In my search for an easy up tent for just me and the dog, today Ive bought a Gelert Cabana 4 and Im waiting for it to arrive. It looks a little like a medieval jousting tent and Ive got the red and grey version which just adds to that hahaha.
I wondered if anyone that had already got one could answer a couple of questions for me please.
I understand that the instructions do not deal with the lifting up of the inner tent very well, I cant seem to work out what the issue that people are having, but are there any hints or tips that anyone could add to help please.
Is it possible to make the door into a canopy, ie is there eye lets on the door and extra poles to do that with?
A couple of people have said that there is some sort of triangular extra bit of fabric that they are not sure where it goes. Whats that then?
Anything else that people have found useful with it?
Thank you :D
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I have a Cabana in Liberty Rock (much to my childrens embarrassment and that alone would make it worthwhile!) . Not had a problem with the inner, it goes up like raising a sail - there are two rings on the pole which a tape goes through then the tape clips to the inner and you hoist away! Can be a bit stubborn but easy enough. Make sure you keep the ends of the tape clipped together so you don't lose one end, you'll see what I mean when you get the tent. Can't recall any spare triangular bits, though mine is a couple of years old, there are the usual repair patches. Maybe a reinforcement patch for where the pole meets the roof? As far as I remember, there are eyelets in the door, you do need your own king poles. Only problem I've had is the top and bottom of the pole has a "top hat" plastic cover and the top one's " brim" has broken - it takes the full weight of the fly of course. I've replaced it with the top of a spray can! It's a great tent for quick getaways, easy to put up, we've been lucky enough to have reasonable weather whenever we've used it so can't say how good it is in a storm etc. It does attract a fair amount of attention on site, so be prepared to run guided tours!
Sorry, meant to say my Liberty Rock stood up to two thunder and lightening rstorms in the Haute Garonne region of France this July.
Took it for my teens to use and it was wonderful, lots of looks and comments from passers by. During the storms I thought it might struggle but not a bit of it, no leaks, no seepage in through the ground vents, it pleasantly surprised me and plan on taking it with us next year to France again.
Mind you I did use rock pegs for most pegging points and guy ropes rather than the pegs that came with it.
I bought one 2 years ago. The first year, I used it for 2 nights in a secluded position with a perimeter of hedgerows and trees. The second year, last year, I went away for 6 nights. The campsite was on a hill and very exposed to the elements. I pitched the tent so that the slopping back was into the wind. After a good nights sleep I awoke to a glorious sunny morning and walked down to the local shop to buy bacon and eggs for breakfast. As soon as I got back the wind got up and shifted around so that one side of the tent and half the door was now under pressure from the strengthening wind and it had started to rain - so breakfast in the tent. I didn't use the inner tent and could see water running down three of the seems which made all the bedding quite wet. Cut a long story short, later that evening, I returned to find the wind had been so strong that the two guide ropes supporting the door poles ripped clean away from the tent and bent the centre pole in half, collapsing the tent - so 5 nights in the back of the estate car. Like clunty and coastal~path I too found that the plastic lip on the top and bottom of the centre pole broke away. I still think it is a good tent but would obviously suggest finding a secluded spot, if possible. I've managed to sow the guide lines back on. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement centre pole? I have tried Gelerts website but cannot find any 25mm steel poles.
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Well mine arrived today and I put it up in the garden :D Im really thrilled with it. Once I had worked out what to do with the webbing strap and the pole with the D rings in it! I had to ring Gelert to send me some instructions and talk me through that bit. I dont think its as well constructed as my Montana 6p, but then it wasnt anywhere near the cost, for example the fabric and also the zips arent such good quality, but it will just be for me anyway. I do like the 'novelty' value (Im a bit quirky like that haha. Im actually glad it doesnt have any windows in it, Im going to be on my own in this tent so quite like the feeling of being all enclosed. I have bought some cling on clips to enable me to make the door into a porch as there are no eyelet holes. I have spare king poles from the 6p so will use those.
One thing though, I cant seem to work out where on earth you would hang a light from?
Going to add some pics now, and also some of the things Ive bought to go with it :D (such a girl lol)
Tent up for a test pitch in my garden, it took 15 minutes to put up on my own, the middle pole wasnt too heavy to get up up my own either. (The fence with the netting around it, is to stop my three dogs from jumping over the patio fence and bog wallowing in the winter when the garden doesnt drain and ends up like a lake)
Through the front door, I haven't rolled up the door properly I know, there is a separate fly screen as well.
Through the door, the bedroom area is bigger than I thought, however really wouldnt put four people in this.
Matching bunting
Spotty doormat
Red and cream enamel plates
Spotty cutlery
Spotty mugs
Last but not least a Gelert Mars Red windbreak which is on its way
Ive also got a red stove, but didnt want to appear as if I was going overboard haha
I really like the look & ease of this tent & couldn't resist I've bought 2. A 2 man & a 4 man.
Over the summer I backpacked with my son & would like to camp on foot in moderate temp next month, but think we need something we could sit in, I'm planning on dividing poles & tent with no inner. It cost me £60 I put it up 2 nights ago,guyed it well & it poured with rain & its as dry as a bone.
A couple of years ago my husband bought an old but good caravan, which is great but I find the trouble is unless you are going local towing a caravan is expensive & always seems to take alot of planning, yes its comfy but I also like camping (or even prefer) this one cost £125.
I'm going to put the big one up today & see how it stands up to the elements. Treleg says pitched with sloping back into wind, personally I'd have wind coming across tent. High winds can lift caravans,let alone tents pegging is crucial or time to go home ))
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Topic: Gelert Cabana 4 - anyone got one?
