Tent Advice

[bottonrob]

Hi All

After three years of the kids tent leaking at some point, we buried her this year - RIP Crappy Tent - Mrs Bottonrob and I have been in a large v heavy tent that has been described as Lawrence of Arabia-esque this year (if you've been in Emperor's for either of the last two years, it was the large purple and beige harem thing that, irrespective of who you are, was older than you). We have decided that for next year we will be spending the pennies on a newbie, does anyone have any advice on what we should be looking for/ good sites etc? ideally I don't want to get wet and with a daughter and a son who would end up killing each other if in the same sleeping area will be looking a 3 bedroomed.

Thanks #seeyouintheswamp

[ramragon]

My first advice would be to wait another month and the sales will all start and you'll save a canny bit,http://www.fieldandtrek.com/camping/tents/all-tents#dcp=1&dppp=24&OrderBy=price_desc

Normally do a good range on there, if I was buying one I'd make sure it had a HH of 3000 which is how waterproof it is, 1500 is showerproof which is the rating a lot of cheaper tents have, great in the sun, not that great in the lashing rain for 4 days !

I'll keep an eye out for any offers mate

[viberunner]

My advice was wait until Monday at the festival and go around and find a nice, large, clean, brand-new family tent that some group had left behind.

Always loads and loads.

[SloopJohnB]

Wait until after august bank holiday as loads of retailers have 2014 tents on clearance offers.

I have a Vango Icarus 500 and it's perfect for my family of 3....the 600 model would be more comfortable for 4

[Comfy Bean]

Wait until after august bank holiday as loads of retailers have 2014 tents on clearance offers.

I have a Vango Icarus 500 and it's perfect for my family of 3....the 600 model would be more comfortable for 4

Is this the one you have sloop ? I`m looking for a new one after mine broke at KC after 6 good years. This is the favourite and can get it for £189 in the sales ( was hoping for something a bit cheaper ). Will probably take the advice above and keep an eye out for better deals. There are 4 of us, do you think it would be too small ?

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/ZoomProductImages.aspx?ProductId=201938&ProductImageId=31569&W=1249&H=567

[SloopJohnB]

That's the one.....plenty of room in the porch to sit down if the weather is bad. A great general camping tent too....well worth the money

[RossendaleR]

Vango is a good make. Tunnel type tents are easier to put up than the 'pod' type ones like we've got. (Ours takes 3 people to pitch).

[Comfy Bean]

£168 for this Vango woburn 5 man. Still think I prefer the vango Icarus one at £189. Sales should be starting after this weekend.

http://www.singersoutdoors.co.uk/vango-woburn-500-5-man-tent-p3848.asp?gclid=CjwKEAjw9-CfBRD8lt_w86zJiDUSJAADZA38xN7fOYVr7HlLiR01jQ7CBkUUVHOeADz2RWK9LCHbdRoCQvfw_wcB

[Lowther Calling]

Will it be just for festivals?

I invested in an outwell tent, but its not just for festivals!

[notabloodyhippy]

However many 'persons' it's rated for; half it. If it's just me and the wife then a 4 person tunnel is ideal, with enough room for 2 beds, a big rucksack and space for getting dressed. If we take the kids we have a multi pod job which I think is an 11 person. This gives 2 boys a room each, me and the wife in the main, and a room for the gear. We once made the mistake of thinking a 2 man tent would be big enough for 2, but unless you crawl in, fall unconcious, then crawl out when it's daylight, it isn't big enough.

[paddyclark]

Bought a Vango Icarus 600.. Nice ebay bargain £120 1 year old hardly used... Plenty of space.. The Three man Halfords tent I used for glastonbury perfect for one but no more.

[Comfy Bean]

Will it be just for festivals?

I invested in an outwell tent, but its not just for festivals!

Yeah mate. 2 maybe 3 times a year I would expect to have it out

[Comfy Bean]

Bought a Vango Icarus 600.. Nice ebay bargain £120 1 year old hardly used... Plenty of space.. The Three man Halfords tent I used for glastonbury perfect for one but no more.

Thats a good bit of business Paddy. I`ll need to keep an eye on ebay.

