Quote: Originally posted by osvic on 01/6/2019
The only time we lost pressure from our I’ll fated air beam was due to operator error. The valves weren’t screwed in properly. This looks similar.
Must admit, that was my first thought, when seeing the pic. Assuming they are separate/individual tubes (I've no idea whether they are, or whether it's a continuous "one point" inflation?), it seems highly unlikely for all to fail, regardless of brand/reputation etc.
User-error does appear to be the most likely cause, from this distance.
------------- 2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
I watched him check all the valves, seem OK, non return valve looked fine too, it made me think about airbeam tents, but I have just bought a vango inspire 600xl this afternoon!! the ease of putting up is just too much to think about poles again, especially as a couple I was camping with were nearly scrapping putting up the it hi gear voyager, which is now for sale!!
Quote: Originally posted by cegriffy on 01/6/2019
Oh no, you'd want to cry! I'm a bit worried about having bought an airbeam tent now :/ However me and the OH just manage a poled tent anymore.
I might upgrade to a single poled bell tent at some point, pretty sure I could do that by myself and they seem very sturdy :)
If you have got a single inflating pole tent like the Vango ones I would be shocked if that happened. The reason we went for a Vango was each pole is inflated individually . It might take slightly longer but the chances of a total failure are miniscule. Although I have now sold the Airbeam, it gave us no trouble and the beams stayed at full pressure through 2 weeks of hot weather and rain. As to your second point. We already had our Bell tent when we got the airbeam, so was the airbeam going to be quicker to erect and more importantly pack away. Simple answer is no. The Bell is simple and is up so fast and packing down is far quicker, even my wife on her own (and she is tiny) managed to do it.I would have no hesitation buying another VANGO airbeam, but for around £500 I would go for a 5metre Bell tent everytime. Then customise it to suit your tastes and needs.
Has anyone worked out the identity of this tent and the year of manfacture. I can't seem to find any small 3 beam outwell air tent in that colour from the last few years. Doesn't help that the only picture is part inflated. I wonder if it's a retailer special.
The chances of all 3 beams failing in the same way without some type of internconnect must be extremely rare.
To be honest I think the tent could be green, just the light making it look brown, notice in my 1st pic the berghaus air 6 xl side door canopy wouldn't inflate either!!
The valves have a push in / out design which is slightly illogical looking as when sealed looks like they are open and the other way round when unsealed (or they do to me).
Did they check that none of the fabric had got trapped in when they screwed the valves in. Our old air tent had those types of valves and it happened to me once, couldn’t work out why the beams weren’t staying inflated, eventually worked it out. Was very careful after that to ensure no fabric got caught in it.
Inflatable...More like a giant bivvy bag. Inflatable tents are so simple to erect but the down side is the tubes and quality of them. If that was a pole tent and they snapped it a simple repair or if you carry a spare set even better. Remember trying to find a puncture in an inner tube with a bucket.....No thanks for a tent.
------------- Martin
Born again Camper.
Force 10 Nitro 200+
Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 Tent
Wild Country Zephyros 1
Martin,
I completely agree, I have had several air tents, I was in one when that happened to my neighbours!
I did think about offering mine to them, save me packing away.
When looking for a new tent last week I looked at pole versions, purely from what I saw on happening to the Outwell and the berghaus next to it. I just couldn't bring myself to buy one, so I got a vango airbeam inspire 600xl.
I will be purchasing a spare beam just in case, £35 direct from vango.
Ooooh risky but i suppose you got so use to pumping instead of poling. What would be interesting is to see if Tyre Weld would resolve a leak in a tube to get you thru a holiday. Same principle i suppose. Just had a nosy at the Vango. Very nice indeed.
------------- Martin
Born again Camper.
Force 10 Nitro 200+
Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 Tent
Wild Country Zephyros 1
I wouldn't say risky, it's evolution of the tent in some ways, we all ride around in our motors on air inflated tyres, the go pop sometimes too, but the way on which they work means it's the best way forward.
Having had a few steel poled tents, vermont xl being one that sticks in my mind, and not being hercules, I think the air tent will keep the tent revolution going.
Suppose i living in the past lol. But yes it was about time the tent evolved and it still is. Not had a large tent of 6 man scale but can imagine the time it takes with the poles. My Gazebo is a nightmare by myself. Just dusted off the old Relum dome tent to go with the missus for a weekend. She not keen but she going to give it a go. If she enjoys it might invest in an airbeam. Kids at collage now so want to make the most of the weekends and cheaply too.
------------- Martin
Born again Camper.
Force 10 Nitro 200+
Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 Tent
Wild Country Zephyros 1
We love airbeams we sold our Kampa Croyde, last year (which never deflated or let us down in very strong winds and gales) we have now switched to a caravan for OH health reasons and we have just bought an airbeam awning with an electric pump.