Hi there, thrizo, how many people is it for, what kind of layout do you want for bedrooms and living space, do you need windows, and finally what's your budget? Not awfully experienced myself but these are the questions people will ask who can help you more!!
we too are new to camping and were also looking for a tent on a budget, we opted for the Lichfield Arapaho 9dlx, it has 3 large bedrooms, enough room for a double and single airbed in each, a large lounge area and a porch, we are very impressed with it, however, we cant compare with others as this is our 1st tent.
Our tent (same as Vango venture 500) is used by two audit and two kids (13&8). We've done weekend (ideal) and also 9 day holiday in it. One bedroom (with material divider) will fit two double airbeds with room to spare. Living space is adequate but will get full if you want to take lots of "luxuries". We had shelf unit, couple of box boxes and two camping chairs. Bedroom has SIG, the living area is detachable which make it handy for cleaning but allows the mudflaps to tuck under for weatherprroofing.
We paid £95ish but think they have come down a bit since.
See if Halfords are still selling off their Gelert Cadiz's for £65 - if so, this would be good on a budget.
Personally i would want a bit more space than this oferred, if it was for more than a long weekend (same for a Venture 500 and similar models). Especially if the kids are older than 7-9. At that point I would want something with two seporate sleeping pods.
Depends on the size of your budget, but I would then look to buying a well reputed tent secondhand.
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I agree with BB about possible secondhand buys. We wanted a 'bigger' tent after spending 4 yrs small tenting on motorbike. Bout a secondhand Gelert Skydome for £35 in mint condition.Loved it and since bought even bigger new, but am still keeping the Skydome for shorter trips
Quote: Originally posted by Bluelad on 29/09/2005
I agree with BB about possible secondhand buys. We wanted a 'bigger' tent after spending 4 yrs small tenting on motorbike. Bout a secondhand Gelert Skydome for £35 in mint condition.Loved it and since bought even bigger new, but am still keeping the Skydome for shorter trips
You got a Skydome for £35! damn it, I paid three times that for mine and I thought I got a good deal.
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP THINKING OF GETTING A OUTWELL HARFORD XL OR A COLEMAN?? DONT THINK CHEAP IS THE WAY TO GO
I would agree with your view and if it helps, the central dome and seporate sleeping pods hanging off is a very popular style. hence, there should be lots of good end-season sales on these styles, to save you money.
If you are after saving a bit of money, there is not really much between tents like the Campus Breckenridge, Sunncamp Magnum/Tourist/Olympic, Vango Diablo, Coleman Michigan/Columbia, Outwell Hartford, Wynnster and Royal models. I would just phoen up everywhere and ask what they have on sale or are prepared to discount.
It is also worth noting that I see Outwell Hartford's regularly on Ebay, S/H private sales - buy carefully, but this is a trusted tent than can be repaired.
------------- Big Bunny
Robens Valley Lodge & Cabanon Pyramide 6 "... kids you distract the bear, while I run to the car...."
I have a Outwell Winfield which I love, I am really happy. Every time I put it up I'm glad that I opted for it, so I would definatly say outwell is a good make. It is very simple to put and well built.
Big bunny mentioned ebay there is only an Outwell Minnesota on there at the moment going for £50 it is a tunnel tent so I don't know whether it woulsd suit you needs. It finishes today at 8.00pm ish.
Your just have to keep checking sporting goods> camping> tents then type a tent brand (eg. outwell, vango etc.) in the search you get the best results. Just watch out for people who put things like "not outwell" or "like colman". When on ebay make sure you find out what the Hydrostatic head is I belive you idealy want 200HH or more for UK camping.
Hope this is helpful
Hannaxxx
Post last edited on 02/10/2005 14:17:01
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Hi thrizo - you haven't said what ages of children you have, or whether it is for short breaks of longer stays......but have to agree with Hanna - there are some great bargains on ebay at the moment, including Coleman Quadspace here and two Vango Colorados ( one six berth here, one eigth berth here)
Most folks on here agree that when considering the size of tent you need to get bigger than the stated number of berths. I.e. if you are a family of 4 then get at least a 6 berth. This is for two reasons - the dimensions of bedrooms need to be checked to make sure that you can get the required number of beds in, especially if you are using luxury airbeds etc rather than bedrolls. And secondly, for a longer family hol you are going to need to take lots more kit per person (clothes, entertainment etc) and if you are holidaying in the UK you need space under cover for those (inevitable) wet days too!
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Topic: good family tent on a budget
