Help! Camping newcommers here! Decided to camp in Aug this year, stayed in a small tent last year and decided we loved it, but what tent to buy!! We have just come back from the Yeomans exhibition at Evesham, like the look of the Vango Tigris 800, we would like 3 rooms, our concern was the door did not seem to seal at the bottom...there was a hole the size of a large mouse! Is this just due to the pitching or is that a genuine issue?! We also like the Outwells (floor slopes up so no gaps) in particular the michigan XL but as its a new tent cant find any reviews. Also like the Outwell nevada L but seen mixed reviews....Oh its so confusing! Our budget is around £400 if anyone can give us some help we would be so grateful!Thank you
------------- Budemeadows, Bude,Cornwall Aug
Devon Aug
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I think that what you are refering to on the Tigris is not a fault but part of the design. Family tents with sewn-in-groundsheets (SIG) tend to have that raised floor as you noticed on the Outwell. However, some people think that this can cause people to trip up as they enter and exit the tent (I guess that it all depends on how many beers they've had) so Vango family tents have a little mechanism so that during the day, when people are often in and out of the tent, that raised "lip" can be lowered so that it is flush with the floor, and then raised again at night so that no water can flow in (it does sometimes rain when you are camping!!) and draughts are excluded.
Personally I don't think that they are necessary. Also I believe that the Outwells are a bit better quality that the Vangos, but they are, accordingly, a little more expensive.
The Michigan is a new tent but the design seems fine to me and, as already said, they are a good brand. But how many will be sleeping in it? Three in each of those rooms would be a bit of a squeeze, especially as the roof slopes. I would say two in each room unless they are young kids. (As a general rule you tend to need a tent that can "sleep" one or three more than you need it for; don't forget you will have equipment, bags, etc.)
Another thing you need to consider with the Michigan is its shape and size and whether the campsites you are thinking of visiting will take its size. Another rule is that tunnel tents are more efficient with the use of floor area.
One more thing before I go and re-write War and Peace, in your budget for your tent, allow for a footprint groundsheet and carpet.
Hello and thank you! Just come back from viwing the Vango again at Romford (fantastic camping shop!) and it was pitched differently so I could see what you are saying about the doorway and it makes more sense now! We are 2 adults plus 2 kids, kids want their own rooms! Hence why we are looking at bigger tents plus the option of having friends come with us. So much helpful advice thank you.....probably go with the Vango, as you said pitch sizes vary so dont want to be restricted but I think I will look at the Outwells again just to make sure...!!!
------------- Budemeadows, Bude,Cornwall Aug
Devon Aug
If this helps Gary from Cross Camping and Leisure posted on another thread that the camping and caravanning club sites pitch sizes are 11 x 11ft giving a 5 x 8ft tent size when you put in the 3m fire regs. Do those tents fit in those sizes?
hth
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I have not got a clue! All I can find is the pitching area which is 940x500cm if that makes sense to anyone! You can tell im new to all this and it sounds like I have a lot to learn! Im also getting confused over extensions or canopies....read another post regarding somewhere to put shoes etc outside but even the vango website is confusing regarding extras!!!!!
------------- Budemeadows, Bude,Cornwall Aug
Devon Aug
Check this out here It is 3 bedrooms, an outwell so good quality and very large inside but not an unreasonable footprint because of the tunnel design. The great thing about this tent is the front canopy is already included so you don't have to spend extra on an extension. It really is a lot of good quality tent at a great price because they are discontinued this year. It is almost identical in design to the brand new outwell Arkansas except it doesn't have steel poles, instead it has fibre glass poles, which means the whole tent is a LOT lighter so not necessarily a bad thing. To buy an Arkansas 7 would set you back by anything up to another £400. Yikes!
I know I bang on about sunvalleys a lot but i have camped in one for the last 4 seasons and have bought a new one for this year. It really has proved to be pretty much everything we need from a tent, especially now the canopy is included. With kids, being able to have the door open, even in the rain is a real bonus as well as providing somewhere to cook, shelter from the wind and rain.
