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Camping under canvas - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations

Topic: Rooftop tent or ground tent?

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dk168

via mobile 17/6/2023 at 3:21pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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I have not read all the posts, however I did not like the idea of a roof top fence due to (a) difficulty for my dog to get up and down the steps, and (b) more importantly, difficulty for me to get up and down the steps, and lastly, (c) I would need to ask for help in loading and unloading the roof tent every trip which is not exactly independent in my book.

Each to their own and all that.

DK

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Fiona W

via mobile 17/6/2023 at 11:53pm
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I’ve not used a roof tent but I’ve seen a number on various sites. It assumes a good bladder as climbing down a ladder at 0300 isn’t for everyone. The key issue I’ve seen on sites is cooking & eating & relaxing - many RTs on sites had another tent for this, especially when it was raining or cold. Alternatively, people went off site to eat out every night & sat out by the car afterwards. So car camping might also be an option, with cooking done under the SUV rear door: there are kits for a temporary car boot conversion.

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blueexpo97

via mobile 19/6/2023 at 12:30pm
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Once saw a couple at Loch Lomond with RTT he would have been in his forties and his mum in her seventies, think Miriam Margolyes.
He literally had both hands on her backside to push her up the ladder, then he passed up the two springer spaniels! Then up he popped.
I imagine it would have been a bit snug for all concerned.
All of this was on an old Landrover.

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Mrs. Bonce

via mobile 19/6/2023 at 2:16pm
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Good for her! Did they also have a porta potty for them and the dogs?

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blueexpo97

via mobile 19/6/2023 at 3:07pm
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Nope long walk to the facilities, not for the dogs though.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
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InTheWakeOfStardust

via mobile 26/6/2023 at 12:43am
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Haha I'm all good on the bladder front! Also good with ladders. I've car camped before while travelling in Australia, but that was a big converted 4x4 for just myself and while I have an SUV over here, it's on the smaller side and not roomy enough for the same kind of set up. I will sleep in it every now and then, but couldn't do it multiple nights in a row.

That being said, I've decided to start out with a Vango Alpha 250 and some borrowed equipment to begin with, and I'll go from there.

InTheWakeOfStardust

via mobile 03/7/2023 at 11:06pm
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Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 17/6/2023
The pop-up I've linked to is a good size and has a small porch area for shoes etc. Not all pop-ups are equal; some are single-skin, some poorly ventilated. Don't risk ruining your first camping trip by using poor equipment or it will just reinforce your negative perception of camping.

Best of luck with it!

Extremely late reply here, but I just wanted to say thank you again for your excellent advice! I went to a couple of local camping stores with my good old mom, who helped me weigh up my options. In the end I settled on a Vango Alpha 250. Now I just have to get out and about in it!

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New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

dk168

04/7/2023 at 8:19am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: PVC_VWCrafter_MWB

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Quote: Originally posted by InTheWakeOfStardust on 03/7/2023

Extremely late reply here, but I just wanted to say thank you again for your excellent advice! I went to a couple of local camping stores with my good old mom, who helped me weigh up my options. In the end I settled on a Vango Alpha 250. Now I just have to get out and about in it!

Good luck with that!

It is advisable to do a practice pitch with a new tent beforehand, to make sure all is well with the tent etc...

DK

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