I have an 'old style' Khyam 4 person Rapidex, which is coming to the end of its life. I like the tent, and I was thinking of replacing it with the 'new style' XL, but while we were camping in Skye, the people next to us had their XL suffer catastrophic failure of the elbow joints in strong wind, resulting in complete collapse, while our tent was OK. Having quickly browsed the forums here, there seem to be a number of people with issues with the newer Khyams. Is there a problem with lower standards of manufacture these days?
Also, if I'm not going to go with Khyam, what would people suggest as an alternative? It needs to be about the same size, suitable for three seasons, and ideally possible for one person to put up.
We bought a Khyam XXL Classic two years ago(made with the new lighter material) & despite frequent use(& no doubt abuse) have not suffered any problems.There's not been any leaks & we have not managed to break any joints.We have just sent off for the new porch extension & can't wait to try it out.Has anybody got one of these,& what's it like ?
I bought the new 'XL Classic' which replaced an older 'XXL Classic' made with the older 'heavier material'. The original 'XXL Classic' is still in 'A1' condition after five years use. I passed it on to friends with a young family, when I bought the new tent last Spring and it's still doing a brilliant job. A testament perhaps, to the longevity of these tents....
The only real difference between the two (apart from the colour, obviously!) is the weight of the material. The new version of the 'Ridgidome' is as well made as the original and definately as weatherproof. It has stood up to torrential rain and high winds in Norfolk, with no problems whatsoever...
I've use 'Khyam Ridgidomes' for the past five years and as yet, haven't had to replace any of the joints, though I keep a set of spares, just in case (there will be spares with the tent, when you buy it)...
All of the 'Ridgidomes' from the small 'XL Classic' up to the giant 'Ultimate Classic' are equally as easy to pitch, though of course the larger tents take longer!. All of the 'Ridgidomes' regardless of size, can be pitched single handed. Though I won't make any outlandish claims as to how fast it can be done, because I tend to take my time and do a good job. I think 'rushing' to pitch a tent, may be the cause of many of the 'problems' regarding breakages and collapses, in adverse weather ...
I bought the 'Classic Annexe' this Spring, for when we need a little more space... It is a brilliant 'bit of kit' and provides a huge additional space. We use ours for a 'cooking & dining' area. I would suggest that when you pitch the 'annexe' with your 'Ridgidome'. You should attach the roof section of the annexe over the main tent, while your 'Ridgidome' is still 'on it's knees'. Then while leaving the 'annexe' hanging, you finish pitching the main tent as normal and finally complete the pitching of the 'annexe'...
The only criticism I have of the 'annexe' is, it could do with 'insect mesh' and 'roll up' windows, as the fixed 'windows' can make it a bit hot, in sunny weather. Though, if you buy a set of additional porch poles and 'porch up' the annexe door, this helps to cool it, especially if the main door to your 'Ridgidome' is open, allowing a good 'through draft' of air...
We have a XL classic (2005) and absolutely love it, it has stood up to some really high winds and torrential rain with no problems at all (Delta Pegs on the main tri guys helped as well). So I'd say if you are happy with Khyams go ahead and get another one!! There are people that have had problems, but I think you get that with any make/type of tent and I don't think Khyam is worse than any of the others.
Thanks for the heads up on the Annexe Andy.. the jury's still out as to wether we'll get one, we have an '02 4 oz XXL, we've broken a busted joint (my fault) patched fag burns and punctures windows and it's still going strong ! Ther's only two of us but we like the space an XXL with only one inner provides.. mind you I reckon we'd rattle around in it if we had an Annexe nailed on as well !
------------- You don't stop doing things because you get old, you get old because you stop doing things !
Thanks for the heads up on the Annexe Andy.. the jury's still out as to wether we'll get one, we have an '02 4 oz XXL, we've broken a busted joint (my fault) patched fag burns and punctures windows and it's still going strong ! Ther's only two of us but we like the space an XXL with only one inner provides.. mind you I reckon we'd rattle around in it if we had an Annexe nailed on as well !
Hi, Barry...
I know what you mean about 'rattling around' in an 'XXL Classic with an annexe attached!... We got the 'XL Classic' because most of the time, there are only two of us (sometimes only me!), but occasionally we take our neices & nephew. The kids sleep in the bedroom, we sleep in the 'living area' and use the annexe as our living area... It works out fine too, with plenty of room for us all!...
Thanx for the reassuring (so far) responses. I do like my Khyam - partly because I never quite trust the 'bendy' poles on similar size tents not to be acting at the limits of the capacity of the material. Although it can be a bugger to pitch singlehanded in the wind - does that 'inside out umbrella' thing - once up it's always stayed in place fine. Certainly haven't seen anything else which tempts me. But, as you can imagine, the sight of the new XLnext to us losing structural integrity on Skye was a worrier!
It mustn't have been guyed correctly, is all I can think the way the rapidex system works, it beggars belief that a new model would collapse like that. Were all the tri-guys set ok ?
------------- You don't stop doing things because you get old, you get old because you stop doing things !
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Topic: Khyam XLs - Has quality gone down?
