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I'd appreciate some advice from anyone who has experience of the Outwell Montana 12.  I have just today sold my Conway trailer tent, which was a fantastic tent, but it was just so difficult to erect and take down.  There's only me and my 13 year old daughter to actually do the work and I'm only 5 ft 2 so it was absolutely exhausting and took 3 - 4 hours.  I saw a Montana 12 on a campsite last week and was very impressed by the size, layout and time it took to erect.  I got a guided tour from the owner and honestly it is a spectacular tent. 

However I'd just love to know is it really easy to put up given there's just me and my daughter (there's also 3 other younger kids running around causing chaos which is why I need something which I can put up quickly). 

Anyway any advice would be gratefully appreciated before I make my purchase.

Donna

hi donna,

sorry your post has slipped so far down and not been answered... can't help with the monty 12 I'm afraid but I have the monty 6 and put it up with my two daughters, ages 15 and 12 (with my 8yo son running around holding pegs, etc)... it can be hard work getting the first set of poles up but once that's done we're fine, and it is quick, most people here seem to manage in 30-45 minutes for the whole thing. I guess it would be slightly lighter to pull up if you packed the bedroom pods separately and added them once the main tent is up - although this may be a problem if you're not very tall??? 

How old are your younger kids, could they help in other ways? My son loves to feel like he is doing his bit to help.

hth,

heather

Thanks for that Tentmum..

We have just bought a Montana 6 and are having our practice run at the weekend...Normally my hubby takes charge...but maybe he will actually have to ask for my help!!

Nat

Thanks for the advice.  My younger kids are 11, 4 and 3.  The 11 year old is usually sent off with the younger ones to occupy them for a while.  I reckon it couldn't be as difficult as the trailer tent which was physically very demanding and 30 - 45 minutes sounds wonderful to me after my 3 hour marathon last week putting it up.  I think I'll go for it - it looks like a great tent.

Thanks again.

Donna

hi Donna,

have fun in your new tent when it comes... and there was I thinking of saving the pennies for a trailer tent one day! By the sound of it, if you've managed to put up a trailer tent the monty will be a cinchI'm feeling way better about sticking with my tent now, although with all the extras we now have I may eventually have to get a trailer to tow it all in anyway  

heather

Hi Heather

My trailer tent had a huge awning with loads of spring loaded poles to put together and some of the poles were suffering from wear and tear.  The sleeping area was extremely comfortable but I'm prepared to sacrifice a bit of comfort for a tent thats easier to put up and take down.  I am thinking of buying a small trailer for all the bits and pieces too but having towed the trailer tent I think a wee trailer will be a doddle. 

What about putting the Montana down and packing it into the bag - does it really fit back in or is  it impossible to squeeze it into the bag?

Thanks.

Donna

Hi Donna,

Putting the tent down is a doddle... the poles go in a separate bag to the main tent body... it's sometimes a bit of a squeeze to get the tent back in the bag, the trick I've found is to fold it lengthwise to the width of the bag, then roll it up, then if necessary unroll it and roll it one more time... this gets more of the air out so it rolls up neatly.

hth,

heather

We just put ours up for the first time tonight, and I have to say that I read all the posts on it first on the best way to put it up. It took us half an hour between us to get it erected with just minor injuries!! (The odd nick and blood blister clipping the poles in) I think a 13 year old would have struggled as the poles were really tight to put in, and it was tough to erect despite opening the doors to let the air in, then closing them before putting it up! I certainly wouldn't like to attempt it on my own.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on if you bought one Donna.

The tent is great - really roomy, and great for my 6ft 4" husband who has head room in it! It was really quick to put down too.

Just bought a Montana 6 and am hoping to take away this month and try it out any advice ??? My girlfriend Jane is only 4ft 10....

Mark

I would definitiely have a practise before you use it for real.  It gets easier the more times you do it.  The first time is always the worst but once you discover your best way of doing it, it is a very easy and quick tent to erect.

When you first unpack it, every thing is quite tight, but once you have got everything where it should be the next time it wont be so difficult.

Make sure you leave all the doors about half way open and expect a fight with the ring and pin system the first time or two.

Watch the outwell video on their website ( its not a great video, but the first bit gives a couple of tips which are usefull ).

Another tip for erecting the Montana 12 (or I guess any Montana). Don't stretch the groundsheet out when threading the poles. For the poles to lie flat it has to be concertined a bit. Then, when you have raised the first arch peg the groundsheet at that end. Then as you begin to raise the other arches you can stretch the groundsheet out. The act of stretching it out actually helps raise the poles I have found.

The only other tricky bit (potentially) is getting the pins on the tent straps into the bottom of the poles. The adjustable strap needs to be loosened as much as it can be before you try and get the pin to fit.

Of course, without seeing the tent all this is a bit meaningless.