Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: bell tents without centre pole
Post Reply
PersonSaskatoon
08/8/2016 at 6:02pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Saskatoon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Saskatoon Reply   Quote Saskatoon Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Does anyone have any experience of a bell tent without a central pole? There are some 3m bell tents that have a metal frame instead, making it possible to use a double mattress, but I have been advised that this is not as stable in strong wind as a central pole. I am downsizing to a 3m and am more concerned about robustness. Would be grateful for any comments on this.


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!




Personarmchaircamper
14/8/2016 at 5:19pm
 Location: Aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Several tents and a hammock View armchaircamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to armchaircamper Reply   Quote armchaircamper Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2877
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 22
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I have no experience of the frame style but I would have imagined that a tripod frame shape would be more stable than a central pole.

I've seen my own central pole bending in strong winds and now always carry a spare pole to brace it with.

If I was buying a 3m I would certainly look at the frame design, if only because it would make the limited space much more usable.

-------------
Sarah


PersonSaskatoon
15/8/2016 at 7:49am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Saskatoon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Saskatoon Reply   Quote Saskatoon Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Thanks Sarah. Having just survived a very stormy night in my 4m bell tent I was impressed by it's performance, though it has a wide wooden centre pole which may make a difference.

Soulpad have told me they are not planning on making a framed 3m bell tent and when I asked why said it was less likely to stand up to storms because the stability of a bell tent relies on the tension created by the centre pole.

I still have not quite made up my mind, but will probably go for a traditional design.


PersonTynxuk
15/8/2016 at 8:56am
 Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
 Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent View Tynxuk's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tynxuk Reply   Quote Tynxuk Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2395
Tent Reviews:   4
Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
If you like traditional design the Dutch pyramids are made to withstand the elements https://www.obelink.co.uk/eldorado.html?category_params=s_company%3D4%26category_id%3D4151


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!




Personarmchaircamper
15/8/2016 at 9:37pm
 Location: Aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Several tents and a hammock View armchaircamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to armchaircamper Reply   Quote armchaircamper Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2877
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 22
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Quote: Originally posted by Tynxuk on 15/8/2016
If you like traditional design the Dutch pyramids are made to withstand the elements https://www.obelink.co.uk/eldorado.html?category_params=s_company%3D4%26category_id%3D4151


Ive got one of those too. The other thing I've noticed with a bell tent in the wind is that the tent sides billow in and out quite a bit regardless of how tightly it is guyed out. The Eldorado is more work to pitch but should perform much better in the wind.

-------------
Sarah


Advertisement

Roofbox


Personfoggers
21/8/2016 at 1:08am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3 View foggers's Profile View Profile   Reply to foggers Reply   Quote foggers Quote  
Joined: 06/5/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3891
Tent Reviews:   12
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 1 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 1 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 3
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 2
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I have the Soulpad ultralite 3m with centre pole. I use a FB page for bell tent owners and people on there advised that whilst the tripod frame gives more space it is very heavy and a pain to put up. I was shown pics of a standard double SIM mattress fitting to one side of the centre pole of a 3m, and that convinced me.

I have been delighted with the tent. It is spacious for my solo camping, and also works for two on short breaks, with less kit.


PersonSaskatoon
21/8/2016 at 1:03pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Saskatoon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Saskatoon Reply   Quote Saskatoon Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
The Soulpad ultralite 3m is the one I am thinking of going for as I will mostly use it on my own. I will check the FB page too. Thanks for that
Elisabeth


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!





In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

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.


6599 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement