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   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations
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Subject Topic: 1st family tent advice Post Reply Post New Topic
04/7/2014 at 10:15pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View kzmcb's Profile View Profile   Reply to kzmcb Reply   Quote kzmcb Quote  
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Ok so this is my first ever post. We are looking at buying a family tent- 2 adults and 2 young children. We have previously camped as a couple. Had a lovely large tent which the wind wrecked on our first outing so stuck with the smaller tents after that. But we want a large tent with lots of living space for the kids. Our favourite campsite is pretty exposed to strong winds. My question is where do I start in the minefield of tents? We probably only want to spend around £200-300 as have to buy roof box etc. any features to look out for, brands that are super waterproof since we are in rainy n.ireland? Thanks for any help


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08/7/2014 at 12:22pm
 Location: Cheltenham
 Outfit: Vango Aspen 700
View Twinkly's Profile View Profile   Reply to Twinkly Reply   Quote Twinkly Quote  
Joined: 25/4/2004

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Hi you are going to love it! WE have two kids too, 8 and 5. We binned our fab beat of a tent last year as it was very old and worn and this year bought a Vango Tigris 800XL with a side extension for extra space. We bought it new in the sales and it is the 2012 model. They don't make them anymore so you can pick new ones up cheap still, it is a great and versatile tent! Definately get an 8 man tent for hte 4 of you whatever you do. :-)

 



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Oh I do like to be beside the sea-side! Oh I do like to beside the seeeeeea!!....


08/7/2014 at 12:39pm
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: Bailey Olympus 546
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Hi There,

We camp with 2 kids (8&5).  Would recommend that you find a dealer who has a number of tents errected so you can have a god look around and see whats best for you.  We had narrowed the field down to 2 for our last purchase.  Both looked the same on paper but were very different when you actually got in them.  Took us a couple of hours but defo made the right purchase.

Cheers

Darren



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April - Derbyshire
May - Cromer
May - Clipsby Hall
July - Kelling Heath
August - France
September - Clipsby Hall
October - Brecon


08/7/2014 at 4:52pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Outwell Vermont XLP Vango Icarus 500
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Joined: 24/3/2009

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For the type of campsite you like, I would definitely go for a tent with steel poles
Although they are discontinued, something like a Vango Calisto might suit you, I think there are 1 or 2 around still here , a little over budget but includes awning footprint and carpet !

There are some Calisto 600's brand new on ebay too, would give you a bit more space.

Post last edited on 08/07/2014 17:00:06

Post last edited on 08/07/2014 17:01:50


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08/7/2014 at 5:03pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Vango Mira 500 & Abi Sunstar
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Joined: 15/5/2014

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We bought our Vango Mira from charlies direct and it came in at around £250, we did have to buy carpet and footprint separate, but its plenty big enough for 2 adults and 2 kids, and if it starts feeling small we could buy the front extension also.

http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/vango-mira-500-5-man-person-camping-tent-moss


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08/7/2014 at 6:53pm
 Location: Ross-on-Wye
 Outfit: Palamos 6
View MonsterBear's Profile View Profile   Reply to MonsterBear Reply   Quote MonsterBear Quote  
Joined: 05/5/2009

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You can get a Sunncamp Alana 700 for about £200. They only made them for a couple of years and they aren't in this years line-up. We were impressed when looking to replace our Sunncamp Vulcan. Mainly steel poles and 4000 HH.


08/7/2014 at 10:13pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View kzmcb's Profile View Profile   Reply to kzmcb Reply   Quote kzmcb Quote  
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Thanks for the replies. I purchased my tent after a lot of research and decisions yesterday- hi gear voyager, hope it is ok! I didn't even see half the tents mentioned above but it's too late for me to change my mind now :-) Unfortunately we don't have any big stores here to view tents, went to a couple and got a bit of an idea what we wanted and this fitted in our budget and got carpet and footprint and porch for £440.


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22/7/2014 at 9:15am
 Location: Cheltenham
 Outfit: Vango Aspen 700
View Twinkly's Profile View Profile   Reply to Twinkly Reply   Quote Twinkly Quote  
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Excellent! We went away in our new one for the first time this weekend and having the carpet was wonderful especially in the mornings. I would also recommend rock pegs! After years of bashing away at and bending the flimsy pegs that come with the tents, we now have rock pegs and they are awesome! They make putting up the tent so much easier. Look them up on amazon x

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Oh I do like to be beside the sea-side! Oh I do like to beside the seeeeeea!!....


22/7/2014 at 11:31am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Vango Icarus 500 & Vango Amazon 600
View jfcamping's Profile View Profile   Reply to jfcamping Reply   Quote jfcamping Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2012

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Hi Gear are getting better and better with the tents and have changed things around this year. The Voyager is Semi-Geo tent so stability should be great and good space with I think 4,000hh so more than capable for most weather it will see.

Footprint and Carpet will make all the difference.

So many brands out there and on for forums there will be lovers for outwell, vango, royal, hi gear etc etc. Its all personal preference and as long as the tent does what you need it to then does not matter what brand.

I am a vango lover but have been keeping a close eye on Hi Gear recently and nearly purchased the Oasis 8.

Other items to consider would be a tarp of some kind for shelter when cooking. Decathlon is a good place to get a cheap and suitable one.

Happy Camping.

-------------
2014

Family camping various places and loads of wild camping.



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