I have just bought my first tent. I haven't actually got it yet - I won the bid on ebay and collecting it tomorrow.
I have gone for a Vango Diabolo 400 xp for a number of reasons - one I like the shape, the size seems good for us as novice campers, I like the porch! I have no idea if it will suit us until we get out in it but as it was only £70 I can always upgrade next year if we decide that camping is for us.
I have done some camping with friends in a borrowed tent last year (a Vango Tigris) and really enjoyed that.
This year we are set to camp in May (in the field at the top of our lane with other mad people from our village), in Norfolk with my sister and her partner (two camping veterans) and in Wales over the August bank holiday with friends. Hopefully we will also get a few more outings in it as well.
I am due to "inherit" some camping gear from a friend of my sister which I am collecting at the weekend - sadly the tent has been eaten by mice but she has cooker, stand, table, pots and pans, etc.
We are a family of four (2 children aged 10 and 8) and me and hubby. And a dog. Maybe the tent won't be big enough but as I said, I am happy to use it this year as a first tent and then upgrade to a 3 bedroom one next year.
I am after lots of hints and tips please - what are the essentials that I should be taking away with me, what are the luxury items that I will be grateful of, ideas for food to take, etc.
Also - I know that with the Diablo the inner goes up first - any top tips on getting it up very quickly in the rain!!!! (just in case)
------------- Complete novice!!!!
Planned 2012 camping (so far)
May - the field at the top of our lane with half the village!
July - Waxham Sands
August - wild camping in a field near Llanthony Priory, Wales
Can't help as far as pitching the tent as have no experience of it.But am sure someone will be along soon to help with that.
Hints and tips...beds and bedding first,if you don't get a decent sleep it can ruin your holiday. Airbeds,campbeds or self inflating mats...Airbeds need to be insulated,something between the floor and the bed(cardboard or picnic blanket) then insulated between it and you...fleece blanket or something of that sort..Campbeds(our choice) with a self inflating mat or fleece ontop....Self inflating mats.as thick as you can afford,..decent sleeping bags/duvets pillows(when you get your tent,measure the bedroom pods to see what will fit)
Somewhere on this site there is a "list" am sure someone will post the link,..its an extensive list,some of which you will probably not need,
Lighting,loads of choice,Layers of clothing,A carpet makes a difference underfoot
Chairs,bottle of wine,firebit or portable bbq,
------------- March- Padstow
April- Forest Glade
June-Grizedale
July-Jedburgh
and lots more besides
This list is a good place to start with what to take. Though I wouldn't load up with everything yet, you will have a good idea from camping last year in your borrowed tent as to the sort of things you need.
Food has been discussed lots, I would do a search on food and look through what comes up.
Sorry can't help with the tent as never had one that is 'inner first'.
I think you've done the right thing in buying a cheaper tent for your first time camping. You will then have a much better idea of what you want from a tent when it comes to buying one.
If you can manage to take things from home for the first trip, again you will have a much better idea once you've been what you want for your next time.
Bets are that you are out looking for a tent after your first trip!
Sure there used to be a checklist on here to use which will give you an idea of what to take.
Depending on how long you are going for the essentials like something to sleep on and in, lighting, something to cook on (either a single stove or double with gas bottle), chairs, table, picnic set for cutlery, crockery, plates, cups etc, cooking utensils, extra blankets/duvet, pans, cool box, TENT! extra tent pegs......the list is endless once you get the bug!!! oh and dont forget the wine, beer and juice for any little ones!!!
I usually bring along a meal that i have had in the freezer and so by time it gets to our first evening its thawed out so just a case of heating it through and serving. Or you can just take along the old faithful tinned stuff and make a decent meal that way!!
Loads of advice on here, try the search button too!
Hi and welcome to the site and the world of camping.
Can't comment on tent as am not familiar with it, but for other hints and tips this is definitely the right place. There is a list on the site, http://campingnut.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/camping-list-for-new-campers.html (sorry first time I have tried to do a link on iPad and didn't quite go as planned)! The list will give you the basics to start off with and all of us on here will give you lots more ideas depending on what type of camper you want to be. Best tip, buy a lorry..........once you start, you just can't stop shopping for camping....... And just when you think you have it as, someone will post something you just gotta have...lol.
Happy camping
------------- Jewelsm - a fair weather camper
August 2013, 14, 15, 16 & 17-Trevornick for two and a half weeks of sea and surf (and ever optimistic -lots of sun). Some other weekends if I can persuade DH
I suppose the one really good thing is that our first camping trip (unless we manage to get away before then) is in the field at the top of the lane where we live. Less than a 5 minute walk from home!
If I realise that I haven't bought something that I need, I can always nip home for it!!!!
------------- Complete novice!!!!
Planned 2012 camping (so far)
May - the field at the top of our lane with half the village!
July - Waxham Sands
August - wild camping in a field near Llanthony Priory, Wales
Just remember it can get very cold at night, even in May (we had 3C on our first trip in May last year and were woefully underprepared - and a lot more than 5 minutes from home)
All the advice you'll ever need is on here, but the most important bit is to have fun!
Another tip is to buy some good tent pegs such as rock pegs in case you are on hard ground, and something like a claw hammer or steel mallet to knock them in with.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
1-A bit late as you've already got your tent but something you might want to bear in mind if you upgrade in the future, always go 2 berths more than you need ie for 4 of you get a 6 birth tent.
2-You WILL have arguments while pitching, just agree that any arguments are over once the tent is up
3-Don't let one bad trip put you off, one day of sunshine will help you forget a whole week of wind and rain
I strongly advice you to watch this series of instruction videos as a thorough theoretical knowledge of the basics can enhance the camping experience far more.
Start with one and enjoy the whole series by choosing the sequels. Each are about ten minutes so time enough to do the ironing, hoovering and all sorts of domestic chores in between...
My tip...use Netweather for an accurate forecast, especially wind gusts, anything in amber or red is a no no!! We lost our fist tent due to *red* winds, on our first outing.
You put in the location of where you want and it breaks down the day/night weather, it's our bible now.
You cant get a Diablo up very quickly, inner first is a bit of a pain in the a**e to be honest.
We have a Diablo 900Xp and find it takes about 15 minutes to get the inner up and pegged with four of us doing it.
If it does rain while you are putting the inner up, make sure you have the outer handy to slide over quickly and hang on till the rain stops.
We did put ours up in the rain once and it didnt take too long to dry out inside once we had mopped up most of the water!
We did find the 900 a bit on the large side and due to the dome there are no flat walls to put anything against so cupboards etc take up more room than they normally would. Saying that i love our Diablo but will only use it when there is no rain forecast as we dont have the room in the garden to get it up and dry it out.
We now have a Nevada M and Canopy so we can get it dry at home if we have to pack away wet.
------------- Too many tents, Vango Diablo 900XP, Large canopy and Vango windbreak. Outwell Nevada M and Outwell canopy, Vango tempest 200.
We used to have Diablo 6 , great tent loads of space
welcome to camping , first thing you need is a sense of humour.
1. if it can go wrong it will
2. u ain't made of sugar if it rains u won't melt (got this from Ukcampsite)
3. Your kids will be kids enjoy them.
4. Let ur kids have more freedom than you think you can handle, they are wiser than u think.
5. Pack extra socks they get soggy
6. Welcome to the friendly freedom world of camping.
7. Remember Beers and any other alcohols that keep it sane x .
------------- I'm working class, I do what I have to do, to get by.
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: Complete novice! Help.
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