We've always wondered why the manufacturers don't include a fabric "gutter" around doors to at least make sure any moisture above it is directed away from the entrance to some degree. Would make all the difference on the side door of our Icarus after rain.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Quote: Originally posted by tentadventurer on 17/8/2013
Thanks Basichendo, I just had a look. Really helpful. The kampa site says it has a full SIG so surprised to read it hasn't. Think we'll probably go with something else in that case.
"The main tent has a fully sewn-in groundsheet to keep draughts and bugs out and the front porch has a bathtub groundsheet that you can install or remove depending upon how you want to use the porch."
My take is, rightly or wrongly, that any tent with a canopy will have either no Canopy groundsheet, or an optional separate one. A SIG throughout would mean it wasn't a canopy.... just a long tent, with a front room!!
Glad I'm not the only one who thought that the sloping front was a mad idea!
We used to go camping a lot years ago, then upgrade to a trailer tent then folding camper, but now back to a tent.
When looking for a new tent last year I just couldn't get my head round the fact that if it's raining on opening the front sloping door the tent is full of rain!
I came to the conclusion it's so the manufacturers can sell the extensions as extras.
I can understand it when it's windy to lessen the impact, but try telling the wind that it can only blow in a certain direction :-)
Really interesting to read what everyone thinks about the sloping fronts. I agree, in the wind they perform much better. Still not sure I'm a fan though. We've currently got a second hand Arkansas 7 and absolutely love it! The vertical walls inside the living area are great for squaring cupboards up to and the canopy gives you somewhere to cook, even in the rain. Not much chance of any rainwater getting in through the door either. Haven't used it in really windy conditions (yet), so yet to see how it fares then.
Looking at the Air beam tents as we want a smaller weekend tent that's quick to pitch. Like the look of the Concorde L except for the sloping front. I'm living in hope that Outwell bring out a canopied air beam next season but am not holding my breath! Not sure whether an Air beam tent with a canopy would work?
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
My son has just bought a Concorde L as he needed a tent for this year and this suited his requirements. While looking he did learn that next year the concorde doesn't have a sloping front, and has a small canopy instead.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
When it's raining you just use the side "rain safe" door. We've always done this and never had a problem.
The sloped fronts are much more stable in the wind and i agree that the old style frame tents were flat and sturdy but i wonder if this was more to do with the design of the actual frame.
We've had a flat front with built in canopy (amazon 600) and now have an outwell maui reef and indian lake.
The maui is much more sturdy in the wind than the amazon. I used to worry in that as the wind would hit the front or side and you could see the front trying to lift.
Sloped for me every time with a removable canopy.
Quote:
Yup, I've seen the odd montana porch lift in wind, its what caused us to buy a slopey fronted tent. However the front of ours is a porch so it doesnt matter if rains as we can peel back the groundsheet. What I don't understand is why outwell sells a carpet for the yellowstone porch which has a similar design as its bound to get wet
If its raining we enter and exit by either of the two side doors. One side is usually less vulnerable to rain getting in than the other depending on the wind direction. The front room carpet is useful too as it keeps the groundsheet clean from muddy shoes. I find it much easier to hang up the tent and groundsheets clean and then hang the carpet out to dry after washing it with a carpet washer. We have dogs so we regularly wash the carpets. Having to open the groundsheets up again when we get home would be a no no.
------------- MAY 2017 - Loch Ken, Scotland
JUNE 2017 - Sango Sands, Durness, Scotland
AUGUST 2017 - Balloch O Dee, Galloway and Invergarry
SEPTEMBER 2017 - three brief trips
OCTOBER 2017 - hopefully one final trip before Halloween
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 18/8/2013
Quote: Originally posted by tentadventurer on 17/8/2013Thanks Basichendo, I just had a look. Really helpful. The kampa site says it has a full SIG so surprised to read it hasn't. Think we'll probably go with something else in that case.
"The main tent has a fully sewn-in groundsheet to keep draughts and bugs out and the front porch has a bathtub groundsheet that you can install or remove depending upon how you want to use the porch."
