Message Forums

firstly we have a vango 500, was tld it was a 5 berth but it only takes 2 double airbeds, plus the 2nd time we used it, a rod split due to the wind, we bought it whilst on holiday in somerset so not easy taking it back even if we could, but where do we buy a replacement from?  also when we put it up, the roof always sags so in a day or so we end up bending whilst in the living part- is this normal- what are we doing wrong?

may give this tent to sister who only has 1 child- we have 3,  when we look for a new one, do you think we should go for the thinner material on a tent or the thicker one like an awning is made from, these tents seemed not to sway so much in the wind, are they more expensive and are they better do you think?

thank you

Hi there, ring the retailer and if they are half decent they should post another pole to you and ask you to return the faulty one.  If not I don't think it would be expensive to get them to order a new one.

Ours doesn't sag at all so I think it must be a pitching issue, perhaps try it when you have time on your hands and see if you can improve on your technique or whether it is an issue with your tent?

Good luck, oh the canvas tents are really good but you can't put them away wet, they must be bone dry, and need a bit more maintenance than a polyester type tent.  Also bulky and heavy so bear that in mind based on your car space availability.

Ali

Tent spares:

http://www.tentspares.co.uk/index.php?option=categories&category_id=89271

Canvas tents are more expensive than nylon tents and generally they are more stable. That however comes at a price as they are also much heavier to transport. There is the polycotton alternative which is a half way house between a canvas and a nylon tent. However, the VV500 is a fibreglass pole tent. You could have a look at the many nylon tents that use steel or allum poles as they are far more robust and tollerant to the bad weather.

In respect of your broken pole, you can get a replacement from any good camping or outddor store. Fibre poles are quite generic and you just have to match the pole diameter as you can then cut it to length. I'm not sure what the sagging issue is but I suspect the guys on the porch area are not positioned correctly. Frommemory, there are 2 guys one to pull the porch pole out and the other to pull the porch forward. It is the second guy that stops the porch fabric from sagging.