We randomly accepted an invite from a friend for a couple of nights away three weeks ago - mainly because we wanted to keep it cheap and neither family wanted to travel the full 5 hours to visit each others houses.
First night, I got soaked in a freak shower and ruined my only trousers (be prepared people!) so spent the next day in pj bottoms... Our ancient air bed gave up so we ended up sleeping on the floor... The tent let in quite a lot of water, so the living area kept giving everyone cold drips... The site didn't have any facilities to speak of... and the other families kid broke her arm getting in to bed on the second night.
Needless to say, it's been probably the most fun we've had in years! And we love the flexibility of just picking up and going on weekends etc...
My wife wanted to make sure it was "definitely for us" and that we weren't having a great experience simply because we were with other people... So I rifled through the attic and found an ancient Eurocamp 4 man tent with sleeping bags and we shot up to the Breacon beacons last weekend to give it another ago.
Two things happened on this one night excursion that sealed camping for me forever...
1. I was getting stuff out of the boot of our car and my wife was going back to the tent from the loo... She thought we were all in the tent... She was in a world of her own! And her face was one of utter contment and happiness - I will remember that face forever!
2. I went to the loo at 3 in the morning... Opened the tent to the most clear night sky I have ever seen! Literally thousands and thousands of stars making up clouds of galaxies! On my way back, I told my wife and our eldest daughter (5) over heard us and we sat an watched the night sky together for about 15 minutes. The awe on her face was incredible!
So, all the above leads me to believe we are now campers.
There's just one problem! The tent we have has no real living space, not outdoor space, the doors when open let water in etc etc and so on...
I tried my luck with a 5 year old Studland Classic yesterday on eBay but missed out :( So, now I am keen to see what the manufacturers have in store for the 2017 season!
This week, I have started to see pre-orders for 2017 awnings pop up across the internet. I have also inquired and have been told that 2017 brochures are being distributed to trade clients.
Does anybody know which manufacturers have their 2017 model details out yet? Or when they will be being released?
Don't think this itch is going away, so am going to need to figure out what I am getting soon - or I am going to go crazy!
Thanks so much for reading!
crabby
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I was talking to a member of staff in BCH Camping Trowbridge at the weekend. Vango have definitely got their 2017 models sorted and Jan/Feb is probably the time the public will have the info.
Depending on your budget, I can highly recommend the Vango Edoras 500XL Airbeam tent which was new this year and will be back in 2017. They have dropped some of the smaller Edoras models which kind of makes sense.
The 500XL will accommodate 3 very comfortably, 4 at a push. Not sure how many Children you have but the rule of thumb is go for tent that will accommodate two more people than you actually want it to, so, for 4 people go for a 6 berth tent.
Good Luck and so pleased you had such a positive experience. This website is fantastic with loads of really useful info (e.g. the Tent Review section) and so many helpful people posting on the message forum.
I was talking to someone the other day, who has a camping store and has been going round viewing next years models. From what he said, Vango have some great new tents coming out next year. May be worth visiting the NEC in Feb if you can. That way you will be able to try all the different manufacturers and see what layout works for you
Thanks guys! Trying to persuade the in laws to keep the kids for the NEC show... Looks like promotional stock starts shipping to reviewers the end of this month, so details will start to emerge October.
I presume the second hand market start going quiet as well in the next month? People start holding on to their tents before deciding whether or not to buy early season next year?
Details will begin appearing sparingly to be honest from my experience. The Outdoor Tradeshow is Wednesday the 7th and Thursday 8th this coming week which we will be attending and any info we are allowed to post on our site https://www.tentsandaccessories.co.uk/ will appear on our blog page regarding the brands we mainly deal with (Royal & Sunncamp) but i will be having a thorough look around at everything up there. And as i say i am happy to give any info/advice that i am allowed to on any specific brands/styles etc that anybody on here may be interested in.
It is a brilliant way to holiday or take a short break....Good grief here tonight at 2100 it's 21 degrees....Wish I was sat outside my canvas house watching the shooting stars...Bl**dy love camping and the kids grow to appreciate the great outdoors too...Bonus!
------------- Snowmen fall to earth in kit form........
Every day is a gift..That's why it's called the present.
Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
Stressed is just 'Desserts' spelt backwards
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I have released a number of Vango 2017 films on youtube... just type into youtube "Cross Camping" and you will find them. If you subscribe to the chanel you will see when we upload some more.
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
We have begun a mini preview write up on Sunncamps's 2017 range. It's not finished yet but there's enough there to get a feel for how strong the Sunncamp range will be for next year and that gives you guy's even more quality choices to peruse over going into the new season.
The standard of tents and awnings for next year is very high in our opinion and whilst the usual suspects have some great offerings (Outwell, Vango and Kampa) the likes of Sunncamp, Outdoor Revolution and Zempire are definitely up there with them.
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: When to expect 2017 model details?
