I am looking for a new tent that is smaller than our massive Coleman Weathermaster XL which, as fabulous as it is, is a bit big for short stays/touring/end of season camping.
My main requirements are 2 bedrooms each no less than 140cm wide, standing height, steel poles preferable and a comfortable living area. I quite like something over the doors to stop the rain getting in too. We are a family of 4.
So far the Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 4 seems to tick all the boxes but thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has any other recommendations.
Thanks in advance
Diane
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•‘Feel the difference’ high quality 100D Weathershield® 4000 mm F/R UV protected flysheet - that is much better than most (talking about Denier of Polyester rather than HH)
•SleepTite System – for a good night’s sleep
That seams to tick your boxes, got a Kampa Fistral 4 arrived today itching to be opened up, take a look at this too, though the Frinton matched your requirements more
I'd second the Frinton too - the 100 denier flysheet will double or more the life of the tent (re. UV degradation) over the 75 denier Coleman. Quality materials and a great design. We have the smaller Kampa Bude 4 and the quality difference over other polyester tents is really noticeable!
Note - the roof pole on the Frinton is PE wrapped fibreglass but the uprights are steel.
If you want a more affordable option - steel poles, SIG, bedroom dividable by curtain into 2 x 140 wide, 5000HH, 75 denier flysheet, 10,000HH groundsheet, enclosed wet weather entrance, Vango's unique TBSII internal strapping system that adds even more stability when clipped in place (belt and braced)... look at the discontinued Vango Columbia 400. There is one for £150 NEW on ebay at the moment:
Some other retail outlets still have them in stock from last year. As they've not been on display this year, people have missed seeing them. Note- some of the photos still show the pre-production model with fibreglass poles, but I can assure you that they are powerplus steel poles. We have the Columbia 600. They are fantastic tents!
PS the carpet and footprint for the Sungari 400s will fit, along with several of Vango's canopies.
Helen
Post last edited on 05/10/2010 09:49:12
Post last edited on 05/10/2010 09:56:01
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I'm assuming you're looking for a polyester tent, and this being the case I'd recommend one of the Kampa polyester 100D tents. There are many other good polyester tents on the market, but the Kampa fabric 'should' outperform & outlast the competition.
The Kampa Fistral that Loftus has just bought looks like a great 4 berth tent. Generous sized bedrooms, good living space and a very useful built-in, stowable front canopy. Be aware that the tent poles are some kind of encased fibreglass rather than steel, so I don't know if that rules it out for you. The 2 bedrooms are 160cm wide, and quite long ... probably a bit of a squeeze for a family of 4, but doable for a weekend.
Good luck
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I like the look of the Kampa Frinton but have now also seen the Coleman in the flesh. If I can find a frinton nearby (not likely at this time of year I know) to look at that would probably help me make my mind up. I'll let hubby take a look at the frinton online and take him over to see the mackenzie and then maybe he can make the decision
Helen - I looked at the columbia last year and decided I'd gone off Vango, their quality didn't seem to be what it was when I got my Vista years ago.
No problem. People can easily go off a brand - as Outwell is finding this year... Must admit, having a Coleman dome tent ourselves, I feel the same way about Coleman tents. I think they've cut corners too in recent years in terms of the quality of the materials used, zips etc. although they have some interesting designs. May be it is more a matter of the individual tent and the quality/price bracket it is aimed at.
Must admit that if Kampa did a 6 berth version of the Frinton with its sloped windshedding front it would be a strong contender as an eventual replacement for our Columbia given the quality of the Kampa materials (they beat all other polyester tents on the market hands down as does the thought that goes into all the little touches!), although it would still lack the TBSII, low level airvent system, enclosed side entrance ... aaarh!
Our Kampa Bude 4 shouts quality in contrast, despite the fact that the Columbia is way ahead of may other tents in the way of quality...
Anyway - try the company below. They are Kampa's Yorkshire dealership - whether they'll still have any up on display is more suspect:
Caseys Camping Within Stephen Smiths Garden Centre, Pool Road, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS21 1DY
Cheers for that Helen, I've been there this afternoon to look at the Coleman. They didn't have the Kampa tent unfortunately. I've left a message at Peak-Outdoors to ask if they have one on display. They are down in Mansfield so bit of a trek but I'll be happier seeing one before I buy.
How big is the side porch on the Columbia?
Diane
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Cheers for that Helen, I've been there this afternoon to look at the Coleman. They didn't have the Kampa tent unfortunately. I've left a message at Peak-Outdoors to ask if they have one on display. They are down in Mansfield so bit of a trek but I'll be happier seeing one before I buy.
How big is the side porch on the Columbia?
Diane
The porch is a nice size for your wet gear and possibly a toilet overnight. The external door slopes in so the floor area is larger than the roof area (if you see what I mean). The photos on the review page for the tent will show this.
In the end we chose the Coleman because we'd seen it and are happy with our Weathermaster so it seemed like the safe option. Hubby reminded me we'd already looked at the columbia and hadn't liked it and I couldn't find anywhere (understandably) with the Kampa on display.
I've also bought the side porch to put on it to give me the best of both worlds.
Can't wait to try it out now, bring on October half term :)
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Topic: Suggestions for 4man family tent please
