We are a family of 2 adults, 2 young children. We have an Outwell Kauai Reef which I love for its great quality but it’s just too big and heavy.
As an alternative we bought the new Kampa Hayling Classic Air Pro but I am so disappointed in it we are taking it back. I guess I was spoiled by the Outwell! I just hated how the Kampa inner was polyester and black, so it felt like lying in a bin bag! And despite paying a huge amount more for poly cotton the curtains are all plastic, and they cover a huge amount of the tent.
Now my husband is annoyed that we don’t have a tent because I’m taking the Kampa back, he liked it a lot more than I did.
Can you prevent divorce and help us find our perfect tent?!
Here is our long list of desirables:
- Tall (husband is 1.95m and would like to stand up)
- polycotton or canvas, preferably more cotton than poly, with poly cotton or canvas inner and curtains
- takes less time to put up than the outwell (less than 30 mins would be ideal)
- weighs less than 40kg
- enough room for our 2 Double SIMs (so 210 x 240 sleeping area)
There is a karsten pod 300 for sale on eBay but husband doesn’t like there being no inner tent and it leaves no room for our belongings when the beds are in.
We would be so grateful for any ideas!!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Quote: Originally posted by Ras105 on 10/8/2019
...As an alternative we bought the new Kampa Hayling Classic Air Pro but I am so disappointed in it we are taking it back. I guess I was spoiled by the Outwell! I just hated how the Kampa inner was polyester and black, so it felt like lying in a bin bag! And despite paying a huge amount more for poly cotton the curtains are all plastic, and they cover a huge amount of the tent.
If you don't mind me asking, how can you take it back, if you've pitched it?
As for tent recommendations, there always has to be some sort of compromise, somewhere. To keep under your 40kg stipulation, I'd say go for a Cabanon Barbados if you can live with the sloping walls. Super-easy and fast to pitch, dependable, will last forever etc. I'm personally not too keen on the green roof canvas of the current model but, if they ever bring it out in sand with an anthracite front, I'll buy another.
I'd also recommend the Cabanon Biscaya. Easy enough to pitch and a superb tent in all-season polyester canvas (feels and performs similar to cotton but is more lightweight and more forgiving of being packed up wet) but not under 40kg and I reckon the 440 would be too much to handle for a weekend. The Awaya 370, although smaller, is around as heavy because it's made of cotton canvas. It also lacks the integral front wings of the Biscaya, which are a real plus when there's driving rain or side-winds.
I definitely would consider pitching a Cabanon Bora Bora for a weekend, adding the canopy for a longer stay. If you don't mind the vis-a-vis layout. Virtually impossible to view any of these models in the UK now though and prices are soaring.
I'm now inclined to agree with Mucker's suggestion that a Karsten would be the ideal tent set up because of it being modular. The 350 pod with rain awning would be ideal a family of 4 for shorter stays, then add whatever awning you fancy, or additional sleeping areas for longer stays and as your family grows and perhaps require more space and/or privacy. You can get dividing curtains for the pod and extra windows can be fitted to the door and sides, giving more light, ventilation and views out. The quality is second-to-none.
Quote: Originally posted by Ras105 on 10/8/2019
There is a karsten pod 300 for sale on eBay but husband doesn’t like there being no inner tent and it leaves no room for our belongings when the beds are in.
We would be so grateful for any ideas!!
That's been a bugbear of mine, too. Not so much regarding temperature but because of insects. We once had a massive earwig infestation in our TT awning with SIG so were glad of our bedroom inner! I'm coming round to the idea now, though.
I agree with your husband, that a 300 pod is too small for a family of four unless just for sleeping in. You'd manage better in a 350. Even for just two of us (with occasional grandchildren accompanying us) I'd choose a 350 or even a 380 (not vastly heavier but apparently takes twice as long to inflate the tubes). I'm still weighing that one up and hope to get to a Karsten show soon, to see the new 380 set up.
Price is, of course, an issue too. If you want to keep around the £1k mark then, for me, it'd be Cabanon Barbados all the way.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Quote: Originally posted by smudger28 on 11/8/2019
Sorry to hi-jack the thread but I was hoping to catch Mucker. Can't message people personally.
Hi smudger.
Option 1 - discuss on here, publicly.
Option 2 - Send a message to Admin, and ask them to pass it on to me. Include your email address, then we can continue on there. Use the "Contact Us" page initially.
However, If it's anything to do with my previous post and the link to the for sale page, just to clarify it wasn't my ad, and It's not me who is selling!
Thank you all for your suggestions!
I must admit the idea of an earwig infestation makes me want an inner even more! I was supervising a scout camp once and the earwigs were everywhere. The scouts had old style tents which meant the groundsheet wasn’t linked so they all got earwigs in their sleeping bags...and no doubt ears as well!!
I bought the Kampa through camping world online. You have more rights when buying online, you are allowed to pitch in your garden and return it, they were told that we had pitched in the garden and they said it wasn’t a problem.
I think we will have to go see some of these suggestions, they are so expensive, so we will be buying second hand.
Does anyone have any thoughts on obelink? The el dorado / Alaska and Marseille all look like potential options but a lot cheaper than cabanon and karsten
Thanks for getting back. It was regarding La Ferme Du Latois where we are heading on Sunday. I was wondering what sort of EHU they had there? 3 pin or 2 pin. Going on your recommendation too :-)
Quote: Originally posted by smudger28 on 12/8/2019
Hi Mucker
Thanks for getting back. It was regarding La Ferme Du Latois where we are heading on Sunday. I was wondering what sort of EHU they had there? 3 pin or 2 pin. Going on your recommendation too :-)
At the risk of a telling off, for going off topic, it's just the usual blue commando type plugs they use over here, so no two-pin adaptor needed.
If you need any further info, find one of the topics (Search "Latois" in "All Forums" and a few come up, and post on one of those... I normally check in at least once a day... and others would/may be able to help as well.
Have a great time.
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: Help us find our perfect tent please!
via mobile 10/8/2019 at 10:29am
