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Camping under canvas - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations

Topic: Tent choices for a beginner!

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Campernic

17/3/2014 at 11:48pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 17/3/2014

Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 17/3/2014Here's one very important thing.

When you unroll your tent and start to unfold it take a note of how it was folded up. Write it down, draw a diagram if necessary. You will thank me for this!

alternatively, before you even take it out the bag go and buy a bag, any bag thats twice the size of the bag the tent came in from the makers!

yes, but they are getting better. I think it's Vango who started producing oversized bags although I'm sure the rest have followed suit. I got a Gelert Cabana 4 the other day (haven't managed to pitch it yet so it's still factory packed) and it looks like the bag is a third bigger than it needs to be (now!) so I'll need the room when I don't have the benefit of a vacuum packer like the factory has.

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Mduke84

19/3/2014 at 9:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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Okay now for my next question.....we're going to use our tent for the first time at the end of April for my birthday, and I was wondering if anyone's got any recommendations for campsites relatively local to me (Poole) for a first time out?

OldRex

20/3/2014 at 11:46am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Vango Tigris 800XL Vango Icarus 500

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Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 14/3/2014
PS...
Unless I'm very much mistaken, I believe Vango has a "Lights Out" system. The "Sleeptite" belongs to Kampa!
I doubt there is little difference though (but stand to be corrected).

Mucker, I have the "Lights Out" system and the name is a bit misleading - it is just darker taffeta material for the bedroom pods and does not keep light out! (Not to mention the vent mesh which lets light in!) It does work a bit, but lights out? Na. I have seen the Kampa bedrooms which have a silvery coating on the outside and they seem to work better.

Mucker1884

20/3/2014 at 12:58pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: VW+T6+HiTop

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That's the second time I've seen mention of this "Silvery coating". I really must take a proper look, next time out!

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Tonyno1

23/4/2014 at 7:57pm
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Hi all. Complete newb here. Not even been to GoOutdoors for a look around yet. Quick question - how important do you think having carpet in the tent is? Some have it some don't, all seem to be highly rated. Does it make a big difference to comfort/temperature? Are there cheap and cheerful and easy alternatives that do same job eg duvet on groundsheet?

Thanks!

OldRex

23/4/2014 at 8:57pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Vango Tigris 800XL Vango Icarus 500

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Carpet has pros and cons. Its much more comfortable in bare feet and is warmer and quieter too. And of course it looks better than the black groundsheet. But fitted carpets are expensive and can get mucky, and take up a lot of room in the car.

Some folk adapt carpets from different (less expensive) tents, or use picnic rugs which can be obtained really cheaply (I do this so I can have carpet in the bedroom pods - much warmer on a cold night.)

Tonyno1

23/4/2014 at 9:08pm
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Quote: Originally posted by OldRex on 23/4/2014
Carpet has pros and cons. Its much more comfortable in bare feet and is warmer and quieter too. And of course it looks better than the black groundsheet. But fitted carpets are expensive and can get mucky, and take up a lot of room in the car.

Some folk adapt carpets from different (less expensive) tents, or use picnic rugs which can be obtained really cheaply (I do this so I can have carpet in the bedroom pods - much warmer on a cold night.)

Really good point re mess - thanks for that. Here I am picturing sunbaked summer evenings in nice dry conditions not the reality of mud and kids traipsing it all over the place! Thanks!

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