Can anyone give guidance on what could be considered to be the fastest or easiest family tent to pitch (If there is such a thing). I have considered various trailer tents but have had to discount this. At the moment with 2 hyperactive kids putting up a wind break can be stressful so any suggestions would be great.
------------- I want one of those...
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I purchased a Hi gear corado 4 for me and my 2 children last year, with the foot print in place it's really quite easy and only takes me about 40minutes to erect on my own (female and 5ft tall!) I get the children to go for water and unpack the car while I do the tent, i find if they have set 'jobs' to do they keep themselves entertained, oh and a bit of bribery if they do a good job :o)
Thanks, for the replies. I'm after a tent for me the wife and two monsters. Had a look at the thread. A blow up tent. Very novel but a bit pricey. Its going to be for a first go at camping and i don't want to go to mad just in case the tent spends the rest of its life in the garage. However, i don't want to buy a load of rubbish which makes the experience a misery. I happy to consider 2nd hand but with so many makes if difficult to judge which is any good..
A popular 1st time quality tent is the Vango Icarus 500. There is an upgrading of spec for 2011 including higher level of waterproofing, flymesh on both outer doors and darkened inner tents - about £150-£179 new. There are many 2010 models available too at cheaper prices.
It has proven one of the most popular tents and you really get quite a bit for your money in terms of features and quality. If you get on with camping you can either use it as a weekend tent and get a bigger family tent or just add the optional extension for more space.
Helen
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Budget wise i was looking at around the £200 - £250 mark.
The Gelhert Horizon 6 was one that i have seen and appears to have good reviews, including easy set up. However, i have no idea of the quality. I also like the idea that you can get a porch for it, although there's obviously a cost for this.
The Vango looks better made from the pictures but appears smaller.For a similar size to the Horizon its alot more expensive.
I'd say Vango is better and draws on features and experience from their mountain range tents (e.g. the unique TBSII system of internal straps that reduce sway and potential pole breakages when clipped in place in windy weather), but as with everything its down to personal preference.
If you could stretch to about £275 you can get a new steel poled, 6 man with enclosed side entrance, 5000HH, 2/3 bedrooms, full or part opening front - the 2009 Vango Columbia 600 (RRP in 2009 = £450). Still a few around as retailers for some reason use a pre-production image of the tent with fibreglass poles so people pass it over without looking at the spec. There are canopies currently available on eBay in sage for it (the Vango WIDE canopy). It was in Vango's premium family range and similar to the popular Outwell Montana 6, but at that price is less than a much lower spec fibreglass poled tent.
Helen
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
We have a Khyam Ontario 8 - whilst its easy to put up, maybe not the quickest, it does provide the room you need with the children - I feel that there is nothing worse than being too confined it you are stuck with a bit of bad weather.
It is actually an 8 berth tent, however we make this up so we have one large room and the kids have a room each, it also provides a good living area which we've found invaluable when the weather is bad.
If you were to go for the Vango Columbia 600 give Mike Davies http://www.mikedaviesleisure.co.uk a call. I got mine last year for £225 by phone, delivered no probs by courier. I would also look at the reviews for this tent. The tent is fantastic but you do need to be careful getting the poles onto the pins.
Quote: Originally posted by Trip Hazard on 27/2/2011
Hi The_Daws
If you were to go for the Vango Columbia 600 give Mike Davies http://www.mikedaviesleisure.co.uk a call. I got mine last year for £225 by phone, delivered no probs by courier. I would also look at the reviews for this tent. The tent is fantastic but you do need to be careful getting the poles onto the pins.
Regards
Trip Hazard
Its a case of not being afraid to pull the pole sleeve along firmly and keeping your fingers out of the way when putting the pole on the pin. My husband must have the knack as he's never yelped yet. I tend to do the easier side of the pole...
Its not really any different for our other steel poled tent though...
Must admit we love our Columbia - so much so we now have two of them. I managed to win a spare complete new pole set on eBay for a bargain and find the other half of the tent sitting all alone in a retailers' store room (total price £125) - both to make sure that our current Columbia lasts as long as possible and to replace it when it finally goes to the tent graveyard... whether you'd class it as quick though? After 2 years of holidays we can put it up in the estimated 40 mins inside and out.
Helen
Post last edited on 27/02/2011 21:23:56
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Thanks for the advice. The Columbia looks good. just depends on the price. It'll probably be just for weekends but you never know.
Hi. I am selling my Columbia 600, used it only once due to falling in love with dutch canvas, is the only reason. Anyway, is on the classified ads on here if you did, or didn't want to look.
Trip Hazard-Wow £225 was a price for it I never saw anywhere, we paid £295 at the time.
Speedcamp-Agree about pins, it definitely is a case of not being scared! OH does not want th tent to go as everything about it was fab, just me and my thing for Dutch and canvas! lol
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Topic: Quick and Easy
. I tend to do the easier side of the pole...
