The Camping Forum

[JKC72]

Good Morning all,
We are a family of four (kids 4 & 7) and want to try camping for the first time this year. We have been looking around at tents and have decided that Outwell look pretty fab but we can't decide which tent to go for! We'll use the tent mainly for weekends away (although hubby wants to go to France for a week!). I would like a fair amount of room as we end up taking everything but the kitchen sink when we go away and you always have lots of 'stuff' with kids... I would like the bedrooms to be together so that we can all sleep in one big space. The tents we are considering are Montana 6, Glendale 5, Oakland XL and the Nevada XL. We have been told that steel poles are better than fibreglass - does this make a very big difference?? I know the tent will be more stable in windy weather but on the average weekend would steel be 'much' better? Do they last longer?

I would be really grateful for any advice/tips as we have never been camping before and would like to buy a tent which is going to make the experience good rather than put us off!

Thanks so much in advance,
Kelly

[Rob-merlin1973]

Hi welcome to the forum :grin:

Of the ones you mentioned the Monty is a superb tent and the Vermont is also a good alternative.... will get lots of feedback on this no doubt but I will have a think and get back on tonight :grin:

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[pjmerrell]

to the forum

We bought our Vermont xl for exactly th same reason, loads of space for loads of gear and 3 seperate bedrooms that can convert into 1 massive sleeping area, great for when the kids are young and then you have the option of giving them their own space as they grow.

It's our first year camping with the kids this year also, so I cant really offer advice, just reasons why we bought t

[JKC72]

Yes - I also really like the look of the Vermont however I just think it's a little too big when we'll probably be doing mainly weekend trips... will definately keep my eye on them though. Was chatting to someone in a camping shop today who was singing the praises of the Montana so I think that's still in first place!

[Gav]

We have three kids and have been camping for years.
We currently have a Coleman coastline 6. The third bedroom is not great, but if you just want two bedrooms it's a good sized tent. You can pick them up a bit cheaper than Outwell, and also get extras like porches and carpet.
They also do a Coleman Coastline 4, which may be a bit more manageable.

We have been looking at changing tent. Outwells do make good quality tents, but we're struggling with the price.
Currently looking at the Coleman Fremont 6, that has a slightly better layout for us.(They also do a four person version). Coleman Mckenzie cabins are also good.

There's quite a lot of choice for families. If you've not already noticed, don't always go by how many people the manufacturer claims it sleeps, and take into account head room, layout, living area and accessories.
I would recommend a tent where you can get in and out in the wet without getting water in the tent. We have a large porch on ours where wet gear and muddy boots are kept.

A good tent is great, but don't forget the other stuff you will need to get with your budget.

[JKC72]

Yes... we're thinking that we'd probably need a 6 berth to give us that bit of extra room for bags etc... and I agree that the layout is important and we would like somewhere to put muddy boots etc...
I haven't seen any Colemans so I'll have a look at them. I have seen a 2011 Vermont L which seems very reasonable and we wouldn't need to buy any extras other than the footprint & carpet - just not sure whether it would be too big for weekend trips.. Wish I was good at making decisions!!!

[Rob-merlin1973]

It wouldnt take any longer to put up the vermont than a monty so personally i would go with the bigger one

[Former Scout]

Hello and welcome. May I throw another two into the equation: KAMPA Croyde and Filey. KAMPA tents are of a very good quality (the materials of the Filey are far superior to the Outwell) and yet very well priced. Both these tents are essentially the same as the Montana. If you can afford it go for the Filey and the Vestibule.

[JKC72]

Hello... I've heard lots of good reviews of Kampa tents - do you know of any shops that stock them and would have one on display? Don't think I've seen them in Go Outdoors...
Thanks,
Kelly

[Former Scout]

There aren't many; certainly compared to the ubiquitous Outwell. Jacksons of Arley I think, Camperlands nr Manchester have in the past. The Tent Factory. Try looking on KAMPA's website; I think they list some retailers. Otherwise try Google!!

[JKC72]

Have checked Kampa's website and there's a stockist in Chester so will go and have a look... Can't wait until we've made a decision, bought one and get some good weather to try it all out!

[subaqua]

you do need to take care with fibreglas poles. over stress them and they splinter. not a problem if you have spare poles and a threading kit in the car . but a fairly big one if you don't. the bigger steelpole tents are generally 2 baggers and can be fairly heavy compared to a GRP pole set.

we are going to the camping show at excel next week to look at new tent. have a few in mind and hopefully get a good show deal on one.

[Former Scout]

you do need to take care with fibreglas poles. over stress them and they splinter. not a problem if you have spare poles and a threading kit in the car . but a fairly big one if you don't. the bigger steelpole tents are generally 2 baggers and can be fairly heavy compared to a GRP pole set.

This is true. But not all fibreglass poles are equal. Those on cheaper, budget tents are more likely to split than those on more expensive tents. For example, friends of mine have splinterd poles on their Hi Gear Zenobia. The way it happened wouldn't have occurred on the poles ov my Outwell Nevada 3.

[subaqua]

you do need to take care with fibreglas poles. over stress them and they splinter. not a problem if you have spare poles and a threading kit in the car . but a fairly big one if you don't. the bigger steelpole tents are generally 2 baggers and can be fairly heavy compared to a GRP pole set.

This is true. But not all fibreglass poles are equal. Those on cheaper, budget tents are more likely to split than those on more expensive tents. For example, friends of mine have splinterd poles on their Hi Gear Zenobia. The way it happened wouldn't have occurred on the poles ov my Outwell Nevada 3.

true to a point. vango poles snap fairly easily . although a no quibble replacement set more than made up for the snapping

[JKC72]

I just wanted to say thank you to all for your advice. We have decided to buy a Kampa Croyde and will hopefully be picking it up at the weekend. Now we need to start buying/making a list of everything we're going to need......!