Hi All. I've never gone camping in my life. I have, however , owned and regularly used my touring caravan for 4 years and love it to bits ( sorry ...its warmer in winter). I'm shortly going to wales on a kayaking weekend so i'm thinking for the sake of less preparation that i'll get a tent. It only needs to house me cus i've got a big van to put all my gear in but I don't like feeiling cramped. I need advice on what size, what makes to avoid, how much to spend on it ( it won't get much use but i don't want to be the pleb chasing my tent round a field in my y fronts at 2am cus there's been a bit of a breeze!). I'll also need other essential gear except cutlery and plates. Its a new venture and if it goes well, who knows, maybe the missus will go for a new 6 man tent instead of the Sprite major 6 costing £12500. might be able to get a new boat in the bargain aswell!!. Lets set a budget of around £75.00 and see how we go.
------------- To the world you are but one person...but to one person you may be the world!
Sorry i can't give any advice about small tents but just a thought, is your van big enough for an airbed? If you get a tent you mighht just catch the bug and be waving bye bye to your caravan...
------------- Experience is something you get only AFTER you need it...
camping in the van sounds good ... but it might be a bit of a squeeze with the boat, paddle , gear and all those damn paint cans i have to keep buying!
------------- To the world you are but one person...but to one person you may be the world!
Vangos are a reputable brand and having seeing it erected it seems to be of the usual Vango standard and reasonably solid and it is also within your budget.
Good luck in your search
------------- We only go camping to see what we have forgotten and what we need to get for next time. If only we could remember where we put the list..................
dont think you got much chance of getting the missus to give up a brand new sprite major 6 for a tent!!!
but good luck trying!
Why not I did !!!
not everyone thinks a caravan is better that a tent you nkow ,some people find them cramped and boring and have decided to give them a miss untill they are of more 'senior years '
We have had a couple of caravans but can't say that they were greatly better than a tent, just different to. Actually, we found that they were brilliant for overnights if doing a long-haul trip but, once on site, became just the bedroom; we lived, cooked and ate outside in all but the worst weather conditions, so it seemed logical to go back to a tent (after all, what is an awning but a glorified tent?).
Quote: Originally posted by Liddenham on 22/6/2006
We have had a couple of caravans but can't say that they were greatly better than a tent, just different to. Actually, we found that they were brilliant for overnights if doing a long-haul trip but, once on site, became just the bedroom; we lived, cooked and ate outside in all but the worst weather conditions, so it seemed logical to go back to a tent (after all, what is an awning but a glorified tent?).
Quote: Originally posted by Liddenham on 22/6/2006
We have had a couple of caravans but can't say that they were greatly better than a tent, just different to. Actually, we found that they were brilliant for overnights if doing a long-haul trip but, once on site, became just the bedroom; we lived, cooked and ate outside in all but the worst weather conditions, so it seemed logical to go back to a tent (after all, what is an awning but a glorified tent?).
Hi,
"tents to avoid" well by all accounts, mine !
Whilst it seemed a bargain at the time and in fine weather has done very well, after reading some of the remarks on this site I am not looking forward to strong wind or heavy rain. As we may get both this weekend, I could be looking for a new tent by Monday, we shall see ! Its a FreeCamp Arizona 4-berth tunnel from eBay, and I really liked that it can be one big 4-berth bedroom so that The Boy is close by, but there is a divider for a little privacy. So my tuppenyworth would be get a reputable make with a known build quality and avoid getting nervous whenever the weather is a bit off.
Alison
hi if it's just u why don't you look at decatholon pop up 3 person tent for around £60, they say it only take 3 seconds and i have seen it done in store and it looks fab. we would buy two but we have just started fostering so the kids need to be close by.
I must say I like Vango, the Delta, Gamma, or Venture would probably do you. I have a Delta for scout camp (when all we need it for is sleeping), and its a great little tent. Pitches in no time as well.
Hi Charlies mummy
Don't worry you'll be fine. We had a Freecamp Auckland 5 from ebay when we started camping 3 years ago and in its first outing it withstood a force 4 gale on the Isle of Wight!
------------- Experience is something you get only AFTER you need it...
Me being a tent virgin ( well thats not strictly true but it was years ago and... lets not go there) I could well go for the pop up option. Won't this blow away or does it have guy ropes aswell.
Also where should I go to purchase these reputable makes. I only know of millets or Yeomans and I don't klnow whether thest places are expensive or not. Alsao do tents have to be ordered in advance or do they tend to be in stock.
I live on the outskirts of stoke-on-trent but can travel to a store if it saves me enough money.
How much are stoves by the way?
------------- To the world you are but one person...but to one person you may be the world!
dont think you got much chance of getting the missus to give up a brand new sprite major 6 for a tent!!!
but good luck trying!
Why not I did !!!
not everyone thinks a caravan is better that a tent you nkow ,some people find them cramped and boring and have decided to give them a miss untill they are of more 'senior years '
ooops, think i should point out that i am slavef's wife and i was letting him know that i want my new caravan and not a tent - personal opinion thats all!!
------------- why is there so much month left at the end of the money?
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Topic: essential gear advice?
