And update.
I took big bunnys advice and went to
my local camping store to have a look.
I chose to select only the tents they had
erected so I could get a 'feel' for them
o.k.
Heres my short list.
Khyam xxl classic
at £350+£37 for the ground sheet.
campus indiana 8
at £199
base camp bungalow xl
at £249
Outdoor revolution vrx scenic 6.2
at £239
I haven't time to muck around so I will very likely
Buy one of these in the next couple of days.
You're thoughts, anybody???
I'd go for the 'XXL Classic' they're simple (after a couple of practice sessions in the garden!) to pitch, single handed. If you find you need extra room later, you can get the 'Classic Annexe' for £100 which gives you a massive 9 square metres of extra room... They stand up to anything nature can throw at them (apart from tornadoes & stampeding elephants)... Three lads will have plenty of room in one bedroom, while you and the missus will have even more room in the other!... Last of all they are a bloody good tent, I've used 'Khyam' Ridgidomes for the past five years (XXL Classic and now the smaller XL Classic) with no complaints whatsoever!...
Quote: Originally posted by billytheseagull on 18/7/2006
Hi Andy.
I love the Idea of building an extention
The 'extension' is good, takes an extra twenty minutes or so, to put up and you don't need any planning permission to do it... When we take our Nieces & nephew camping, they kip in the bedroom, we kip in the 'living area' of the main tent. The 'annexe' then becomes a kitchen/diner!... Just like being at home (without the bathroom!)...
Given your comments above (which are sound), I guess you have a choice between spending £200 on an Indianna, or double than, £400 on a XXL Classic.
At the lower end of your budget, there are other tents like the Indianna (vis-a-vis tunnel with removeable groundsheet), but given you know the Indianna and it has a darn good reputation, you might as well stick with that.
As to £200 or £400.... mmmm, your call.
If you decide to save the other £200, then I would say - go for it, and buy the Indianna (you have beds, cooker, lights to buy etc. and that would take up teh £200).
Spending £400 would be a bit more dificult for me, as there are a lot of other good tents for that kind of money - Montanas, SunnValleys, Outwell Indiannas, Aspens, Havens, Nebraskas, Antares... and more. And I have always viewed the QE kyhams as lacking in windows (but then I have not owned one, so it might be an incorrect comment).
However, I come back to your earlier comment about "putting it up single handed" - if this is still a "must have" requirement, then yep spend £400 on the Kyham; if not, I would be tempted just to have another look a few top end tents.
So back to the first question - want to spend £200 or £400?
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
Your certainly getting everyone's 'twopennyworth' about which tent to choose, so I thought I'd have another go!...
The 'Khyam Indiana' is a good tent for the money, but it might be worth looking at the pitching video, on the 'Khyam' website. Could you really pitch that on your own?. Believe me the dreaded 'ring & pin' fixing system is not something you want to struggle with singlehanded. I've broken a few poles trying!...
As for the 'Outwells'... There definitely seems to be a quantity versus quality issue, at the moment. Generally, they're good tents, but reading some of the recent 'posts' there does seem to be a few problems. Patched groundsheets, poor quality or missing poles, stitching problems and leaks. Large tunnel tents aren't the easiest to pitch singlehanded either. On the difficult side of impossible, if you're not experienced with them. And the price isn't much different to the 'XXL Classic'... I know which I'd rather have!...
The 'XXL Classic' is a little darker in the bedroom pods, but at four o'clock in the morning with the sun beaming down, believe me that's a distinct advantage!... In the living area, there is a large window back & front which lets in more than enough light with the 'doors' closed. In warm weather, you can of course turn the entire front of the tent into a 'canopy' making a nice shady area... The back door too, can be folded back completely, allowing a cooling 'through draft' which you definitely need in weather like this!...
You won't have to mess around with sloppy fitting, steel or glass poles (and the dreaded 'ring & pin'). The poles on the 'XXL Classic' are top grade aero aluminium and are already in position, they just need to be 'folded out'. As I mentioned earlier, you also have the possibility of adding the 'Classic Annexe' for even more room in the future, should you need it. That, to my mind is a distinct advantage!...
The 'XXL Classic' isn't cheap, but neither are any of the comparable tents, it's like anything... You get what you pay for and with the 'XXL Classic' it's design and quality!... My original 'XXL Classic' is still in 'A1' condition (we did replace all the guylines!) and still being regularly used, after five years. Which shows they 'last the course' too...
That's my recommendation, for what it's worth, but whatever tent you choose, have a great time camping, I'm sure you'll all love it!... And if you need anymore advice about 'stuff'... Well, there's bound to be someone on here, who can help you!...
>BUMP<
And update.
After much gnashing of teeth I
Have decided to go for the khyam.
My reasons.
1. one handed erection.
2. They look sturdy enough to settle the OH's nerves
3. I've just booked our first trip, and
it is to wet wet Wales
4. I'm very irresponsable with money
5. I like the idea yo can extend it
Wish me luck
Thanks to everyone who posted here.
So kind and helpfull you are
Have lovly holidays.
Kev.
Quote: Originally posted by billytheseagull on 19/7/2006
>BUMP< And update. After much gnashing of teeth I Have decided to go for the khyam. My reasons. 1. one handed erection. 2. They look sturdy enough to settle the OH's nerves 3. I've just booked our first trip, and it is to wet wet Wales 4. I'm very irresponsable with money 5. I like the idea yo can extend it Wish me luck
Excellent. Have fun with it.
Always best to get what you really want, otherwise you spend too much time going "if only...I wonder...". So good call sir.
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
We have the Khyam classic and would not swap it for the world. Easy to put up I even think I could manage without the hubby if need be.
ANDYPANDY 666 is that the ennexe fastened on to your tent in the pics. It looks bigger than the pictures on the kyham site.
Sorry, late reply, I've only just noticed your post!...
Yes, that's it... it's 3 metres square!... It looks a bit rough on the bottom corner, but I'd just dumped the shopping box inside the door, before taking the picture...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Tenting Newbie. HELP!!
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