Edited August 27, 2014 by comfortablynumb1910

[Lowther Calling]

Yeah mate. 2 maybe 3 times a year I would expect to have it out

Go outdoors own brand stuff is pretty good! Bargains to be had!

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/tents/family

[paddyclark]

Icarus 500 is a cracking tent son bought to take to Kendal this year and the ago Outdoors price is by far the cheapest. The £250 bundle is worth looking at Tent, Carpet and Footprint.

[Comfy Bean]

That`s me sorted out with a new tent. Got a 4 man Easy Camp Boston 400. With the link from on here which I`ll try and copy over I got 50% off and free delivery so thankyou efests

£140 delivered and liked the look of the wee front porch bit as I got soaked at KC every time I put the stove on. Considered something a bit bigger but decided on this as I didn`t want anything much heavier to carry. Unlike certain folks on here I normally deal with my own carrying and erection

http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1521&awinaffid=83985&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millets.co.uk%2Fequipment%2Ftents-camping%2Ftents%2F

Edited September 21, 2014 by comfortablynumb1910

[LOCHLAND5]

That`s me sorted out with a new tent. Got a 4 man Easy Camp Boston 400. With the link from on here which I`ll try and copy over I got 50% off and free delivery so thankyou efests

£140 delivered and liked the look of the wee front porch bit as I got soaked at KC every time I put the stove on. Considered something a bit bigger but decided on this as I didn`t want anything much heavier to carry. Unlike certain folks on here I normally deal with my own erection

http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1521&awinaffid=83985&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millets.co.uk%2Fequipment%2Ftents-camping%2Ftents%2F

too much info

[bottonrob]

What are peoples views on Royal tents? they all have the 3000mm hydrostatic head which I recall someone said is a must.

are they really s**t? price looking too good which makes me wary!

[bottonrob]

sorted, just ordered a Gelert Horizon Supreme 6 with a HH of 6000 for £170. Hoping that this should handle the cumbrian downpours! so as such the weather should be scorcio this year!

[viberunner]

sorted, just ordered a Gelert Horizon Supreme 6 with a HH of 6000 for £170. Hoping that this should handle the cumbrian downpours! so as such the weather should be scorcio this year!

Look a beast of a tent, an update of the old Horizon 6. Not only should it be ocean-proof but a big cavern like that is a godsend if you get a bit of warm sun (I know I know, chance'd be a fine thing) as it stops the tent getting sweltering.

On UK Campsite are a couple of reviews of the Supreme but many for the older Horizon version. Most of the reviews are outstanding - but there appears to be a recurring issue with pole breakage, including the Supreme version.

My advice would be to erect and test the tent and poles beforehand - long enough in advance you can get poles replaced if you think any are sounding/feeling a little flimsy. You don't want want to find this out during a Festival weekend.

I recommend reading the ordinary Horizon reviews, there are some people who have given some additional tricks & tips for putting it up, I think it's well worth spending a few minutes getting their advice rather than figure it out in a field when you'd rather just get it up and crack a beer open.

Don't want to scare you though - the vast majority of reviews are delighted with it.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Gelert-Horizon-6/480

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Gelert-Horizon-Supreme-6/2973

[bottonrob]

cheers viberunner, I read these reviews prior to buying. we're off to sunny Dent in March and and intend on putting it up in the garden prior... hopefully no issues, we shall see! we've also found a youtube jobby which goes through putting it up pretty clearly.

just need the weather now, tent sorted and they've rolled the boat out with the headliners! one very happy camper

[viberunner]

Heh, good on you.

I don't deny my 4-man dome is the best tent I've had, but I won't pretend I'm not jealous either. ;-)

Not least as mine has a hydrostatic rating of about "five". Not five thousand not five hundred, just... five.

[johnboy1981]

What's the crack with gazebos, are they allowed and if they ain't will they come take it down? After last year precautions are being made.

[ramragon]

The official stance is they don't allow them, personally never heard of anyone being asked or made to take one down though.

[t2t]

i've seen people turned back at the gate, mind you they did have boxes saying gazebo

usually only seen a handfull, and one or two have put them up half height,