Hi all. New to this site but not new to camping. Have been camping on and off for the last twenty years. Thought I would join up and introduce myself:)
Currently own three tents, a Gelert pop up two man, a Eurohike Avon 3 man and a recently purchased Royal Cuban 6 which I bought with a friend.
I need to upgrade my Avon as it is in need of retirement and have been looking at the Sunncamp Elan 200. I have four children, although my older two are getting to the age they no longer want to camp:( I have the Cuban for when we all together. I wanted a new tent for when it is just my younger two would be coming with me but more often than not, just me and my daughter who is 7. I know the Elan is small and have viewed it at the local camping shop, however we have camped all 3 of us in the Avon no problems.
For the times that I take both my youngest, I would have them sleep in the bedroom pod and I would sleep in the living area on a campbed, which would be taken down during the day, I am quite hardy so don't think the cold would bother me with adequate bedding. I love the space and height that the Elan offers and it will be perfect for those times I get to camp alone:) Wishful thinking!
I took the kids abroad for the first time this year and although they had a great time, the cost (over £2000) just can't be justified!! Also the waiting around and airport madness wasn't worth it! So we are going back to camping again.
Although we camped for the first time this year with EHU, I am a fan of not having it so that you have more choice about where you stay. A lot of my kit needs replacing within the next year so I am looking around for good deals.
I do fancy a new fridge (not electric) any suggestions? We normally camp for shortish stays but next year I am looking to get away more often, for longer and further afield!
I have waffled on but any input about good non electric kit would be greatly appreciated before I empty my bank account:)
I will be using EHU on our longer stays especially with the older boys, although the next trip in the cuban will not be until next year, then I will be checking out all the electric stuff and very likely spend another small fortune:)
it all costs mate the only real benefit with electric i find is to power a quick kettle in the morning a heater if it goes cold as i like going to Wales with its ever changing weather.
There are endless debates on here about Cobbs & Cadacs (they're for cooking) so have a search. We've always used one of those 2 burner cookers with a grill and it works for the two of us, but you might want something a bit fancier if you're camping with kids. I bought a "party grill" last year and find that's pretty handy as an extra or if I'm camping alone.
Toast is also an issue and most people don't get on with pyramid style toasters but these do the job, if a little slowly - one slice at a time. Camping toaster
Again, there is a lot of information about lighting on here. UFO lights are cheap and easy to carry around but I still prefer our lantern which gives off nicer light although the ufo light comes in handy as an extra in the bedroom or for use in the middle of the night.
Hello, welcome. I have the Sunncamp Elan. and I love it. Loads of lliving space, great standing height, and I can put the whole tent up alone, which is great. When pegging out do not put in Any pegs until all the poles are in and the tent is standing firm, as you will not get the floor to lie flat,
Check out the tent review I have added a few pics of my tent.
Pillsley - great advice thank you, the cadac looks great! I need to replace my main cooker at some point and have been considering two camping gaz suitcase burners, if we are EHU I have a remouska which would be great for longer trips.
For lighting I have a eurohike lantern which is wind up but can also be used with mains power, those UFO lights sound good are the battery operated? This would solve the problem of having to wind up the lantern when not EHU
Wireweaver - I love your photos! It looks like I have made a great choice!
I think it will be the perfect choice for myself and the little two, and fantastic if I can ever get away alone (bliss) I am willing to forgo sleeping in the pod when I have the kids with me for the ease of putting up the tent on my own. I have a great sunncamp camp bed which is really comfortable and I will put this up in the living space at night. Thanks for the advice about pitching! I will let you know when I have bought it:) can't wait!!!!
------------- mum to four, three boys and a girl:)
2017:
July:
C&CC Chichester: 2 nights
Hi and welcome,I looked at the Elan as there is only 2 of us and our dog now the kids are grown up and left home but can't yet justify another tent since I have spent the last year nagging my hubby for a bell tent (and have just got there at last),but it looks a great tent and I love sunncamp,we have one of their canvas frames and used to have the Haven 800 which we adored(but was huge!).Happy camping
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
The seller might even take an offer as it has been for sale a while. (I have had it on a watch list 3 times)
Oh and the bed in my pod is the XL sunncamp folding bed. Great nights sleep and at 60 yo do not want to be getting up of an airbed...
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You need Jessiccaw, she is a single parent with 4 kids and gets to the meets,no reason why you can't....might need to plan like a military manoevre but it can be done...We have 4 kids although all grown now,but we have just come back fron a meet in Cornwall and all the kids there were having a ball,don't think the parents saw much of them,they all made friends with each other.Be nice for you,and you would get time to relax while the kids played.
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
Sounds just my thing! It is harder when you are a single parent to fit everyone in a tent big enough for you all but small enough to pitch alone! Although I have my older boys to help nowadays. Is there a section on meets?
------------- mum to four, three boys and a girl:)
2017:
July:
C&CC Chichester: 2 nights
yep,go to all forums,look down and you will find "meeting up and getting together"...you can go to your area or there is one for single parents/solo camping..
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
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: Hello!
