There's wind and there's gales & then there's severe gales... totally agree it's the pitching that's the worst thing, not so bad once you're in it.
Peronally though I wouldn't like to be in any big tent in a severe gale. Depends on the shape too, the broader the area getting the wind the worse it's going to be but with wind that changes direction you're kind of stuffed. !
I don't think it's that your Amazon isn't a good tent, just not one I'd dream of putting up in those winds tbh. Wouldn't put ours up (Breckenridge ) either, it's a bit smaller but would be much of a muchness as regards ability to withstand severe gales.
Sorry you had such a horrible time, I'd have been bl**dy terrified quite honestly. Thing is as others have said, don't let it put you off camping full stop - maybe just camping in a big tent in severe gales ! Maybe you should invest in a small more suitably shaped tent that you could take to use as emergency put up for a night or 2 till the weather calms down ?
the wind can be decieving....we tried to pitch the monty 6 in wind and bent a few poles...whole thing felt like a kite when lifting it and needed more strengh than we had...luckly it was only pole damage. we had waited and thought the wind had calmed but got caught by a gust.
Going on my experience - there was little you could have done except wait until the wind died down and check the forecasted dominant wind direction and pitch the wind-shedding sloped bum into the wind. Like others on here, we take a small dome as an emergency tent each time we camp - useful for improptu stop-overs on route too.
I know the porch of the Amazon isn't designed to be retracted, although I noticed on one image there are guys on the front of the main part of the tent too. Maybe some expert with velcro could come up with a means of rolling and securing the canopy at the front of the tent for very windy conditions. Unfortunately, upright fronted tents and especially ones with canopies do tend to have a harder time when the wind swings around to the front of the tent. It just hammers the front (having no where to dissipate to unlike sloped front tents) and catches under the canopy so adding lifting forces to the front of the tent. The Amazon unless I am incorrect doesn't have any bracing poles to spread the forces from the front pole to those further back. Consequently, when the wind swings around to the front, the strength of the tent lies purely with the front pole, guyropes and pegs.
I know its no help during pitching, but when the tent is up, adding extra guyropes to the front guying points will help carry some of the forces - as maybe would delta pegs. During pitching, keeping the bum into the wind and having the rear pegging points and rear guys roughly pegged will help cope with the wind as you lift. A third or fourth person to peg guys as you put the poles up will also help. As said though, it may be best having a small tent for these conditions and waiting until the wind drops. The option to use the shelter of a vehicle and steering clear of exposed and coastal campsites would also help.
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
I am really sorry to hear what a disastrous trip you had. Well done for coping so well.
In my experience, it is not the steady wind speed that presents the greatest challenge, it's the sudden gusts. As others have said, although there are various strategies you can employ to mitigate the worst, pitching in high winds is always going to be difficult.
There is sound advice in this thread. For example, enlisting extra hands to help is important but, of course, not always possible. Pitching a small tent to use until the wind dies down is another good idea.
I always get a bit jittery with a new tent until I get a feel for how it can handle differing wind strengths and directions. For me, the worst possible type of weather for camping is in high winds.
I also take a small "emergency" lightweight single pole pyramid which I know can withstand storm force winds. Unfortunately that doesn't help when your pride and joy is in tatters and your gear is strewn over the campsite like the remnants of a car boot sale!
Quote: Originally posted by JimCall on 05/4/2011...For me, the worst possible type of weather for camping is in high winds... I really need to invest in deltas!
I am so sorry that you had this experience. Have to agree with Madscott66 about the Vango Amazon 600. We have owned one since 2009 with no major problems at all and it has held up fantastically, in even the most foul of weather...
We got caught a treat on a rather exposed site in Weymouth last August when it was blowing a hooley and pouring with rain. The tent however did us proud when others around us did not fair so well, including those tents at the 'top end' of the price scale! I think its fasir to say that even the best can get caught out, I just think you were extremely unlucky.
I hope this experience does not put you off camping in the future!
------------- Apr 2011: Wicks Farm, West Witterings, Hampshire
May 2011: Nunnington Farm, West Witterings, Hampshire
Aug 2011: Gwithian Farm, Hayle, Cornwall
June 2012: Wicks Farm, West Witterings, Hampshire
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Live from trentfield, disaster trip!
