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Hi

We are new to camping under canvas, having returned from 4 weeks in France and sold our caravan, it only gets used for 4 weeks main hols plus a couple of weekends so we thought what's the point in paying for insurance/storage and we will try camping under canvas (with more space).  We have looked at a few and read the reviews and quite like the Montana 6, I see all reviews state how fab they are in rain/wind/hail but wondered how comfortable tents are or if there are certain types which are better in 35 plus degree heat!  At one point this year our awning temperature was up to 44 degrees and it had a heat reflective roof...  ANy info greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the quick reply Sunvalleysue, I did wonder about the materials, the salesman I spoke to seemed to think it would be fine, but I did have my suspicions, so we should be looking for polycotton or canvas then, we did look at the Outwell Bear Lake, it is very expensive though, but wondered if we could look for a second hand one.   There are so many to choose from, we just want the basic tunnel style so if anyone has any suggestions to save me several hours trawling through reviews that would be great.

Again, thanks for your help.

Thanks Sharlene, I have just been looking at the Zanzibar, it looks nice, with a fab canopy on the front for shade/shelter and the reviews seem OK on it.

The layout is probably the most simple and spacious that I would favour, I alway's prefer good width on a tent space wise and the Zanzibar for a polly cotton is a very good price.

Quote: Originally posted by sunvalleysue on 21/8/2009

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Hi,
The montana like any polyester tent will be mega hot inside with an external temp of 35c.
We only had temperatures of around 24/25c in June and it was sweltering inside our Sunvalley 6.Our tent thermometer was showing over 50c inside the tent.!!!
You really need to be thinking about polycotton or canvas,much,much cooler in hot weather.

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You could buy the most expensive and top range polyester tent and it's still not going to change the fact that it will alway's be alot hotter than a polly cotton or canvas version.

We have a polyester but would begoing all canvas if I could afford it!! I have just purchased a smaller dutch canvas tent though for weekend trips I may go on with just me and one or two of the kids.

We've gone from a van to a tent and also came back from France a week ago.

We used a Vango Aspen (polyester) and found it fine. We took a fan but only used it once. There was good shade on our pitch and we only really went into to tent to sleep to be honest. The nights were alot cooler so we were fine.

We're on the hunt for a new tent and looked in the Monty today but it's too big for us (thinking of a Minny now).

I would find out how long a polyester tent is likely to last if using for 4 weeks at a time though?

"I would find out how long a polyester tent is likely to last if using for 4 weeks at a time though?"

Probably not forever, especially "en France, en vacance".

I'd aim for canvas/polycotton for that use.

The physical comfort difference between polyester and polycotton at a Yeomans exhibition last week, in full sun, was astounding. I'm loosing sleep now thinking about Bear Lakes

We have a Monty 6, we have used it in France in 35 degrees and had no problems at all.  They have loads of doors and windows with mossie nets, just roll them all up, keep out the critties, job done.

Ali