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Thanks for the reasurances, was starting to think had made a mistake as originaly went to by monty 6, 2 adults & 1 kid but saw the Vermount L pitched & just had to have it, not sure if I fell in love or just got greedy but the 10% discount from Outdoor mega store convinced me it was love.

Size does matter & the 2 rooms will be great for when O/H & me not talking, this tends to happen as pitching for us can be quite exasperating! 

Quote: Originally posted by Big_Dan on 19/3/2007

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........I don't think it matters how much of the pitch you take up?

Depends on whether you want an outlook from your own pitch thats wall to wall nylon/canvas or not I guess! If every pitch on a campsite was edge to edge tentage or cars then I think it could feel pretty claustrophobic.

Our current tent even though is HUGE it doesn't take all that long to put up so is still ok for a short weekend ....

Mmmm, well, if you've done a fair few of these weekends and it still seems like a good idea then fairy nuff! MT

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As per the original question, don't think bigger is automatically better....Also I think there are now some much cleverer bigger designs. Although I don't like the true tunnels to look at....But something like the Breckenridge 600 from Vango, looks much smaller than it is....

If it was just me and my wife I would be happy in a little canvas tent like I had in the army...But with children, entertainment when it is raining, etc...I think something bigger is required....

We bought our 'big' tent specifically for the easy erection so we can use it on weekends as well....

Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 20/3/2007

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Our current tent even though is HUGE it doesn't take all that long to put up so is still ok for a short weekend ....

Mmmm, well, if you've done a fair few of these weekends and it still seems like a good idea then fairy nuff! MT

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Not with our current tent, only one so far. But with our old canvas frame tent which was much heavier and a larger pack size (although smaller footprint) it took far longer to put up than our new tent and it was never a problem just going for weekends. The erection is a fun part of the trip

Quote: Originally posted by dejongj on 20/3/2007

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As per the original question, don't think bigger is automatically better....Also I think there are now some much cleverer bigger designs. Although I don't like the true tunnels to look at....But something like the Breckenridge 600 from Vango, looks much smaller than it is....

If it was just me and my wife I would be happy in a little canvas tent like I had in the army...But with children, entertainment when it is raining, etc...I think something bigger is required....

We bought our 'big' tent specifically for the easy erection so we can use it on weekends as well....

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Couldn't agree more, bigger is not automatically better. It depends entirely on your needs and circumstances, it's just that some (like us) need the space, making it a better/cosier/easier holiday.

Yep, not all big tents are a pain to put up.

Quote: Originally posted by Big_Dan on 20/3/2007

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Quote: Originally posted by Merry Terrier on 20/3/2007

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Our current tent even though is HUGE it doesn't take all that long to put up so is still ok for a short weekend ....

Mmmm, well, if you've done a fair few of these weekends and it still seems like a good idea then fairy nuff! MT

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Not with our current tent, only one so far. But with our old canvas frame tent which was much heavier and a larger pack size (although smaller footprint) it took far longer to put up than our new tent and it was never a problem just going for weekends. The erection is a fun part of the trip

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Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 20/3/2007

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I wouldn't swap you your big tent for my canvas tent. Canvas frames might be bigger and heavier to pack (and that's becoming less true with some of the big new tents) but it will be an awful lot easier to pitch the canvas than your new Vango.

Spread domes don't give effective use of space, they need a huge pitch but don't give any more living space than well designed tunnels.

Over the last few years at the beginning of every season there are new campers on here buying big, cheap spread domes, by halfway through the season they are back looking for "weekend tents" as they've worked out that it isn't fun pitching a bit spread dome for a two night camp.

The strang thing is those same people then spend the rest of the season telling other people how wonderful their big spread domes and how easy they are to pitch!! I don't really get it!

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It really depends on what type of camping you are doing.  We use ours for our main holiday and this year it will be 15 days in the Dordogne. We went for a large dome with 4 bedroom pods as the living space of 4 x 4 metres was the in our opinion the best option going and the extra space has been a godsend when it has been raining.   Yes it will give you restrictions on certain sites but with planning this is not an issue.   Certainly this size would be a pain for just weekend use however I have to work Friday and Saturday evenings so for us this is not a problem.  

My only problem being that I cannot go camping as often as i would like to due to work!    

I wonder how the big spread domes compare with eg a Cabanon Aruba or Espace for long stay family holidays?

