Having bought this tent a while ago and still not used it (as OH prefers our frame tent) I was just wondering if the folk on here with one are still as pleased with this tent as they were when they first bought it.
How are the the fibre glass roof pole bearing up etc?
I can't decide whether to sell it or try and persuade OH that it's a good sturdy tent and that we should use it. I bought this tent as I wanted a change from our frame tents and I loved the extra front extension, but I'm having a job convincing my partner 😕 (maybe I should get rid of him instead lol. 😂)
Helen
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All I can say Helen, Is our mate Mucker has got one, but he is a bit busy at the mo to probably post on this subject. He is now the proud owner of a Karsten, but I still think he holds his "Freddie" Frinton in such high regard that he cant bear to part with it.
We still love and use our Frinton Classic 4. It's held up well to some "extreme" camping conditions. The fibreglass poles are still as good as new. I think this is the 4th year we've used it - approx 6-8 trips a year.
We call her Fudge! and she has been in one disaster that needed some repair, but that taught us not to camp at a lochside in March with high speed winds. Apart from that we've not had any trouble though we take good care of her and if any loops need replaced or seams look like they need strengthened we take her to:
https://www.scottishmountaingear.com/
I believe it's worth looking after this tent if you want to use it regularly. After all it looks impossible now to replace new and for me nothing out there looks quite as cute, vintage and lovely as the Frinton does with its performance.
You cant beat the polycotton for temperature regulation nor the dark sleep pod interior. It's a good space for a couple. It's also really easy to put up and down, we take about 15-20 mins to erect it now.
I use the side canopy for my kitchen stand, it's an ideal sheltered space.
We bought the canopy too and its been fantastic for extra covered outdoor space in poor weather.
I'd use it within a heartbeat!
Best of luck x
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^
I've just read that post back and I hope it doesn't come over as this tent needs repairs. I don't mean that at all. We confidently take her out in all weather to some extreme parts of Scotland regularly and it's been cosy, weatherproof and feels safe. I'd expect any tent in those conditions to get a bit of "use" hence my wanting everything as good as can be.
I actually bought this tent on a bit of a whim a couple of years ago, not used it properly yet. It's the polycotton bit and fibre glass roof poles that I'm not quite sure about as we only use all cotton canvas frame tents.
We are hoping to buy a Karsten at some point but it's such a lot of money, we need to save a bit more as I don't want to get into debt at the moment.
I can't compare to a frame tent, canvas or otherwise, but as you know, I can compare it to my Karsten. I doubt it will surprise you to hear the Karsten wins, hands down.
However, I doubt anyone could realistically get better value for money than the Frinton 4 Classic.
If and when I get my finger out, I plan to repair the window of my Filey 6 classic (100% my own stupid clumsiness!) and then sell it. Great tent in it's own right, but for us, (knowing what we know now) I'd now consider it a tad too big, and a tad too much effort to pitch.
But I have absolutely no plans to sell the Frinton, despite us now having the Karsten, and all that it's modular design and 100% cotton brings with it.
Never felt the Frinton's (much thicker than yer average) fibreglass pole sections were a problem... I certainly wouldn't fancy trying to snap one across my knee!
I'd have absolutely no qualms about camping in the Frinton again, even though we haven't used it since Easter of last year... and didn't regret it, or feel as if it was "a step backwards", despite already having used our Karsten a few times by then.
I guess, ultimately, my current feeling is that I can't see me selling the Frinton, because it is simply too good to sell, and £ for £, it would simply be hard to beat!
Best £399 I've ever spent!
Thanks for replying. Glad to hear you're stil happy to keep the Frinton. I have decided to pitch it in the garden and have a fresh look at it. I wanted mesh doors and a decent porch....something the Cabanon frame tents lack. Plus a sewn in groundsheet.
A Karsten is absolutely still the top of my list. I even know exactly what to order😊 it's just the funding holding me back at the moment.
In the meantime, it seems a waste not to get some use out of the Frinton.
Quote: Originally posted by johnwils on 09/5/2016
Thanks for replying Katedow,
I actually bought this tent on a bit of a whim a couple of years ago, not used it properly yet. It's the polycotton bit and fibre glass roof poles that I'm not quite sure about as we only use all cotton canvas frame tents.
We are hoping to buy a Karsten at some point but it's such a lot of money, we need to save a bit more as I don't want to get into debt at the moment.
Helen
You've been spoiled!
We too have always had Cabanon tents, of every description. We too bought a Frinton Classic (when they were being discontinued and available at a bargain price). I hoped it would provide a lightweight alternative with SIG and the price was too good to miss.
When it arrived, we too deliberated and compared extensively, as it seems you are doing now. At least you kept yours, after having a feel of the canvas and poles etc I decided against and sent it back without pitching (so the whole exercise ended up as an expense rather than a bargain!).
I reckon that, since you're used to Cabanon standards you'll probably find this a bit of a lightweight alternative (not just the poles but the canvas, pole sleeves (which aren't canvas), groundsheet and zips as well). The traditional ring and pin pitching style will also potentially be a bit challenging after likes of the Pacific etc.
No offence meant to anyone who's got one, I suspect it's a decent little tent in its own right but I reckon a Cabanon enthusiast will find it a little under par. UNLESS you can get your head round the fact that it's NOT to be compared to the Cabanon quality and that it's a darn sight better than most polyester offerings out there. In which case, you'll probably be delighted with it.
I think that, whether or not you'll be happy with it depends on your expectations of a tent. It sounds like that's what your husband is struggling with? Holiday time is precious, so you need to feel confident about your tent. But, once you pitched it in the garden you'll have lost that 'new, unused' selling edge. Buy a vestibule and there's more to recoup if you decide to sell. Decisions, decisions...
No offence taken from this direction, Lidds.
I remember our chat on your disappointment with, and ultimate return of, your Frinton.
What you say makes perfect sense, in my opinion. Almost a matter of "breeding", for want of a better phrase!
I spent almost 50 years without a tent, then a couple of months with a polyester tent, before finding the glory that was polycotton, so with that sort of "upbringing", these Kampa classics were the bees knees to me!
Even after later discovering that my Kampa polycotton only included 35% cotton, whereas all the Vango's and Outwells etc seemed to include 65%, I felt neither rueful nor let down.
Of course, whether I would have remained so positive re Kampa's Classic tent's had I previously spent a good number of years in and around good quality 100% cotton canvas tents (be that Cabanon, Karsten, or a. n. other), is anyone's guess!
And I think that's where our problem lies. Used to 100% canvas. So I hope the Frinton doesn't feel the poor relation ( for us, just a matter of opinion) as I also know there are campers who wouldn't consider canvas. It's going up in the garden tomorrow to see if our kit fits. We're going to sleep in it too.
If OH tests go alright at the hospital next week. I may well sell most of the tents I have and shove the Karsten on credit and be done with the dithering. We'll have to wait and see. :-(
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Topic: Kampa Frinton 4 Classic
