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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.

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Original poster

Camping - do we need a tent the size of a mansion for 4?

16 replies

ironingalien · 09/04/2009 21:00

DH wants us to go camping and is looking at tents - DS's are soooo excited but the tents we are looking at will probably take all weekend to put up! Will we need the space or should we go for 4 person tent? We only intend to go for a weekend to start with.

OP posts:

IwishIwasmorechocolatey · 09/04/2009 21:07

I think you always need to add at least 2 to the number of people you really are - so my advice would be to go for at least a 6 berth tent.

We're a family of 4 and we have vango diablo 600. It's fab. Takes about 45 minutes to put it up properly.

mummymash · 09/04/2009 21:10

If you're planning on camping in England I would certainly recommend a 6 man tent for 4 people. If it rains, which I really hope it doesn't, you will need the space in the tent to play games, have toys, etc.
At least it will last you for when the DS's grow too! Good ones don't come cheap so you don't want to be replacing it too soon due to their feet sticking out the door

Kbear · 09/04/2009 21:11

yes you do, have you seen the amount of stuff that clutters up a tent? wet socks is at least one corner!

Fillyjonk · 10/04/2009 08:50

well I don't think you do, no.

Our kids are 5, 3 and 1. We have a vango ventura 500 and it is fine for 5 of us.

I have camped alone with 2 kids and put it up in about 15 minutes while the kids played.

It has a big internal space, big enough for 2 double airbeds. It does have an optional inner to make 2 bedrooms, iirc.

If you are first time campers, and are just going for a weekend I'd personally go for a managable tent.

We don't spend much time in the tent when camping. If it is bad weather, we go home or to a pub. Wet camping is horrible.

alittlebittired · 11/04/2009 17:39

I think you do!! With little ones I know we certainly take a lot of extra stuff that we would not have if just grown ups camping. There are 5 of us and we have an 8 berth. Have fun camping!

Original poster

ironingalien · 11/04/2009 18:09

Thanks for the advice - something slightly smaller than DHs idea would be good Having just spent 3 hours in a very cramped and crowded A&E children's waiting room (or is that broom cupboard) with my eldest DS, I think maybe a bit of extra space is wise! DS is fine by the way - nothing that a bit of glue couldn't fix.

OP posts:

helsbels4 · 11/04/2009 18:26

I would go for a large tent! We have a Royal Montpellier which is supposedly a 12berth but I certainly wouldn't want to sleep three people per bedroom and I wouldn't want twelve people in there either!
It has a large living area which is easily big enough for a table, four camping chairs etc. I couldn't bear to be crammed in altogether if it's raining or cold or whatever.
It takes me and dh about an hour to put up then another hour while dh does guy ropes and I get beds, cooking stuff etc sorted.
Have fun camping!

sarah293 · 11/04/2009 18:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Peachy · 11/04/2009 18:30

YOu need a tent for te number of you plus 2; things like porches / living sapce etc are all to taste though.

We have a big tent (6 of us anyway) but rarely sue the living space so might gets oemthing smaller when we replace (prob in five years time) as long as bedrooms sufficient.

Peachy · 11/04/2009 18:31

BTW the new Outwell catalogue recommend the plus two method, I ws reading today, so if they use that then theya re assuminga nd building 600 tents for 4 peiople which is odd imo but .....

Peachy · 11/04/2009 18:32

Oh and the only way to tell is to get to a tent show and see what fits you.

I am liking the new outwell teepee atm (tto pricey for us atm though), but tehre are so many tents about.....

The only other option to a big iving rea btw is to get a tent you can add a oporch to when you have the space; we've done that and it works fine

blithedance · 11/04/2009 20:33

We tend to go to Scotland or the Lakes so are looking at getting a tent big enough to sit in of an evening (with DC's there's no sloping off to the pub ) and be free of either the midges or the rain!

The thing about the extra berths is room for your stuff- in a "3 person" bedroom you have 2 people plus a space to put a couple of holdalls of clothes. But of course you could put those into the outer tent at night.

Also if you start getting into tables and those fold out armchairs, they take up loads of room if you have them up inside and you can end up tripping over each other.

I liked the teepee but felt it would get claustrophobic in the rain.

Peachy · 11/04/2009 20:39

Yes with the rain- we're looking for a weekend tent though, sunny weather only- we also have a new (well last year) sun valley 8 so have lpenty of space there.

We almost never sit in the tent either, if it rains we still go out. Can't abide doing nowt,me.

3rdnparty · 16/04/2009 07:16

hi, I'm with fillyjonk and would go for easy tent with some room but not too big ....we wanted one that wasn't too big and didn't take too much space in car and was ok for festivals.....we are trying this as got cheap as last years model and prefer outwell to vango

www.allweathers.co.uk/outwell-iowa-2008-2412-p.asp

can get extension/porch to add if we like it though am having tent envy at this one.. as not much bigger but has extra room/storage/place for snorers...

www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products.asp?partno=536214

either way I find I allways want something else when get to campsites and see other peoples!

Aefondkiss · 16/04/2009 22:32

3rdnparty, I love the look of the first one, esp the "rainsafe" door (Scottish camper)

Aefondkiss · 16/04/2009 22:33

oops I meant the second one

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