question about bell tents

[surfwidow]

hi all, i was wondering if anyone could give me advice on a bell tent, had massive envy of the cool, collected family next to us, and was even greener when they told me they have a wood burning stove at home that fits into it!

if any of you have had experience of thse tents, is there enough room for four of us? what is the head room like? how heavy? fully waterproof? sewn in ground sheet or roll up sided type? value for money Ie shelf life? currently looking at a 4metre square size.

any advice greatly appreciated!!!

many thanks.

[jameshunt]

If you have a large bell end then those tents are perfect.

[surfwidow]

perfect for the husband then...

[jameshunt]

perfect for the husband then...

[surfwidow]

On a serious note, they look like great tents. I'd go for the roll up walls version myself as the air flow through would more than make up for the lack of built-in groundsheet. We use a loose groundsheet in our campervan awning and as long as it is placed carefully have no problems with flooding - even during the notorious thunderstorm of Thursday night 2005.

[HurrahBrother]

heavy to carry (use a wheelbarrow/sack barrow).

you need to know what you are doing when it comes to pitching them.

As long as you look after the guy ropes, they seem the business.

[surfwidow]

ok, anyone got anything else to add before i go ahead and buy one?

anyone?

[caramello]

Go for the 5 metre seperate groundsheet model, i bought one 3 years ago from http://www.belltent.co.uk/ and its awesome! Roll up the sides for breeze, never gets too hot, never leaks, very easy and quick to put up, loadsa headroom, bit heavy-ish at 20kg approx.

Best tent i've ever had!

HTH

[surfwidow]

Go for the 5 metre seperate groundsheet model, i bought one 3 years ago from http://www.belltent.co.uk/ and its awesome! Roll up the sides for breeze, never gets too hot, never leaks, very easy and quick to put up, loadsa headroom, bit heavy-ish at 20kg approx.

Best tent i've ever had!

HTH