We have decided to upgrade from our 4-year old trusty Kampa Croyde 6 to a bigger polycotton / canvas tent.
After much surfing over the Xmas period, while the kids played with their new Lego!, we've got it down to either (i) the Hypercamp Familia 6 or (ii) a Soulpad 5000 Hybrid + 'Fabsil-ed' gazebo to cook in.
Has anyone got either of these and if so, what are their plus points and negs?
We reckon the Familia 6 would give us the extra bedroom space we will soon need when our boys each want their own space and also would give us a bigger porch (not slanted so no rain coming in issue) than our Croyde 6 - our only neg with the Croyde 6. And of course, it's polycotton at a much more reasonable price than Outwell, Vango, etc. Any downsides??
But the Soulpad would give us the escapism that modern tents can't do in the same way....open space (boys on oppo sides!), rugs, lights, low tables, cushions, throws, mmmmm!!, and it would be a change to the way we camp. But how practical are they when it's hammering down and you are dripping between tent & gazebo...and having to leave dripping coats in the gazebo - we don't fancy a tarp....getting too old to be bending to cook as well as camp! And do you feel a bit cut off when you have to zip the door closed to keep rain out and there are no windows?
Are there other alternatives out there that we've missed? Budget £900 to include all bits & bobs, incl. a new table/chairs desperately needed.
Cheers all, we need help to make our decision!!
Jo
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Hello! We wanted to get a bigger tent but couldn't be bothered with all the hassle of setting one up (lazy I know!) so we settled on a 5 meter bell tent and ordered it the other day (theirs a sale on at the moment) as it only takes about 20min to put it up and can be put up by one person on their own.. Perfect! We also bought an inner part too as we have a toddler as we would feel safer incase he decided to go for a wander, I didn't think about the rain hammering down part though as I was too excited but I have seen something tonight on a fishing website it's a massive umbrella with 3 walls built around it so perfect for storing wet stuff and cooking il find the link and put it on here in a bit. It's a tough one to decide on good luck x
We are a family of 5 (mum, dad, girls aged 5,7 &9) and have a 5m soulpad hybrid which is great. I would only recommend buying a bell tent if you have a trailer.
Rather than a gazebo we have a (camper van) drive away awning which is used as a kitchen diner and works well for us especially in adverse weather, both tents travel in the car so can be first out without having to open the trailer.
Thank you Tynxuk, you might just have helped us decide! We have a Toyota Hilux so plenty of boot room.
Your set-up looks lovely and practical.
Which tarp do you use? - we had thought of getting Bell Tent's 2.5m triangle tarp for shoes/wellies. Do you keep wet coats in your awning?
Did you visit Soulpad's showroom? I called them today and will hopefully go over there sometime next week.
Thanks for your reply & pic, much appreciated.
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Thanks, we've had quite a few tents in getting here but think we are finally happy with our set up (stripe windbreak has been replaced buy an ivy pattern one as hubby insists on marking his garden ).
Our tarp is a frame tent sun canopy and works great but they are hard to come by, many people with bell tents here have this canopy.
The awning only comes on our longer holidays and is used for wet coats, for short stays we use a toilet tent to cook in (use electric) and wet coats get put in the car or on the backs of chairs in the tent.
Yes we went to the soulpad showroom as they are less than 20 miles away, they are pretty much empty but give a good idea of headroom. We have two doubles and a single squeezed into one half (I made an adjustable liner to close off sleeping area) and use the other half to live in.
You should be well within budget tent £477, canopy £47, driveaway awning (similar to ours) £225 but cheaper models are available or buy second hand (ours was £50 and in great condition). Leaves plenty for table & chairs and bits & bobs.
Jom1904, are you at Kelling Heath for the big camp? only just opened my camping magazine and see me and my girls are promoting it for this year I don't like photos of myself but this is a lovely photo of us .
Going to look at the site plan and work out where I want to pitch this year, had noisy neighbours and people cutting through my pitch to get to the shower block last year so probably going to go for a squirrel zone rather than dragonfly.
Hi Tynxuk, what's the big camp and which mag?.....might have a copy!, We are going for the half term hols in May. Did 10 nts there in Aug last year and 7 year before - love it!! Even though it's a big site, it's beautiful. We go on Butterfly, had premium pitch 206 last year which was huge. On standard pitch this year just a bit further down, which is still really good, loads of space for kids to bike, close to showers, not much traffic. I would recommend either premium pitches 206-210 or standard pitches 228-232. 1st camping trip for us this yr, roll on!
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The big camp is an event organised by www.campingmagazine.co.uk (details & photo on the website too) it was in April last year and quite cold so probably why they have changed it to 16 - 18 May and only costs £50 (standard pitch) for three nights. We came home with loads of goodies, luckily I had space in the trailer .
Last year had pitch 138, I've looked at the site plan and thinking pitches 283 & 255 face the female toilets with 254 beside them, can't remember which way the squirrel toilet block faces as would be happy to be facing them, whilst the older one is more than happy to go to the toilet alone I do like to be able to see her go in and come out of the toilet block (yes, I'm a worrier ).
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: Hypercamp Familia 6 or Bell Tent?
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