I've looked through the backpackers section as advised but only saw family sized large tents like my current one. My question is when I downsize to maybe a 3/4 man tent how would I put it up on my own? How do you solos manage it? ☺️
------------- lizgooner
1ST trip Little Switzerland Folkestone,
2nd trip Dunn Street Farm, Ashford 2 nights 2011
Dunn street farm august 2013 2 nights : )
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I have always bought 2/3 berth tents that can be erected single handed and never had a problem.
Over the past 50 years I have owned several Vango, Lichfield. Gelert and most recently Outwell tents, all of which were relatively simple to erect.
If you are alone then there should be no reason go for anything larger than a 3 berth tent.
If you want a 3-4 person tent you can stand up in, so 1.8m or so high erecting solo will be difficult (Airbeam and Khyam quick erect possibly excepted).
If you go for a tent a metre or so high it is easier.
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When I was a tenter, my last 2 tents were 4-berth Dutch cotton canvas pyramids and I was able to put them up on my own.
I switched to a van partly because it was taking longer and longer for me to recover from the efforts of putting up the tent and to set up my outfit.
In addition, drying a wet ESVO Bedouin 340 with a sewn-in-groundsheet in the garage was difficult.
The Khyam Freelander (no longer available) was a joy to pitch and the right size for just me and the dog. Granted it had issues such as the sloping front door was difficult to close, I found a solution for that one. The reason I did not replace it with a like for like after it was destroyed during a storm was the need to get a tent that would be better in withstanding stormy conditions, as well as cosier in the winter.
Have a look at ESVO's pyramid tents to see if they suit - they have smaller ones without an inner tent.
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Every tent I have owned I have managed to put up on my own (with varying levels of difficulty), but I am no camping whiz by any stretch.
There are two things you need to do, the first and most important is practice putting the tent up before you go away, do this a few times so you can get into a routine, be having all the poles, guys and pegs ready to hand.
The trickiest type of tents I have found are tunnel tents, as they tend to flop all over the place until you have a few poles and guys in place and can easily catch the wind. Dome tents I found to be relatively easy.
The second is the weather, if its blowing a gale or raining cats and dogs, wait until the conditions improve, its just not worth damaging the tent or more importantly yourself by trying to put the tent up when the conditions do not allow.
A possible third is don't be afraid to ask for help, most fellow campers will be happy to assist if asked.
Hi, I'm wondering if you are intending to solo camp or just want a smaller tent for two?
I was going to suggest one I own, Kampa Brean 3 (poled) tent, which I find easy to pitch: I use the 'raising the galleon sails' approach after fixing down the groundsheet, putting in all the poles, anchoring down the front, and then adjusting all the poles. I've achieved this with a 5-man larger tunnel tent in the past - but does need a bit of practice.
However, when looking at the price of the Kampa - I've had mine for 5 years - I found a new Outwell range, which might suit. Their 'Discovery' tents. There's one called 'Sky 2' which is a 1-2 person small tent with stand-up height for someone of yours. It looks a doddle to erect, has a bedroom and small living area, and 'rainsafe' porch.
Anyway, just a thought and I've enjoyed a bit of tent p*rn!
I hope you fihd something that suits.
P.S. I popped to Little Switzerland cafe last summer when staying in Kent, and was amazed at all the lizards sunbathing! I grew up near Dover and never ever saw one locally. Wondeful, and the views.
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Topic: Advise
via mobile 03/3/2025 at 1:13pm
