I currently have a well used and loved Monty 6, but due to a change in circumstances I am now looking for a smaller tent that will sleep 1 adult and 2 children.
I need one that I can pitch on my own as my children are very young and can't help me (at the moment )
Any suggestions on both what tent is best and how realistic I'm being in even thinking about going camping on my own, would be great
Thanks in advance
cali
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i have a vango tigris 600, my husband is disabled so he struggles to help although he dose try, mainly by keeping the dogs quiet as they get very exited when we arrive at a campsite.. every camping trip i have been on so far there has always been other campers happy to help me..
sarah.
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I have nearly always camped on my own and so far have always managed to erect my tents by myself. All tents have a certain knack to putting them up and when you have done it a couple of times it becomes easier.
I must admit that when I bought the Outwell Carolina 3 I was a little apprehensive due to it's size that I might struggle a bit, but it turned out to be pretty easy. I found a video on Utube showing it being erected by one man from Yeomans and that put my mind at rest.
There are lots of tents which can be erected by one person so it really depends on what you are looking for. I would suggest that with yourself and two children you will need at least a 4 man tent. I would also suggest that you will need one you can stand up in and with a large living area as trying to deal with two small children in a cramped tent would not be much fun.
Something like the Carolina 3 (now called the Carolina M) might be ok although it is classed as a 3 man tent and only really suitable for two. You may be ok with two small children though.
There is a slightly smaller version, the Carolina S, which only has one main pole I think...how easy can it get?
Years ago as a single mum of three, I could quite easily put up my 4berth canvas frame tent and manage 2-3weeks of camping. We had lovely holidays.
Nowdays, as a 50yr old nanny, I have no prob taking the grandaughter (5yrs) when OH cant make it. Why should you miss out on some great times, you go for it. Practice with your tent, and get to know it well, be methodical when putting it up and it will soon come easy.
We have the cabanon guadeloupe, I do ok with that and I am a small 5'2"
Go to a camping showroom and have a look at as many tents as you can, pick something you think you can manage.
If you get stuck there is always some kind camper that will help, and you can leave the little ones in the car seats with a goody bag ( comic, snack, drink ) just while you get the most of it done, then they could pass you pegs and stuff. It will take longer but worth all the effort.
I chose a Khyam Freelander for its ease of erection due to the Rapidex pole system. However, it may be too small for you with the children as it is only a 3-berth tent, and I find it to be just right for me and my Border Terrier.
If I were to buy another tent now, I would seriously consider getting a Vango Airbeam, as I believe I can pitch it up on my own, pumping up each of the tubes in turn.
Expensive though, and it is new for this year so not much reviews to go by at the mo. However, it looks very impressive based on the information/videos available so far.
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Last year I was looking for the same thing as my oldest is leaving for Uni this year and I have a disabled daughter who cant follow instructions very well. I looked at the Nevada in the Outwell range and really liked it. I didnt go for it as I thought they were discontinuing but they have just altered the name! It is part of the same type as the Carolina mentioned above but slightly larger. As the contruction is similar it may be just as easy to put up. Always the best advice is to go and look at as many as possible. The Yoemans exhibitions are good as you can see everything pitched and they have a wide range.
If I were to buy another tent now, I would seriously consider getting a Vango Airbeam, as I believe I can pitch it up on my own, pumping up each of the tubes in turn.
I wanted the exact same thing as you last year - I wanted to be able to get away with my 2 youngest boys now aged 5 and 9 during the holidays.
I bought the Licata 400.
Very easy to pitch (I can do it solo in about 15 minutes and I'm a short, unfit mum of 3), large bedroom pod easily accommodates our 3 single airbeds and can be divided with a curtain if required, spacious living area, standing height throughout, SIG, massive windows let in loads of light, good ventilation.
Easy Camp come from the Outwell stable so the quality is excellent but without the big price tag.
I have recently bought the Khyam Nevada as, after a particularly wet and windy trip away, I ended up with 7 people in my Licata!! I decided to buy a tent with a larger living area (we regulalry camp with friends and my tent seems to end up as the communal meeting point!) Have a look at the Khyam Nevada here: http://www.somersetcamping.co.uk/products/khyam-nevada-4xc-dome-tent-2010-model/357/ It's a lot of top quality temt for the money.
Thanks for all your replies, so doesn't look like I'm daft for considering camping with a 5 & 3 year old on my own then!
Going to have a good look online at all tents that have been suggested and pay a trip to go outdoors I think.
We used to have a great camping shop near us but it shut down a few years ago.
Will then practice pitching it in my garden before I venture away
pretty much any Dutch Pyramid style tent is an easy solo pitch, with good space for sleeping and playing
if you have kids then Canvas is great too, its cool enough in hot sun (assuming we get some) to have an afternoon nap or a morning lie in where plastic tents generally arent
We have Hypercamp Eldorado for 2 adults and 2 kids and it is fine for the weekend - Hypercamp Rosas is similar with ZIG (if you dont like bugs). Neither of these is particularly expensive. Cabanon do Guadeloupe 4 berth which is similar again but priecy and Barbados 6 which is very pricey and a palace for 3
Used Cabanon pyramids crop up but arent cheap, used Relum Izmir is similar and popular
As to solo camping with kids I just got back from a weekend in Derbyshire (in a Cabanon Isabelle) and it was fantastic. We wandered and walked and played all day and then sat up till past 9pm listening to the birds and chatting about all sorts - real quality family time (mine are 6 and 3 by the way)
We have a hi gear mohave 5. I have pitched it on my own twice now. Its a great size, plenty of room for 3. I have found the knack is to peg down the ropes as you go, it helps support the structure. all it needs afterwards is a little tidying up etc and you are away!!
hi Cali,
i go on my own with a 3,5 and 7 year old... its easy as a single mum once you get organised :-)
last year we used a mojave 5, really easy to do by myself, and loads of room for the kids, plus seperate space for me and all the gear.
good luck... and happy holidays with your little ones
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Topic: Pitching tent on your own
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