I'm looking for some opinions and feedback from Outwell air tent owners - how are you finding your tent, have you had much trouble?
I've just placed an order for an Outwell Holidaymaker 600 after seeing it in my local shop - it ticked a lot of boxes for us.
However, I've just discovered this forum! I've read about the lack of spare + expensive parts, not as good + shorter warranty, generally not as good as it used to be. It sounds like I may have been better off with the Vango Rivendale 500xl I was also considering (although it is slightly more money), what do you think?
I look forward to your replies.
mytse
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I’ve got an Outwell tent! We bought a Vermont 7SA in 2017. We had a manufacturing fault with the first one where an air beam was not sealed so it would not inflate, I managed to bodge an in-field repair so it was usable for two weekends before it got replaced.
The second tent then leaked water along one of the beams so that went back too. All were on a 1 year warranty.
We have now been given our third tent, all sorted out faultlessly by the retailer who have been brilliant. This tent is a 2018 model so now has 2 year warranty, this puts the mind at ease because if there is another problem between now and April 2020 then we are covered. It does depend on your retailer so my advice is to use a company with a good reputation who deal with a lot of Outwell stock, then you will get looked after.
We had major trouble with our first Outwell air tent back in 2013/14, but bought another in 2015 and had no trouble with that one at all.
Haven't had any experience of Outwell customer service, so can't comment on that one. We did consider a spare beam for the Harrier XL, but they were all different sizes, so would have needed a full set, which were uber expensive so didn't.
The last air tent we bought was a Vango. The beams are more substantial, and you get a three year guarantee.
We also have a spare beam as they're all the same size.
Things have come a long way since the first hasty launch with all the makes, so take you time, go to see as many as you can, then find a retailer you feel comfortable with. Our last one was an independant, and haven't regreted it.
We bought a big Outwell polycotton air tent, 2016, no problems. Seems pretty sturdy, well made. Needs a big trailer. Wipes out a car boot. Used customer service once and no issues. Somebody on this site gave me a number which got me through to an outwell guru - answered my questions.
George
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Carnac twice the years before
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks july16
Garangeoire Vendee 2 weeks June 17
Strathclyde march 18, Anstruther Week April, Blairgowrie, May 18
Chateau de Lez-Eaux Saint Aubin Des Preaux 2 weeks 2018
Loree du bois Les Mathes 3 weeks jul19
Belhaven Bay 1 week july 2020
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We're not happy with ours (hornet) and returning for a second time.
First one failed on second outing - one of the air outlet valves wouldn't fully close, we camped for one night with collapsed bedrooms until a storm flooded the tent via vents. Tent was replaced without quibble.
The replacement failed on second outing too! This time one of the feeder pipes into a main beam split - again we could isolate problem with inner valve control, but we're pretty p'eed off.
Retailer has so far been fine, but tent has to go to Denmark for fault checking before they'll give us a refund, which somewhat scuppers our summer camping plans.
Retailer did mention that Vango have a more reliable air system ...
The pack size of air tents is also quite ridiculous.
iv just bought an Outwell Brandon 4e with the fantastic taslon fabric.
however yesterday morning woke up to the bedroom beam has collapsed casuing the bedroom to conpletely fall into the the tent - and then yesterday afternoon the front beam went too.
i am truly gutted as id went off Outwell tents a while back but thought id give them another go.
the fabric and features on the Brandon are superb - but its no good if it wont stay up!.
all very well having a 2 year warranty - but having to wait in all day for a courier plus the size of the box - that you Have Got to keep becuase of the unreliability of them - its all a hassle that i dont have with any of my other tents. Had my Karsten for 4 years now - never a single problem, amongst 4 Vango air tents too - all been fine.
im thinking of buying another Taslon fabric tent from Outwell - but traditional polesthis time - im not averse to putting poles together - not airbeam as there not quite there yet with their airbeams!.
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Topic: Outwell air tent owners
