im new here and would like to ask some advice. Having always been what you might call a camping family when i was younger, i decided it was time to take my young family camping too.
unfortunately i was made redundent last september and have only just returned to a new job last month as you could imagine im playing alot of catch up after being out of work for so long, so money really is at a premium.
I have been looking to buy a tent as cheap as possible but have had some requirements from the tent such as large living area and minimum 2 bedroom areas (one for the kids and one for me and the wife).
so anyway to that advice :-) my budget is £90 is there any tents with the above requirements that i should look at?, on ebay there have been a few but they have ended up going for £130 - £150 (have saved to get the £90) and the more "Budget" ones i have checked out searching on here and found horrendous storys about them
could really do with the wealth of knowledge from some of the old hands
Cheers Kirk
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i'd keep looking for second hand tents, here or on ebay, you'll get lucky i'm sure! ooh the other place to check out is freecycle-there was a tent on there locally the other day.
I had a quick look around on some of the websites that i use and all i could come up with was the gelert stratus 4 dlx on outdooraction.co.uk for about the price you are willing to pay. As far as I know it should be a pretty decent tent and has 2 bedrooms and a largish living area, you can always expand once you have decided that camping is for you and when you have some spare cash... Remember that at this time of year, tents are not going to be that cheap as it is the start of the season.
Personally I would not buy a second- hand tent or an E-bay special as you don't really know what you are going to get, however others (on here) have done it and come up trumps!! its a risk that you take I suppose, at least when you buy from a retailer there is some sort of Guarantee.
Welcome to the forum and if you need anything else - you know where we are!!!
GOOD LUCK
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Have a look on Preloved, and on the ads on this site, Freecycle - the odd person puts tents on there, keep watching eBay but don't bid until the last moment or the price keeps going up. Local papers etc.
Don't know a lot about loads of different tents myself but I've had a quick search for new ones and found the below, I'm sure someone will be able to offer info on them.
Hi Kirk.
Welcome to UKCS and spend many happy hours here.
Check out the online stores as they often have old models still in stock which can be very cheap. We bought our daughter a last years model Coleman Lakeside 4 tent from our local camping centre for £80, This year it's selling at around £110. I don't know how many kids you have so it's hard to recomend a particular tent. Check the small ads in your local paper, Freecycle, try car boot sales and, best of all the ads on this site HERE. Other than that keep watching E-bay.
Just as an example, in our local paper tonight are two adverts: "Frame tent, annexe and canopy in good condition. £35 ono"; and "Frame Tent. Suncampvilla4 as new compact and easy to erect, £65". See HERE for a picture of this one - you'll have to scroll down.
Both of these could be superb tents - but equally could be in a dreadful condition but it gives you an idea of what you can find.
Good luck in your search and let us know how you get on
Whatever you do make sure that you buy something that is a decent brand, so Gelert, Sunncamp, Vango etc., don't buy something from ebay that you can't buy anywhere else.
As someone as already said (was it Pete?), a second hand frame tent would be good value for money
There are lots on ebay and just because some of them are oldish, it doesnt mean they are unusuable, Canvas has a long life :)
Whatever tent you buy, get a good name. Cheap tents usually mean leaks, poor quality and easily snapped poles :(
Obviously you will need camping gear but if money is tight then there are plenty of things you can use from home such as duvets rather than sleeping bags, pillows, pans, cutlery etc
Also look on ebay for other camping things that you dont have at home and dont be afraid to look in charity shops, jumble sales etc. It is surprising what people give away.
If you find something on ebay, put a post on here and someone will be happy to answer any questions you have and let you know if it is any good and worth the money so you dont waste your savings
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 29/4/2009
Whatever you do make sure that you buy something that is a decent brand, so Gelert, Sunncamp, Vango etc., don't buy something from ebay that you can't buy anywhere else.
Here here :)
Sorry virtual camper but I wouldnt buy any of those tents. Not well known brands and probably the kind of tents that put people off camping due to leaks etc.
Angie
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I agree. I wouldnt go for any of the ebay "unknowns". A decent tent will make all the difference to your camping experience. I was lucky with my first tent from ebay. I got a frame tent, air beds,chairs, table, & lots of equpment for £41. We're not using the tent at the moment but it certainly helped my decision to continue camping,
Do you want a SIG (Sewn In Groundsheet.) Do you want side by side bedroom pods or vis a vis? What are you going to sleep on ie does the kids' pod have to take two single airbeds, a double or sleeping mats? How big a living area?
Vango Colorado 1200 (not dlx so no porch) 2004 model, brand new for £89????
I can hardly belive that price myself, btw. I have a 2004 Colorado 1200dlx and it's a BIG tent, with three four-man pods. Not a SIG tent but it's very weather resistant and sturdy.
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 29/4/2009
Vango Colorado 1200 (not dlx so no porch) 2004 model, brand new for £89????
I can hardly belive that price myself, btw. I have a 2004 Colorado 1200dlx and it's a BIG tent, with three four-man pods. Not a SIG tent but it's very weather resistant and sturdy.
Wow that is alot of tent for that price !
I would look no futther and buy... you wont go wrong with a Vango
Well I'm sorry to say like all thing in life you get what you pay for.
I will second what has been posted about the Vango Colorado 1200..£89...BUY IT.
Ebay can be very dodgy,you might get a bargain or you could end up with rubbish.Unless you can see and inspect second hand tents IMO I would stay clear.
------------- Sue & Phil
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Topic: Ultra Budget Camping
