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Hi,

I'm new to camping, having only really been to festivals before. My husband used to do a bit of trekking but not recently. We're looking at buying our first family tent and were hoping for some advice/opinions. It needs to be big enough for us to be in the same room as our 11 month old, probably in his travel cot but with separate rooms for when he's older and has a little brother/sister - nothing like planning ahead! We like the look of the vango tigris 600 and 800 because of the rooms. My husband is more keen on the 600 as we don't need the extra space now but I'm just worried we'll regret it in a few years.

Also are the footprint and carpet worth paying for?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

Ruth

Welcome!!!

Space- the issue that causes most of us to own more and more tents . I have four , which is a paltry ammount compared to others here!! I was closed to purchasing a Tigris 800 to relace our Aspen 500 , as the kids need more space . If it was a choice between a 600 and an 800 then I would always go larger . But the issue most of us would like to address is the ability to vary our camping arrangements. One way is to have a smaller , weekender tent or collection of pop up tents and a longer holiday tent . I have now adopted a different approach and gone for a modular system , and a few weeks ago purchased a Coleman Evolva for £250 from JR Leisure . This allows the tent to be pitched as a three man , six man, nine man by the attatchment of pods to base structure . A sleeping pod can also be replaced with a chef annex .Coleman produce a number of such tents that can be found from as little as £150 . Had these been available a few years ago I doubt I would have four tents,though I seriously doubt this!!! What ever path you choose it is important to have quality and a budget to stick to . Just a thought though , two adults and a travel cot will need a four man bedroom space ,which the Tigris 800 has I believe a moveable partition at one end to make such a space.

The issue of carpets and footprints are worth while , and perhaps a canopy or extension . If you trawl the web you can find such packages , or perhaps negotiate a deal at your local retailer . Good hunting.

Thanks Numbersix.

I've just had a look at the Coleman Evolva and although it looks great the problem is as you say that we need a four man bedroom space for the travel cot which both the Tigris 600 & 800 have. I must admit on the space issue I agree with W to a point and while there's just the 3 of us it seems a bit of a waste getting an 8 man tent but I just worry if we don't we'll only end up buying another one in years to come. Although I'm sure as newer, better tents come out we'll be tempted anyway.

So far we've only booked a weekend trip in August but I'm really excited about it now! I'm sure we'll have a great time whichever we go for.

And thinking ahead over the next couple of seasons, I think living area space will be important during that pre-school years during wet days for play space , and speed and ease of errection are important , especially as this could be a largely solo effort!!

Tunnel tents like the Tigris in my experience are easy to pitch , and one of you could do most of the work whilst the other has to undertake parental duties , assisting at those key moments as necessary . What I certainly would advise against is a multipod dome tent , which I observed a family with young children attempt to pitch in stormy conditions whilst away in Norfolk last year . Ultimately myself and a friend helped to make it liveable , but it had to be repitched the next morning .

Amazon are having a bit of a camping sale , so might be worth browsing .

Be seeing you!