We are a family of 5 looking to replace our faithful 30 year old frame tent because it is starting to wear out, we are short of storage, it is huge when packed up and takes ages to set up.
Ideally we would like 4 bedrooms so the kids can each have a space to sleep and store their junk (or no junk and a friend). We sometimes use a travel cot but I guess by next year we won't need that anymore.
We were looking at Kyham Rigi pods - they were selling them cheap at the outdoor show - but the children hated it because it had so few windows and was very gloomy.
We all loved the inside of the Hartford XL and assume the XXL would be similar. We could cook in the new front canopy (pity it doesn't have a door, but never mind.) However then we were worried by various posts on another site about the poles snapping and it not standing up to much wind. Is this really a problem?
We then considered the Montana 12 but we haven;'t seen one of these and wondered where people cook with one of these and is it as nice inside?
Is there anything else we should be looking at? And where would people go to see them on show (We live near Jn 25 of M1)?
I spent ages researching at the end of last year and now all the specs have changed - it's very confusing! Help!
------------- Jenny and/or Andy
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Hello Jenny and Andy, we are a family of six and the happy owners of a Hartford XXL 2005 model. We spent a lot of time looking into the type of tent we wanted last year and had actually decided on the XL but when we can to order it the company in question had no stock and offered us the XXL for £50 more then we were paying for the XL.
Though we were apprehensive about the size of it at the time we are much better of with the XXL; we have 2 kids in each bedroom pod, a pod for ourselves and keep the other one for guests or storage; the living space is phenomenal and really bright thanks to the window on the back door and the skylights. I'm afraid I can't comment on the pole problems; we have certainly never had any but we've not been out in anything worse than a typically blustery West of Scotland shower.
I know they changed the spec on last years; ie HH went from 5000 to 3000 and there is a change to the size of the bedroom pods. (With regards to the bedrooms in earlier models they were advertised as suitable for 3 people which was a bit of an exaggeration unless you only used bed mats and not air beds.)
The change to the spec has however not damped my enthusiasm and this year we are adding the canopy and investing in a Hartford L for short weekend trips.
Anyway don't worry everyone is really helpful on here so stick around and there will be more people who can answer you and give you a better idea on the other tents. I think if I remember correctly langleys(Steve) has had all these tents.
What sort of size do you want the bedrooms. If you can get away with 2 berth pods each then look at the Nebraska XL ( rather than the XXL ). This has 2 x 4 berth pods that can either be used as a full 4 berth or split into 2 x 2 berths each. There is also a massive porch to cook in. Although still fairly big, it is a little smaller than the XXL but the living area is identical.
As far as the Montana 12 goes, if its nice then cook outside. We personaly have a utility tent to cook in. The Montana 12 would be ok for you, except that splitting the bedrooms into 4 would mean that people would have different size pods as they split 4/2 ( not sure if your kids would argue over getting the biggest bedrooms ).
The Hartford XXL is a very nice tent and would suit your needs perfectly. I must admit, I preferred the 2005 version to the 2006 version ( I used to have the 2004 version ).
We have the 2005 XXL and would highly recommend it, we use it with a pod for us, 1 each for the children (and a friend each more often than not) and one for out porta loo. Lovely large airy living area (handy as we always take the dog with us) and relatively quick and easy to put up.
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We liked the Montana 12 because of the standing room throughout the living area and also the bedrooms. The Hartford (and Nebraska?) have bedrooms that immediately slope downwards. The Montana really does feel roomy and light. We cook in ours, as the living area is so spacious and have had no problems. It is also a very well ventillated tent (adjustable). The only thing that would be nice would be a more serviceable porch. The 2006 model has a larger one, but it doesn't look any wider so would be no good for cooking or storage. You can get a side canopy but I think it looks a bit clunky up against what I think is a very elegant tent.
Hello Jenny & Andy - welcome to UKCS. Given that you are by J25 in the Nottm area, I suggest you get yourselves to the Yeoman's outdoor exhibition at the Japanese Water Gardens at Stapleford from 16/3/06. Details are here
They do have both the Nebraska and Montana 12 tents listed on their website, though that does not guarrantee that both will be on display. However, it's their first show of the season so the chances are good that they will have them both, plus maybe other larger models.
They always have an onsite marquee with lots of other camping stuff there too -well worth a browse!
I have always been a fan of Yeomans (not just because I share the same hometown) I have found their staff and customer service excellent. (Of course ,you can always decide on the model you want and then see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere!)
Thanks for all the advice. Still not sure which to go for but will definitely visit the Yeoman's show.
I guess our gut reaction is that we loved the inside of the Hartford XXL but wonder if the Montana would be more practical - more waterproof, pitch size, isn't a pitch inner first.. But we also like a very open front (equivalent of patio doors!) as it makes watching small children easier as they wander in and out. The montana entrance porch doesn't appeal at all. Because of that the Nebraska porch looks good. (I fully agree with a comment elsewhere - why can't they produce a Montana with a porch like the Nebraska?)
Another related issue. In our ancient frame tent we hang wet coats from hooks off the frame and hide our sharp knives in the top of a tent tidy. Can you hang anything up in these tents? What do the rest of you do with your wet coats and sharp knives? (Perhaps I should start a new thread.)
The Hartford tents take up to three times longer to pitch than the Montanas so if time is of the essence I would defo go for the Montana or even Nebraska option. In addition the bedrooms are a better size and height in the Montanas, a fact I learned to my regret when we had a Hartford L three years ago.
------------- The Klingon Empire endorses camping as an honourable passtime.
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There are no poles inside an "outer first" tent for you to hang things from I am afraid!So you have to get other kinds of tent furniture, such as a camp kitchen, and camp wardrobes etc
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Hartford XXL, Montana 12 or what?
