Hello all, this is my first post .Hope you can help with advice on purchasing my first bell tent / tip ?
I have been looking at 4m canvas bell tents but been a little put off by the weight and drying out times,so have been looking at other options to consider before I take the plunge.
After many internet searches on tents in my price range I am considering the following;
4m Canvas Bushmaster tent £300
10T Desert 8 polycotton mix tent £240
Gelert Navajo 6 or 10 tip i - Cotton/Poly Tech fabric £300 - £340
I also want to fit a wood burner with the appropriate chimney flashing kit for protection so my budget is
around £500 all in.
If anyone has any experience of the above tents and can share their views I would be very grateful
Many thanks
Mac
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
My advice, would be for the few quid extra go for a 5metre there is sooo much more space in them, and as you want to get a wood burner heating it is not a problem. Get one with a ZIG groundsheet, then if you should have to dry it indoors, unzipping the groundsheet makes it a bit easier to lay out for drying, and can also make it lighter for carrying around if weight is a problem for you.
Can I ask why you want the wood burner, they are not the easiest of things to cart around and add a fair few £££ to your budget. If you dont need one then look at Dusky Deer tents. We went for Nordisk (expensive) in the end but my 2nd choice would be Dusky.
We have a 5m one, there is only 2 of us and the dog, I like my home comforts so we have (almost) proper beds, little side tables, chairs, the frontier stove, dog bed and toilet. I couldnt do it any smaller.
Have you seen they have an XL frontier stove now, with a little glass window?
I have a Blacks of Greenock Solace 1....their 4metre variant.
The deal I got for what looks like a seriously tough tent, was £498, including a spare very heavy duty groundsheet, an inner tent (if wanted?), a large canvas awning or tarp with all poles etc. And delivery.
The Blacks tent is a lovely thing with one or two features not always found on some others, but what would be essential is how many of you intend to sleep in it, and the space for drying it, if needed. Stoves of all sorts of fuel types can go in either size.....
I would also endorse the Dusky Deer recc. above, they were up on my list!
If you have a family then I may suggest considering a five metre tent, but four metres is plenty big enough for two?.....
Re groundsheet, a detachable one makes for more versatility, and there are several ways of doing this, each with their own benefits: zip in, peg in or clip in, as in the case of Blacks Solace.
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: Bell tent advice please
