Family of 5 tent recommendations

[AnonymousArmadillo]

DH and I always loved camping growing up and have wanted to get back into it with our children for a while now. We have three children - DD1(10), DD2(4) and DS(9mo).

We currently have a small 4-man tent but not big enough to stand up in. We’d like a more comfortable tent with height (DH is 6ft) and sections. We also don’t want to spend a fortune just yet whilst we establish if it works for us.

Looking in sales, we had found this one:

https://www.blacks.co.uk/16111694/vango-callao-600xl-family-tent-16111694

We like that it has three sleeping sections as that would work for our set up - DH and DD2 in one, DS and me in another and DD1 in her own. This would then shift over time. We also like the price!

However, reading reviews, they’re mixed with people either saying it’s great or saying it leaks.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, comfortable tent with 3 sleeping sections?

Yes we have the berghaus Kepler 9 and take it to France every summer! Massive tent - 3 compartments

Vango tents are usually very reliable, and that one does look a good buy.

The one you linked doesn't have 3 genuine sections. It's one big sleeping section with 2 flimsy curtains that don't really provide any kind of separation.

As your kids grow you will start regretting believing any tent manufacturers who claims any section sleeps 2 people. It is only true if they are basically cuddling and hip to hip in a space barely bigger than a single mattress. A 3-person section actually sleeps 2, a 4-person section actually sleeps 3 etc. For a 5 person family you need at least a 7 berth and ideally an 8 berth tent. I would be looking for the type with a central dome and 3 entirely separated bedrooms. We have one like this but it's no longer made unfortunately.

We have one similar to this for 5 of us, youngest is 11 years so defiitely room to grow. We have a kitchen/ porch section that goes over the top too. We camp a couple of times a year and it's lasted 6/7 years now.

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15980941/hi-gear-zenobia-8-nightfall-tent-15980941

Porch similar to this, used as a kitchen

www.millets.co.uk/16006984/hi-gear-habitat-universal-tent-porch-16006984

We’ve bought our last 2 tents second hand - both were in as new condition. Lots of people buy all the gear and then realise camping isn’t for them.

We picked up a 6 person Outwell tent for less than £300 and an 8 person air tent for £600. Picked one up from fb marketplace & the other from gumtree. Worth checking out.

In our experience, it’s better having the bedrooms at opposite ends with living space in the middle.

https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/15986808/berghaus-kepler-9-nightfall-air-tent-15986808

this is the tent we have but it’s sold out on this link, however you should be able to find it at Gooutdoors x

If you go for an air beam (inflatable) tent check the pack size before pressing go!

hijacking the thread a little but I am planning to spend the full six week hols in France next year so if you have any site recommendations I would be really grateful!

No probs! My kids are only young - all 8 and under so we couldn’t deal with the packing up and unpacking the tent - so we found a site we absolutely love and just go back there. It’s in the Dordogne it’s called Le Paradis. Lots to do in the area and stunning campsite with loads of English speakers! We all have parties outside our tents when the kids go to bed, it’s fabulous! When they get older, I’d like to try different sites but for now this works! 32 degree heat, river, pools, food - what’s not to love!! Let me know any specific questions!

For some reason I got no notice that this thread had been replied to. We have bought this tent now so hopefully it’s good. We’re keeping the 4 man tent with two separate sleep spaces so DD1 can sleep in that separately if she’s had enough of us. 😂

Thank you. We have been on two camping trips with the tent since buying it and it’s really spacious! We love it!

Totally agree - two sleeping pods really help with space and privacy. I’d recommend the Vango Odyssey Air 500 or Quechua Arpenaz 5.2. Both have good headroom, separate rooms, and a decent porch area for gear or cooking in the rain.