Hope this helps
Claud
Just to add another one into the mix, have you had a look at the Khyam Ontario 8? We have this tent and it is fabulous - 3 large bedrooms (2+2+4) which easily take 75cm wide airbeds, SIG to keep bugs and drafts out, standing height, fits onto almost all pitches because of its rectangular shape (tent measures 7.5m x 3.7m) it's easy to erect and you can buy carpet and sun porch to make it a real home from home.
We paid £189 for ours and got the footprint groundsheet thrown in the free.
------------- Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
How about a coleman? It should (I think!) fit in regular pitches and is well within your budget. The evora range are ace as you can buy unzippable pods for them... bit like a tent extension!
I have a similar question being very new to this game and to be honest still to be convinced that'll we'll like it! But I've just looked at the Colman Evora and like what I see, any other observation. Hello to everyone by the way :-).
I like the design of the Vango, living area in the middle bedrooms either side, taking OH to yet another camping shop with tents up to make a final decision.....although I am liking the Khyam 1 thanks!!!!!
------------- Budemeadows, Bude,Cornwall Aug
Devon Aug
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Quote: Originally posted by ashwellgirl on 05/4/2009
If this helps Gary from Cross Camping and Leisure posted on another thread that the camping and caravanning club sites pitch sizes are 11 x 11ft giving a 5 x 8ft tent size when you put in the 3m fire regs. Do those tents fit in those sizes?
hth
I think you're combining feet and metres there!
I imagine what he said was 11m x 11m which leaves 5m x 8m for pitching leaving 3m to either side.
The C&CC may have changed but they used to say that their average pitch (there is no such thing as a standard pitch) was 10m x 10m so the available space would be 4m x 7m.
Quote: Originally posted by Former Scout on 07/4/2009
Hello and welcome to the forum, Rob. I'm sure that, once you give it a go, you will very much enjoy "this game".
Do you mean the Coleman Evolva? I saw it today. I'm not convinced.
If you give some idea of your requirements (numbers, ages, etc.), budget, etc., members will pass on ideas.
Thanks Scout. My Requirements are for 4 people, 2 adults and two girls 12 and 15, preferably with two bedrooms, one either side. Budget is probably about 300. My wife was looking at the bargains in Halfords but I think not! Help, there are just too many to choose from.
First of all, if you want a tent for four then the general rule is to get a tent that "sleeps" five or six; otherwise things can be a little cramped in the sleeping compartments, especially when you take into consideration personal luggage, etc.
You suggest that you want a vis-a-vis tent (rooms at either end). My strongest recommendation would be the Outwell Michigan L. I saw this at a tent display last week and rather liked it. It has a good-sized living area and, importantly IMHO, an enclosed porch. (Believe-you-me, getting in and out of a tent when it is raining without getting the inside of your tent wet is a comical affair.) There's a SIG and plenty of ventilation including mesh on the doors (all of which helps keep the bugs out). Windows to allow views but "curtains" for privacy. You will get a penny or five change from your £300. But on top of that you should seriously consider a footprint groundsheet and carpet as well. The only downside in my opinion is that you sleep sideways to the door not end-on; so if the person on the far side wants to get out of the bedroom they would have to climb over the one near the door.
Also to consider (and cheaper) are the Outwell Nevada L, Outwell Iowa (£150 in last year's blue, £200 in this year's green), Vango Tigris 600, Vango Kura 600 and various tunnel tents by the likes of Gelert, Hi-Gear (re-branded Gelert, last year's models, from Go Outdoors) and Khyam; but virtually all of these you would need to get a canopy of some sort as well as the footprint groundsheet, etc.
Anything else just ask, and I'll try to respond quicker than this time!!
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Topic: Tent recommendations
Help! Camping newcommers here! Decided to camp in Aug this year, stayed in a small tent last year and decided we loved it, but what tent to buy!! We have just come back from the Yeomans exhibition at Evesham, like the look of the Vango Tigris 800, we would like 3 rooms, our concern was the door did not seem to seal at the bottom...there was a hole the size of a large mouse! Is this just due to the pitching or is that a genuine issue?! We also like the Outwells (floor slopes up so no gaps) in particular the michigan XL but as its a new tent cant find any reviews. Also like the Outwell nevada L but seen mixed reviews....Oh its so confusing! Our budget is around £400 if anyone can give us some help we would be so grateful!Thank you
