The last time I went camping was about 15 years ago in a Lichfield Challenger 5 in Skegness with 2 other mates on a jolly boys outing.
Fifteen years later, I am now a married man with three kids and I get the camping itch again.
The search for a tent was harder than I thought.
I initially started with a budget of £350 not knowing what I wanted as the last time I went camping, ridge tents were still the norm (maybe just on the way out).
I initially looked at the Vango Samara 600 and was almost set but talked myself out of it, instead wanting to choose a tent with steel poles as the extra weight and size was not an issue although I thought the benefits outweighed everything else. I also realised that a canopy and protected porch had more value than I originally thought so off to the drawing board I went.
Then, I posted in the forum and Arsenaldes recommended I look at the Kampa tents.
The Croyde 6 looked fantastic, ideally we wanted 3 bedrooms, not 2 and despite trying to get away from the Croyde, in my opinion, it cannot be beaten for Spec, features and price.
So, yesterday afternoon I ordered the Croyde 6 from Outdoor Megastore with some accessories and even managed to get 10% via Quidco which was awesome.
Am even considering purchasing the Vestibule which looks as though it could be handy. My only concern is wind getting in from behind where it overlaps with the tent, would this not make a parachute?
I cannot believe how nice and well specced the Kampa tents are for the money. Also, from what I have seen, I think they will standup OK in a storm hopefully.
I anxiously await the delivery. Will be ordering some delta pegs soon as well.
We are borrowing kit from friends like Cooker, tables, windbreaks etc to help get us started.
Will probably do a trial weekend in the Peak District shortly after getting the tent followed by a week in Cornwall later in the summer.
Cannot wait to start camping all over again.
Will keep this thread updated on how it goes.
Thanks to Arsenaldes who recommended I take a look at the kampas and everyone else who has helped me make a decision the last few days.
Any tips for a noob welcomed :) Especially regarding pitching.
Test pitch at home will save hours on site and arguments
each pitch will be quicker everytime
plus you can check the tent over, I would rather find a fault prior to camp. Unsure of kampa but Friday afternoon tents are common with manufacturing errors.
Another one joins the Kampa fold, good luck with it and definately test pitch it first
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
I bought the Kampa Croyde 6 last year and am really pleased with it, I am waiting for the vestibule to come in stock at Norwich Camping, I have my stove under the canopy, but move most things inside at night, just in case anything gets wet, so I thought the vestibule would create a kitchen area that can be zipped up at night.
I dont know about the parachute effect, but hopefully the vestibule would fit quite snug to the front canopy. I have read the reviews on the Filey 6 vestibule, which I dont think is very different and people seem to like it.
as for pitching the tent, I have tried front 1st, then back 1st and both ways seem fine, then I was looking at a thread the other week where someone suggested pegging the 4 corners of the tent 1st then putting the poles in the middle section 1st then work to the back, then work to the front. I think I will try this next time just to see if it is any easier.
My husband has no interest in camping, so it took me and my 13yr old daughter approx 50 mins to put up, and no problems when we pitched up in the garden, but when we got on site we hadn't thought about the wind and every time we stood the tent up it was like a parachute! luckily some people came to help us and the recommended buying some rock pegs, as the ones what came with the tent were just lifting straight out of the ground, and most of them are now bent :(
I hope you are as pleased with your Croyde as I am!
oh my....lovely shiny new kit,wishing you many happy camping trips ,something great about getting a new tent etc,bit like Christmas. Have loads of fun.
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
We're new to camping this season too (well almost, we borrowed a tent and all the gear last summer and went to Devon for a week, even though it rained all week we were still hooked enough to go out and buy all our own gear!)
We did a trial run in the garden and went away over the Easter weekend for our 'test' camping trip and now we're all set for our main holiday in France in less than 3 weeks!
Enjoy
------------- Bev :o)
2013
March - Pooley Bridge (Pod booked!)
May - Spiers House, Pickering
June - La Garangeoire, Vendee, France
Aug - The Cotswolds?
From photos I've seen of Rivendale you absolutely do not want to be in the main camping area: as another member noted in another thread, "I've never seen a campsite look so much like a car park. The Meadow Field is a much better bet, though (if memory serves) I think it's a little near the road so try to choose your pitch well.
There was a recent thread showing loads of photos of Rivendale. I've just been looking for it but can't find it. The main area seems to be in an old quary and feels very enclosed. The Meadow Field is much better. Whether you'd notice the road near by (assuming I have remembered correctly where it's located) depends on you: I've camped near to a road and very much noticed it but others camping with me didn't. But I live on the edge of the countryside so maybe I notice such things more!
If I find that thread I'll let you know.
I've just noticed your question. I've camped twice in the Peak District. See my reviews for a fulsome opinion, but Fieldhead is not suitable if you have kids over 9/10 years of age that want to run around and play ball games despite other advantages; Mandale I liked though it can be a little exposed in the main field.
Er, as a matter of interest, talking of exposed pitches and wind, have you got yourself a collection of Delta Pegs yet? I only hesitate because the topic can be contentious (use the search button near the top of the screen to find previous, sometimes heated threads) but in my opinion they are essential for your main guy ropes.
Another thing, do you ever use Google Earth to help you in checking out what campsites can look like?
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: New Camper
