We've used our 2013 Vango Lumen 500 (with 700cm x 16cm AirBeams) about 10 times and had 2 AirBeams explode (not over inflated) + 2 leak from around the valves.
My quandary is whether to replace like-for-like AirBeams; upgrade to modern AirBeams; replace with metal poles OR buy a new tent (without AirBeams).
Are newer AirBeams reliable and worry free?
Is it possible/easy to replace older 16cm wide AirBeams with newer ones? Would I need new thinner holsters? If so, which beams are best/most reliable?
Has anyone replaced Vango AirBeams with metal poles?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks in anticipation.
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I have a Vango airbeam from 2017 and so far (touch wood) no issues with the beams although I am currently trying to source some new beams to replace after hearing some stories of people having similar issues to yourself.
Personally, I would replace the beams, however everywhere is currently sold out though, I suppose it depends how much the tent cost you and if you like the tent
Airbeams nowadays are much, much better across the board. So much so I'd suggest your choice for your next tent shouldnt be decided on beam/pole/fibreglass pole, more on whether the tent itself suits your needs.
Did you buy your tent from new as the issues you are having might be related to storage? If the tent is in very good condition and you can get new beams could be worth it but I suspect the cost of buying new beams would mean getting a whole new tent would be better value in the long run.
With regards to metal poles I guess thats possible but I'd have a concern that lack of tension at the seams and slippage would make the tent unstable and prone to leakage at the seams.
Thank you at taafe75 and at Mitchamitri for your replies.
I bought the tent brand new in 2013 for about £750. It's been stored in my house, in its bag. I suppose ideal storage is laid out instead of packed up, but it's not practical. Apart from the AirBeams, the tent is in perfect condition.
After visiting a large camping retailer, I see that most family tents seem to be air pole style tents now. I spoke to a shop assistant and got half way through my sentence about having a Vango AirBeam before he interrupted to ask if the beam had burst. I spoke with him for some time and he said that although beams had improved, it's still common for them to burst. Unfortunately, (probably due to different manufacturers using different pole specs) they don't stock many air poles, but worse than that, they won't order them in unless its a bulk order.
Vango's campingspares.co.uk website shows a 700cm x 10cm AirBeam for my tent, not 700cm by 16cm. Searching for "700" only shows this same AirBeam, so I hope they've not discontinued AIrBeams for my tent. I've therefore filled in a contact form, and will keep you posted of their reply/customer service.
at Mitchamitri, in hindsight I wish I'd bought a stash of spare AirBeams, as the tent has affected my holidays too many times now. Maybe Vango should include a couple of spares with each tent :)
I've borrowed a tent for this weekend and hoping the rain will clear :)
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We carry a spare airbeam - one of the key drivers for buying the tent we have is that all beams are the same size. Lots of camping over 4 years we havent had a leak or even had to top any up yet. Got lucky I suppose :-)
Try Tentspares.co.uk - they're really helpful (just recently bought a replacement side door porch tube for my 2015 Vango Eclipse..... didn't buy it from them as they didn't actually have it, but they sent me the link to the correct one at camping spares - that's what I call customer service).
My understanding is that there is no direct replacement for those beams, which will most likely be the same/similar ones that we had in our Eclipse, but that there is one that will work, you just need to fold over the excess material at the end. The newer beams have a different connector/valve in them, which is less likely to go. We've just recently sold both our airbeam tents, we never had any issues with the 2017 Solace, that had the newer valves.
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Topic: Vango AirBeam replacements
