Hi all. purchased this tent from DW camping 10 days ago, we left Sat morning for pentewan sands cornwall for 2 weeks, unfortunately for us we are home today after 5 nights as had major problems with tent. First of all the side beam over rain door would not stay inflated so couldn't use door, tent carpet was 3 pieces of different shades grey material sewn together with all sorts stains on it. But the big problem came last night when it rained heavily and we found the tent not to be waterproof, we have rain come in from every panel on roof , through window seams, through front door, we found 30 points where water was coming in, at 11pm last night the site allowed us to sleep in an empty caravan as we were so cold and wet. When we went back to tent this morning, carpet was very wet in several places so were airbed clothes etc. We had no choice but to pack up and come home, we have phoned camping shop to inform them, partner also called Monday to say about earlier problems, the camp shop was least helpful and is saying we are not entitled to refund and they have never heard of such problems :( Obviously we want to get sorted as still have a week left to salvage but unless they refund us we wont be able to go anywhere, tent outfit cost us £1100.
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This won't help the OP, but other newbies may take heed.....
This is exactly why a fair number of folk on here almost INSIST that any new tent be opened up, visually checked, pitched and weather-tested..... all before even thinking of actually using it "in the field".
As well as acting as a practice to actually put it up, it also shows up any problems, and saves the trauma of having your very own "holiday from hell".
If the goods are faulty then the shop is legally responsible to give you a refund under consumer law. If you have paid by credit card then your consumer rights are further enhanced as the credit card company is joint and liable and ultimately you could seek a refund through them.
I hope your sorted.
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Update , went back to camping shop today and got full refund. Now need another tent.... but what to get, would like one with area to cook under in bad weather, good living space, good size bedrooms, normally for 2 adultsand 2 teens but also room for another youngster. Have looked at loads tents but after airbeam disaster not sure now. On that note camp shop owner told us today that for next year vango eclipse airbeam comes with attached canopy for same price as this years model.
The new style AirBeam tent for 2014 is in the 75 denier fabric not the 150 that the Eclipse is made of. Also its more like an Evoque 600 which is shorter than the Eclipse but with an open canopy at the front. Different in a number of ways.
Gary Cross
Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 26/7/2013how about a used wolf lake 7 or bear lake 6 - then use it for this years hols and sell it after and spend winter researching something for next year?
Or just keep it, i don't know why but people seem to view tents as a disposable commodity. When we were kids I only remember us ever having one tent, from when I was 5 until about 15 which we also used a few times many years after that. We then bought a second hand cabanon which we used for about 7 years before buying a new Helsport so we could have a fire in it.
We have a Vango Midas 400 with a canopy, this has loads of room for cooking under if weather bad, you can always get the bigger 600 or 800 if you want even more room.
Kauai Reef - ticks all your boxes and is polycotton. I know its not an airbeam but using the 'Gary Cross' method it pitches really quickly and goes down really fast its truly a lovely tent.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Big Problem Vango Airbeam Eclispe 600
