Can anyone tell me why it's fair to charge a family using 2 backpacker tents, for 2 tents or a tent with a pup tent, when the combined footprint is less than the majority of tents on a site, who get charged a single rate?
This is not an attack on big tents, so no replies of Grrrrrr.
I've often wondered - if you bring two mini tents and cover them both with a tarp as a fly, would that then count as one tent with 2 bedrooms? Also the new Quechua base tents which add on to the 'seconds' tents, will sites want to charge twice for this set up?
Thought of that, we will have a tarpaulin in the middle so covering the space in the middle, and under this is a picnic table. I haven't tested the resolve of an owner on this yet, but the last site we stayed at was adament, the second tent was a pup tent. Pup tents are defined as one you don't cook in which is fair enough. However looking at any other bigger tent we are effectively the same except we have 3 fly sheets. I don't mind paying for 2 tents if there was justification, however we fit into even the stingiest of sites.
Re: The Quechua base and tents. I have never told the sites that it is 3 tents in total and just described it as a 4 person dome. It takes up less space than many tents and we have never had any sites question us after pitching.
The crazy thing is that often folk in very small tents will arrive fairly late in the day, spend little time on the site and leave in the morning. Thus the costs to the site for things like hot water, loo paper, wear and tear is miniscule compared to families in large tents who often use the site as a holiday camp.
The crazy thing is that often folk in very small tents will arrive fairly late in the day, spend little time on the site and leave in the morning. Thus the costs to the site for things like hot water, loo paper, wear and tear is miniscule compared to families in large tents who often use the site as a holiday camp.
I've known a few to leave late (after reception closes) and then leave early (before they open) and not pay a penny!
I often wild camp, which is free! However, when I do use a site, I will only use one that has a lower rate for backpackers. They're easy enough to find.
It works out differently on different sites. Some charge by the pitch - so a tent with a pup tent is fine, so long as only one is cooked in, some by the unit and some per person. A lot charge less for back and bike packers, fortunately.
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Topic: Backpacker tent charging
