The Camping Forum

[pogue]

this show always is a must to visit if your into the outdoor world but this show was a different take for us ,and so it proved.first stop for us usually is the caravans this time it was the tents,without a programme you could of spent hours finding them,not even a gps would of helped!!.ok,there is sections for caravans,motorhomes,boats and tents but i still find the tenting fraternity are hard done by? being tucked up in a small far flung corner without the ritz and glamour afforded to other sections i got the feel of a poor working mans alternative to the outdoor life,its a bit sad cause i guess you guys get as much pleasure as someone who as paid thousands? my choice of a tent as been the montana 6 [if i had of sold my caravan] but it looks like i may well be able to keep it ,but will still get a tent.with the caravan we will not need a big tent so it was a downsizing sweep to find another tent and there it was.an outwell carolina three,just perfect for two and the price was great,this looks a really nice tent with a large living space and just two main poles keeping it up.i think a big rethink is required as to how tents are portrayed and displayed ,it certainly comes across to me as a poor mans domain instead of someones choice.loved the kayaking section ,the wife as picked her new yak and will pursue the purchase of that one.as regards the caravans ,once youve seen one youve seen em all,i would not buy a new one tbh,we only visited four stands,roma[gypsy caravans] hobby[gypsy caravans]sterling and sprite.spent four hours there and pleased we went.

[merlin1973]

Nice review
Have to admit the caravan sections were awsome

[Andy]

I think that is the main thing that you are glad you went. And plenty of oppurtunity to improve and impress in the future

[pogue]

guys,what are veiws of the tent display? regarding my veiws?

[Andy]

guys,what are veiws of the tent display? regarding my veiws?

Personally I think you have been more than fair. However I going to put a different spin on this as this will not be the first time their has been talk about tenter's being hard done by compared to van owners. If I'm honest I'm not that keen on this subject as its not as simple as all that and can often bring up some pretty heated comments about how that's not right but here go's

The two markets are completely different, I think I would go as far as to say at different end's of the scale. And please this is not my intention to cause offence (remember I'm tenter too!) but when I talk about scale I'm referring to financial scales I don't think I'm brave enough to bring the class word into this one but it is at the back of my mind and not for the reasons you would think.

Clearly the caravan manufactures huge amounts of money into these show and I would think that a large proportion of the yearly sales comes from these shows Just walking around I came across a number of people going through paperwork and signing on that dotted line.

Your average brand new tent is costing £200/£300 for a family model. the same on the Caravan scene is going to set you back and this is guess and were only talking brand new here £12,000/£14,000 It's a huge difference!

The one thing I don't have that would certainly help is the cost of the stands to display.. I think that may help put it into perspective..

But i do still wonder why the manufactures themselves don't make more of an effort?

[pogue]

But i do still wonder why the manufactures themselves don't make more of an effort?


i guess spending vast amounts to get a space at the nec would not warrant the sale of a few 200 to 300 pound tents? i still feel the camping fraternity are still hard done by? but do caravan spaces at the show cost more than tent places? that could be the key? but all in all if your happy doing what you do who gives one? at the end of the day we are all chasing the same dream!! the tenters are the winners cause they have not spent so much on th holiday

[Andy]

But i do still wonder why the manufactures themselves don't make more of an effort?


i guess spending vast amounts to get a space at the nec would not warrant the sale of a few 200 to 300 pound tents? i still feel the camping fraternity are still hard done by? but do caravan spaces at the show cost more than tent places? that could be the key? but all in all if your happy doing what you do who gives one? at the end of the day we are all chasing the same dream!! the tenters are the winners cause they have not spent so much on th holiday

I would have thought that location of the stand comes into the cost also. for example swift i would think paid a great deal more for the large stand they had positioned right at the entrance.. prime location almost like land prices lol

Also worth a thought is that they wanted tents in their own hall and clearly they would not take on one of the larger halls. but again that said. put yeoman's in a larger hall spread the tents about a bit more bring more accessories and furniture. some of the other suppliers get in on the action also and i would think your using enough space? sound good? I think so. but then you have to look at this way who's going to pay more for that space a small supplier of camping accessories or someone displaying the latest 40ft boat.. the show is a business like any other. A little disappointing yes I think so.. but I don't see how it will change much from this either which is more disappointing. who's fault that is? I don't know? I'm not even sure you could put it down to one single thing to be honest..

[pogue]

i have no answer,im just a tin tenter sticking up for you guys.

[Andy]

i have no answer,im just a tin tenter sticking up for you guys.

lol thats cool it is a subject thats often talked about both online and offline.. has been for years.. still its nice to see different perspectives on it

[merlin1973]

I agree that it is a shame that the manufacturers dont get in on the act a little bit more.

Full respect to yeomans for putting on the display, and at least it was indoors this year.
I was amazed at the number of people i saw with there credit cards clutched in hand ready to pounce for a new caravan.
Managed to have a peak in the Maryland Xl and have to say i was impressed. If anything happened to my tent this would be the one i would go for. (but if they still did the Maryland XXL that would be the one ).