Hi, can anyone help me to make up my mind. We have bought a Khyam XL Execelsior but unfortunately as we are novices to camping went in not really knowing which tent to buy. I am concerned that this tent does not have a SIG, and after reading on the message board this is very important.
I can take this tent back as still in cooling off period. What do you think would a SIG be better than not a SIG, would the rain get in, or would it be draughty. I believe the Khyam is a good tent which hopefully will stand bad weather. This is the first ever camping weekend I have ever gone on so want to get it right.
Many Thanks
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There's been a great deal of debate on the whole "SIG or not" thing, do a search...
I've got an XXL Excelsior, which I love. It has never leaked, not even a drop (touch wood), and has stood up to some pretty foul weather admirably. If you've got the loose groundsheet you have options available to you, depending on conditions. If it's hot and dry, we don't bother with the groundsheet at all. You get plenty of ventilation this way, with nice green grass in your living area. Do you really want a SIG in the middle of summer? If we're expecting wind and rain we'll peg the storm flaps internally, and have the groundsheet on top - even my wife has had to concede that it's just like having a SIG if pitched properly.
The Khyam's are really well made, offer comfortable accommodation in all conditions (see above) and quick and easy to pitch,
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the SIG issue. All I can say from my perspective is that I'm really, really happy with the Khyam...
Thanks Andywelsh for your reply, the bedroom department has a SIG which I am glad about, its just we have dog so hopefully if pegged down properly he wouldn't be able to get out, and after reading many messages about the beasties getting in without a SIG slightly puts me off, (but many experience campers would say "thats camping" )
Would I have to put some type of tent/awning strap over the tent?
I can't say for definite that your dog wouldn't be able to escape, I suppose it depends how big / determined he is.
We've not really suffered from bugs in the Khyam any more than we do in our Coleman (with a SIG). Bugs get inside tents, that's just the way it is. Try to keep either the doors or mesh screens on your bedroom pod closed all the time - I don't mind the odd bug in the main tent, not so keen in my bed.
Sorry, I don't get what you mean about putting a strap over the tent...
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We use to have a caravan and we alway had to put an awning strap over the top to stop the wind from blowing the awning up. My husbands bought the tent for a weekend, just thinking should I give it a go or forget camping. Thats why i'm trying to get as much advice regarding the tent before the cooling period runs out. Thanks for your advice, sorry to sound thick but as said before this is the first camping trip (fingers crossed)
You don't need to put any strap across the top of your Khyam. Honestly (I know I'm biased) they're brilliant tents. They really are foolproof to erect and offer loads of space. We (me, wife and nearly 2 year old daughter) love ours to bits.
Give it a go - camping's brill! You've got a great tent which will allow you to take off for a weekend (or more) away with the minimum of preplanning. I reckon we're owed a halfway decent summer this year, it would be a shame not to make the most of it.
Hi Aquamarine63, I too bought an XXL Excelsior this year as a complete newbie to camping. I had exactly the same doubts as you with regard to the groundsheet but I can assure you that following my first trip a few weeks ago the tent was fantastic....big, but fantastic! Being able to stand upright in the bedrooms is great and each bedroom pod can fit two double air beds, so there was plenty of room. The one positive thing I would also say about the SIG/Non Sig argument was that in the afternoon of our trip the tent got really hot (it was actually sunny!) and although we could open the front and 'back' door, it was great being able to 'un-peg' the footprint groundsheet and sort of lift up the middle parts of the sides a little and get a nice flow of air to vent the tent.
At night we didn't suffer from any 'ground' creepy crawlies/slugs but I would say to take some fly spray as the top of the central living area of the tent tended to get a good collection of very small flies.
Sorry for the long post but hopefuuly it will put your mind at rest.
p.s. Although it was really easy to put the tent up, to my embarrassment it took me 2 1/2 hours to complete everything inc groundsheet etc, my only excuse was that it was the first time, I was on my own, and I had no idea what clip/guy/strap to use and must have moved and hammered every peg in at least 5 times!!
Thanks traffman for your reply, glad someone had the same worries as me. The bedrooms have a SIG so thats something and andywelsh stated to keep the bedrooms closed so that no creepies can get in. Any ideas on sleeping bags or just take a duvet as read through other posts some air beds sink in the middle and also did you have to buy extra ground pegs or did you get enough with your tent?
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Topic: Advice on Khyam XL Execelsior
