Hello all - we're new to camping - ie we did camp before we had kids - now we've got 2 of them its a whole different ball game!! lol
I was hoping someone out there might be able to recommend a tent which will sleep 4 but will loads of room - preferably space for us to do stuff if the weather is rubbish, eat inside etc.
Also what other stuff do I need? Last time I went camping I didnt take anything as we we young and care free!
Everyone seems really nice on here so hope someone can help. ta x
It is well worth spending some time going to see tents on display before parting with your money. There's no better way to get a 'feel' for the space and get some impression on what layout inside (cooker, storage, furniture etc) works best for you and your family.
We began looking at smaller tents and ended up with an Outwell Vermont L. We bought the optional carpet which makes it feel very comfy inside (and protects the groundsheet against children/pets.
One thing we'd never be without is a toilet inside the tent (no.1's only mind!). The Vermont's wardrobe area is perfect for this and you still have room to hang your clothes!
Another vote here for the vermont l, with toilet in the wardrobe!
Find a camping shop with a good display and you will get a better idea of what kind of space you are looking for as it is personal preference. I think there is a Go Outdoors in Oxford that sell Outwell tents, we went there last year although I don't think they had the vermont then.
We have 6 berth for our longer holidays (see profile) and have just bought a 5-berth for weekends as it has a sig (thanks Ratty!) haven't had a chance to see it up yet as the weather has been so bad, but it looks good on paper.
Our 6 berth is MORE than big enough for 2 adults and 2 kids (ours are 7 and 9) - the kids have a pop-up wardrobe between them in their 'room' and we can get our luggage into ours.
We also get all the cooking stuff, a larder, the 4-way seat/table and our directors chairs in if its raining no probs.
Its about 6.5M x 4.5M at its max points, but being a tunnel it doesn't take up anywhere near the room a pod-type tent does and we have had no probs with sites.
I thought it was huge when we first got it, till I saw the big Hartford XXL.
I can't see why people feel the need for such huge tents - except to house more and more stuff - and surely the point of camping is to leave the stuff behind? and we have found comparing our tent to our friends smaller one that ours is a lot cooler inside on cold nights so thats why we've gone for a smaller one with sloping bedroom and sig for UK weekends.
I think what is happening is that people want a 'cheap' holiday with all the mod-cons of a hotel, not a 'back to nature' experience.
I don't havea a ground sheet in any of the tent, as not only do I like the feel of grass under my feet, but it also soaks in the glass of orange juice that one of the kids has just knocked over. What is ideal with kids is a couple of those plastic backed picnic rugs, I just put a couple down inside the tent. Kids can sit on them, If necessary they act as a carpet when the weather is bad, Then when I get home I just shove them in the washing machine. I take a spare then if there is an accident I can replace with a clean one. A toilet of some sorts is a must when you have little ones, not only for night time, but for the day when they are too young to go to the loo on their own. Before now I've taken one up to the loo block, the other assuring me they didn't need to go, until I got back, at which poin they decide that they are desparate, so I have had to go back. At that point I decide that the loo could be used at any time. I keep a box of camping stuff for the kids - crayons/colouring books type stuff, with enough for other kids to use, so that if they are playing with friends there isn't a problem, I just pick stuff up in the bargain shop and keep it for camping. If it get spoiled its' not really a problem.
We have an 8 berth for the two of us and the dog we like to be able to stand up in a tent as it makes it so much more comfy i also like to have my own toilet .We ave had no trouble with our tunnel tent
Hi there we were in a similar situation but the difference is our kids have grown up. We went to the NEC show ans took a good look around, my god camping has changed over the years. We wanted a 4 man tent with lots of room and something we could possibly add to if needed. We went for a Quick erect Kyham Chatsworth. We have a fridge, a cooker, electric light and have just got back from our first venture. We eneded up in 8 inches of snow in Norfolk at Easter and it was great. With the electric hook up we were warm and nothing was wet or damp. Great. Work out what is importnat to you and then draw up a wish list. Search around the internat and get the best prices. You can always ask for advise on here as many many people are willing to help. Good luck and have a great time. We are hooked big time.
