Over the Aug bank hol weekend last year, we had the awful experience of our Royal Avignon 6 plus, completely flattening at the back due to high winds hitting the rear hoop. Fortunately it was during the day so we got lots of help in getting it down quickly, but it was enough to worry us. (imagine the bedrooms collapsing at night!!) We are now looking for a tunnel tent that is much more stable (if such thing exists) because we still love the light and airy feel to a tunnel. Can anyone suggest an alternative?
we have just brought the vango vista tbs. the tbs (tension band system) is supposed to give extra stability in high wind. `supposed to` we have not had chance to use it yet so cant say from experience.
Some tunnel tents now have lateral poles that connect the hoops together so that would be more stable (not Montanas tho).
Vango's TBS stops the hoops from deforming but won't stop collapse from high wind perpendicular to the hoop.
Marechal's geo d6 has cross tubes but hardly looks like a tunnel any more, it also has a more rounded profile to shed wind, but loses the available space you associate with a tunnel.
you could try to find more sheltered spots, try nailing it with delta pegs or get a satellite/dome/frame tent instead.
------------- A wise man learns from his own mistakes - a genius learns from the mistakes of others
We had a gelert vario 5 and we to lost the whole tent in high winds completely flattened the tent and the three kids who were in it at the time - I am afraid although I like the tent after breaking two fingers getting the kids out of this one we have now changed to a caravan. Still have a little 4 man dome tent which I use occasionally but as soon as the wind gets up I find it frightening so don't tend to use it much!!
The 'tunnels' I've seen, looked solid enough... I had a look at a few of the 'Outwells' recently... The 'Montana' seemed to have enough guy lines to hold a 'hot air balloon' down, they're everywhere! (the back end, seemed to be covered by guying points!)... So I wouldn't worry too much about stability!...
We have been to look at a Montana 600, which looks very good. I think they would be less inclined to 'bend' on the hoops. I didn't see any other stability poles apart from the hoops though but I wonder if the stability pole actually contributed to the tent blowing around as one large strucure, rather than the material giving a little in the wind. Anyway thank you all. Will let you know how we get along
We have an Outwell Sun Valley 8 and it stood up to horrendous winds last spring. All around us on the site people's tents were blowing down but the Sun Valley stood firm. Great tent.
Always peg out fully and use Delta pegs on the main guy ropes. Always pitch with a sloping tent side (in the case of tunnels that usually means the bedroom end) into the prevailing wind.
If the weather looks as if it might be a little rough during your stay ask the site management when you arrive for a sheltered spot if possible.
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Topic: Stability of tunnel tents
