Help! Here are my dilema's (I have seen the Vermont up but not the Idaho):
Have 3 young kids and love both the tents but the Vermont is quite a bit more money than the Idaho (have seen Idaho for £395, Vermont XL £650), so please let me know your thoughts on my thoughs!
*Idaho only has 2 bedrooms - we intend to keep this for years so kids may want separate beds at some point
* Idaho porch size - it this large enough to store cooker etc
* Idaho - has this got a spacey living area and can you stand up pretty much everywhere?
* Vermont - love it but price is a little more than wanted to pay but is it worth it anyway considering we wil have it for years?
* Is there a tent similar in style to the Vermont XL (ie large living space at front, bedrooms at back) that you could also recommend - I love the Montana but too small I think.
Look forward to hearing your experience.
Thanks
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
having the cooker in the porch may be a bit tight, we use the front extension and have the cooker in thier if the weather is poor, otherwise we cook outside.
In the Bedroom pods we fit 2 camp beds which leaves space down the middle for walking.
We have used the living area to feed 7 of us without too much trouble.
Have a look at this album it might give you some more idea of size.
i also have the idaho xl and i love it, so much space, i fit myself and my 3 kids in one bedroom, they are aged 5, 7 and 81/2, all on self inflating mats, you can stand up in any part of the tent, i love the dressing area its such a versatile space, kids can play in there when wet and clothes kept out of sight, in the other side my sister and her 11 yr old dd stay in there, and again they love the privacy of their dressing room,they call it their ensuite.
as for the porch, i have had a large kitchen larder in there, table on the other side, and room to cook if wet,, have had 9 people in my idaho xl, as the dressing area can be used as a sleeping area for the odd stop over vistors that we seem to get.
for money and space i haven't come across a tent like it before, look at the reviews you will not be disappointed, and its easy to put up, me and my sister can put this tent up in 45 mins flat.
hope this helps
happy camping.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
thanks loads for that - I am hoping to go and see an Idaho tomorrow. Would you say it's well worth getting the front extension then? Does it take up a lot of room to pack?! (worried about fitting us all in car!)
I would recommend the front extension for extra space if it is raining. Compared to the size of the tent bag and the pole bag i would say it takes up little space.
hi we have the idaho l,not the xl,but i cant rate it highly enough.
we absolutely love it,our 2boys shared their room,we got them the kids inner(how fab) and there was plenty of room for their ready beds and a whole host of toys!! dressing areas great,we used the on by kids room as storage area which left the central living area free from junk and clutter so ample room for kids to play in inthe mornings.
we kept a table and a larder and the cooker in our porch area,although we moved the cooker out when in use,we have just placed an order for porch extension,to give us greater flexibility,especially as we are unlikely to get a whole wk of unbroken sunshine for our camping holiday 2yrs in a row!!
also,as to their only being two bedrooms,we had the grandparents to stay for one nights camping and they slept in the living area,which was plenty big enough.
my husband really approved of standing height rooms as well,im short so wouldnt really of factored that in in my decision making!
------------- helly
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
wooo hooo - I saw the Idaho XL today and, well, they say when you know you just know, and I knew it was the one!
Love it - loads of space, smaller porch but perfect for kicking wellies off and storing a cooker - loads of room inside for the rest of the gear.
Came home from shop and ordered online from Go Outdoors as was £150 cheaper. Ordered the carpet too (can't quite get over having a carpet in a tent - ha ha), want the extension too but may see how we go for our first week with tent then buy next time as spending too much!
Now off to look up instructions of how to get it back in the bag - I have heard this can be a struggle.
I really should spend some time sorting the house out but too excited to plan camping trip. Going to Woodlands in Devon - anyone else been?
oh you won't be disappointed, i was like that when i saw mine last year, getting it into the bag is easy, honestly, fold it 1/4 way in long ways at each side, then fold again so those folds meet in the middle, then start one end by rolling it up, i start small and tuck in as i go, it normally ends up big, but honestly i have had no problems getting the tent into the bag, just make sure all doors, windows etc are open.
happy camping in your new tent.
we also have the carpet and its brill and the kids room but after spending 50.00 they don't like it, so its under the stairs ready to sell on ebay.
ps if you don't have the footprint b&q do a large tarp that is blue and does the job for half the price, i had a footprint, and it got contaminated so got a 10.00 tarp and at that price if it gets damaged or too dirty i can throw away.
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