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Topic: Newbie family of 5

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marramc48

18/2/2019 at 5:03pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: None Entered

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Initially, why not try out one of the ready erected tents hired out on some of the C&CC sires. It could save you an awful lot of money if it turns out that tenting is not for you and your family.

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mm48j

Belper Bloke

via mobile 20/2/2019 at 1:37pm
Location: Rugby
Outfit: Vantage Sol Motorhome

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Hi, we have a Berghaus Air 4 which is the best tent I have ever had, it has three tubes that you inflate with a pump, take a look at the air8 ideal for your needs, much bigger than my Air 4.

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Andy Vale from Belper.

bazpoint

20/2/2019 at 4:11pm
Location: South London
Outfit: Conway Crusader (2010) (+ a few tents)

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Folding camper maybe? Pathfinder or Crusader gets you 6 berths (or add an awning annex for the older kids for more comfortable spacing), while retaining some of the luxuries you'll miss from the caravan (loo, decent kitchen). Light enough that you can tow even if you're on the most basic licence (unless your car is really heavy). Easier to manoeuvre - especially if you get a motor mover for precise positioning.

Just another idea for you. Budget is a big factor of course. Also need somewhere to keep it when not in use.

Bearwood

via mobile 27/2/2019 at 9:37pm
Location: Fife
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We have an outwell hornet 6sa and with pump can put up in about 30 min including pegging out. Air tents are very heavy though as in 38kg heavy so you may need help lifting in and out car. Oh and they are bulky. We manage as got 4x4 pickup lol. Like others have said try the ready pitch places and see how you get on at first and then make decisions based on how you get on, you can always ask campers on the site how they get on with types of tent Tec.

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Well do bears!!!!

Joolb

via mobile 02/3/2019 at 9:13am
Location: liverpool
Outfit: vango infinity 800 sterling elite 560

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Hi plummie-I am picking up from your post that you don't want to keep the caravan so ignore everyone who is telling you to keep it !
I am a convert to Caravanning from tenting but when you add an awning to the mix it's like having a tent and caravan!
My advice to you would be try before you buy (maybe try a ready erected tent,),to keep your tent as simple as possible, and to get one bigger than you think you will need
We had the vango air beam - a tunnel tent with a vis a vis arrangement and a big space in the middle.it was so easy to put up, but Quechua seem even easier. Pegging out is the longest and most tedious of jobs
I would recommend some sort of porta pottie -you would not want your little ones to be left alone while you took one of them to the loo in the middle of the night.
Invest in the best sleeping bags you can so that you and your kids are as warm as toast at night - it may sound obvious but I hadn't appreciated how much warmer caravans are than tents !
My kids loved being in a tent- but on cold and wet days it can be a struggle if you don't have the space.
Good luck

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40 years in the NHS and counting!!!!!!

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chelle25

28/3/2019 at 6:14pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Many ever changing tents

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Firstly good on you for wanting to get you and your kiddies away together. Yes the airbeam tents are heavy and bulky, especially if you want a large set up.
It really would depend on what kind of set up you want and how long you would be planning to go away for each time, and of course budget.
Have you considered a bell tent? Easier to put up and peg our on your own or with help from the eldest.
As above post, think of warmth, a carpet, good sleeping bags and mats or beds etc check this out
https://campmehappy.com/how-to-keep-warm-while-camping
There is also some other useful information and some printables to help you out.

thechief

29/3/2019 at 2:24pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Caravan and XC90

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Plummie2003 - when we first got a caravan it was a little daunting. Lots of equipment that we didn't know how to use, lots of techniques and tricks we didn't know, anxious about towing etc.....having someone as "morale support" was important to me so I can only guess how you feel about caravanning by yourself.

Some of the way to feel more comfortable was just to give it a go. Localish site (easy to tow to), not scared to ask people etc.

Also of great use were videos on Youtube, in particular some good videos by the Trudgians - they cover everything from how to clean the caravan, to what to do with water, how to pack the caravan etc.

Best of Luck
TC

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