It looks like I will be doing more solo camping, which means I will have to pitch my tent alone. I am no spring chicken , and have a few physical aches and pains. Plus being 5' 3 not the tallest of people either. So my question is which would be the best tents to look at.
I do like to be able to stand up and move around, plus I have a german shepherd dog who will be coming with me and he needs a bit of room as he is on the larger size.
Any suggestions or recommendations would really help
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I find the tunnel tents, like the Vango Icarus, easiest to pitch by myself
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Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
I too am 5'3 and have a few aches and pains Although I dont go solo camping there have been a couple of occasions when I have pitched by myself, we had an outwell carolina 3 (they call it an M nowadays) and after watching the guy from yeomans pitch it on utube mastered the art of getting up single handed. We now only have bell tents which I have to say are an absolute doddle to pitch and strike solo even in windy conditions.
Have a look at the 2010 Vango Kairos 400 or 500, which do genuinely take 5-10 minutes to pitch single handed (I'm 5 ft 2 and can do our 400 easy in that time), have steel pole strength and plenty of room for 1 plus large dog. We have 2 adults and a 4 year old in our Kairos 400 when touring.
The 2011 version is the Lichfield Findhorn 400 (Lichfield is a sister company of Vango), which has a higher spec but not as aerodynamic in my humble opinion nor quite as large as its squarer.
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I'm a short, fat, unfit mum of 3 with several health problems and I can pitch my Licata 400 on my own in about 15 minutes. I can pitch my Vango Green Tee 500 DLX in about 5 minutes.
You might also think about a Kyham Freelander. I am 66years young and travel solo with my dog, this one pitches and takes down very easily. There is standing room in the main compartment and gives plenty of space.
I am only 5'2 and can manage it on my own with ease.
It is supposed to be a 3-berth tent, however, I find it just right for me and my Border Terrier.
I bought the tent-specific canopy, new item this year from Khyam, in order to give the sloping front door a bit of shelter in the event of rain to minimise the risk of water ingress if the tent door is not closed properly.
A number of us (mostly if not all ladies I believe) with the Freelander has worked out a way to make opening and closing the door easier, by attaching a split ring to the metal tag, then hook it up with a wooden dowel/metal rod/etc...
I use the handle end of my extra long peg extractor from the same company that makes Delta pegs for opening and closing the door with great results.
DK
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Wow, thank you everyone plenty of ones to look at and see which is best for me
Val....you wouldn't be just a little bit biased would you , although must admit the bell tents are tempting just a bit out of my budget I'm afraid.
I will have to do my homework now I have something to work from, sometimes just getting started on an option is difficult but you have all helped me in that department.
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The Icarus 500 is a great value little tent with the added advantage that you can get add ons for it later if you wish this cant be said of all tents. 2011 models are in my opinion better than earlier versions
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
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Topic: Pitching alone, which tent??
, and have a few physical aches and pains. Plus being 5' 3 not the tallest of people either. So my question is which would be the best tents to look at.
Although I dont go solo camping there have been a couple of occasions when I have pitched by myself, we had an outwell carolina 3 (they call it an M nowadays) and after watching the guy from yeomans pitch it on utube mastered the art of getting up single handed. We now only have bell tents which I have to say are an absolute doddle to pitch and strike solo even in windy conditions.
, although must admit the bell tents are tempting just a bit out of my budget I'm afraid.
