Can anyone help. We are going to take kids away camping before schools start back and as we have already been a holiday we don’t want to spend a fortune on a tent. We are clueless in what tent to buy and I’ve sat scrolling through different websites and reading reviews. We would like to make it a yearly thing and a cheap way to explore our beautiful country that is Scotland and want to explore the north and islands as Bnbs can be so expensive so although I don’t want to break the bank I don’t want to be put of camping by buying something that will leak in water etc. Was looking for a good quality 4 man tent? Anyone got any suggestions?
Thanks for your reply in advance
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Well, as far as avoiding a leaky tent goes, the article in the link might be helpful. Also I'd say that if there are four of you, two of whom are still growing, it might be worth stretching the budget for a 5 or 6 berth tent so you can have a bit more indoor living space in case of poor weather. My daughter, son-in-law and 8 & 6 yr old grandsons (and dog) went for a 6 berth (Vango Langley 600xl) and are very glad they did. Good luck with your search.
Edit: Argh - can't get the link to work! Go to their website and look for info on hydrostatic head. Lots of useful tips in there. Sorry!
www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-tents/hydrostatic-head
Getting "404 Error" on that link*, Hedgehugger - think this might be the page you mean? (Although the other associated articles also look as if they could be useful to Siobhane and other newcomers)
*the one you've since deleted!
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I would recommend doing as much research as you can and going to a display where you can take a look in the flesh. Dont think about what you need now but what you'll need in the future when the kids are bigger so you dont have to buy again. Things to think about:
1. Layout - you need a family tent that is 2 berths bigger than your family. So if there are 2 of you then you need 4 berths. Older kids might appreciate bedrooms around a central living areas (vis a vis) younger kids bedrooms next to each other. If your kids are of the same sex theyll be fine in a bedroom pod together so you only need 2 bedroom areas - different sexes you may want 3 separate areas. I know it sounds complicated but go take a look, get a feel for what you want. Talk to friends who camp.
2.size of your car - it has to get you, kids, tent, equipment, food, etc to the campsite. You dont want to have to buy a new car to get all your camping stuff in (you may laugh but a lot of people on this forum's choice of car is decided by their camping habit).
3. Midges and bad weather - you'll want a reasonable living area, sew-in groundsheet and the option of mesh panels on some doors and windows to let air in and keep midges out.
3.air v. poled tent. Tents with poles aren't that much harder to pitch and are a lot cheaper - so you can a better quality tent (better fabric, more features) for the same money.
Take a look, get a feel, but you still might not get it right first time ......
Thanks for advice. I’m looking at Vango Skye and Vango Valletta and also Buxton waterproof from mountain warehouse but I’ll pop into a shop today. I’m not bothered if I need to replace it after a few trips my main worry was I buy something and it puts us off altogether.
Don’t buy a tent you haven’t seen up - YouTube can help on this, also (seems obvious but some people don’t ) always buy a groundsheet / tarp to go underneath
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My advice would be to get something with a front canopy, it makes life with children so much easier if it’s wet. Our first tent didn’t and it was a nightmare, you either make them strip wet weather kit off outside (which they moan about and you all get even more wet!) or take wet kit off inside the tent by which time everything gets wet.
It’s also really useful to have a front porch / canopy for putting chairs under at night (in case of rain or heavy dew).
I would also recommend getting a 6 man tent for 4 people. When tent manufacturers say how many people can fit in they seem to forget that these people also have bags of clothes etc.
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Topic: Tents.
via mobile 20/7/2019 at 9:27pm
