Come talk to me about tents and all things camping please...............

[ramalama]

Complete camping virgins...we need to buy everything from the tent to the erm......whatever else you need for camping hols

I've googled tents but there are so many and huge variations in prices I have had to turn to faithful old mumsnet to help me out.

So, tents to sleep 6 and camping necessity recommendations will be much appreciated.

TIA

bump

Have you been on the UK Campsite website?
It is really good, a sort of camping bible

I haven't Wilts...will have a gander though thanks

Is there a make of tent that's considered the best to go for?

Well I have an Outwell and I know that is considered a good brand. I think Vango is as well.

Keep this bumped there are lots of campers on here, I am a softy and am not cut out for camping so have only used my tent twice

I think it is recommend you go two births above your actual requirements, just to give you more space. Also look at the Hydrostatic head, mine is 3000 which I think is good.

I have the Outwell Hartford Xl and there are only four of us, but we did fill all of the space with junk important items.

I was looking at that one last night Wilts..doesn't it sleep 10? Or was that the next one up?

There are 5 of us...more likely to be 6 when we go as DD1 always wants to bring her friend.

Just having a look at the website now.

I've no idea how I'll cope camping though...it's the toilet thing that worries me...I have a bit of a phobia in that department

Get a tent with a large porch so you can dump all your muddy shoes and other stuff outside of the sleeping area - have a Vango and very pleased with it.

ramalama- ours is the 8 birth one but they do an xxl one as well.

I think it was the toilet/shower thing that was the killer for me. The second time we went I was having to get up at ungodly o clock to be able to have a shower.

Was that so you could get the hot water Wilts? Or just get in before anybody else used them?

Have to say I'm not convinced about it but DP is and I'm sure the DC will love it.

I did as a kid...but then not getting washed properly for a few days didn't bother me in the slightest then.

Pippi...porch is a good idea thanks.

Think we'll look for 8 berth so we have a spare room/space for stuff

Just so we could get into them, I am impatient and hated queueing. It was a big toilet/shower block as well.

The actual tent thing itself doesn't bother me, we have electric hook up etc. It is just the toilet thing.

rama if anything it's only really the floors that suffer from heavy use of the showers...

I tend to shower in my crocs!

lol Glitter....never thought I'd say this but crocs maybe the way forward

bumping for more advice.....

have found an exhibition near us....are they worth going to?

Hi rama,
yes defintiely worth going anywhere you can actually see tents up and walk around them.

There are a few things you shuold consider before buying:

• How long does the tent take to pitch?
• Does it pitch inner first (not good in this country due to the weather)
• Hydrostatic head (as detailed by OP 3000+ although one of mine is only 2000)
• Lots of small bedrooms or one/two big bedroom?
• Do you want bedrooms next to each other or seperate/opposite ends of the tent.
• Do you need a porch or can you buy a sperate one.

- Height in Main section and bedrooms: Do you have anyone tall in your party that would want to be able to stand in the bedrooms.

• Tunnel or dome or bell tent?
• Sewn in ground sheet (SIG) or bathtub/loose groundsheet?
• Do you have large airbeds/sleep mats as you'll need more room in the bedrooms than the manufacturere state.

It really is best to have a look around physically before buying.

TBH as a first timer I'd say you're better off borrowing or hiring a tent just in case you and camping don't get on.

There are lots of threads on here on eacho fthe above mentioned points, but feel free to ask away if this is all a bit confusing!!

BR

The exhibitions are great cos they give you a sense of what's around, but don't buy one there. I saw the tent I wanted, at £300, then found it loads of places online for £160.

Re the toilet thing, DH got us a kampa khazi! I know I was a bit about it when we first got it, but we used it last week when we were camping in Norfolk and it was especially useful during the night when we had very heavy rain/wind/thunderstorms, and didn't want to go traipsing across a pitch black field to the nearest toilets!

As for tents, we have a 6 berth one we bought from Aldi, which has bedroom areas that attach to the tent once you've put the tent up. One disadvantage I found last week was that earwigs (how I loathe those little beasties!), get into the tent by going between the outer tent and the bedroom fabric. Next tent we have, if it's possible to get tents with sewn in bedrooms (fairly new to camping myself, so don't know about these things), I want one!