Hi i would definately recommend going to a camping shop and walking around inside some tents to get an idea of space,suncamp and aztec aren pretty good makes and ive never had any problems with leaks.I would also recommend a tent with a built in groundsheet and a flysheet as this makes for a much more cosy warmer camping experience.As far as size is concerned wnen you have kids ive always found the bigger the tent the better,having space for storage and for those rainy days when you might be stuck inside is essential.I would say for a family of four dont get anything smaller than an eight birth depending on your budget i would even consider a ten remember its up to you how easy you want your camping experience to be and how much luxury you want.As far as equipment is concerned you will need your camping stove and stand as basics,i would also recommend a chemical toilet we find this essential with children and theres nothing worse than having to trudge over to the toilet block in the night especially if its raining.I would also recommend a camping fridge if you really want to get serious about camping we bought one and never looked back no more messing about with ice packs! You also need to think about airbeds and sleeping bags being off the cold ground is essential as as far as sleeping bags are concerned you get what you pay for remember it can get pretty cold at times and having a good sleeping bag to keep warm is a must! hope you find this useful. As far as cooking in your tent is concerned it is not recommended unless you have a house tent,a cheaper alternative ia to buy a waterproof gazebo or cooking tent this is also a safety issue when it comes to having children around.I would also have to say choosing your site is essential make sure you read all the reviews you can and check out several locations.I hope you found this useful and wish you well. ps we have six children and camping is a military operation!
I personally would reccommend a Gelert Alaska 8, biased as I have one, but they are quite cheap now as its been superceded by a more up to date model, last saw an Alaska for £149.95 + p+p which is cheap for an 8 man tent.
What you will like is the sleeping set up... the sleeping compartments are set up as a 4 berth, with attachable divider (one ace master bedroom for 2) and 2 x 2 bert compartments, which can either both be put up or just one if your children will share, leaving even more space to live in, the 2 berth will happily take a double airbed.
And living space is very good. Its a big tent at 27ft long but relatively easy to put up, its a hybrid tunnel.
Groundsheet for living area is seperate, if you want built in then the new one (Horizon 8 i think) has that, but to be fair its no great problem. Another nice feature is if you only put one of the 2 berths up you can put that end of the tent up as a huge porch, complete with 2 additional side doors, plenty of combinations to suit.
We fit a kitchen, a good sized table, 3 chairs, washing up stand, plus additional table in easily, and you wont struggle with all bedrooms up...
Hope of interest..
As for other equipment? how much do you want to spend, how much space have you got in your car? Do you want to rough it a little or live like you do at home (?on that one i would respectfully suggest a hotel instead of a tent, lol), as a minimum I reccommend good airbeds, good quality sleeping bags, good quality lighting (Lantern + torch), a stove (you can manage with a cheap one to start with) chairs, and a camping table or two.
As a comparison I currently have approx. 4 gas lights, 3 rechargeable lanterns, 3 x rechargeable torches, 2 x Stoves (1 is a party grill), gas heater, folding single camp bed, huge airbed, power inverter (for inflation of said bed etc), 3xtables, 3xchairs, extra groundsheet, 2xwind blockers, kitchen, washing up stand, camping cooking wares, coldbox (12v) etc etc etc, and a huge car to fit it all in...
But you can manage with a minimum, its what you will work out as you go...what you need, what you dont need, etc. But seriously don't skimp on airbeds and sleeping bags....
hi, our first tent is a 5 berth, which i found just right for 3 of us, now that we are 4, we have just brought a vermont L, i think you need to have double the berth that there is of you, if you see what i mean, we have camped us 4 in our 5 berth tent and it was ok(our youngest is only a toddler so doesnt take up much room) but it was only 1 night, mind you i was trying to talk dh into a new tent with sig for short trips, because i think the vermont will be to big for 1 or 2 nights, but we havnt had chance to try it yet
------------- we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel tent
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Topic: New to camping please help!
