The Camping Forum

[Clanchief]

Hi Folks Joined last night - Just getting back into camping. Have a 2 man Karrimor tent ,but am looking to get a tent suitable for the family. Not wantinganything too expensive incase the wife dosen't like it.

[merlin1973]

Hiya Clanchief welcome.
How many of you are there and what price range are you looking at?

[Andy]

Hiya Clanchief welcome.
How many of you are there and what price range are you looking at?

Hi and welcome Clanchief,

Would this be the first time the wife has been? did she go as a child..?

The key thing with new campers and keeping them keen for next time is keeping them warm at night. one bad night can put someone off for life lol.

Take a look at the following thread

enjoy

[jrleisure]

Hi Folks Joined last night - Just getting back into camping. Have a 2 man Karrimor tent ,but am looking to get a tent suitable for the family. Not wantinganything too expensive incase the wife dosen't like it.

Hi Clanchief, welcome to the forums, we are new here as well.

What size tent would you be looking for to be suitable for your family?

We have a great range of modern tents suitable for up to 12 man available on our site at competitive prices, feel free to have a look at some of our family tents and see if there is anything that takes your fancy.

[merlin1973]

Have to admit to being an outwell snob mate.
i love the quality of the tents and you get what you pay for.

the things i looked for were 1st a SIG (sewn in groundsheet) as this keeps out all the draughts that blow across the field and also keep out all those creepy crawlies that the OH loves so much.

Also be aware when looking at tents that usually the amount it sleeps means on mats and you wont sleep that many on air beds. (eg. a 3 bed pod will hold 2 on airbeds)

The other things to consider are enough space for the younger ones when it is tipping down with rain (not that it does in the uk ), also consider somewhere to cook. We all know that you should not cook in tents (and i was shocked while away last week to see many many people with there cookers inside against the back wall of the tent frying away ) but the godsend on a tent is a good canopy so you have somewhere to sit and cook without getting wet, and it also means you dont need to have your door closed when the weather gets wet.
[album]1193[/album]
[album]1192[/album]
I personally could not be happier with my Outwell Hartford XXL in the top picture above, it has it all and also comes in 2 smaller sizes.
Hope this helps matey

[merlin1973]

Oops almost forgot...

The secrets to making the wife fall in love with camping....

Make it fun , warm and comfortable... keep smiling and happy at all times and don't shout at her when she is useless at putting up the tent.

My wife hated the idea of camping "Quote .. holidays are spent around the pool in the sun" but she is now a complete convert and absolutly loves it now
Happy camping all

[Gillsfan]

Hi clanchief, your wife might also appreciate somewhere to put the 'bucket with a lid' , it makes life so much easier if you have little ones who need the loo in the night. Our Sunncamp has a small room off the side, think it's meant for storage, but is just right for the en-suite.

[Wayne]

Hi Clanchief and welcome.

I think all the basics to start with have been covered above. I agree that the secret is if you can keep warm and comfortable your half way there. Coping and improving on past camps is all part of the fun of camping.

As mentioned, what is your budget and your family size. I too am a dedicated Outwell camper as my main family tent

[Clanchief]

Thanks for the welcome and all the replies.

There are 4 of us, 7yr, 12yr, the OH and me. we are looking for a 6 berth/2 slleping rooms, to allow plenty of room. Would also be looking for standing height in the living space.

Have been looking at the Outwell tents, the Michigan L in particular but it was quite a bit more than the OH would like to pay.

Any suggestions upto £200 would be appreciated.

[Clanchief]

Hiya Clanchief welcome.
How many of you are there and what price range are you looking at?

Hi and welcome Clanchief,

Would this be the first time the wife has been? did she go as a child..?

The key thing with new campers and keeping them keen for next time is keeping them warm at night. one bad night can put someone off for life lol.

Take a look at the following thread

enjoy

The wife has never been camping before in her life until recently she has said she would only go as low as a caravan, now I am not knocking caravans but the tenting option to me is more realistic and I don't fancy towing a caravan.