Message Forums

hi

does any one own or has seen the sunnycamp Manta tent? we are looking to buy a new tent but will have to buy for the so called kids   / partners (18 > 26 yrs) + grandchild.

linky thing  http://www.sunnflair.com/sunncamp/manta.html 

many thanks

graham

I used to have the Sunncamp Manta.  I only had it very briefly as I had trouble booking it on any sites.  The tent is absolutely huge.  In the end I was lucky enough for the dealer to exchange it for me. We went for the Sunncamp Marathon ( which I still have and am currently selling ).  The Manta itself is excellent although it does not have a sewn-in-groundsheet whereas the Marathon does.  The Manta is easier to erect as it is all in one rather than a seperate inner tent and flysheet.

In-fact the only downside of the Manta is exactly the same as it's upside, the size. Toerect the Manat fully you will need to find a pitch that is at least 12metres by 12metres.  I have yet to find one.  Even if you do find one you will also need space to park your car as well.  The pack size of them is not too bad.

The Sunncamp Marathon sleeps 16 people comfortably and has a huge livign area and porch.  It is fairly easy to put up ( about 70 mins when you have done it a couple of times ).  I have never had a problem booking it on a pitch yet but obviously I ahve to be a bit choosey.

I would think twice before buying the Manta.  If you want a really big tent with lots of space ( and I mean big ) then have a look at the Marathon.

hi steve

thanks for reply,when my lot were younger we use to have the Cabanon Espace 8, now that was a large tent and took a while to put up does the Manta take up a much larger area then this tent would?? also if you dont mind me asking do you have any pics of the inside of the Manta and the Marathon as the website does not give you a great view of it..

thanks again

graham

Well I did a review of the Marathon on this site Here.  This shows you the inside.  I don't have any pictures of the Manta. I bought the tent because I thought it was a great tent.  But the only way I was ever going to get it on a campsite was if I rented 4 (four) pitches.  The time you put the Guy Ropes down it overruns the pitch in both directions hence the reason you need 4 pitches.  You need an area of at least 12metres by 12metres to put it up.  Most of the sites where you get a big pitch are only 10metres by 10metres and some are 9metres or less.  I only ever erected it over our local park and after finding out I couldn't get it booked on anywhere, the dealer agreed to exchange it for the Marathon and I only incurred a handling charge.

In a way, it did me a favour.  In my eyes the Marathon was a better choice.  It has a sewn in groundsheet and also a porch which is big enough to cook in etc.  The Manta doesn't have this.  The Marathon has a slightly bigger living area but is a different shape thus fits into a slightly smaller area.

The downside of the Marathon is that it takes slightly longer to pitch than the Manta ( but not a lot longer ) because it is inner tent and flysheet.

If you go for the Manta, it is a great tent, I loved the space, but good luck booking it on anywhere.

With the Marathon, I usually get the tent, car, trailer and a windbreak on the same pitch with some strategic placing.

hi steve

thanks for reply, will consider the points you have put across when we take the plunge and go and buy a tent,am slightly put of the Manta now but will still keep an open mind

graham

ps:a very good review of the Marathon..