The Camping Forum

[uptonfamily]

Hi all,

I've been browsing this forum today because we are on the lookout for some new camping gear and I was looking for some advise/reviews etc. I've been reading for over an hour now and have decided to register!

We are a young family of 4 - Me, DH, DS, 4 and DD, 2.

We did a bit of camping last year (on the odd weekend it didn't rain!) and the kids loved it so we are determined to do it more this year.

We need a better, bigger tent and are off just now to look at GoOutdoors just to see what's in - I'll no doubt be back asking for advise and suggestions when we return! We also need some form of air beds - we made do with 2 very old doubles last year and all slept (or not) together so we are looking for a better solution to the sleeping arrangements too. That will probably depend on the tent we get though.

Look forward to getting to know you and picking your brains!

Rachel and co xx

[in-a-tent]

Hi Rachel,

We're good at tent advice around here

There are a few of us here with little uns (we've got a 3 yr old and nearly 6 yr old) so you're in good company.

Anyhow have fun at GoOutdoors - if you're in Wakefield you have a lot of choice for camping chops if I remember correctly. You can find them here - http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/outlets - just put your postcode in to find your local shops.

[Admin]

Rachel, welcome to the forum

Also anther with little ones (4 and 6) and they love it.. always wanting to go and building tents at home and pretending..

Looking forward to having my brains picked.. (that really is not sounding so appealing when I type it out lol)

Anyway glad you joined us and hope we can help in the future.

Andy

[uptonfamily]

well, we're back from browsing and the kids enjoyed running in and out of all the tents! When we had discounted most for being too small or too big we were left with the Vango Maritsa 700 and the Hi Gear Zenobia. I like the Vango one - it has so much space. They do a 500 version which would probably do us. A friend has told me you can struggle to get on campsites with 7+man tents.

I have no idea about the different makes. I am guessing that Outwell are the bees knees based on their prices but other than that I am clueless so we have just based our assessments on what we see and what we like the look of!

Thanks for the link to the outlets page. We'll be taking a look at some of the shops on there that we didn't even know existed!

Rachel x

[in-a-tent]

Outwell are kind of like the Ford of tents, you see loads of them on sites (we have one) and for good reason, they are well made and very solid. They can be expensive, for the polycotton ones but you don't need one of those unless you plan to do a lot of camping in continental eurpoe during the summer, where they help keep the tent cool during the day.

The polyester ones are less expensive. Remember also that you very rarely pay the RRP most tent shops will discount heavily.

East-Camp are owned by the same company as Outwell and tent do be cheaper.

Vango area good make too and are available quite widely so you should be able ot find a good price for one.

What fun shopping for a tent is, pity we've got one already and can't really justify another. If you're interested in why we bought our 8 berth tunnel tent there's a blog post here - http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/blogs/2/47/T ... our%20tent

Oh btw we've never had an issue getting our tent a pitch but it can mean we pay more and we do check first so you're reasoning about large tents is right but shouldn't put you off one if it's the one you want.

You might want to look at the Outwell Montana 6 - http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/products/99/ ... %282009%29 - it's their most popular model and is great for a family like yours (my SIL and family have one).

[Admin]

The monty 6 as Andy says very popular model.. and rightly so!

Good size and many extras available to make it more comfertable



The Vango Maritsa is one of the new models this year I think? Not seen one of those yet. Im at the Boat and Caravan Show this week so will be sure to check it out and grab some photos

[Rob-merlin1973]

Hi Rachel welcome to the forum.

We are a family of 4 kids 13,9,5 and 3 and love camping.
We have a 12 man Hartdord XXL and love the space.
My suggestion would be not to worry about the size as most sites dont have a problem with big tents (exept the camping and caravan club).

The best idea is to get a tent that you can transport easily, but gives you enough room to be comfortable and the little ones to play on those days when the brittish weather decides to be naughty.

Have to admit i love outwell tents but there are so many different makes of tent it's just a matter of looking about.
I would say make sure you get a sewn in groundsheet to keep the bugs and wind out and a canopy to cook under when the rain comes.

Have fun

[Admin]

Is it me or should I be thinking about renaming the board? The Outwell Owners Club lol...

[Rob-merlin1973]

Is it me or should I be thinking about renaming the board? The Outwell Owners Club lol...

Mmmm there does seem to be a common theme doesn't there.