We're a family of 5 with 3 young girls (aged 7-10) looking for the perfect tent. After lots of research we convinced ourselves that we needed a Karsten 350 with side extension and the biggest extension porch and rain cover. There's a problem though. We want it to go up and pack away faster.
This has sent us looking at The Vango Rhapsody or Outwell Harrier Xl. Not loving either, but they do go up (and down) fast which is a huge bonus.
Ideally we want a very high quality canvas or polycotton air tent that can be set up in about 10 minutes. We need to be able to stand up inside it in most of the footprint. We prefer a vis-a-vis layout and the best layout we ever had was a Suncamp dome type with 3 double bedrooms punching out of 3 sides and a huge family area. This sadly died after many years of good service.
We also like the idea of a kitchen extension.
So, does this perfect tent exist?
Any pointers gladly recieved as we're running out of ideas.
Just putting it out there, but can a tent be custom made?
Thanks
Paul
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There is no large tent which can be pulled out of the bag, placed onto an already set out groundsheet, inflated, fully pegged & guyed in 10 mins unfort.
My own Concorde L takes about 45 minutes with its numerous ( 74! ) pegs and guylines plus inflating.
Then there's the setting up inside.
IThe only time saved is assembling & inserting poles then raising the tent up.
Everything else takes just as long.
What you need is a pre - erected tent that you arrive on site, make minor adjustments & unpack your personal things lol.
My Karsten 300 is quick to peg & inflate but offers nowhere near the room of my Concorde - it's a very different kind of tent, offering strength to stand up to very bad weather in lieu of windows everywhere and cable tidies etc
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We came from a Harrier XL to a Karsten 350, side extension and all front awnings. If you want a vis a vis layout this can be achieved with a Karsten. You would need a 350 pod as your lounge area with sleep extensions on both sides, then your front awnings for dining and cooking.
The Harrier was quicker to pitch but the Karsten pitch can be done in stages, eg pod and bedrooms on arrival and awnings the next day, and visa versa for pack up.
I would struggle to find a reason to recommend the Harrier over the Karsten
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I believe a lot of families will be queuing to get a large tent that can be put up in 10min!
It'll take me that long just to peg out the cheapo tarp as an additional groundsheet alone.
DK
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Quote: Originally posted by Jim1977 on 12/9/2015
We came from a Harrier XL to a Karsten 350, side extension and all front awnings. If you want a vis a vis layout this can be achieved with a Karsten. You would need a 350 pod as your lounge area with sleep extensions on both sides, then your front awnings for dining and cooking.
The Harrier was quicker to pitch but the Karsten pitch can be done in stages, eg pod and bedrooms on arrival and awnings the next day, and visa versa for pack up.
I would struggle to find a reason to recommend the Harrier over the Karsten
We've been chatting about this and were erring back towards the Karsten. This post may have clinched it though :)
What about the Olpro Wichenford 2.0 - you can get a porch extension for it. It's poles so not as fast as inflatable but I believe it's as easy as any tunnel tent to put up and a very reasonable price
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M3psm - the autumn Karsten tent display started yesterday at Cross Camping in Hertfordshire. It runs until next Sunday. Karsten offer 10% off in Sep-Dec which could save £400 off the price
Jim
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: The perfect tent