I would guess the domes would be cheaper and lighter, and the Cabanons more comfortable, smaller footprint, easier to put up but heavier. How would the living space compare though? MT

I think the living area in the Espace 8 works out at 2.9m x 5m, or approx 15 square metres, whilst the Aruba has living space of around 3.3m x 4.2m and so approx 14 square metres (ish). So, perhaps surprisingly, there is not that much between them, yet the Aruba's pack size is considerably less than that of the Espace 8 (the difference being in the sleeping accommodation configuration etc).

Dripping_wet states that the living area in his Hartford XXL is 4 x 4, hence 16 square metres, so not that much difference really. Living space is not all about size, surely, and the beauty of frame tents, in my opinion, is that the walls are vertical and so there is no loss of space there, whereas with domes each side is the access to a bedroom pod. This means reduced options for windows; where frames can have lots of windows and removable panels for ventilation, many domes can feel a bit darker and more claustrophobic (subjective viewpoint, I realise).

The downside of frame tents, as MT has mentioned, is pack size, weight and price.

Quote: Originally posted by Liddenham on 23/3/2007

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Living space is not all about size, surely, and the beauty of frame tents, in my opinion, is that the walls are vertical and so there is no loss of space there, whereas with domes each side is the access to a bedroom pod. This means reduced options for windows; where frames can have lots of windows and removable panels for ventilation, many domes can feel a bit darker and more claustrophobic (subjective viewpoint, I realise).

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Wouldn't a better comparison be between traditional frame tents and steel framed tunnels? (such as the Outwell Montana's)i.e.both have standing height, near vertical walls and lots of windows.  Both make better use of pitch space than a 'stretch dome'.  I'm not arguing one is better than the other of course.

Three 6 berth tents and their approx. pitch sizes:

 Steve

Quote: Originally posted by Liddenham on 23/3/2007

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I think the living area in the Espace 8 works out at 2.9m x 5m, or approx 15 square metres, whilst the Aruba has living space of around 3.3m x 4.2m and so approx 14 square metres (ish). So, perhaps surprisingly, there is not that much between them, yet the Aruba's pack size is considerably less than that of the Espace 8 (the difference being in the sleeping accommodation configuration etc).

Dripping_wet states that the living area in his Hartford XXL is 4 x 4, hence 16 square metres, so not that much difference really. Living space is not all about size, surely, and the beauty of frame tents, in my opinion, is that the walls are vertical and so there is no loss of space there, whereas with domes each side is the access to a bedroom pod. This means reduced options for windows; where frames can have lots of windows and removable panels for ventilation, many domes can feel a bit darker and more claustrophobic (subjective viewpoint, I realise).

The downside of frame tents, as MT has mentioned, is pack size, weight and price.

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At the end of the day everyone is different hence why you see so much variation on  shapes and layouts.  After looking at different makes and models for several months I have to say the moment the wife and I saw the hartford XXL up we both knew instantly it was exactly what we were looking for us and the 3 kids.  This great tent has been made even better with the added porch extension.     

Has been interesting to see everyones opinions as as for my original question..will it be better for camping ? or are these big new tents actually taking away some of the enjoyment..no more roughing it...not in my xxxxxl....Dont get me wrong as I said we all like comfort  but I worry, we are not living in a large country with lots of sites and space and the manufactures are bringing out bigger better lighter tents all the time,its only natural to be keeping up with the joneses and even "needing" a six man tent for two people,guess I just miss the old days...

 Evo

I think part of the reason we are seeing more large tents is that for those of us familys that like to holiday in this country, other types of holiday i.e static, hotel etc have become so extotionatly priced espcially in the school hoildays.

Combine that with the fact that modern camping equipment has become much more affordable and modern cars are now able to take more gear or tow far more effiiently than 15-20 years ago that camping has become far more accessable to the likes of us who with two kids and only 1 and half incomes have been priced out of the likes of center parks and Haven type parks.

I remember going camping with my parents when I was a child, we started off with a canvas frame tent which my dad had to deliver to the site in the morning with me, my brother and mum. He then had to return home to pack up all our other gear. The tent was never up before 7pm and mum always complaining she couldn't be expected to cook for 4 on 1 gas burner. Even after changing to a TT we had to crrep along because it was right on the limit of what our little car could tow. Needless to say we only went 3 or 4 times before mum refused to go again. Things are so much easier now and more comfortable with things like EHU and modern appliances.