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Hi,

Has anyone bought a 2009 Bear Lake 6 and been totally happy with it.

We bought ours last month and it is without doubt a fantastic tent BUT already replaced two canopies before we went camping  ( one bad stitching and one a bad stain on it ).

Went camping last week and had a problem with the extending side bars, one side was too tight and I struggled to slide it apart when pitching  and ended up ripping the netting on one end trying to seperate the poles.

Being a fitter thought I could clean up by emerying the pole when I got home but I am struggling as after measuring the diameter of the pole it is bigger than the rest  and just tightens up when assembling.

E-mailed Yeomans today but have not had a response yet, I know I should just ask for a replacement tent but having seen a few quality issues on here lately with all the Bear and Wolf Lake tents not sure whether to stick with the one I have and just replace the pole/poles or swap for a new one and have other issues?

Thanks

Matt

I have a 2008 BL6 and haven't had any problems

Are you sure its a 2009 you have, I think some retailers are selling last years stock but not saying its either 2008/09, I don't think there are any changes so would be hard to tell.

I would take it back myself, its got a rip now hasn't it?  They may not replace it totally so then you could ask for replacement poles but worth a try IMO.

And if the new one has issues change that too

With the poles I always keep the nobbly bits on them turned in so it doesn't catch on the netting - read that handy tip from another BL owner on here

Let us know how you get on 

Hi, thanks for the responses I think I will ring Yeomanson Monday and ask for a replacement as you are right the rip was caused by the faulty pole.

Would still like to know if anyone say any problems with any of the 2009 model lakes.

Thanks

Matt

I don't know where they are manufactured but I believe it is done in China. A lot of other manufacturers are suffering from poor Chinese production methods. This is also especially prevalent in the model business with some new model locomotives for example having to be vreturned on mass because the initial production was produced perdectly for the purchasing company, when they were accepted the Chinese factories started to cut corners producing sub standard goods and damaging reputations.

By the time the main company finds out it is often too late as the product is either in the shops or on a boat to Europe. Again refering to model railways this has recently happened to the big European players including Hornby, Bachmann & Heljan (also Danish), and it has stung some furniture manufacturers by the use of illegal (and skin rash causing) preservatives/anti fungal applications on leather suites.

I would suspect Oitwell and others are suffering from this in the camping business. It just serves to agravate the customer and the retailer as well as the likes of Outwell etc. For the company there is the problem of these products creeping into the retailers and if quality checks are made it may be that the ones checked just pass but in todays methodology it is often the customer who doew the quality checks by using the product then returning them or complaining.

When these errprs are found the parent company visits the sub contractor in China, reads the riot act and it is corrected. Remember the problems with leaking Vermonts and Nebraskas?

Don't however let it put you off as you will get a good one, you just might have to persevere though.

Just my point of view of course.

Hi, well I e-mailed Yeomans on Friday, then again on Sunday and today received a phone call saying that they will deliver a replacement tent to my address, so all being well should have a replacement tent tomorrow.

Pleased I bought from Yeomans, as I cannot fault their after sales. Fingers crossed we have no more quality issues!!

Thanks again to all who responded and we let you know the outcome.

Matt