We are looking to replace our tent. We also may get a larger one (6 person to 8). We have looked at quite a few and having trouble deciding but 2 we liked a lot are different shapes. One is a tunnel, the other sort of an odd shapes with bedrooms at angles. We see benefits of both especially as our children are getting older (teen and tween) and would sometimes like to camp with friends. We tend to prefer smaller, more informal campsites but have noticed tents are getting larger in general and some campsites more regimented (though still friendly). Is a tunnel tent more "convenient" at a campsite or do you think there is room for a wider type shape? Thanks.
We used to use a 9 berth 3 pod 'lobed' tent (triangular footprint with pods at the 3 'points'), it was a monster, lots of poles, lots of guy ropes, lots of fabric, lots of ground space taken, and a fair bit of effort from at least two, preferably three people to erect and break down! The outside space between the pods was not of much use as too many guy ropes in way, so any outdoor seating or BBQ/cooking required even more ground space! It was abysmal and inefficient use of ground space, as so much that it occupied had no useful purpose. We used it on unrestricted pitches on informal campsites in France, I really don't think (I know for sure on some!) it would fit on most formal pitches, it was huge! We sold it years ago.
We now used a 6 berth, 2 bedroom, tunnel tent, with a couple of 'pop up' extra bedrooms if we need the extra berths. A million times better in all respects! Highly recommend getting one with a porch area separate to the main room to use as wet gear changing area and kitchen area, one with zipped flap(s) is preferable to open, but even open is better than none at all. A lot of tunnel tents can have extensions fitted which increases their space/usability.
Friends with teen/tween kids use a pup tent for them, seems to keep everyone happy.
If you are hell bent on the 'odd shape' (which I take to be a lobed design) tent, firstly check how much space it occupies WITH allowance for guy ropes, not just footprint, AND consider how much outdoor space you also need as you may not be able to fit in between lobes as the footprint alone may lead you to believe!
I might add, we were/are all 'blokey' blokes on a boys only jolly to a motor race, so none of us were too keen on snuggling up too close to another mate!!!! - so not too different to kids wanting a bit of privacy/space from their parents!
Thank you. Really helpful. We were going towards the tunnel for many of the reasons you state. We were thinking of pup tents too so the boys can have independence but within reach. Happy camping.
A Vis-a-vis tent is a similar shape to a tunnel tent but with the living area in the middle and sleeping accommodation at the ends. If more space is needed then a side awning / porch can be added.
I believe that it would be easier to get a suitable pitch with this than a sprawling muti-pod dome type tent.
My last two tents were Dutch cotton canvas Pyramid tents.
The first was selected after my trust Khyam Freelander was damaged during Storm Katia, and my research for a tent that could better withstand the elements led me to pyramid tents.
I could still pitch them on my own, however it would take a lot longer for me to recover, hence I switched to a van.
Larger pyramids are available than the 4-berth ones that I had.
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A big tunnel tent may be damaged by high winds, try to get one that narrows towards the ends with a wider waist in the middle. Extra poles running the length of the tent will strengthen it, the door may be in the middle mess area.
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Topic: Tent shape opinions please
via mobile 22/5/2021 at 3:56pm
