Having decided that future camping trips will be 2-4 nights and the 8-man having bitten the dust last year, we need a new tent for 2 adults (DH is 6'1) and 2 boisterous boys (7 & 3)
However, came back from our "research expedition" with the Vango Orava as a clear leader which is BIGGER 🙈
We have been spoilt with storage space so we're looking for 3 decent size bedrooms and a decent living space with either a separate enclosed porch or the option to add an extension for cooking.
Budget is under/around £500 which rules out air. Don't have too many luxuries but want space inside for 4 chairs, couple of storage boxes, without falling over each other.
Previous tent was 7x3 plus side extension. How do we downsize???
What to do?!?! Any suggestions of the perfect tent?
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Had seen this up but not realised you could add extension, although that does take it over budget.
Might have to have another look, although not keen on the canopy at front - don't really see the point of these (other than something else for DH to hit his head on)?
I downsized a few years ago, because my partner is disabled and this means I have to do most of the lugging, setting up etc. I started by weeding out our kit. With less kit, you can get away with a smaller tent. Changes I made included:
1. Getting compact pan set, compact stacking dining kit and compact camping cutlery sets so that all cooking and eating kit fits into a single middle sized lidded tidy box, including kettle, folding water carrier and folding washing up bowl, folding silicone mixing bowl and colander. Our lights and cleaning bits and spare batteries all go in there too.
2. Replacing older sleeping kit as it wore out and upgrading as we could afford it to good quality compact sleeping bags and SIMs and squishy camping pillows, which all fit into one laundry type bag.
3. Getting rid of camping cupboards etc because they take up time and space
4. We are each rationed to one medium suitcase for holiday packing.
5. Replaced huge Icey trek cool box with smaller Igloo one.
I keep these boxes and bags all packed and ready, so that preparing and loading up is fairly swift. In our case, we have to take extra stuff for his physical needs ( walking frame, bed wedge) so keeping the camping kit to the essentials makes camping manageable for us when it has long been our favourite holiday style.
And regarding the Vango Solaris, I like a canopy on a tent: it extends the living space. I can cook outside and prevent condensation inside, and the door can stay open even in heavy rain. With a windbreak down one side you can have an extra room, in effect.
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I really liked the Orava but there was no way I was going to allow myself of the frustration of trying to pitch it. I spent ages looking for something smaller, but in the end I went a bit doolally and bought the Illusion 800 (which is basically the same as the Orava but airbeamed), and there's only two of us and the dog.
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: How do you downsize???
