Quote: Originally posted by freeman3030 on 24/5/2010
Will deffinatly have a look at some before buying, we live in East Sussex (Bexhill-On-Sea) and not really sure on how muxh to spend, we don't want to spend masses of money possibly only about £200 on the tent, but we don't know what that could buy us... since posting I found the tent review section and have seen a really nice looking tent... but at £400, its a little more than we had hoped!
Also we have to bare in mind how much space it takes up as I currently have a MINI Cabrio and the boot is tiny! But within the next few months I plan to get the new shape Ford Fiesta, and the boot is gargantuan in comparison! So possibly no need to worry so much, but it is a concern I have.
One other thing, how do you secure your tents while your out? I know a knife will get through the material, but just to stop opportunists from sneaking in if they spot you going out... will a small padlock be sufficient?
Thank you so far, it really does help!
not wishing to disagree but it is a cabrio
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Sorry for no responses, have been working all day!
LOL about my car... just to confirm, I have a MINI ONE Convertible and I love it! I really would recommend it, but if we're going to start camping as I mentioned before, I'll need a bigger car. But it'll be interesting to see what we can pack away in it... in the past I've managed to get a family of 6 weekly shop in it, so I'm fairly confident we can get camping stuff in it :)
I'm just about to look at tent reviews so, so I'll probably post more questions.
You could get all your camping gear in that car if you bear in mind now compact everything needs to be.
I find (well in my case anyway) the biggest item I have to find a space for is the furniture, especially my camp kitchen. It would be much more compact to have a couple of these for your cooking gear (stove and kettle etc)
Quote: Originally posted by freeman3030 on 25/5/2010
I'll check it out, thankyou! I know theres Caravan Tech in Hurst Green, not sure about Roberts Bridge though. Are you talking about the place near the roundabout?
Thanks
Sorry it is on the a27 not the 22 from the beddingham roundabout head towards ripe/laughton turnoff, and its about half mile past the turn off, its on till the 30th as far as I could see last night, when I drove past.
------------- If its not broke, dont fix it, and stop nagging
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As another poster suggested, Id be going to the Yeomans Camping show currently at Lewes, not far from you. There will be LOADS of tents, usually in a field, that you can have a good look round and thats probably the best way to find what you want. You will also be able to check weights and what size they pack up into. Make a list of those you like and then check the reviews. You cant get a proper idea of the tent until youre actually standing in it. (Dont forget to factor footprint and possibly carpet into the price). Happy hunting.
We went camping in an old mini - tent (a 4 man dome), airbeds, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, single "suitcase" stove, umbrella style closing chairs, cool bag and 2 tupperware boxes - one for crockery and one for cooking stuff. Used one of the boxes for washing up. A good tip is to look at picnic rucksacks as they combine a cool bag with the crockery/ cutlery you need and you can use it during the day to buy cold stuff for cooking and for picnics. For compact lighting - UFO led lights from Wilkos are a good option when space is very tight. Very popular on here and very compact.
The backpackers table (above) is a good one for this style of camping too.
The big issue is the tent - look for a small pack size. Vango's Icarus range is a good one to look at... very popular. Vango's footprint groundsheets are relatively compact, but the carpets can be a bit bulky. As a cooking shelter that takes up very little space - look at Vango's Adventure Tarp if you go for a tent with a front arched pole like the Icarus.
Quote: Originally posted by freeman3030 on 24/5/2010
Will deffinatly have a look at some before buying, we live in East Sussex (Bexhill-On-Sea) and not really sure on how muxh to spend, we don't want to spend masses of money possibly only about £200 on the tent, but we don't know what that could buy us... since posting I found the tent review section and have seen a really nice looking tent... but at £400, its a little more than we had hoped!
Also we have to bare in mind how much space it takes up as I currently have a MINI Cabrio and the boot is tiny! But within the next few months I plan to get the new shape Ford Fiesta, and the boot is gargantuan in comparison! So possibly no need to worry so much, but it is a concern I have.
One other thing, how do you secure your tents while your out? I know a knife will get through the material, but just to stop opportunists from sneaking in if they spot you going out... will a small padlock be sufficient?
Thank you so far, it really does help!
not wishing to disagree but it is a cabrio
I stand corrected, as I only read the OP's original post in detail and not the subsequent posts.
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Topic: Coming from a caravan
