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I recently purchased an Outwell Virginia 5, and put it up very quickly in my son's garden to check all the poles etc. were there.  Black clouds came rolling over, so we had to pack it up before we'd checked everything, so there is still one question which I'm wondering about...

I'm told the Outwell Minnesota is a sister tent to the Virginia, but with steel poles.  Reading reviews of that tent, I notice there are problems with the side canopy being very tight, stressing the zip of the side door and poles breaking under the tension.  I have this difficulty with the Aztec Galeria sometimes, and I wondered if the Virginia has the same problem.  It seems to be common with side door canopies.

Any Virginia owners out there who can tell me whether I need to build up my arm muscles and take spares to fit the canopy poles?

Thanks.

FoO

The only trouble I found with the rainhood - I wish it was 2 inches higher, because I knock my head on it when I forget to duck a bit. Apart from that, a what a lovely tent. We got the extension to go with it and it is brilliant, makes the living space feel so much more spacious.

Thanks for your replies!  I feel a whole lot better knowing I won't have to wrestle with that porch when I get the tent up again!

I am pleased with the Virginia so far.  Looks to be the usual Outwell quality (never owned an Outwell tent, but heard plenty of praise for them) and we got it almost pitched in about twenty minutes (rain came before all pegs were in. ).  It's great to know you folks are pleased with your 'Virginias', and now I can't wait to take it camping!

I probably won't get an extension, as there are only two of us and we're working on taking less rather than more at the moment, and got the Virginia for overnight camping, but I will go for the Vango poles for the front canopy!  Thanks very much for the good advice, krazy and Oscar!

FoO