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We stupidly went over to Raglan Garden Centre on the way back from Ross on Wye's camping trip last weekend where Hubby saw his dream tent!!!! 

I say stupidly as our tent is only about a year or so old, so realistically we shouldn't be looking at new ones, lol.   Anyway we only went in to look for some tent cleaner and water proofer, our year old tent is well used in Welsh weather!!!  :)

So he see's this giant of a tent, the Vango Nile 800, everything appeals to him!!   It appeals to me too, but is it too big for a family of 4?   Is it stupidly big for a family of 4??

I think it was a bargain price too, the tent, the canopy, the carpet and foot print for £449.00.

We currently have the Wynnster Peregrine 6, but with only 2 bedroom pods it's a squeeze with the girls, they aren't going to share for much longer, the living space is okay on dry days, but rainy ones, which we mostly have here in Wales are again a squeeze with all of us in and then trying to cook too.  

Not trying to make excuses to get a big tent or use one, but our eldest (6) is autistic (ASD) with ADD and needs space, she's not easily contained.    Our youngest (3) is going through the process of being diagnosed too.   So we know only too well we will need a bigger tent at some point to separate them and give them both space, but is this too big?    What about pitching, would we have a problem with the size of it?

I was also looking at the Outwell Wolflake, but I have to admit the Vango Nile seems to fit our needs better.

Any thoughts welcome.  :)

Go for it - lots of people like or need a bit of space (especially in poor weather).

But I'm reading that more & more sites charge more for, or refuse big tents (which they classify as over 5m wide)

Anyone else got any views on this  :o)   

How are Vango as a make?  Are there any flawes in them or defects that should be looked out for?      I always thought/assumed Outwell were the leading brand, but this tent does tick a few boxes for us, that the wolf lake doesn't.

Are we thinking over and above our means with this, or are we being realistic in thinking the girls won't share or get along forever in a small area.

I have nothing against the size, I have tents that are well bigger than I need, but I like my space too.

The only thing about this particular one that puts me off is the single side bedroom pod. Would you really use this for sleeping in or just as a cupboard space? if its just to be used as storage or toilet area it sticks out a long way?On other tents the side storage pods are only about 1m deep. Seems a bit of a waste of space to me.

It makes the tent rather wide, so might give you pitch size problems, where you may be asked to pay for 2 pitches.

Vango are one of the big names in tent manufacture, never seem to hear anything but praise for them, but try a search here for that model, I think its new this year?.

Hi guys

We are complete camping virgins, and also went to Raglan last weekend intending on buying the Outwell Hartford L........that is until we stepped into the four storey town house that is the Vango Nile 800!!!

We came home and hunted the net for the best bargain buy, and started looking at reviews, all of which seemed to say the same 'too big to pitch on designated plots' etc.  I turned into a complete tent anorack, up until midnight seaching,reviewing, checking pitching sizes and then went to the Discover store (Previously Mendip) in Newport, where the 'tent girl' Carly was an absolute dream.  She was so honest with us regarding various tents I wouldn't hesitate in dealing with her again.

Anyway, back to the Nile.....Carly offered us a 2007 Royal Bordeaux 6 SG for £150 because it was last years model, but OH now completely set on Nile 800 four storey town house REFUSED THE OFFER, thanked Carly and we returned home for me to keep on hunting!!!

I however now set my sights on the 'bargain' Bordeaux and discovered that is is incredibly similar to the Nile (only one additional pod though on the right hand side) Curved over roof poles and additional side supports.  3000HH (5000 on Nile) and smaller living area (but the pitching area for the 800 was 10 metres long!!)

I decided to bite the bullet and went back and purchased the 'Bargain Bordeaux' and OMG are we impressed.  We came back today from our maiden voyage to the Gower, where we were hit with 30/40 mph gusts and driving rain for a full 24 hours!  When all around were losing theirs, our tent stood firm!  I will admit to a few drips from the ties inside, but that is all they were and the weather was extreme!!!  Others packed up and left as their canvas hit the ground, and we watched out of our windows (which definately add to the 'space' factor by the way).  Two adults and two teenagers (once of which is 5'10'') and two big dogs had plenty of room in this tent without being on top of each other, and the additional annex had a completely seperate ground sheet which meant that we could use this as our wet entrance.

Other campers noticed our rock solid Bordeaux and we were approached this morning while packing away by a lady who asked where we had it from as she too had seen other tents blowing away and our home from home still standing tall.

Having spoken to Carly initially I was Vango all the way, had concerns about the HH of different tents etc and was so afraid of spending lots of money on a tent that may not withstand our fantastic british summer that we are currently enjoying! (Not) but I've been converted - thumbs up to the Royal Bordeaux. 

Quote: Originally posted by Landeg on 10/8/2008

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Anyone else got any views on this  :o)   

How are Vango as a make?  Are there any flawes in them or defects that should be looked out for?      I always thought/assumed Outwell were the leading brand, but this tent does tick a few boxes for us, that the wolf lake doesn't.

Are we thinking over and above our means with this, or are we being realistic in thinking the girls won't share or get along forever in a small area.

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