Calling all experienced campers - please take a look at this ...

[Plonker]

...and tell me whether you think it would be a suitable first tent for us.

Its this tent package from Halfords.

There are 5 of us. Me, dh, 3 dd's (9, 6, 20mo) and our GR dog. I know it says 4 person, but dd3 is only a little person

What do you think? It seems such a bargain!

No
No
No
No
No

and...
No.

I would seriously recommend a tent that you can stand up in, and I would always go for a bigger tent than you need. Ie) there are 4 of us (and 2 dogs) so I wouldn't have anything less than a 6 berth.
If you want to try out camping, can you borrow stuff, or buy something at a boot sale?

We got some great bargains on ebay...we are now looking to get a tent trailer

Hope that helps

A great big fat NO - it is too small, and most importantly, it only has a 1500mm hydrostatic head. This means it will leak in even moderate rain.

Ah shit ...thought it looked too good to be true

We don't know anyone who camps so can't borrow equipement.
We've never been camping before and so are complete novices.
We haven't got much money either so was rather hoping to hit on a bargain ...

Ah well, better to know now than on our first camp, lol.

Thanks for reply x

1500 hydro what????

PS - that is why it is a bargain - have you ever heard the phrase - "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true"? Think, think, think again.

Plonker, I would have a look at boot sales etc - there are many good deals to be had.

Do you have lots of boot space?

Got a zafira so fairly spacious boot when only 5 seats up. Thought we would need a roof box though.

Boot sales sounds good!

ShyTalk - yeah yeah, you sound like my mam

Yes, I think you would need a roof box
Good Luck

What sort of tent/equipment should we be looking at?

HH - hydrostatic head is basically the water resistance of the tent. For the average showery summer you need a minimum of 2500hh, preferably higher - the closer you can get to 5000hh the better. The higher the hh, the better the water resistance, and the drier you stay. Also, purpleduck is right - just don't buy a tent that is too small and just hope it will be OK - it won't. Camping can be a cheaper holiday, but only when you have already purchased the basics. Sorry.

Great info ...thanks both

Hehe Plonker - I sound like everyone's Mum. However, I may be old and naff and the dispenser of unwelcome advice, but I do know about tents. Do you want the advice or not?

Advice most definitely wanted and appreciated

Would strongly suggest a separate tent for your older DDs.

This will be way too small for five of you and dogs. We got something like this from Cotswold a couple of years ago, for three. We have since:

• replaced the airbed, although that was a mouse's fault and not the airbed's
• got a new lantern as one wasn't enough
• got three new heavy duty sleeping bags, as the ones they supply were just about ok for a hot night in the Med, and not for a cold night in the UK ( the three new bags cost nearly as much as the tent package in the first place).

Would suggest the best and biggest tent you can afford, provided it is simple to put up and will not cause serious marital discord and then get the accessories you want, which are all quite inexpensive if you get them bit by bit.

Plonker - this time of year is a really good time to go to one of those "camping superstores" like Go OutDoors, or similar. They usually have last year's tents at sale prices, and they are set up so you can see them and walk in, lie down etc. They have the spec on a label - look for the hh - go for 2500 minimum, more if you can get it in your price range. Buy the biggest tent you can afford, and, as purpleduck said, get one you can stand up in. Don't forget to factor in the other stuff - sleeping bags, airbeds, cooker, gas, water container, lamp etc. We all start out camping thinking that we can sleep on roll mats 'cos they are cheap. They are a total waste of money - they are vile (and cold, also, the dog will chew them) - just buy airbeds. Apart from that, get all the rest (cutlery, plates etc) from a charity shop. If you decide to go for it - good luck - we really love camping, the whole relaxed thing and we can't wait to go as soon as the weather allows. We may even meet you camping if it works for you.

Oh no OldLady - I don't fancy the idea of them being in a seperate tent. Seperate room, yes, seperate tent, no, I couldn't do that ...

Thanks for the advice tigerdriver

Back to the drawing board then for us ...

Yes - will do that ShyTalk. I guess its silly to buy something without taking a proper look at it first. Thanks for all your help

Plonker - Nooooo - my DD14 would love to be in a separate tent - no way - actually, not even a separate bedroom. DD5 and DS7 like to have her in with them. DH and I have the dogs

And would add, you can take your own cutlery and plates from home, we do. We've got some plastic ones from Sainsbugs or somewhere, but I don't always take those, just take my normal crockery and cutlery. As with crocks, so with tent pegs, you count them all in and then count them all out and thus far we haven't lost any.

Think about where you are staying, do you need your own cooking or is there a cheap caff for bacon butties and coffee, in which case, go for that, at least at first.

Take a packed cold breakfast with you for the first day, in a cool bag if you have one (along with the beer)so you really don't have to do anything.

Separate tent would be pitched right next to yours, and there's nothing by way of sound-proofing in a tent, so it's safe enough. But I understand your feelings atm.

We just bought a Wynnster Phoenix 6 for £150 (inc. delivery) from www.clearancetents.co.uk