02/2008 12:44

\link{http://www.dolbryn.co.uk/try again}

Blandmum · 16/02/2008 12:46

here

Original poster
policywonk · 16/02/2008 12:47

Ooooh fantastic mb, thank you - extended family is in the valleys (yours is in Rhondda, no?) so this would be very convenient for visting them.

Agree that extended BF-ing ought to be the bare minimum for all providers of amenities...

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Original poster
policywonk · 16/02/2008 12:48

Oh I see, not quite the valleys. Preseli is lovely, went there as a kid.

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