I posted this in a different section but thought I'd post here as well. We are buying a tent at the weekend and have set our heart on a Vango Icarus 500. Has anyone got one of these and are they really big when packed up ie, when its in the bag? We've only got a small car (bmw 1 series) and the boot is really small so wonder if it will if in with the rest of the kit. The reason I'm asking now is I'm about to book a campsite in france for a long weekend in August and when trying to book the ferry, they say its unavailable when I try and book with a roof box.
I'm probably mad to book a camping holiday before even owning a tent but we've camped before and enjoyed it so I know it will suit us.
Any advice would be appreciated x
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Hi
Ive recently bought the vango tigris 400
after debating long and hard between the icarus and the tigris, the bags didnt look much different, and dont take up much space its the rest of the gear that does... i have a touran and the boot is full to the brim, it depends on what you take really, we have airbeds, stove, porta potti table chairs etc etc, it also depends on number of people camping we are 2 adults and toddler!
I do know of people who have unrolled sleeping bags and sat on them in the car and had pillows around them and many other items to make most use out of space so it can be done, it just depends on how comfy you want to be!
Hope this helps
Hiya,
I've just got my 500 and had our first weekend 'test run'.
Unfortunatly, i'm rubbih at packing it up. Couldnt get it back in it's bag and it now lives in a HUGE holdall!I'm sure it'll get smaller each time i try though. I tried to travel light, folding chairs (2) small, 1 ring stove, double & single airbed, sleeping bags(2)cool bag, lamps, kettle & pans etc, 2 disposable bbq's and small holdall with clothes etc.
I have a suzuki swift but know i need a trailer/roof box as couldn't see out of windows and poor dog had about 2 inches of space.Thank god it was just me, my son and dog. Can't even think about kichen or table or cool box as i know it just won't fit in the car.
Must say, i love the tent though. Plenty big enough and easy to put up and down. Like i say, i'm sure it will get easier and smaller to pack each time.
Good luck
Sarah
------------- Lovin it so far!!!!!!
:) Josh's mom
July 2010 Home Farm York
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For the price of the 500 compared to the 600, we opted for the 600, cos theres not much in it in terms of size when packed away but the difference in size once up is justified so on that basis we are very pleased with our choice and is great for long weekends, although we did buy a roof box too which fits everything in, and the dog gets to stay in boot away from teasing kids.
Quote: Originally posted by sarahpowell on 15/7/2010
I've just got my 500 and had our first weekend 'test run'. Unfortunatly, i'm rubbih at packing it up. Couldnt get it back in it's bag and it now lives in a HUGE holdall!
Goes back in the bag easily! sarahpowell, are you rolling it? If so, don't!
Fold (half and half and half and half, etc.) and when you get to the final couple of folds get the heaviest member of your party to lie face down on the part folded tent (kneel if it's wet) to expell the air, fold again and lie, fold again and lie, I promise it'll go in with space to spare.
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I recently bought one of these as a weekend tent. I got the tent, canopy and footprint for around £200 at Go Outdoors, but I opted for a HiGear carpet as it was better quality/pattern. I put it up and down on my own with no problems and managed to get it in the bag first time. I wouldn't say it was large when it's packed, but then that's relative to my other huge tents, so don't know if I can judge this one. Great tent though and had enough room for 4 of us, so I'd say go for it. You could always stuff a black bag to the stated dimensions and see how that fits in the boot! If you do get the canopy (which I suggest you do!) this also packs down pretty small.
Thanks for the replies. We've bought it today and are going to try it out in the garden tonight. I can't believe how small the box that it comes in is. We haven't unpacked it yet but it fit in the boot along with 3 new chairs, new cooker plus a few other bits and bobs so I think we'll be fine when we go to France in August.
I'm so excited, just waiting to get dinner out the way then we are going to put tent up and sit and have a drink in it!
Quote: Originally posted by Orinoco on 17/7/2010
Goes back in the bag easily! sarahpowell, are you rolling it? If so, don't!
Fold (half and half and half and half, etc.) and when you get to the final couple of folds get the heaviest member of your party to lie face down on the part folded tent (kneel if it's wet) to expell the air, fold again and lie, fold again and lie, I promise it'll go in with space to spare.
Ooops, yeah, rolled it! Might try and repack this weekend (if this wind dies down).
Thanks for that
Well we slept in the tent last night in the garden and loved it. There is more than enough space for the 3 of us (2 adults and a 12 year old). It took about 20 mins to put up (but I think it will be quicker next time) and about 10 mins to take down. It went back in the bag easy. It also fit in the car boot ok so will be fine when we go to France. We loved it and are going to try and go away somewhere local next weekend. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Just got to get a couple of tables and I'm going to buy the carpet to match then we're ready to start camping properly.
Re the ferry, when I spoke to Brittany ferries, they said that all the spaces for vehicles over 1.83m were taken. Our roof box is quite big and is higher than the 1.83 so we can't take it.
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Topic: Vango Icarus 500
