After a lot of debating over which to buy the aruba or a biscaya, plunged for the aruba and have not regretted it. Just spent 12 nights away in Dorset and can't believe what a difference it has made to camping! Used to have smaller Andre Jamet frame tent, then for the last 5 years have been using a wild country homestead 7 family dome tent, but so glad to go back to the traditional frame tent. They are so much more practical with space to sit, cook and hang stuff, and feel cosy at night. Just can't wait to go again even though we did pull the tent down in the pouring rain (not recommended) and have spent 3 days drying it out in the garden. Definately will check weather forecast next time and pick a dry day to pack a canvas tent away. Would recommend this tent to anyone for a family tent. Excellent quality and loads of room. Happy Camping! Sue
------------- sue
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Nice to find a happy camper in the midst of all this foul weather.Glad you are enjoying your new tent.You can't beat a Cabanon frame tent.A few years ago we had a Cabanon Elody,it was a wonderful tent.If we were not planning on upgrading to a TT,we would most certainly have bought a Biscaya.Still it most likly will be a Cabanon TT.
Sue.
------------- Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed
It's good to hear you had a good trip in and around all the doom and gloom about weather. I think camping is much easier in a frame tent, you can keep everything in and around you and still have space for kids to read, colour etc.
I'm on the hunt for a second hand Aruba if you get bored of yours!
Im sure you will not be disappointed with your new tent. I could not believe how big the Aruba was when we first put it up, loads of space for the 3 kids. We bought the utility annexe but never used it this time, but I think it would be good if the weather was really bad, the more space the better! luckily we picked the best place to go for weather this year. I would recommend the sun canopy if you can get hold of one, keeps things dry outside the door. Also we have a large car and trailer which you definately need for this tent, final tip make sure you take it down in the dry if possible, otherwise a lot of hard work at the end of your holiday. Have a great time.
Oh i am the lucky one then as we have just a second hand Aruba not used it et but hope to this weekend weather permitting any tips??
Tip poles out onto the ground and scratch head, disagree with other half as to what goes where then swear profusely, retrieve pole section from bushes where other half tossed them and look again at the pile, start to assemble poles, ask OH where this bit goes then disassemble again while bringing OH's parentage into dispute, smile through gritted teeth at other campers who have suddenly all appeared sat outside their tents, enventually when you get the frame up blame OH for everything and put on canvas
Remove cork from wine bottle and sit back admiring your work in the fading light of dusk
Also we have a large car and trailer which you definately need for this tent, final tip make sure you take it down in the dry if possible, otherwise a lot of hard work at the end of your holiday. SUE
Don't agree that you necessarily need a trailer to transport the Aruba.
I put the poles and canvas behind the front passenger seat in a large (hired) estate car with storage boxes, towels, blankets, cold box etc on the rear seat behind the tent. This keeps the not inconsiderable weight of the tent in the middle of the car but the disadvantage is you can only take two passengers, one in the front and one in the back.
Totally agree that it's best to get the tent dry before you take it down. If I have to take it down wet, the poles and inner tents go in the car as described but the outer goes folded flat on the load behind the rear seat with a polythene sheet under it to stop it dripping over everything else.
The tent is very easy to get up and down, I put it up on my own in a moderate wind a couple of weeks ago. If you are lucky enough to have people to help you, always have one person (not necessarily you) directing operations and never blame them if they get it wrong: it saves rows.
Take care
R
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Hi Irons, I hope you enjoy yours, I'm waiting for a better bargain!
When packing up Cabanons make sure you drop the roof lining first thing in the morning this lets the air circulate around the roof as there will be some condensation there. Also get an old teatowel or similar, untie the canvas from the poles and wipe around under the poles to wipe off any condensation. Pay particular attention to the kitchen area as you'll get damper patches around there
Thanks for the good advise about drying tent, I will remember this for next time. By the way my comment about needing a large car and trailer to transport this tent is probably only for people, who like me take everything but the kitchen sink!
Thanks for the good advise about drying tent, I will remember this for next time. By the way my comment about needing a large car and trailer to transport this tent is probably only for people, who like me take everything but the kitchen sink!
Sue
Sue, we've got a Brenderup 1205S trailer with high sides and ABS lid. I'm much too embarrassed to post a picture of it, it's huge! So big that I (at 5ft 3) have to have a step to pack it
In our defence we have this so that we can leave all the camping kit in the trailer, throw the clothes bags in and go as the boot is full of the fridge and OH's photography kit!
------------- Piglet
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Don't think it's the amount of stuff one tries to pack in the car so much as the number people!
Admittedly I don't take the kitchen sink, fridges or microwave ovens and don't have EHU but I fill the smaller inner tent with stuff and that doesn't include my clothes and personal items which go in the Force Ten with me!
I don't own a car and therefore I don't own a trailer (I rent a car when I need one) so I'm limited to only two passengers. Now the kids are older they come in their own cars or on the train.
I've posted a good bit about the Aruba and wet weather camping but posts disappear after a while; if anyone is interested I can re-post.
Where were you in Dorset Piglet? I was on Acton Field a couple of weeks ago.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: cabanon aruba
