New Family getting into camping, We have just seen a second-hand ORAVA 650XL comes with carpet, ground sheet and side extension. Lady says always packed away dry but has some fading on the roof, and has done the following:-
2x 2 Week holidays
5x 2/3 nights holidays
What would everyone's opinion be on going for secondhand (I would ask for it to be setup so we can inspect it) as I am sure you all have much more experience than myself!
Thanks for reading :)
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If the roof has faded there is a chance of it leaking as polyester degrades in sunlight and loses its waterproofing qualities.
It may well be ok at the moment but be aware of the likelihood of leaks.
If it's already faded I'd be concerned about how much more life it has in it tbh. That's not an enormous amount of use but if the two-week holidays were in the south of France (Or even in very sunny weather in the UK.)...
If it's very cheap and you just want to try camping it may be worth it, otherwise I'd look for something new/er.
Check the poles for completeness and damage so asking for a demonstration pitch up would be a very good idea!
DK
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That's potentially a 9-10 year old tent (time takes it's toll as well as use!), with the fading which does imply heavy use in fabric damaging sun, I'd suggest it possibly has quite limited life left in it even if sound now!
For the right price (and it would need to be cheap!), it may serve you as an introduction to camping for a few trips, which may well make it decent value for money. The accessories like carpets etc. make it appealing, BUT none of that is worth a penny IF the actual tent is no good, it's the TENT alone that is the deciding factor!
As suggested, see it erected and check for missing/damaged poles and any other obvious deterioration/damage. Replacement pole sections are generally available if required (they often start splitting around the metal ferules) , BUT too many needed and it becomes a money pit to walk away from - you'd be better off throwing the cash towards a new tent! Look for detachment/repairs of seam sealing tapes, a typical failing of aging tents. Yes, you can stick them back in place and reseal, but it becomes a bit of a Forth Bridge painting exercise once it starts, you'll likely be doing it again and again!
Funny business camping, get the gear wrong on first try and and it may well taint the experience and damn it for all time never to be repeated again! Get it more or less right and you could be hooked for life, but setting yourself up for a buying spree of the RIGHT gear!
Second hand tents are a bit of a gamble, they can pay off handsomely, I bought mine s/h and got a 'good un', but the risks are there, and no one who isn't actually looking at the very tent in question before their own eyes can do much more than guide on general points.
Often overlooked in the awe of the tent as holiday accommodation, is it's size and weight when packed in it's holdall! That's a BIG tent, can you lift and manhandle it, and will it fit in the car boot ALONG with everything else you need? When it comes to camping gear, car boots are a bit like the Tardis in reverse! - it may look a cavernous space empty, but once you start packing the gear in, and it's getting full with only half the pile of kit in it, it starts looking daunting!
Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 30/5/2024
If the roof has faded there is a chance of it leaking as polyester degrades in sunlight and loses its waterproofing qualities.
It may well be ok at the moment but be aware of the likelihood of leaks.
This was my worry so thanks for confirming :)
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 31/5/2024
That's potentially a 9-10 year old tent (time takes it's toll as well as use!), with the fading which does imply heavy use in fabric damaging sun, I'd suggest it possibly has quite limited life left in it even if sound now!
For the right price (and it would need to be cheap!), it may serve you as an introduction to camping for a few trips, which may well make it decent value for money. The accessories like carpets etc. make it appealing, BUT none of that is worth a penny IF the actual tent is no good, it's the TENT alone that is the deciding factor!
As suggested, see it erected and check for missing/damaged poles and any other obvious deterioration/damage. Replacement pole sections are generally available if required (they often start splitting around the metal ferules) , BUT too many needed and it becomes a money pit to walk away from - you'd be better off throwing the cash towards a new tent! Look for detachment/repairs of seam sealing tapes, a typical failing of aging tents. Yes, you can stick them back in place and reseal, but it becomes a bit of a Forth Bridge painting exercise once it starts, you'll likely be doing it again and again!
Funny business camping, get the gear wrong on first try and and it may well taint the experience and damn it for all time never to be repeated again! Get it more or less right and you could be hooked for life, but setting yourself up for a buying spree of the RIGHT gear!
Second hand tents are a bit of a gamble, they can pay off handsomely, I bought mine s/h and got a 'good un', but the risks are there, and no one who isn't actually looking at the very tent in question before their own eyes can do much more than guide on general points.
Often overlooked in the awe of the tent as holiday accommodation, is it's size and weight when packed in it's holdall! That's a BIG tent, can you lift and manhandle it, and will it fit in the car boot ALONG with everything else you need? When it comes to camping gear, car boots are a bit like the Tardis in reverse! - it may look a cavernous space empty, but once you start packing the gear in, and it's getting full with only half the pile of kit in it, it starts looking daunting!
Thanks for this was really helpful :) we were thinking maybe it would save us a bit of cash to put into other things but we have ended up ordering a new Orava 650XL to get us going as it was only £550 with groundsheet and carpet so bargin really.
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Topic: Second-Hand Tent Vango Orava650XL
