We're looking into buying a tent for our family holiday this year, but I just dont know where to start! There seems like such a wide variation in price and features.
I'd like something big, as we've 3 small children.
I dont want to find ourselves bailing out and sleeping in the car because we've chosen one that is too flimsy, letting in water or blown away!
I've noticed the 'hydrostatic head' figures differ....I'm assuming that is a good indication of quality.
What else should I look for, or could you recommend one?
I am sure you will get lots of diferent advice, so here is my starter:
If this is a for weeks away, and not jsut weekends, then go with something you can trust - i.e. a relaible make.
Check the size of it packed, as well as erect - you have to transport it and some of these tents can be moster space eaters in your boot.
Work out what you are going to sleep on (air bed, camp bed, mat etc.) and use that as your sleeping birth guide, not what the brochure or web page says. for example, most air beds are 80 cm wide, which means in a 140cm wide pod you can only get one - not the "2" shown in the brochure (they calculate sleeping numbers base on waifer thin dwarves!).
Think "rain" - there is always a chance you will get caught in rain, so has the tent got windows and light, so that you are not trapped in somehting dark and gloomy with the rain pooring down. Equally, does the fly sheet cover enough to stop rain getting in (has it got storm flaps etc.). Is the living area big enough to sit out the rain?
Post last edited on 01/06/2006 22:45:41
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
Youre right there are many varying tents on the market a virtual nightmare for someone starting out. The HH means how much water it will hold before it will leak but doesnt necessarily mean mean a better quality tent.
Would you be looking for seperate bedrooms or an all in one with curtains in between?
A dome tent or tunnel? Everyone will have their opinion,
I can only suggest what I had it was a Gelert Cyclone 6, this was a huge tent stood up to gale force winds and driving rain, and if you click on the Gelert it will take you to the Halfords site where they are on offer.
Sewn in groundsheet (SIG) or non-SIG? Very important question. If the answer is SIG, then have a look at something like the 2006 Vango Diabolo 900. It`s a big tent, plenty room for you all, great new porch design, packs up smaller than some of this years favourite monster tents. (Still pretty big though.) If non-SIG, then the 2006 Vango Colorado 1200DLX has the new riser groundsheet design, and I can assure you it`s big enough inside. But there`s tons of othe models around in all shapes and sizes.
With three kids, I would be looking at a 9+-berth for long trips, 6-8 berth for weekends. Decent amount of living space, three pods. (One adult, one kiddy, one cupboard.)
We also have three kids, we went for the Gelert tahoma- frankly not a lot different in outer size and appearance than a Diablo 600 (never been in a Diablo so can't comment) they're around on Essex camping for £199 atm, which is an exceptional price imo for a good tent.
HH higher the better, but 2000 is generally fine ime.
What we did was to go to a tent store, get an Assistent to show us around, grab all the catalogues and then come and type the names of any we fancied into this site, thus narrowing it down. We did also have an isider at gelert (someone I 'met' on a parenting forum) which helped .
for what it's worth, I'd look for bedroom space and layout - do you want to be sleeping in pod next to kids or at opposite end of tent (vis-a-vis?) - might depend on age of kids!
Also living space - could you all sit round and eat, play monopoly, whatever?
When we bought ours, ventilation was important for summers in France, so we looked for large flaps to open out, or make into a porch.
Hi Yvette, welcome to the world of camping and this crazy site !! You dont put your location but at the moment there are quite a few shows on in the midlands and peak district where the tents are all put up on a field. You can get really a good idea for what you are looking for by going and having a look round them all at the same time and comparing them. Also you can always pick up a bargain if you buy an ex demo model.. the only thing is you have to take it down yourself at the end of the show. This can be an advantage because you can work out how it goes up and how you get it all back in the bag !!!
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: What to look for in a good tent...?
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