We have the Go Outdoors Kalahari 10, which is a fabulous family tent, especially for week long stays. However, for weekends it takes a long time to set up. Plus the poles are nigh on impossible for me to do on my own...which sometimes could be the case if I head off with the children a day (or half a day!) early due to hubby not being able to have as much time off. With help, I've pitched the Kalahari 10, but without help the poles would have been impossible. Plus previously it's been with a mostly patient 4 year old, but our family has expanded!
So, for weekend get aways, with a 6 year old and a 1 year old, I need something easier to pitch! As hubby will be joining is, we're looking at ideally a 5 man for space. It also needs to be tall enough to stand in, and big enough to live in if the weather turns.
I REALLY REALLY want the Vango Lumen 500 Airbeam. Lets be honest, I can't afford it. lol Although I'd be interested as to where geoffprinter got his from as a bundle! (Saw on another thread!).
So I'm looking for an alternative. Airbeam (or equivalent) sounds perfect for easy pitching, but I'm not against poles, as long as it's honestly manageable by one adult. Especially as airbeam type tents are SO expensive!!
We would prefer one large bedroom (whether it can be divided by curtains or not is irrelevant at the moment) rather than smaller separate ones. I like the tunnel style of the Vango Lumen - the style/shape of tent suits the way we camp.
We've also been spoilt so I will obviously HAVE to budget for carpet (and foot print!) lol.
One thing I love about the Lumen is the built in porch - the Icarus 500 for example, looks lovely, but the big slopey front isn't great if raining. Also, with our Kalahari we have the porch (2 in fact! lol) and they're a nightmare to attach - so a little built in porch bit would be great, and would stop the rain coming in.
I'm aware this probably reads as being quite picky!! lol But honestly, I'm open to suggestions!!
Any help would be amazing, thank you. No exact budget - the cheaper the better, but I'm not prepared to buy a bad tent just because it's cheap. All in, with carpet and footprint, maybe no more than £400?
Thanks in advance!!
Clare
------------- Clare
July 16 - Teifi Meadows, Lampeter
July 16 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
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August 14 - Private location
August 14 - Ton Uchaf Farm, Abergavenny
July 14 - Hillfort Tipis, Goodwick
April 14 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
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Thank you, but it doesn't have any protection from rain at the door.....
Thanks though!! :)
------------- Clare
July 16 - Teifi Meadows, Lampeter
July 16 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
---------
August 14 - Private location
August 14 - Ton Uchaf Farm, Abergavenny
July 14 - Hillfort Tipis, Goodwick
April 14 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
Look at the Easycamp Boston Range. It's got a flat front on it, and there's even one with a little side room which would be good for putting a cupboard or even a loo! I think it's called the Boston 500A
Know it a little over your budget but have a look at the vango Solaris 600 looks like the lumen but a few store have it for £399 and ground sheet for £20 but can't see a carpet but might be worth having a look at
for 3 of us we have the vango icarus 500. i`ve put it up on my own (i`m a diddly 5 ft 2!) . i think the iris is the new version of it. my neighbour has the iris 500. its identical!
------------- gym bunny hugs!
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Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 21/1/2016
Look at the Easycamp Boston Range. It's got a flat front on it, and there's even one with a little side room which would be good for putting a cupboard or even a loo! I think it's called the Boston 500A
Have you had one of these? How easy are they to put up? Could I do it alone?
Quote: Originally posted by Mack84 on 21/1/2016
Know it a little over your budget but have a look at the vango Solaris 600 looks like the lumen but a few store have it for £399 and ground sheet for £20 but can't see a carpet but might be worth having a look at
Thanks for that - the Lumen's specs have spoilt me a bit, and the 'living' area seems a lot smaller than the Lumen, but it's certainly one for me to not dismiss and have a good look at. Need to find one on display somewhere now! Thank you!
Quote: Originally posted by ladycake on 21/1/2016
for 3 of us we have the vango icarus 500. i`ve put it up on my own (i`m a diddly 5 ft 2!) . i think the iris is the new version of it. my neighbour has the iris 500. its identical!
Thanks for this - do you have trouble in wet weather though? The front is SO slopey - I can imagine it would get quite wet inside when the door is opened for comings and goings..... A friend of mine has the icarus too and it's purely the whole no-shelter-at-the-door that's put me off. Thanks!
Any other suggestions? I've seen the following at gooutdoors but I don't know if they can be put up by one person, how good they are generally, etc...
July 16 - Teifi Meadows, Lampeter
July 16 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
---------
August 14 - Private location
August 14 - Ton Uchaf Farm, Abergavenny
July 14 - Hillfort Tipis, Goodwick
April 14 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
Just found this one too - any thoughts? Could I pitch that alone?! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Farnham-600-Tunnel-Tent/dp/B00R4WQ0MY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453460665&sr=8-1&keywords=Vango+Anteus+600
Quote: Originally posted by princesspickle2 on 22/1/2016
what about this on ebay 391368496735, good tents and have side door for rainy days
Oooo that's interesting. Thank you. :)
------------- Clare
July 16 - Teifi Meadows, Lampeter
July 16 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
---------
August 14 - Private location
August 14 - Ton Uchaf Farm, Abergavenny
July 14 - Hillfort Tipis, Goodwick
April 14 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
Quote: Originally posted by cdsmiler on 22/1/2016
Thank you all!
Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 21/1/2016Look at the Easycamp Boston Range. It's got a flat front on it, and there's even one with a little side room which would be good for putting a cupboard or even a loo! I think it's called the Boston 500A
Have you had one of these? How easy are they to put up? Could I do it alone?
Well I could. No I don't have one but a tunnel tent is a tunnel tent regardless of brand and I do have one of those. I think you could too. I'm a widow raised two boys on my own although they're big now, but when I was 'family' camping there was only me to put up the tent - a little help from the kiddoes. Now I go camping on my own (with a dog who's sod all use for pitching tents, no opposable thumb to hold the hammer with) and I would have no problem taking on a tunnel tent, although I'm Bell Tent camping nowadays.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Have a look at outdoor action they have the Vange Skype 600 package deal so Inc carpet and ground sheet for £350 it's like the lumen but just with poles but good price at 350
Thank you all for your help! We've gone for this: http://www.caseysoutdoorleisure.co.uk/item/Vango/Solaris-600-Tent/7YT
Basically all the stuff we already have (including carpets) can fit or be tweaked to fit. Although we did go over budget and purchased the footprint (for £20! lol), but I'm pleased!!!
Thanks again!
------------- Clare
July 16 - Teifi Meadows, Lampeter
July 16 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
---------
August 14 - Private location
August 14 - Ton Uchaf Farm, Abergavenny
July 14 - Hillfort Tipis, Goodwick
April 14 - Mid Wales Bunkhouse, Rhayader
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: Easy Pitch Family Tent Recommendation
