I'm hoping all you tent experts can help me with this. I need recommendations for a good quality tent that's genuinely roomy and comfortable enough for a family of 4. However, it's essential that it can be set up easily by one adult. I'm leaning towards a simple dome or dome/tunnel. Ideally I don't want to spend more than £125. It'd be nice if there was room to stand up straight in it but I'd be prepared to compromise a bit on that. I've seen quite a few '4 berth' tents that seem to require people to sleep on top of each other so I'm really looking for a genuine 4 person tent. Given my budget I doubt I can get a tent with a cotton flysheet but it'd be nice if possible. Once all that's sorted I'd also like a balcony and a view of the sea!
I think you will struggle to find a new cotton tent for four within budget, but it might be worth keeping an eye on ebay, since there are often used frame tent bargains to be had on there as, if you have the room to transport and store a cotton canvas frame tent, you will find them 'genuinely roomy and comfortable enough for a family of four', and they can be 'set up easily by one adult'.
There were, recently, some bargains to be had at Forest Camping, and it might still be worth you taking a look. This Cabanon Champagne, for example, is a snip at £149.
I have just got an Aztec viento 6 and put it up on my own (only 5ft 2) got mine on ebay for a bit of a bargin price. If you are very caerful and only look at decent brands there are some good prices to be had on second hand and new tents. But you must be carerful of imported rubbish.
If you want a synthetic tunnel tent, which is easy to pitch (lots of reviews on here will testify to that; why not use the 'search' facility at the top of this page), the 2006 Vango Oregon (600 or even 800 - I'd look for a six-berth tent, or even bigger, for four of you) are good value at the moment; look here.
The 2007 models are a bit more expensive, but have the SIG (sewn-in-groundsheet).
I've been looking at the Outwell Oregon 5 (2007 model) and it's all-cotton equivalent, the Outwell Baltic Sea L (although rather over budget!). The Baltic Sea L weighs 25kg vs 14kg for the Oregon 5. Would the extra weight make it more difficult for one person to erect, or doesn't this really have much influence? I guess the only time you're moving the entire weight is when it's packed.
I've also been looking at the Outwell Arizona XL Dome. Can anyone advise whether a large dome like this is just as easy for one person to erect as a simple tunnel like the Oregon?
Weightwise it's not usually a problem in tunnels and frames where you're not actually lifting the weight. It's more of a problem in the dome where you have to lift the dome (assuming you can get it out the car of course!!)
The Baltic Sea L doesn't look very big to me for a family of 4, the bedroom is very sloped at the back and it's only 280m wide which isn't much space for each person, stuff etc. I guess it depends how much "stuff" you take, the age of your kids and how long for. It's probably do-able for a weekend tent if you've got little'ish kids.
Thanks Piglet! I should have mentioned before that we have a Campus Seattle (I put an image in my gallery) but I find it too large and time consuming to erect by myself. I'm looking for something I can manage on my own that still takes 4 people, mainly for 2 or 3 nights or the odd week.
Will you be taking the tent down on your own as well?
I always find that taking tents down is harder than putting them up. I have a 5 berth Lichfield frame tent as well as the microfast-9 (Mi-9). I find both easy to put up...the Mi-9 erects itself really!. However, I find the frame tent hard to get down as parting the poles needs strong thumbs and the microfast goes down easy but is hard to get 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: 4 person tent - 1 person setup ???
