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Original poster

Hey!! all you TENT FANATICS, over here please.......

209 replies

LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 11:07

This year we are going to start buying camping equipment for future holidays, been camping pre-kids and always went on camping holidays as a child.

Ok, Dh thinks we should get a big frame tent. I'm sure you know the thing I mean. Big window at the front, 2 layers of canvas.
I prefer the big dome tents, they look so much more 21st century for a start.

Which is better?

Also if you have any other helpful hints and tips of stuff to add to our list I'd be grateful.

OP posts:
Lucycat · 23/04/2006 11:33

The traditional frame tents weigh an absolute tonne and they are expensive compared to most others. I prefer tunnel tents like \link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8800044542&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1\this one!} that lunavix is looking at, can you get to a camping display to have a look round, climb into the bedroom compartments (you have to crouch down in the dome ones!)lie down and generally get a feel for what sort of tent you like. That's a good starting point, then you need to think about whether you want a built in groundsheet, so no rain gets in, no bugs etc or a separate one that lets some fresh air in!

No doubt martianbishop will be around soon, she smells tent threads out from a hundred paces! Grin

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 11:34

\link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Family_Clearance_Tents.html\Outdoor Megastore website here have some good deals}

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 11:36

\link{http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Megastore_Frame_Tents_63.html\these are frame tents} see what I mean about the prices!!

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 15:04

Has my fanatical posting scared you off LTH? Grin

Original poster
LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 15:06

oh bloody hell lucy!

I forgot I started this one.......I'll look at you links now.

sorry!

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 15:13

The frame tents are expansive but the main thing is they look so dated.

I'd be embarrased!

OP posts:
Blandmum · 23/04/2006 15:17

They are big, and heavy, a bit of a faff to put up compared to modern designs. But they do have more living room. The other downside is that they take for ever to dry once wet.

Go for something like I have an Outwell....the Montana is the one that I would go for, pricey, but still half the price of a frame tent. And you can still stand up in the whole tent.

Easy to put up (30 mins), faily light and compact for the size

( I smelled the thread! Grin )

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 15:32

Although you do realise LTH, that if you do get a Monty mb will be soooooo envious!

Milliways · 23/04/2006 16:19

You could get something like a Khyam tent - where the poles are integrated into the fabric & you sort of "shake it" up :)

When we go camping with friends who have one, we are VERY envious of how quickly theirs goes up, & how solid it is. They ARE expensive, but cheaper than Frame tents.
You can watch videos of them being put up on the \link{http://www.khyam.co.uk/product_tent.asp?category=Khyam%20QE&type=Family/Group\Khyam site}

Original poster
LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 17:53

Ohhh, some FAB ones one that site Lucy.

One more question, With 2 adults and 3 Ds's what berth would you get?

Would a 6 berth be enough room. Well obviously it would be but would an 8 berth be vast in comparison?

OP posts:
Lucycat · 23/04/2006 17:55

What sort of tent have you got Milliways?

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 17:57

No, I'd get an 8 berth, we've got one and there are only 4 of us! You can always use the extra space for storage if you need to.

Which one takes your fancy?

beckybrastraps · 23/04/2006 17:59

We have a frame tent, and it is hideously dated. I mean, it actually is from the early eighties I think! Terrible colours, really heavy, takes ages to put up - but fab once you've managed it though, with loads of space. It does however look like it belongs to a couple of pensioners. If you are sensitive about these matters, a dome tent is more appropriate!

Flip · 23/04/2006 18:01

I really like my tent and it was cheap and huge. We put it up in under ten minutes including pegging out and that was only the second time it had been out of the bag. Surprisingly we got it back in the bag to. The one we have has a really large living area which will seat a table and chairs. It also has three bedrooms and storage outside of each of the bedrooms. \link{http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3408135.htm\Here it is}

Flip · 23/04/2006 18:03

I'm beginning to wonder if my dad still has the mustard and brown flower curtains one that we used to take on Boys Brigade Camp. From what I remember it felt like the Tardis. But then again I was only four.

Original poster
LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 18:03

I like the Outwell indiana and sun valley.

OP posts:
beckybrastraps · 23/04/2006 18:06

mustard and brown....sounds like ours! Grin

Original poster
LadyTophamHatt · 23/04/2006 18:06

but both of those choices are purely on look ATM Blush

flip, does your one have any windows? thats what DH likes most about the frame tents and dome type tents don't seem to have such big windows, some look like they haven't got any at all.

OP posts:
Flip · 23/04/2006 18:08

I loved boys brigade camp when I was little. Of course the boys hated me. I had wake up call duty and had to jump on each of them to wake them up. Dh will say that nothing much has changed!

Flip · 23/04/2006 18:09

It has small window like vents on each of the bedrooms. But most of the time the doors are open and mine has four doors.

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 18:14

\link{http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.outdoorcampingstore.co.uk/uploaded_files/Colorado-8med(5).jpg&imgrefurl=www.outdoorcampingstore.co.uk/product.asp%3FproductID%3D62&h=263&w=400&sz=32&tbnid=0TGNGZAO_ksxbM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=120&hl=en&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doutwell%2Bcolorado%2B8%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLR,GGLR:2005-50,GGLR:en%26sa%3DN\This is ours} and the reason we bought it, apart from the fact that it was quite cheap and martianbishop recommended it was that the middle 2 sections on both sides are full windows so you can see out. I don't like dome tents personally as some seem claustrophobic to me. The Indiana 8 is the updated version of our Colorado and you get an Outwell doormat Envy

Milliways · 23/04/2006 18:17

\link{http://www.outdoorworld.org.uk/acatalog/Wynnster_Satellite_12.html\This is mine} - it's huge, we have 1 pod for DH & me, one for kids & one for liggage leaving centre dome free for living in. VERY easy to put up as well.

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 18:21

The only downside to the Indiana is that the big bedroom has a hanging divider not a separate room and the bedroom for 2 is small.

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 18:23

Yeh we found that the extra bedroom is great for putting all your stuff in too!

Lucycat · 23/04/2006 18:33

If you like the windows thing, 3 bedrooms and head height, how about a \link{http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/images/93_2.jpg&imgrefurl=www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp%3Fid%3D93&h=158&w=214&sz=9&tbnid=A31_0giwHDRrKM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=101&hl=en&start=10&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvango%2Baspen%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLR,GGLR:2005-50,GGLR:en%26sa%3DN\Vango Aspen 700} dh really liked this one when we saw it the other day!