hello all, we have just returned from our final trip of the year at beautiful doward park, ross on wye, and whilst there spotted a lovley tent, a cabanon aruba, we have a 2 year old montana 6 with front extension and a fitted carpet, all very nice, but after seeing this decided we all loved it as its a bit different from everyone else. there are six of us so i know we wont have loads of room, just about egnough, but we dont like huge tents. can anyone tell me can you get a inner hanging extra room, i know you can get a side add on room, i dont know why but every couple of years we fancy a change, can anyone enlighten me on these arubas before i pursue one, are they as stable as our montana as next year we are looking at pembrokshire which i know is very windy, exposed, finally does anyone fancy a swap, px, with us, sorry to ask so much as we know nothing about these tents, it was just love at first sight, we're not taking a step back are we as we can only afford an older one, thanks for your help, gary, claire, and family
I have a Athena, the forrunner to the Aruba, and I love it. it would be very cosy for 6.
There seem to be quite a few Cabanons....or the equally lovely Litchfields and sunncamps.....on ebay at the moment, and you are likely to get a bargain between now and xmas.
We have an Aruba - brilliant. I don't know about an extra inner room, it comes with 2 already and the additional one would tend to use up the front end living space. I guess you could adapt one of the cheaper caravan awning inner tents that you can buy as aftermarket add-ons (Argos did them earlier in the year).
They come up on ebay quite reasonably - we paid £200 for ours, only used for 8 nights by the original owner. Probably because they are heavy and some people find them bigger & heavier than they anticipated.
We were lucky enough to get the additional side porch for ours brand new and that makes a nifty storage area.
I can't compare stability to a Montana since we've never had one - but after a storm on Shell Island the Aruba was the only thing standing.
A friend has one as well and he's also delighted with his. In fact it was him who persuaded us to buy ours.
They are very 'old school' of course, and you need to take seriously the weight of the canvas and the poles - but with 6 of you getting it up should be a doddle. (We do it with 2.) The Cabanon website has a simple diagram of how it's done. The only thing we've done with ours is to colour code the poles as the middle overhead poles come in 2 different lengths and if you get them in the wrong order it doesn't work too well!
We have had all makes of tents including Cabanon which we sold(my idea :() when we bought a caravan! We since have gone back to camping after selling van and we are getting a cabanon,i no they are not eveyones cup of tea but we LOVE them! Bitterly regret gtting rid of ours,we had the Elody and then the Athena which would have been perfect for us now :(
We only got bitten by the bug this year after spending time with Anne (fostermum) in her Cabanon adventure....
The following month we were the proud owners of not 1 but 2 canvas babies, Our Cabanon Andorra, which IMHO is the best tent we have ever owned! and our Raclet Prestige delphi 6, which we haven't used in anger yet as we are spoilt for choice with our other tents!!!
Frame tents are without a doubt, more stable than poly tents with fibreglass poles and will generally withstand most weather fronts- no problem
The only drawback is the weight of them and the space they take up but the "pros"" far out-weigh the cons".
My advice would be the same as Jo's..... Look on ebay, preloved and on the fee ads on here and you should pick up a bargain......
We went to look at Gary Cross's camping shop yesterday as it was a really windy day and a good chance to see what condition the tents are in after being out all season. A lot of the outwell's and vango's on display were in a terrible condition, huge holes and rips :( Yet the Kampa (polycotton) Holkham just stood like there like it was a just a little breeze :)
I'd seen the pics of the Kampa Tenby and liked the look of it but after seeing the polyester ones in shreds we both said we wouldn't want one. Even though we realise they have had the worst the weather could throw at them this year
Don't know about the weight of the tent but the poles felt quite lightweight though very sturdy in the wind :)
We have an assortment of tents and I'm afraid every time we buy one we never sell others . But every time we think we'll take the Outwell or the Khyam I cant help remembering how chilly they are on cooler evenings and how awfully hot they are in the sun and noisy in the wind, so always end up taking a canvas one.
I can't help feeling so much more secure and definately more comfy in my solid little Cabanons.Then packing up a soggy canvas tent I think 'If I'd brought a polyester one I would'nt have to pitch the damned thing again when I get home. Can't please me really
I've just bought my second Cabanon after selling my nylon job, you won't regret it and there is always bargains to be had second hand this time of year. I did find the bulk of poles and the weight of the canvas a shock at first but I do go own my own with the kids, with two adults there won't be a problem. One night under canvas and you'll never go back to a nylon tent!
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: cabanon for outwell
, we're not taking a step back are we as we can only afford an older one, thanks for your help, gary, claire, and
family
Can't please me really 
