Hi,
Okay so we need a new tent, and had earmarked the Icarus 500 (this years model) as the 'one' - partly on price, our budget is £200, weight and overall pack size.
However at the weekend we went to a tent show... and fell in love with a Wild Country Citadel 5 (we've reserved it).
This breaks all our reasoning above (apart from on price!), it's heavy (31kg) and comes as two packs - both 91cm long. We drive a Beetle... do you see the issue?
We can get the poles in the back, but hubby will have to sit with the tent wedged between his legs (or me if I'm the passenger). Now, he has said he's happy to do this - as in his words "a few hours of discomfort whilst in the car is worth it for a decent tent with decent headroom for a week+", which does make sense, and he's 6ft 4" too!
However, before we make this purchase are there any other tents that are a better quality than the Vango, that offer room for 4 (although there is normally only 3 of us, unless our son brings a friend), that have a smaller pack size/are lighter/I can put up on my own...
Thanks x
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Wild Country are also bringing out a smaller 4 man version of that tent with only 2 steel poles (which will be quick pitch), which is supposedly due out in a few weeks. It is an interesting design but the price put it out of our bracket. May be worth a look.
Kampa tents (especially the Ultimate range) have thicker 100 denier flysheets and other top end features (plus height) with specs that rival (and beat in terms of denier) other manufacturers, but really relatively affordable. The increase to 100 denier from the standard 75 denier of other manufacturers will potentially double the UV life of the tent and add significantly to the tear resistance of the fabric. Given the added thickness of the fabric the tent will unfortunately be a bit more bulky than the equivalent 75 denier.
Others on the forum will also swear by Outwell tents, but you can pay for the name although until Kampa came along they were seen as the top end of polyester tents. They have had their problems too, along with Vango - although it seems that Vango has a few gremlins this year....
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
can highly recommend the Coleman tunnel tents - the Coastline Deluxe 6 should easily fit what you want. Under your budget, one bag, not too heavy, good quality, can be put up by yourself.
haha,speedcamp....vote for outwell here! although not all that cheap,,could get a used one on fleabay....nevada m ,virginia 5 (only at yeomans,but £199),..
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Thanks for the suggestions. We've currently bought the Citadel 5 - although we had truely awful customer service from Cotswolds Outdoors, and we think we can fit it in the car with luggage etc. However, I'm going to check out your suggestions too - so we know whether we've made the right decision.
Any other tents to consider?
------------- 2011 Camping Tally:
One night so far!
The most popular tunnel tent last year in this sort of price bracket (depending on available offers tec) was the Gelert Horizon 6. Spacious and versatile...
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