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i have a vango tigris 600, my husband is disabled so he struggles to help although he dose try, mainly by keeping the dogs quiet as they get very exited when we arrive at a campsite..  every camping trip i have been on so far there has always been other campers happy to help me.. 

sarah.

I have nearly always camped on my own and so far have always managed to erect my tents by myself. All tents have a certain knack to putting them up and when you have done it a couple of times it becomes easier.

I must admit that when I bought the Outwell Carolina 3 I was a little apprehensive due to it's size that I might struggle a bit, but it turned out to be pretty easy. I found a video on Utube showing it being erected by one man from Yeomans and that put my mind at rest.

There are lots of tents which can be erected by one person so it really depends on what you are looking for. I would suggest that with yourself and two children you will need at least a 4 man tent. I would also suggest that you will need one you can stand up in and with a large living area as trying to deal with two small children in a cramped tent would not be much fun.

Something like the Carolina 3 (now called the Carolina M) might be ok although it is classed as a 3 man tent and only really suitable for two. You may be ok with two small children though.

There is a slightly smaller version, the Carolina S, which only has one main pole I think...how easy can it get?

Years ago as a single mum of three, I could quite easily put up my 4berth canvas frame tent and manage 2-3weeks of camping.   We had lovely holidays.

Nowdays, as a 50yr old nanny, I have no prob taking the grandaughter (5yrs) when OH cant make it.  Why should you miss out on some great times, you go for it.  Practice with your tent, and get to know it well, be methodical when putting it up and it will soon come easy.

We have the cabanon guadeloupe, I do ok with that and I am a small 5'2"

Go to a camping showroom and have a look at as many tents as you can, pick something you think you can manage.

If you get stuck there is always some kind camper that will help, and you can leave the little ones in the car seats with a goody bag ( comic, snack, drink ) just while you get the most of it done, then they could pass you pegs and stuff.  It will take longer but worth all the effort.  

I chose a Khyam Freelander for its ease of erection due to the Rapidex pole system. However, it may be too small for you with the children as it is only a 3-berth tent, and I find it to be just right for me and my Border Terrier.

If I were to buy another tent now, I would seriously consider getting a Vango Airbeam, as I believe I can pitch it up on my own, pumping up each of the tubes in turn.

Expensive though, and it is new for this year so not much reviews to go by at the mo. However, it looks very impressive based on the information/videos available so far.

DK

Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 17/4/2011

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If I were to buy another tent now, I would seriously consider getting a Vango Airbeam, as I believe I can pitch it up on my own, pumping up each of the tubes in turn.

DK

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That would be a sight for sore eyes

I wanted the exact same thing as you last year - I wanted to be able to get away with my 2 youngest boys now aged 5 and 9 during the holidays.

I bought the Licata 400.

Very easy to pitch (I can do it solo in about 15 minutes and I'm a short, unfit mum of 3), large bedroom pod easily accommodates our 3 single airbeds and can be divided with a curtain if required, spacious living area, standing height throughout, SIG, massive windows let in loads of light, good ventilation.

Easy Camp come from the Outwell stable so the quality is excellent but without the big price tag.

Check it out here:
http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eoutdooraction%2eco%2euk%2facatalog%2f&WD=licata%20400&SHOP=%20&PN=Easy_Camp_Licata_400__2010_%2ehtml%23a1405#a1405

I have recently bought the Khyam Nevada as, after a particularly wet and windy trip away, I ended up with 7 people in my Licata!!
I decided to buy a tent with a larger living area (we regulalry camp with friends and my tent seems to end up as the communal meeting point!)
Have a look at the Khyam Nevada here:
http://www.somersetcamping.co.uk/products/khyam-nevada-4xc-dome-tent-2010-model/357/
It's a lot of top quality temt for the money.

Cali I've got no practical advice but hope you and your children have many happy camping trips in the years to come

x