My take is, rightly or wrongly, that any tent with a canopy will have either no Canopy groundsheet, or an optional separate one. A SIG throughout would mean it wasn't a canopy.... just a long tent, with a front room!!
Mucker
xxx
Hi Mucker, what is being referred to here is the ground sheet in the main area, not the canopy. It's advertised as a full SIG... But it isn't. It could be, just like, I think, the croyde, with a zip along the bottom of the partition. But, it doesn't have this and that's what I remarked on in my review, which tentadventurer is referring to.
------------- Hendo
****************************
Holtkamper Cocoon Aero
Karsten 300 + CA, RA
We have seen too many tents destabilised and wrecked by the wind hitting head on to an upright tent or getting under an open canopy. All of our tents have been chosen with windshedding features in mind. Frame tents and such as the Bear Lake have strong horizontal braces to help spread the strain from the front pole across all poles. Many upright fronted tents don't do this or do not provide strong enough cross braces. We have actually seen some cross-bracing poles fail (e.g. in a Royal tent).
By the way, in many of the vertical fronted conversions of earlier designs (e.g. Vango Samara from the Vango Sungari) there has been no additional head height space added, the front has just gone vertically down from the front pole, removing all the floor space/storage/table/seating/play space forward of this. It effectively reduces the usable space. Only by adding an extra pole do you get more space.
The side porch of Vango's Columbia and Outwell's Montana provides an excellent solution to the issues of access in the wet, as does the positioning of the side doors of Vango's Kairos 400 under a pole sleeve (which then acts as a gutter). Sloped windshedding tent designs do not have to result in you getting wet. A quick tarp over the front in most weathers also deals with access, but you can take it down in adverse weather so allowing the windshedding shape of the tent to kick in and do its job.
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Quote: Originally posted by Basichendo on 24/8/2013..... Hi Mucker, what is being referred to here is the ground sheet in the main area, not the canopy. It's advertised as a full SIG... But it isn't. It could be, just like, I think, the croyde, with a zip along the bottom of the partition. But, it doesn't have this and that's what I remarked on in my review, which tentadventurer is referring to.
Hi Basichendo,
I was still confused by that, tbh, but have now studied some pics of the Woolacombe..... and I think I now know where the confusion (on my part) has arisen!
It seems, the Woolacombe SIG is left flat at the doorway, thus...
Meaning that, if the canopy groundsheet was left out, for arguments sake, the main tent SIG would lie flat, and end flat, where it meets the grass in the canopy.
Whereas my Filey SIG returns vertically at this point, (Always having to step over it), whether zipped to the front wall/door or not. Thus....
Is this why you state the Woolacombe is not a "Full SIG"?
And by that reckoning, strictly speaking, would my Filey be better described as 3 parts SIG (Rear plus 2 sides) and 1 part ZIG (Front)?
PS....
I have a horrible feeling that the above may be coming across as me being pedantic, but I assure you that's not the case.... I'm truly trying to get my facts straight/learning the correct terminology (for both my own satisfaction, and to ensure that I don't make a habit of misinforming folk on here, in future!)
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 25/8/2013
Is this why you state the Woolacombe is not a "Full SIG"?
And by that reckoning, strictly speaking, would my Filey be better described as 3 parts SIG (Rear plus 2 sides) and 1 part ZIG (Front)?
PS....
I have a horrible feeling that the above may be coming across as me being pedantic, but I assure you that's not the case.... I'm truly trying to get my facts straight/learning the correct terminology (for both my own satisfaction, and to ensure that I don't make a habit of misinforming folk on here, in future!)
Have I got it now? Please say I have!!
Oh I really don't know technical terms!!! I'm far more of a novice!!! But I think you sum it up (although I've never seen a Filey). All I was trying to get across is that along the front of the inner wall the groundsheet is loose and not sewn or zipped to the wall. That does mean it can lie flat BUT it also mean bugs and especially drafts / grass and mud get in. I think it's the Croyde that has the same design but along the bottom there's a zip, which massively assists with keeping toasty!
Apologies for any confusion!!!
------------- Hendo
****************************
Holtkamper Cocoon Aero
Karsten 300 + CA, RA
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Outwell sloping fronts. Practical?
