Just come back from 11 nights holiday and it takes 20-25 minutes for tent and extension (between 2 of us). We share the rest. We know exactly where everything goes (on saying that I did change the layout this time). We know our "jobs" as we've done it for so long. All in all about 2-2.5 hours and that usually includes a cup of coffee.
As it is our "holiday home" I do like to put things in their right place (okay, it gets messy sometimes then we have a re-group) so I do actually know where everything is which does come in handy! So it is worth taking the time.
I also have lists of what goes in every box when we're packing to go and it automatically goes back in the same box for our return (no need for a list when we're returning).
We do have one problem - that's folding the tent to pack up - we can never remember - is it a third or is it in half. We laugh about it as we really should know, but one look (when we always fold it wrong the first time) and we shake our heads and do it the other way - do you know I can't even now remember which!!!
As this will probably be our last camping trip of the year, we are methodically going through everything, cleaning, repairing, reviewing kit etc., so come next year everything is ready to go, so it is taking longer to put the stuff away and the house is a tip.
Whilst we were away, our daughter plus two others joined us for one night - not sure if she had the right idea or not ..... Now, her tent took 5 minutes to put up and about 5 to kit it out. Mind you it just slept 3 and all they had was a bed in there (no room for anything else) and the next morning, whilst we were still sleeping, they came into our tent for a warm and a cup of coffee. Somethings not quite right there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's all for the love of camping, I personally think campers are laid back and really don't mind the extra time it takes to get ready. The more you can simplify though it, the better.
------------- May - Dorset
July - Saundersfoot
September - S. Wales
October - S. Wales
I do envy people who advises things like "pack things in a box so that you can shift from car to tent and via versa". Sounds great but we really don't have the space for boxes. Things are packed in plastic bags so that they can be shuffed into any hole and corner I can find. I know it's time consuming to pack and unpack but I honestly don't have the car space.
Wow some of you guys took 5 hours??? Plus the drive home and unpacking....that would have killed camping for me. Some endurance here.
Ok so we've only managed to go away once so far with our outwell Yellowstone falls but pitch and strike time is what's causing us to doubt our tent choice.
Pitching took us approx three hours from getting the first things out the car to be fully set up. And we don't have a lot inside, that part of things prob only took half hour to an hour. But the pole threading takes bout ten mins each, five poles that's nearly an hour just for that. The amount of pegging points too takes forever!
We actually cancelled our hols this week coz other things were squeezing the week and I couldn't face all that agro for just four days and would rather go for a whole week later. BUT we do love our tent and can't see us finding another t suit our needs better.
Our solution? I think to get a quick pitch weekender and keep the Yellowstone for a week or more stay. Having said that, I'm not sure I can face a seven hour drive to the Lizard in Cornwall or Scotland then a three hour pitch and the reverse coming home and these are our two fave places to holiday. <sigh> Even if we do enjoy the set up and make it a part of the holiday rather than a chore that still makes for an incredibly long day with a. 3.5yr old.
I'm praying we get better and quicker with practice.
We did just what you are thinking of doing...we usually take our bell tent camping with a 6x2 tarp...we thought we would try getting a vango Lumen airtent for shorter trips but we found it was no faster to pitch than the bell..and I must admit I prefer to be under canvas..we did cut down on stuff we took with the airbeam all the cushions throws ect..and other glamping stuff but still seemed to take us as long to set up..if there was any diffrence it was'nt much..I too hate all the packing and unpacking..but love camping so will have to put up with it..
------------- Camping Tip #26: In an emergency, a drawstring from a parka hood can be used to strangle a snoring tent friend...or husband!!
The first few times I pitched my tent, I found it difficult.
The nack is finding the best way to pitch your particular tent efficiently.
Given the experience of people on this site, maybe help could be at hand from people who know the best way to pitch your particular tent, who knows. Maybe you could start a thread on the best way to pitch your tent.
The last poster on the 'Why we chose an air tent' thread, hankakampa posted about the Karsten air tent. Curious I looked it up and came across a youtube video, showing someone inflating one of these with 2 electric compressors. Looks easy and I would imagine with the cheapness of small car tyre inflators, a number of those may aid someone getting there air tent p faster with less hassle.
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: How long did you take to pitch & strike?
