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Hi. Last week I was told that Coleman had withdrawn the Magellan 6 and 9, but now it seems that is not strictly accurate.

Yesterday's version is that there is a manufacturing fault with the fixings for the front porch pole. Something or other seems to have been put on upside down (!) which means that the pole is not held in place properly. This can cause a problem when the porch door is open and the pole is not additionally held in place by the tension of the porch fabric. In other words, the porch falls down!

Anyhow, Coleman are investigating and trying to find out whether this is a batch problem or what. Dealers have been alerted to the situation but the tents have not been recalled as yet, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Has anybody else heard anything or seen a Magellan up anywhere recently? They look good on the web but one person did post previously that they were a bit dark inside. MT

Well, we went to PJ in St Albans to have a look at the 6 with a view to getting the 9.

I thought it looked as though the shop had had trouble putting it up which didn't inspire me with much confidence (in the tent). The porch was falling down as you say. So was the rear bedroom area. Also, I had had a reply from an email enquiry to a different internet seller saying that they had returned all their stock and weren't selling it anymore as they had had trouble pitching it.

From what I could tell at PJ Camping the brown and black interior did make it look a bit dark inside (exterior colours looked very nice though - better than it looks in the brochure) and from what I could tell from the parts of the tent that were pitched it did look very taught and sturdy. I noticed that the inner rooms could be pegged down through holes in the SIG which I've not seen before.

I'd say the Magellan was a more "serious" tent that would probably cope well with stormy weather but in the end we've gone for the Sun Valley 8. A bit more light and airy with a few more family friendly points in it's favour.

Cheers

The back bedroom falling down as well as the porch would make sense as I believe those are the two places where the poles are held in place by this particular type of fastening. And the fastening problem may also be the reason why the other dealer you spoke to had difficulty pitching the tent satisfactorily.

Out of interest, did you see the Magellan in an outside display or inside a shop? MT

MT,

Yes, the front and rear seemed to be falling down for the same reason. The arches at the front and rear are formed buy internal poles and these were being pulled inwards by the force of the fabric (which was supposed to be attached to them using velcro tabs at the top). The pole was being pulled so hard that the velcro tabs just pulled apart and the top of the pole slid inwards along the roof and the whole section collapsed. I tried to push them back out but the fabric seemed extreamly tight over them so I didn't force it. Perhaps these poles should have had additional fixings to the fabric and that's the bit that's faulty/missing.

It was outside that we saw the tent. I guess it wasn't actually dark inside. I suppose there would have been the same amount of light as any other tent but the colours inside the the tent made it feel darker. We saw the 6 but the 9 has a sky-light so may feel a little lighter inside.

Hope that's some help...

How come so much is known about this problem?

Have Coleman recalled the tent or not?  Is MT really the managing director of Coleman!!!

Quote: Originally posted by Andyn999 on 25/4/2006

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......  Is MT really the managing director of Coleman!!!

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Quote: Originally posted by bascule62 on 25/4/2006

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Hope that's some help...

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Just heard today that Coleman have manufactured some "Storm Clips" to re-inforce the front and rear poles. Shops have been supplied this week and all tents upgraded.

The velco is now reinforced by a very strong heavy duty nylon beartrap type attachment, ensuring that even in the worst winds, the pole cannot come loose