Does anyone have experience of bad weather camping in a bell tent that they could pass on? We're leaning towards one for our next tent - but have been out in some very strong winds on the East coast over the past week, and just wondered how well they withstand high winds and driving rain?
I've not used one since I was about thirteen when I used to do a lot of backpacking with a school mate in Derbyshire - one time we were holed up in a small single skin cotton one for a couple of days near Buxton as the weather was so miserable. To be honest, I don't think we could have been stuck in a nicer tent - kept us warm and dry until things cleared a bit and we could be on our way.
Is there much to choose between the various suppliers of current tents - I've looked at belltent.co.uk and another outfit selling the Sahara tents - that could have been Canvas and Cast possibly? I think they possibly used a heavier weight material? Any advice or pointers as to the best buys would be helpful!
Cheers all,
Andy
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haven't experienced any bad weather yet in mine, so can't really say how it's going to stand up
can't see it being a problem though as it's a tried and trusted design for years
I used belltent.co.uk and was more than happy with them
Tina ordered hers from canvas and cast (only grizzle seems to be communications not too good if you look at her post on the other forum, but I'm sure they'll be fine)
Not a lot of difference in them really - the ground sheet seems to be main difference between the different models (SIG, ZIG and just loose) And check if it will take an inner if you're thinking of getting one at any time
When we used proper bell tents they would stand up to any weather, but the modern variants have A frames for the doors which totally destroy the integrity of the design.
------------- Bernie
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Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 10/5/2010
modern variants have A frames for the doors which totally destroy the integrity of the design.
I don't really know what you mean by that but if you mean they won't be able to stand up to bad weather then it's just plain wrong.
We got a bell tent with an A frame, bought from holland but the same tent sold by belltent (except 30% cheaper..). It has a separate ground sheet
First use it was submitted to some light/medium showers: No issues whatsoever ref waterproofing.
On our third or fourth trip, we went to Newquay: we had what I would call very strong winds on our first 2 day. So much so that a handful of tents got ripped/broken by gusts. But our tent didn't flinch. We did however invested in some heavy duty pegs. At £12 a box of 20, it's hardly expensive.
The same trip saw quite a bit of rain, including some heavy downpours, with the grounds being very soggy in places, even the odd puddle forming. Yet again, despite having a separate ground sheet, we were fully sheltered, no leak from the canvas or on the floor.
So as far as I am concerned that's a full pass for a bell tent in bad weather.
We went camping over the May long weekend and it was freezing!!! My son and I were in the Glens of Scotland and there was still snow on the hills.
It was our maiden voyage for our tent so we were quite anxious as to how it would perform. We have the 4m zig bell tent.
All in all I can say that I was delighted. We only had a few minutes between heavy downpours to get the tent up so being able to erect it quickly and easily was great.
The rain poured on and off for the whole weekend, we had quite strong winds the one day and the weather was baltic! Yet, my tent impressed. There were no issues with the tent letting in water. The thick ground sheet was great and we were warm and cosy at night in our sleeping bags.
So, all in all, I am delighted with our purchase and can't wait for our next trip. We will be camping in the far north of Scotland so i needed a tent that could withstand winds and keep us warm.
Any other questions, just ask.
------------- When the going gets tough, the tough go camping.
We have had two trips with strong winds, and no problems. I would say though, that some of the poles have been inferior, I had one that bent in half, replaced free of charge. This was on first pitching, no problems since then, and much stronger winds. This was with A frame style front poles. When it gets windy, I use my two king poles strapped to the main pole with four velcro straps just in case, but with the better pole, I don't think it's really necessary. I only feel really confident though in strong winds, when I am in my inflatable tent.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
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Thanks to everyone for your input so far - it's been very helpful and certainly helped to allay any concerns I had about the durability of these tents. Just need to figure out who to go with now - and whether the 285g/m2 or the 350g/m2 is the better option.
This family camping lark is still all a bit new to me - in my younger days in the 80's I probably camped over 30 weekends per year, plus several longer trips including over Christmas and New Year etc, and lived in all sorts from a single man Karrimor bivvy to a Vango Force Ten. If you couldn't carry it you didn't take it - and this "all mod cons" thing with a motor car takes some getting used to!!
My four meter version is really heavy duty, and it does put me off using it some times. I think 425 g I know it was heavier than the canvas and cast version.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Bell tents will withstand pretty much any weather thrown at them - just make sure you pitch it with its back to the prevailing winds and have decent pegs - definitely worth investing in some heavy duty ones. The biggest problem you will face is the centre pole not being strong enough to withstand constant force if it's very windy. If it's too thin then it could bend and, if it's a wooden pole in a 5m bell tent, then it could even snap (which is why most 5m tents now come with steel poles instead).
As to cotton weight, a heavier weight of cotton will provide more insulation against the cold but its a heavier tent. If you only intend to camp within season (easter to October) then 285g will do you fine, outside of this go for as heavier a cotton weight as you can afford.
With groundsheets, I would always recommend separate purely because it's easier to carry, clean and can be shoved in a bag if it's wet rather than rolling it up in the probably dry tent.
Things to check are: reinforcing at the tip - how big, what's it made of? Tensioning points around the outside - how secure are they especially where the guy ropes attach and Entrance type - always go for an A-frame as this diverts the rain away from the entrance.
Any more questions please ask
------------- The Cotton Tent Company - Europe's largest selection of modern cotton tents and home of the world's most versatile tent.
Just to add that I have the 5m seperate groundsheet from Soulpad which has the lighter 285g. First trip out in it may bank hol to Snowdonia. As you'd expect, mixture of cold, gales, downpours and maybe unexpectedly, sunshine! Tent took it all with ease and surprised by the extra warmth from a canvas. Stayed warm and dry, just ensured we adjusted the guy ropes appropriately when got windy/wet and calm/dry.
took the ultimate bell tent to norfolk last week, which at times was very windy and rainy. the tent didn't leak, though i suppose because it is the lighter weight cotton, the top of the tent was a billowing in the wind, which was a bit annoying in the night. the tent was fine though, but a heavier weight canvas i suppose would have been more rigid in the wind, though they are heavier and more expensive!
------------- the orchard in may,
rosewall in july
blackberry wood in august
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Topic: Bell tents and bad weather
