The Camping Forum

[uptonfamily]

I thought I'd move from the newcomers board to this one to discuss our search for a family tent.

So, yesterday we went to Go Outdoors and saw the

HiGear Zenobia 6 (apparently the same as the Gelert Horizon)
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-zen ... nt-p108994

and the Vango Maritsa
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-maritsa-700-p146160

But then we started surfing the net!! What a wide choice and price range there is out there!

There was a hartford XL at Go Outdoors which I have to admit to walking into and almost immediately dismissing it. I wish I'd looked closer now! I just thought that the living space in the middle would soon get filled with bags and luggage.

So, atm my main questions/thoughts are;

We were thinking that we would like a tent with 3 sleeping spaces. This would then serve us for however long we want it to providing storage space for all the stuff you have with two LOs (although there will be no pushchair this year -woooohoooooo ) and then provide a bedroom each for them as they get older and don't want to share particularly as they are brother and sister! But realistically is this necessary? They are only 2 and 4 now and how old will they be when they don't want to share? I think we're probably talking more than 6 years from now and would we be thinking about a new tent by then anyway?!

I liked the HiGear for it's price but thought the living space was tiny. When I imagine the chairs etc inside there won't be much room to move and our 2year old likes to move!

I really liked the vango but DH isn't keen on a 7man. Vango do a 5 man but i think this will get a squeeze sleeping wise as the children grow. He would ideally like a 6 man!

So, any 6 man tents out there with plenty of living space?

We think we will try and go to the Yeomans exhibition in Calver in March/April to have a really good look. It's a bit of a drive but our nearest one isn't til mid may!

Rachel x

[in-a-tent]

I think you are right that by the time you're kids need separate compartments you'll be on to another tent.

However you can prob. find one with whatever combination that suits you.

The Outwell's (and some of the other makes) have compartments that can be opened up into one space or separated with inner walls and that can be quite useful with little ones.

We sleep in 2 compartments with a little one and a parent in each (means you can roll them back into their sleeping bags at 3am without getting out of yours) Each compartment is supposed to be 3 berth so get a bit of extra space too.

Anyhow, you are basically looking at 2 designs, a Dome with pods - like the Hartford, or a tunnel like the Montana (our Sun Valley is a tunnel) the tunnels have the ability to open opening the sleeping compartments up into a single space as they are all together in a row at the back of the tent, you also get a big rectangular living space.

The Vango Sungari is a tunnel that has 2+2+2 OR 4+2 so might give you the flexibility you are looking for. http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/products/222 ... %282009%29



The Outwell Colorado has an optional 3rd compartment (like we have in our Sun Valley 8) http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/products/179 ... %282009%29



Theres is a relatively comprehensive list of 6-8 berth tents here - http://www.in-a-tent.co.uk/tags/3/6-8%20Berth

[Admin]

Deffo be on another tent by then.. but would not worry me and my sister shared a room when camping for years. right iup till I was about 11 i think.. after that we went package holiday. We either took it in turn getting dressed.. or went over to shower block in PJ's with clothes had shower and dressed.

Have to say we looked at the sprayways on display last year and they pretty impressive tents and they do a 6 birth.

http://www.spraywaycamping.com/products.php?product=3

On the Hi Gear tent. This is a Vis-a-Vis tent. personally I'm not to keen on this style with the kids. As this styles put each bedroom either side of the living space rather than next to each other.. I may just worry to much! but thats just me lol

You could always enter our competiton and win some tickets to The British Leisure show this march see here

They have a camping display with tents see info below

On the Johns Cross and P.J. Camping stands you’ll find a range of tents from leading UK suppliers Coleman, Vango, Gelert, Wynnster, Royal, Outwell and SunnCamp. Johns Cross will also be displaying a selection of caravan awnings, and the Fiamma range of camping equipment and accessories.


Visit the Bell Tents stand to see super-practical tents that look romantic & stylish. The design is simple: unbleached cotton canvas drapes down from a central pole, and is held tight by guy ropes to create a distinctive old-fashioned shape outside and a glowing ambience within. Bell Tents are straightforward and quick to put up and you can even roll up the sides to create a breezy 360° chill-out space. Bell Tents start at £279 and can be bought, along with a wide range of accessories, at the Show.

Thanks

Andy

[uptonfamily]

Oooh thanks for those - we like the sungari.

DH thinks it's great - plenty of room for me and the kids in the 4man bit and he can go in the 2man on his own - I DON'T THINK SO!

More food for thought ... going out to play in the snow for a bit now we've been ignoring the kids a bit with all our tent searching!

Rachel x

[Rob-merlin1973]

There are a lot of tents out there and as with all things you buy it always pays to go in them a couple of times as you see things you never saw before.

I wold suggest trying to get a tent with some sort of open canopy like ours


Or our friends

so that if the weather turns bad you can always cook in the dry and also dont have to make sure the door is closed when the wet stuff comes.

My friend has the Hartford XL and with 2 nippers thinks its fine and has more space than their Hi Gear.

Good hunting and no making snow tents.