This is my first post so I hope my request for help is not too cheeky?
My husband and I have decided that we would like a Dutch tent but we have no idea where to start.
We would appreciate any help, ideas or suggestions with regards to which tents we should be looking at and the best way to purchase a great tent.
We are open to suggestions of new or used but we would like to see before we buy so we are prepared to travel to Holland in order to get our dream tent.
But then there is the problem of the language. I am sad to say that neither my husband or I speak any Dutch at all.
Are we asking for the impossible?
Thanks in advanced for any help and suggestions
Dawn and Dave
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Hi and welcome to UKCS! No, it's not cheeky and you're not asking for the impossible. I'm sure many of your fellow members will be only too happy to advise.
First, have a look a the "Tent Reviews" section.
Google "obelink" or "tent-tents" (same company) for a Netherlands-based camping shop (no doubt there are plenty of others) to see what selection and prices they offer - in some cases the price asked by a UK supplier could be lower.
Language should not be a problem - you'll find a Union Flag to click on on the above site and in any case in my experience most Dutch people will address you in good English sometimes before you've even spoken to them!
I guess by Dutch tents you mean Dewaard & Karsten you won't get any change out of £1500 for a decent size of either. You can contact the makers for suppliers. Karsten have a UK supplier but not Dewaard, but best to just go to Holland & buy one. The Karsten factory have display of secondhand tents in warmer months but still expensive tho.
There are plenty of cheaper canvas & polycoton tents from Holland but I guess most of these are made in China & won't be any better than good quailty UK supplied tents. Vrijbuiter have a good selection. If you look at tents available both in Holland & UK like Outwell & Coleman you will see prices are considerably higher in Holland.
If you want to buy a top quailty & overpriced tent in Holland you will find the Dutch will speak fluent English by phone & email. They will also smile in English while they take your money!
We live in Holland and have a Dutch tent (or 3 lol) ourselves.
Are you looking for new or preloved?
What kind of size do you want?
Are you after any make in particular?
How much do you want to spend ?
What style of tent do you want?
As Bob said, most people here speak some English and Obelink is a fab store with great tents at top prices. If you want De Waard, Karsten or Esvo then the price will be alot higher and you deal with the manufacterers rather than a general store.
I would always recommend coming to Holland to check out a preloved tent before parting with your cash but if it was closeish to us then we could check it out for you.
Shipping up to 30kg is very reasonable but going over that weight means a courier and mega bucks :(
But as long as the canvas is under 30kg then the poles can be shipped seperately :)
If you decide on preloved then I can help you look, translate, email the seller for you etc if you want.
Also you can email me if you are stuck etc :)
angievanwinsum at live.nl
Hope this helps
Angie
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Thanks for that information Bob. I will look at the site you suggested.
Angie, thanks for the email and offer of assistance. I am very gratefull for your very kind offer and hope I am not being too cheeky in accepting. An email is on its way.
Quote: Originally posted by ArtJackson on 28/11/2009
There are plenty of cheaper canvas & polycoton tents from Holland but I guess most of these are made in China
Why are you directing your rant at me spudz? It's the op who wants a Dutch tent, If you really want to help them, try posting that more sensibly. Looking at your link the tents ain't that much cheaper anyway.
Fact is Karsten & Dewaard tents are in a league of their own, nothing else comes close in quailty, which obviously is reflected in the price. Whether there is actually a need to spend that much on a tent is a matter of opinion.
If you want a tent in the £400-£800 price range you can buy just as good in the UK & although there is a better selection in Holland prices are higher like for like. Certainly the best bet is to go to Holland to buy one then you can see what you are getting.
There are plenty of Dewaard look-a-likes for half the price, but they ain't Dewaards. Vrijbruiter appear to do a Karsten copy as well.
rofl!!!
It's hard to get across expression etc in the written word
I'm absolutely certain that John isn't ranting at you and it's all done jokingly - honestly it really will be.
Nice to see you back - you haven't been around for a while as Angie said.
Another absentee is your new English-Dutch friend Angie - Rochford.
Haven't seen him about for ages and was going to ask how his trip home to UK was.
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 28/11/2009 Another absentee is your new English-Dutch friend Angie - Rochford. Haven't seen him about for ages and was going to ask how his trip home to UK was.
Oh yes, there's also De Witt isn't there?
I havent spoke to Roch for a while. I think he is going back to the UK in the new year . I will have to give him a call or send him an email and see how he is doing.
Yes there is De Wit but they are not my favorite people at the moment grrrrrrrr.
Angie
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Oh its just par for the course on here! The main thing is you have got the info you need, you now have plenty of leads & you know that you will have no language probs communicating with the Cloggies!
If you've been camping in France & been surrounded by Dutch campers I'm guessing the tents that caught your eye were indeed Dewaards & Karstens, they are the definative Dutch tents & if you want summat special those are the 2 makes to go for. The prices may have shocked you tho.
The Dutch do tend go for more expensive & better quailty tents than us Brits so their shops tend to have a larger selection higher up the price range.
If you are just going to go for a polycotton tunnel tent tho you will buy just as good in the UK for less inmho.
If you want a quailty Dutch tent you really need to go there & look for yourself tho, I really would'nt be buying tents in that sort of price range mail order, site unseen.
Quote: Originally posted by AngelicMinx on 28/11/2009
I am not being misleading, patriotic or anything. And just for the record, I am actually English and not Dutch !
I did know that, but I guess you've been living in cloggyland long enough to develop their sense of humour.
Regarding Karsten Tents, Myself and my wife have just become the new UK dealer for Karsten and will have their complete range of inflatable tents available for viewing in the New Year, together with the new Dutch range of 'Human-Comfort' Camping Equipment and Accessories. So no need to go to Holland!
There is also a wealth of information regarding these tents on the Karsten Tent Club Website.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Looking for a Dutch tent
