Hi guys, after a bit of input. Our Vango Orchy 500 gave up the ghost last year and we've been searching for new "digs" for this year's summer holiday. We had decided to go down the route of a folding camper, but as of yet we haven't found the one for us.
So, we're thinking of getting another tent to put us on, as we only use it once a year for 2 weeks. I quite like the Vango Pembroke, but we've been looking at the tents Aldi got in yesterday, and are considering one since they're only £80, even if we only get these 2 weeks out of it. Has anyone had one from Aldi in previous years?
I'm thinking of getting it, erecting it on garden to see if suits us (we're both 6ft tall and I take LOADS of stuff camping!!), if it seems okay, then spray with hosepipe to check waterproofness, then I can take it back if it's crap!
It is only 183cm tall so at 6' you might find it too low.
I would suggest looking at tents that have an interior height of over 2m for comfort - nothing worse than having to stoop!
Thanks for that, we've decided to get one and put it up to see for ourselves. If we can cope and its decent we'll use as a stop gap for this year at least. I'll take some photos either way as someone might find it useful. Aldi's return policy is excellent so nothing lost by testing! Will let you know how we got on!
Blooming rain put paid to that tonight. Hubby insisted on cutting grass first. Still, if we decide not to keep it don't want it getting wet. Seen a 360 video of it, but still doesn't give you an idea of size. It seems a lot wider but shorter than our Orchy. I'm hopeful it will do us for this year, but itching to get it up! Going to have to wait for another evening as I'm working all weekend :(
------------- Boootiful Norfolk <3
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Perfect weather to do it last night, but of course England were playing, waste of time, could've put the tent up! Were going to do it tonight but it rained yet again. Sigh, got to wait til weather improves!
We bought one last year. It's definitely waterproof, it stood up to some terrible weather at a festival last year! It's obviously not top class quality but if you're looking for cheap and cheerful it will certainly do the job for you.
I've just ordered one of these, and would love to see what you think of it. I've just found the vid on Youtube, and although it said 'sewn in groundsheet' on the side of the box, it appears that the groundsheet is only sewn in on the bedroom bit, not the living bit :( Would you be able to confirm this for me please? We sold our caravan a few years back and recently decided on a whim to try camping ( when I say 'we' my husband is refusing to even set foot in it so it's looking like it's going to be me and my two teenage girls but hey ho!) My kids HATE bugs though so ideally I wanted one where the groundsheet goes all the way across. Thanks in advance!
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Nicola, thanks very much for that, it's only going to be for 2 weeks and we'll probably not use it after this year.
Smoggy I still haven't had chance to put it up yet due to the weather. If it's the video I've seen it's last years, so hoping msybe this years has a SIG all round. Even so, it should be fine as it will cover the ground. Even with a full SIG it doesn't completely stop bugs, we still get the odd earwig/spider. But don't tell your daughter's that! As soon as I manage to get it up I'll put some photos in here.
Haha, we don't do anything but catch them and put them out. As long as you keep your bedrooms zipped none will get in there at all. We only have to buy ant killers sometimes as it all depends on weather, they love coming inside when it rains and you can't see their nests before pitching. It's fab seeing them after 2 weeks when you move tent, scurrying away carrying their eggs! I'm lucky creepy crawlies don't really bother me except big spiders, hubby is terrified of moths though!!!
Hi again :) Well our tent arrived today and unfortunately I will be returning it as the ground sheet isn't sewn in all the way across, only on the bedroom section.
On the plus side though, it seemed very easy to put up - we abandoned half way through as our patio got in the way of our trial run and we didnt have anywhere to peg it down!
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Hi Smoggy, thanks for that, I don't think it will bother us too much, but can't decide until we get chance to put it up! We're relying on evenings after work to put it up but it keeps blooming raining!! So the bedroom groundsheet is attached to the bottom of the bedroom unit and attached to the tent? How is the groundsheet in the living area? Is it the same as in the video on youtube? Thanks! I recommend Vango tents as they tend to all have SIG's, we loved our Orchy 500. Hope you find one suitable!!
You might be better off buying a 2nd hand one from ebay etc. Folks are buying air tents and selling their old pole types for not a lot, even though they are really good quality tents with many years life left.
We're not writing it off till we've put it up, but if it's ok we'll stick it out, seems enough room for what we need, you can't always guarantee quality if you can't view before buying. Still waiting for it to stop raining!!!
Well everyone, finally managed to get the tent up the other week and I am mightily impressed!
Good head height, we're both 6ft and there is room above us not to bump our heads, very simple to pitch, seems quite sturdy.
Pros:
Easy to pitch
Good head height
Width
Big doors, side one with fly sheet, front one under canopy
Big windows on front and one on side
zip open semi circle in bedroom pod to allow easy pegging of it/ventilation (see pics)
Storage pockets in bedroom and in main living area
Washing line attached, length of living area, but would have to be for very light things like flannels!
Fly sheet on top of bedroom doors for ventilation
Dark inner of bedroom pod to prevent light....was darker than old one, but not sure whether it will work.
Cons:
Side window cover can only be opened from outside
One peg required to be pegged through slit in living area SIG to hold bedroom pod in place - risk or kicking your tow up if not down enough, but still might stand on it!
Not many bad bits, just got to see how it holds up in rain, wind, etc. Was fairly breezy when we pitched it but didn't really move. Worth noting it only has a SIG in the living area and that the bedroom pod is integrated, once pitched and pod up, there is a perimeter of grass around the pod which some people might not like, but the outer fly sheet comes far enough down to the ground that I don't foresee any problems.
Looking at side door side
Back
Side with window - note you do cover on outside!
Front
Living area looking at side window (orange cord above window a washing line!!)
Living area looking at side door
Bedroom pod
Bedroom pod zipped area for ventilation I guess!!
Looking from bedroom pod to living area
Trying to show it's quite high! Looking from canopy to inside
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Topic: Aldi 5 man Adventuridge tent...thoughts?
