Thought I would introduce myself to the site. I am Kate, mum of two (2yrs and 4yrs) and new to camping. My husband has been nagging me to go camping for the last few yrs and I have finally said yes - all being well first trip will be next weekend!
My husband went out and brought the Hartford XL 2008 edition second hand from ebay. Am now slightly worried after trying to put up in our garden at weekend (very tight fit) thats its too big??
I did manage to book in for first trip ok as they take 9m x 9m max for tents. However, are we going to find it hard to pitch at most places because of the size?
We are taking our first trip with my sister and her family so fingers crossed I enjoy - does anyone have any tips for my first camp?
Kate. :)
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I used to have one of these, and after a few pitches we decided to change it, not because of it's size, but because it was too complicated to put up for a one night. A few people have said that they had experienced trouble being accepted by some sites but I never experienced this
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We had a similar design tent to yours and sold it because the campsites we go to dont cater for tents that big
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Oh dear.....what a shame, looks like maybe this tent was not the best buy. :(
Not at all mrsktb! We have the larger version (XXL) and we love it and never had a problem with sites and have loads to choose from. It took us a while to put the thing up initially but gets much quicker as we got more practice and experienced! You do have to work together tho...which isn't always what you want to do when tempers flare ( mainly OH's!!!) But once done it's such a fantastic tent. Alot to do for just one night, minimum we do is 2 nights. But then again we are helping our friends put their brand new Outwell Vermont XL up this weekend which is another big beauty for 1 night!! 1 night is better than none! You will love your XL...honest
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Don't worry, you will find 80% of sites not a problem . We have a zenith 8 man whitch is a lot bigger and don't have many problems. The tent you have got is one of the best large tents. You will find it a lot easier as time goes on. Stick with it and don't worry.........
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Thank you very much. Good to have some possitives. We want a tent with plenty of space because of the two kids. My husband is also 6.6 so we need plenty of head height.
I guess we will see how we get on and if worse comes to worse sell and replace with a better one for us!
Fingers crossed our first camping trip goes to plan!! :)
We have the Killington 900 which roughly the same size. I always ask when I book up at sites to make sure that they will take it. No problems yet and the size of the tent is great for the kids.
we have a hartford xl - fab tent, loads of room but getting a decent pitch size can be a problem. Plus it is one of the hardest tents I have ever put up! we found the easiest way to get it up was for one of us to crawl in the tent and push the roof up to get the shape.... thing is I am usually the one to do it and I am not very tall! so in I go with my foldable foot stool!
I am sure you will love it - we do but have got a montana 6 for the other pitches and shorter stays!!
have fun!
Li
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Topic: Hello from a Newbie & advice Hartford XL
