Hi looking to get back camping and convince my new hubby he will enjoy it and the kids will love it. I sold all my gear when i got divorced 4 years ago so starting over again. Looking for tent advice when all together our family is 8 of us so need a decent size tent or a 6 man with an area that adults can then sleep in too as i have noticed there are not many large size family tents. Ìt needs to be tall in the main living area as my husband is 6ft and dont want to spend to much incase he hates it
Thanks
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Welcome to the forum, how about renting a ready erected tent to see if hubby and kids like it before you splash out on all the kit.
The camping and caravanning club do ready-camp tents at many of their sites now. they are like safari tents with proper beds and lighting.
Some sites do yurts and bell tents you can hire to test the full sleeping on the floor experience.
If they like it, you can splash out on a better tent in the knowledge it won't be a waste.
If budget is an issue you could consider buying a used polycotton tent. Something like an Outwell Norfolk Lake
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If you google "readycamp" you should get the site at the top of the Google results. In there is a section saying locations. They seem to be rolling it out more and more, often 3-5 safari tents per site.
Jim
we have the outwell montana 6 when my daughter and her boy friend stay over they sleep in the front from of the tent and we still have room to walk around, If we put the awning up you could fit 2 double air beds in the centre and still walk though the middle.
with people up grading from poled tents to air tents they may be a bargain to have! try ebay and even facebook happy camping
Have you got much room to transport tent and camping gear? Consider pack size. Bedding for 8 people takes up some considerable room (been there, done that!). Also, check with the site as some won't allow that party size, even if it is one family.
I'd check out used Cabanon frame tents, if you have space to carry one. The Espace 8 would be ideal. They are reliable, last forever (if properly cared for), comfortable and usually quite inexpensive. But, bulky and heavy pack sizes.
If you can't find an Espace 8 then you could hang an extra inner in a 6-berth model. We've done that before (get an inner for a caravan awning). The beauty of a frame tent is the ability to use the strong internal frame to suspend another inner, then un-clip it during the day if you want a bigger living area.
Alternatively, are any of the kids old enough to use a pop-up pup tent (such as those sold by Decathlon)? If so, you could go for a smaller main tent.
If you have a family of littlies, a bell tent might be the answer as they're quick and easy to pitch.
That seller - it's not me, or anyone I know! - also has a Vango Aspen 700 DLX for sale (eBay item number:282523386466). That's quite an old model tent now but, depending on how much it's been used and what condition it's in, might be a reasonable buy.
I used to like this model because it has a whole-tent inner (so someone could sleep in the living area if required) and is very stable when pitched, because of the shape and the steel poles. The downside is that it's a pitch-first tent and not quick to pitch.
Depending on where you're situated, this might be worth a punt? It'll have a smaller, lighter pack size than the Espace 8 (but won't last nearly as long or be so lovely to live in).
Another option - if you can run to it - is this, the beautiful De Waard Zilvermeeuw. The quality has to be seen to be believed and, if you like pyramid style tents, this one is the Big Daddy!
Thanks for the responses. I have found a site with ready erected tents to try but also like the looks of the outwell montana, but worry about the condition of buying from ebay ?
We have two big cars so plenty of room one seven seater car and a estate car.
Unfortunately my oldest child cant sleep separately in a different tent although he is 13 he has autism and wouldnt work for us that way.
We bought our tent 2nd hand off someone locally - think it was through gumtree. Didn't want to spend too much as we weren't sure we'd get to go that much. We paid £150 for it and figured it wasn't too great a loss if we had to sell it on. That was back in 2009 and we are still using the same tent. We love it! There are definitely bargains to be had out there. We are only a family of 4 + dog, and we opted for the biggest we could get. It's an Vango Amazon 800. Yes it's heavy and bulky but once it's up its brilliant.
Reproofed the tent for the first time this year and very much looking forward to our 2 remaining camping hols this year (already had a 4 night stay in Easter)
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: Tent advice
