I'm sure this has been done many many times before but I really do need some advice on tent buying (preferably second hand)

[NeatFreak]

At the moment we have one of these as we didn't want to spend too much money until we knew we enjoyed camping.

As it turned out, we do . However, the friends we camp with have a massive small-house-tent so we have campers envy, plus last year we got rained on solidly for three days, the tent leaked and there just wasn't enough space for us to sit inside comfortably.

If I could buy one second hand, that would be perfect. We haven't a huge budget and tbh have no idea how much 'good' tents cost.

All I know is that I'd like a big tent that we can stand up in with a separate living/storage area- that ends my knowledge of tent buying.

We have a 6year old and a 2 year old, dh is 6'4 so takes up lots of space, it will always be both of us camping with the kids and we have an MPV with roof box.

I've been looking at these, purely because they look quite big!:
www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3401864/Trail/searchtext%3ETENT.htm#tabrev

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3402966/Trail/searchtext%3ETENT.htm

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3402478/Trail/searchtext%3ETENT.htm

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I apologise if this is like Groundhog Day

How much is your budget?

The problem with buying 2nd hand tents is you are (as with all things I suppose) totally reliant on the honesty of the seller. So unless you can go and see the tent pitched you have to hope when they say no rips/holes/ zips all in working order/no mildew/poles all in good condition/groundsheet in good condition etc etc etc that is the truth!

Cos if you take it on holiday and there's a sodding great hole in the roof you can't take it back for a refund!

The other thing to check if you are buying a plastic (nylon) tent is how old it is, and roughly for how long it has been pitched for (ie 2 weeks for the last 3 years) as UV will effect the waterproofness of the fabric.

Now if you want a (proper ) canvas tent (lovely) you don't need to worry so much about that as canvas if it has been well looked after lasts forever.

As with all things you get what you pay for, so those argos tents, although they are nice and big only have a HH of 2000 and are fibreglass poles. Absolutely FINE for fairweather camping with the odd bit of rain. I wouldn't want to camp in them in some of the conditions we've had over the last few summers though.

This would be perfect and is an absolute and utter bobby bargain for a cabanon

It would take up your entire boot though - they are big and heavy, but LOVELY to camp in.

THanks. I was watching a cabanon on Ebay last night and even bid on it but lost out by £2 . I was worried about how muc space it would take up but I guess with a roof box we'd be OK.

Sadly we're nowhere near Merseyside!

I'm not sure about budget... maybe about £100. IS that totally unachievable? [lack of knowlege emoticon]

umm You'd be hard pressed to get a decent 5 or 6 berth cabanon for £100 at this time of year. Make sure you check for 'canvas tent' and 'frame tent' too as there are other companies that do frame tents that will be cheaper than the cabanons.

check you local newspaper too. ebay prices tend to be quite high.

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peaktop-X-Large-2-Room-6-Man-Cabin-Family-Camping-Tent_W0QQitemZ140399920339QQcmdZVie wItemQQptZUKSportsLeisureHikingCampingTentsJN?hash=item20b07cc4d3

Any thoughts on this?!

ummm

I've not heard of that make before, or seen a design of tent quite like it so am wary to comment.

HH of 2000 is the lowest of what is OK to camp under in the UK. I'd be wanting something a bit higher I think.

I've just sold one the same as this on ebay this morning for £140. We bought it new and only used it for 1 night as we've switched to caravanners!

Whereabouts in the country are you? I haven't heard yet from the buyer- if it falls through you'd be welcome to it at the same price.

Thanks. It looks a little too good to be true but am now watching a few on Ebay...

I'm in deepest darkest Glos.

Aww, I'm on the other side of the country anyway. Good luck!

Speaking as a "camping virgin" until 2 summers ago, I would buy the best tent you can afford as comfort is key. We are "posh" campers with all mod-cons as my dh desperately wanted me to enjoy the experience..plus it saves him thousands on expensive holidays for next few years..so he went and bought the best of everything. We have 3 children and our tent is a Outwell Idaho XL which I would highly recommend. We are looking forward to our 3rd trip to France in the summer..can't wait. In fact we are also purchasing a smaller "weekend" tent soon to enjoy UK weekend camping.

Best is to find somewhere to see tents pitched properly ouside - a tent show, big camping shop or just be nosey at the next campsite you go to. That really helps to get an idea of the sort of size/layout you feel comfortable with.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've been googling all day and have another query:
this tent

I can't get a straight answer out of the seller as to what the sleeping arrangements are inside. Does anyone recognise it and can offer me any advice? I'm just wondering what the 'kitchen' bit is, the general layout and how much is cut out of the photo (i.e. how big it is)

Sorry to be so vague but if anyone can help I'd be very grateful

If you are buying second hand, please please do be very careful. Stick to the well known makers like vango, outwell etc, they cost more, but you are more likely to be able to get spares etc should you need them.
Check the feedback, particularly as a seller, not just overall.
Pay using paypal, as then if there is a bloody great hole in the roof, and its described as good condition, you can get a refund.
Lastly, once you have collected, put it up in your back garden (or if it wont fit, take it to the park and do it) and check all the poles, pegs, etc are there and everything works.
My sister got stung last year when she bought one in "good condition" it was mouldy, and had a blooming great tear in the groundsheet. She only found this out when she arrived at the campsite. Not good.........

I wouldn't buy a tent from Argos. If you are on a budget can you get to a branch of Go Outdoors or Decathlon (Quechua tents) at least they are outdoor shops.

It's worth signing up to ukcampsite.co.uk which has hundreds of tent reviews and you will soon sort the rubbish from the diamonds, in all price ranges. You can see which tents are popular and what price they are. Try Vango, Outwell, Gelert/Hi-Gear, Coleman, Sprayway as decent brands.

You should be looking at 5-6 berth (those kids will grow) and budget about £300 for something that will do you decent family holidays IMO.

eg. this one we camped next to, last year, with a family of 4.

outwell nevada L £297

Celtic do you have problems getting pitches with that size tent?

Yes for ebay, you want to be looking for a specific model of tent so you can check out reviews/features, and buy it from someone who appears to be a good camper and has looked after it. and definitely a well known brand.

eg here

Well, MilaMae, the only problem we had was in the New Forest last year, first time I'd ever camped in the UK for a weekend they were very strict and said in future they would charge us for a double pitch! Which is why we are considering buying a smaller tent for weekends..less time consuming too packing away etc. However, we have always booked large pitches in France and they seem to be a bit more relaxed..in my experience.

Thanks all.
I just bought one of these

The reviews seemed to say it was tricky to pitch but I did find some tips to make it easier so decided to go for it. I guess if it isn't what we need I can sell it on. It had only been used 3 times so it should be in good condition.

Now I just need to wait nervously to receive it!

Thanks Celtic,sorry to highjack op, from my flurry of threads you can see I need my hand held too-I haven't put so much thought into buying anything since we last bought a house!

Glad to be of assistance MilaMae. I'm still very new to the camping bug..this will only be our third summer hol stint in France this year but we were lucky as my DH and I both have friends who have been doing it for a number of years and gave us great tips. In fact my DH took his best friend to a camping shop with him and he basically told us what to buy..cost a bloody fortune but in the long run will save us a fortune and we'll have fab memories..enjoying it so much.

Good choice and happy camping neatfreak