looking to buy a new tent. Sprayway looks good double skin which hubby wants, but i like the new outwell michingan L single skin, hubby put off by that thinks it will be a lot colder. Have khyam tent at present, double skin but fancy a new tent, with large porch four berth any ideas. mainly camping europe and uk april to sept.
thanks.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I have a Sprayway Valley 4 which is the smallest one, I liked it a lot when I saw it in the showroom and visited it about 3 times before parting with my cash.
It's really easy to put up as I've done mine on my own and think when I get to use it a few more times that it'll take me no time at all.
It feels really solid and the attention to some of the details is brilliant.
The 'Wet' room at the front is a great space for shoes and coats. The 'Living' area is a good space, but in the 4 is only made for 2 people, but that is with a Kitchen set up by the window, plus the benefit of the door on the side.
The bedroom is great with the wardrobe at the side and fits absolutely loads in it.
I've only used mine once, but was in a well shaded area, so couldn't comment about wind or rain and that was in August with reasonable weather, not yet tested it this year in a cold, wind or rain.
You'll probably read about footprint ground sheets and I got one with mine which is really useful as it has anchor points for where the frame and outer skin attaches to it.
I'm sure other people will advise on the double vs single skin.
Happy tent hunting.
------------- Hazi ate twenty??????
The plate to be, the plate to see!
Thanks
lots of bad points on some of the sites re the sprayway
not really sure what to do its the same with everything
even if you book a hotel for a holiday some one has a bad report. I was quite taken with the sprayway 6 until i read the reports.
I very, very strongly recommend looking at the tent reviews for Sprayways on this & other sites. They have a basically terrible reputation for leaking and bad construction as well as some basic design flaws.
All in all a very good design badly let down by quality control. This applies only to their tents, not to any other Sprayway products. It may be it's because they are new to the tent market & they may be getting better. But I for one would want to see much better reviews coming through before I parted with some hundreds of pounds.
It put me off last year & I ended up with Outwell (again). I have no regrets.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
We are having the same debate as you. Just went to look at tents and husband wants a spayway and I like the new outwell Michigan. I want a tent that will be easy enough for me and my 10 year old to put up if we go away without the OH for some peace.
Hi Hairywol
Thanks for the info, we have read all the reviews and thinking of going with the outwell. The only concern hubby has is that it could be damp and cold at night with only a single skin. I do not like the enclosed sleeping area, will sleep in there but do not like it zipped up, and Im sure that there are many others who feel the same. We are camping in france in August, St cast Brittany might see you, also a few days in dorset end of may. We like the new
outwell michigan l but worried it will be too cold. can you give us your thoughts about the outwells single skin range many thanks.
Lynne
Its difficult isnt it. I am tired of looking, and checking out the shops and web sites, there are so many tents on offer, we are just worried that the outwell michigan will be cold at night with only a single skin. dont really know much about the outwells, but if anyone does please advise.Although we thought we would go for the sprayway the uk campsite write ups are not very good. They seem to be having an awful lot of problem with them.
Lynne
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
To be fair the poor reviews were for last year's tents when, as noted, they were good basic designs let down by quality control issues (I was close to buying one last year until this became apparent).
I saw some at the Yeomans exhibition in Calver where it had been raining and they seemed to handle the weather fine and I still like their design. However, I would personally allow others to buy some and see how they went on before parting with my own money.
Quote: Originally posted by lch53 on 21/4/2009
Hi Hairywol Thanks for the info, we have read all the reviews and thinking of going with the outwell michigan l but worried it will be too cold. can you give us your thoughts about the outwells single skin range many thanks. Lynne
All family tents, because I've made apoint of outer-first tents have been single skin. Sprayway of course is different because the inner hangs from the outer.
Have to admit, double skins do give appearance of a cosier atmosphere, but little in it in practical terms. If you plan to use EHU with temp controlled fan heater then there's nothing in it, your tent will be cosy.
Condensation will be the same whether single or double skin, but won't be seen on double skins 'cos it's on the outer skin only. In either type ventilation has to be taken seriously.
But in the final analysis, like others here, I would certainly wait for others to take the risk of buying a tent which has had serious flaws in quality control and may oy may not still have them. For certain I haven't heard Sprayway try to do anything about PR in this repect.
That would nean that other double skins would have to be inner first. I've pitched and broken camp in pouring rain enough times to know an inner-first tent is not for me, although you get folk saying they dry out quickly/sponge dry in no time etc.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.