First of all, was unsure of whether camping was for me and my family, but this friendly and helpful site has been very reassuring.
Want to dip my toes into the whole camping experience, and would like a three bedroom tent for as little money as possible. We only have two adults, a 4 year old and a 2 year old, but would much prefer seperate rooms for us and each child.
I've shortlisted the above the Royal is £99 at Waudbys, the Coleman £130 at e-awnings.
Any opinions on these two, or any other alternatives at a similar price.
Also, this may be a silly question, but I haven't been camping for a long time - how dark are the bedrooms in modern tents. I would prefer a darker room for my youngest to sleep in, or any tips for 'darkening' tents at all.
Just a little update - went to look at some tents at Wyvale Gardens Centre nr Chichester at the weekend, and also a smaller place nr Portsmouth (can't recollect the name now). There were loads of tents up at Wyvale - almost too many. However, saw the Royal Avignon 6 and was very impressed by the space, airiness and adaptability, and the large bedrooms. I also loved the Outwell tents too. Unfortunately, prices were about £260 and up - too much to persuade my wife to spend for a first try!
I then went to see the Coleman Columbia near Portsmouth, and thought it was great, very large and excellent quality. However, I thought the bedrooms looked a little small, with sloping celings. One had a single camp bed in it, and looked almost full!
I can't find anywhere near that has the Royal Toulouse on display - are the bedrooms a similiar sloping design in it (and indeed in most of the dome style tents?).
If so, anyone know of a decent tunnel tent, with three bedrooms, for under £150??
If so, anyone know of a decent tunnel tent, with three bedrooms, for under £150??
Any input gratefully received.
It's a bit over your budget, but we have just taken delivery of the Coleman Columbus 8, which is a tunnel tent. It has 3 bedrooms and quite a lot of living space. It seems a lot easier to put up than the geodesic design, which as newbies, had us in a bit of a fuddle trying to put one up! It got ours off Ebay for £180 + £10 P&P. If you do a search on there, there is only one seller that comes up - Sue119073.
Thanks for the replies, impressed by the Indiana especially, but it is a factory second, and the Royal Toulose is new for £104.95 delivered.
Does anyone have any opinions of this tent, particularly the bedroom pod height? Did a search of the forum, and the only replies weren't that specific.
Seem to be answering my own questions - hope this is okay......
Called Waudbys about the Toulouse, asked about headroom on the bedrooms, general quality etc, and the bedroom pods are supported by poles, so are higher and more spacious than those of the Columbia. Also the bloke at Waudbys said they had sold loads of Royal tents and had no problems or returns (but hten he would say that, wouldn't he!), and there were about 10 in stock.
Therefore will order one of these tomorrow, unless someone replies that I'm making a huge mistake. (I guess that even if I am, then I could probably get my money back on Ebay)
we have a royal toulouse 9, now don't get me wrong i'm new to camping myself and hav'nt tried the tent out yet but we did put it up in the garden and spent a night in it, it is a fantastic tent, it has a very large living area, the bedroom pods are great but the large one for five people has got to be for 5 dwarfs maybe because i can't see 5 average people sleeping comfortably in it, it's easyish to put up, if i can do it then anybody can, oh and we got it back in the bag as it comes with an oversized one. royal tents are supposed to be good quality and it does feel sturdy and safe to me, hope this helps with your quest, i know what its like with so many tents to choose from.
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Topic: Royal Toulouse 9 vs Coleman Columbia 10
