Hi all, we have the Montana 6p and have yet to put it up as we are gradually acquiring items, though I'm not sure what to buy which is why I found myself here, I guess a lot of it is trial and error. My GF nearly hit the roof when she saw £40 for a sleeping bag which is the other reason I came here :)
See the links (any advise or opinions on these appreciated as we have not put the order through yet) we need 2 of each adults and kids SIMs and the sleeping bags.
Also I would like a warm light for the tent (maybe the outwell leonis?) and thought about getting some colour changing leds to make it more fun for the kids (bottom link above?) has anyone used any of the quest Led's or similar or maybe some of the Phillips Living colours range?
There are lots of threads discussing the best sleeping arrangements. and it's mainly trial and error as to what suits you. Unless you are planning on camping a lot, don't spend a fortune. Layers are better - we find the kids sleep fine in a cheap sleeping bag, in their onesies.
eg - picnic blanket with waterproofed backing on floor, followed by air mattress or SIM from Aldi, fleece blanket or duvet, sleeping bags, onesies - fleece or duvet on top.
Also, why buy kids size SIMS - they grow up and out of them after a year or so. Just get adult ones.
Just looked at your shopping list ......NO don't get paw patrol stuff as they will grow out of it and then you'll need to go shopping again (unless money no object). Kids sleeping bag for very young & a roll mat (see below).
Best for children (at least to start with) are roll mats - the foam mats things - about a fiver, I think.
We like the idea of camp beds but they use up lots of space in the trailer so we still use a double air bed for us. We had the Coleman dual (something I can't remember) which had 2 areas of air for less bounce when the other person gets up from the air bed. It lasted 7 weeks of camping, several different camps, before it had a leak.
If you are trying camping, could you borrow sleeping bags from a friend?
Notice your lighting all needs electric. Will you always have EHU (Electric Hook Up)? We use battery (re-chargeable of course) lanterns and you can get solar lights for the outside of the tent - can't comment on the quality as we don't do this.
I wouldn't bother with the LED strip lighting. I bought two strips for my tent and unfortunately they are not very flexible and it was so difficult trying to fit/hang them somewhere within the tent that I eventually gave up. They are really intended to be used as a permanent strip stuck underneath kitchen cabinets, in bars for lighting effects etc.
I now use one of these which is a 300 lumen lantern. I found it gave plenty of light in my 5 man tent but you can buy a 500 lumen and a 1000 lumen one if you need more light. They run on D cell batteries but apparently last for ages. For extra light when hung upside down from the roof of the tent you can unscrew and remove the lens casing.
I have electric hook up and used to use an ordinary table lamp but found that only lit the immediate area and couldn't be hung from the roof.
Regarding beds, we found the wire legged camp beds suited us best which are quite cheap and we find comfortable. We went for the Kampa Slumber plus which are extra wide and quite reasonable.
------------- Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
Aldi have their sims in this week, £14.99 each, with free delivery if you order online. I have a pair, and they are absolutely fine for adults, perfect for kids. They also have the mummy style sleeping bags, although personally we just use a duvet from home.
Ive also got the latern that Bob mentions above, its really bright! I also have a couple of ufo lights, they sit perfectly in the pockets in the bedroom, but can also be put over a wine or beer bottle to make a lamp
If you want 'pretty' lights, cant you just get a set of battery operated or solar fairy lights? Cheap and cheerful.
Thanks for all the ideas, I guess I'm trying to get it right so that the family enjoy it but I am quickly seeing that things can be done more cheaply and as with most of us, money is an issue so you have all helped a lot.
Can't wait to get started :)
As often advised in UKCS, if you are using electric you could make up your own light with a length of wire and a bulb holder with a clip on. Be careful if you are using ordinary bulbs that get hot, that you don't burn a hole in your tent or inner.
Quote: Originally posted by Granty1 on 22/5/2017
Thanks for all the ideas, I guess I'm trying to get it right so that the family enjoy it but I am quickly seeing that things can be done more cheaply and as with most of us, money is an issue so you have all helped a lot.
Can't wait to get started :)
Its very easy to get sucked in, especially in the likes of GO.... "Oh look, camping saucepans, £40, a teeny tiny dustpan and brush, £5..." You get the picture, We've all done it.
Go to ikea would be my advice. My saucepans cost £7 for a set of three, and i keep a small screwdriver in the kitchen box for screwing the handles on, so they kind of stack. My frying pan was 99p. In fact all my kitchen stuff was the super cheap stuff from ikea, there really is no need to buy camping branded stuff, especially if you havent camped before and have no idea whether you/the family will like it or not.
As for lighting, avoid anything wind-up, it just doesnt last and gets annoying...
P.S - dont let the kids have bubbles! It will ruin your tent and any tent around you, as it destroys the waterproofing.
" As for lighting, avoid anything wind-up, it just doesnt last and gets annoying... "
Except ... get your children some wind-up torches. They are not brilliant but funnily enough children seem to get through many batteries and forget to turn torches off.
Hi all
I'm looking at LED strip lighting for my Kampa Croyde 6 Air (either the Kampa sabre link, or, more likely, an equivalent). Does anyone know of any system that is rechargeable (like mains-rechargeable LED lanterns) or uses standard batteries? I don't want to have to rely on an EHU, nor 12V ideally due to drain on car battery (plus socket only working with car ignition). It doesn't look like the sabre link system does (only EHU or 12V).
All thoughts and experience welcomed! Thanks!
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Topic: Tent lighting and other accessories
