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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

Coleman Big Cypress Tent

37 replies

LilRedWG · 25/02/2008 12:03

Does anyone have experience of this tent? We both camped loads as children and want to start taking DD for weekends and longer.

Basically, we want loads of living space (for when it rains), lots of light/windows, a SIG and easy to erect.

The only thing putting me off the Big Cypress is the fact that it seems from lots of posts here that some site will say it's too big and not accept it.

All and any advice welcomed please.

OP posts:
redwino · 26/02/2008 10:25

Thats a great price for a Coleman tent.
I have a Coleman tent that is a bit smaller than that (mine doesn't have the porch bit on the front) They are very good tents, easy to put up, and very hardwearing. We have never had any leaks or problems with ours. It is about 8 years old and still going strong. As to size I have seen very few campsites that do not take these big family sites so I don't think you will have a problem. Most campsites these days have a website and and make any rules about tent sizes and pitch sizes quite clear.
Suggest you look at www.ukcampsite.co.uk for reviews of sites.

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:26

Thank you! I'll have a look now. DH is very much in love with this tent, although I'm thinking for two adults and one toddler it may be too much

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dustystar · 26/02/2008 10:30

You may well have problems with some sites as that is a big footprint. However there will still be plenty of sites that will take you. Some will charge you extra though (maybe even double).

ukcampsite is great for all things camping related so i second redwinos idea to look there at reviews. Have you actaully had a look around one?

Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:32

This year, 3 sites have refused our tent, sites that happily took it last year. Ours measures 8m X 4.5 if that's a guide? We did still get bookings at decent sites though (East Fleet and Sandy balls for main holiday)

Only thing I would say is that my experience of that shape (we had a similar one- Tahoma) is that they do take a bit longer to erct than say a tunnel with a porch- which is what we have now. Not a problem usually, but if its raining or kids kicking up can be.

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:35

That's interesting Peachy. A tunnel with a porch may be better then. I do want a SIG though.

OP posts:
Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:36

Which one do you have Peachy?

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Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:45

this is ours, we also have the add-on porch, a carpet (LOL) and the footprint groundsheet.

There's 5 of us, will be six in a few weeks, and it ahs more than enough space. There's a 6 man version also, which might well suit you. Stood up well to a tornado last year.

Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:46

(and yes agree- SIG essential).

dustystar · 26/02/2008 10:49

The tunnel tents tend to have large footprints but because they are not as wide as dome tents you tend not to have so many problems with pitches. We have a Outwell Vermont L and so far we've not had any problems but I know there are some sites where we would be refused

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:49

Ooo - that's lovely. Is it fairly light inside though - is there just the one window?

OP posts:
dustystar · 26/02/2008 10:49

And it has a SIG (and a carpet)

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:51

Thanks for all the advice ladies. We are going here at the weekend to have a look

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Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:51

It's really light because the tent colour is light and bright- that makes a huge difference. And there are (windows on either side which are huge- remeber theya re almost tent height windows and the tent is a tall one! Pus we find, with the porch on, we leave the door open as the porch is more than big enough to stop any rain etc getting in. I think we spent May bank hol last year in the froest of dean sat under the porch watching the rain completely dry LOL

dustystar · 26/02/2008 10:52

Good idea lilRed. Enjoy all the tent porn

Cappuccino · 26/02/2008 10:53

Peachy I bought that tent last week on your recommendation on another thread so thanks

there are only 4 of us but dh wanted a lot of space

Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:53

You'll be fine there- all of thsoe ranges are good, Royal esp. supposed to be on the upa nd outdorr revolution bit of a tent techies dream LOL. Have ahd gelerta nd khyam myself and would recommend, but every name on there is familiar and I would be confident with

Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:53

OOh Capp- hope you like it! (you will )

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:54

It's so hard to decide. I'm getting over-excited. I love camping and in the past few years have crashed most of my sister's camping holidays!

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Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:56

at tent porn!

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Peachy · 26/02/2008 10:56

It is hard to decide.

pesonally I fell very strongly with tents that you can look at a thousand then walk into one- and its The One. Like buying a house. That certainly happened with us last time, we went to the store to look at a different one entirely and came home with the Ontario LOL!

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 10:59

On the site I quite like the look of the Gelert ones, and they seem great value for money (ie, cheap enough that if we only go once it won't be a mjor loss ), so I was glad to see a recommendation for them.

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dustystar · 26/02/2008 10:59

Completely agree with peachy When we went to but our first tent both dh and I were convinced we wanted a lovely big dome tent with lots of pods but when we went to a display we realised that tunnel tents were much better suited to us and we've bought tunnels since then. I am so glad we looked before we bought

dustystar · 26/02/2008 11:00

Our first tunnel was a Gelert Lokon Vario 6. We had it about 4 years. It was a good tent but no SIG sadly. We sold it on last year when we bought the Outwell Vermont.

Original poster
LilRedWG · 26/02/2008 11:04

That's the one I liked the look of Dusty, at no SIG. DH will think I'm being a plonker, but I must have a SIG!

OP posts:
Peachy · 26/02/2008 11:06

Do be aware that gelert have 2 levels of range- ones like Dusty's (the Lokon) are the (IIRC) premier range- as was the Tahoma we had. TBh I think all gelerts are well amde and decent value for money, but it is worth knowing I think.

make a list fo what you want- SIG, add-ons, HH reqwuirements and make sure you stick to that, as longa s you do chances are you'll be pleased.

vango breckenridge BTW might be worth a look for you- nice tent, that.

Dusty- hello! booked your trips this year yet?