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Hello all you experts,

I'm new to camping - or rather new to this sort of camping. Camped A LOT as a child, in a huge canvas thing... then camped a lot in my teens and 20s. Now married with child, and a husband who has NEVER camped before, and isn't v keen. He is prepared to give it ago, on the understanding we will only attempt fair weather camping. So we're heading for France this summer.

We went to a tent show at the weekend, and worked out that we want a tunnel tent, with bedrooms at each end. (I gather this is called a Vis-a-vis tunnel tent). We were thinking of a 5 berth - and have seen details for the Outwell Casagrande XL (?used to be called Winfield)... But we want to compare with a few others, of the same basic shape.

Has anyone any thoughts or ideas???

Much appreciated!

AnotherNewbis

(ps I say never been camping, but I did take him once - in a friend;s garden for a wedding in August... it poured and was a disaster!)

With just one child, are you sure you need bedrooms at either end? What about the Outwell Montana 6? Has loads of good reviews on here and sounds like a great tent for a couple with a child.

Not sure if this is the cheapest you can find it, but at least it will give you the info. And if you go on the Outwell website you can watch a pitching video, to give you some idea if this is the tent for you.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:cBfh9T8pwqAJ:www.tauntonleisure.com/product/8450/+montana+6&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=1

We're not planning to stop with the one!!! (And we want this tent to last a while!)
Thanks for the reply!

Hi, We have a large tunnel tent that sleeps 7 but there's only four us, two are pretty small (31/2 and 51/2)! We bought our tent cause we wanted something that would last us about 10 to 15 years. So we opted for good quality and enough room for the kids as they grow. I also like a bit of room when I'm sleeping - I don't like being squashed into a small space with my face against the side of the tent. So OH and I have a three man sleeping area and the kids have a sleeping area each which is a 2 man size. This gives them enough space to spread out a bit and enjoy there own space - probably more important when they get a bit older!

That is what I call forward thinking!

The Outwell Montana 12 also has good reviews on here.

Here is the spec:

Features: · Trolley carrier bag · Outwell Vent-View System (OVV System) · Universal inner tent · Detachable “bathtub” groundsheet for   entrance · Outwell doormat included · Adjustable inner tents · Internal organiser · Pre-attached inner tents · Fully seam-sealed flysheet for   maximum protection · Reinforcement path on all stress points · Adjustable pegging points · Pre-attached guy ropes · Luminous guy ropes · Full length mesh pocket · Heavy duty Outwell zips · Repair kit included The largest tent in the Montana range is improved for 2006 with addition of a fully enclosed rain porch and a new universal 4 + 2 bedroom with curtain divider for the option of one huge bedroom. Large windows with curtains, 4 doors and a rain save ventilation hood are among the many luxurious features in this tent.

PS

We had a look at the Outwell Montana 12 on display, last week, and it seemed a good tent. The inner tents have curtain dividers, so you could have huge bedrooms with dressing/storage areas whilst you needed just two, and then put the dividers down when you need more. Not too many poles and an easy shape to start with.

Just a suggestion. Probably best to make a short-list then go look at some in the flesh. (Then you will get even more confused, if you are anything like us!)

Hello again,

If you want something quite flexible, and to last, with a good living area and at a bargain price, then you might want to have a look at the polycotton Coleman Trispace:

Price is £279 from £450 here:

http://www.highbridgecaravans.com/tentdetails.php?AN=304&PHPSESSID=1760490f9676ec57fa0a4b103527df60

Hi

we bought a Coleman sahara last year4/5 berth. Its fantastic. we have three kids and this year have gone bigger and bought a Coleman Columbia.

I would recommend the Sahara and might be selling the one I have!

Basic rule of thumb is to have two more nominal berths than people. So a five berth might do you with one kid, but you`ll need a six berth or bigger for four of you.

If you prefer a tent that pitches flysheet first then have a look at the new Vango TBS Oregon 600 or 800. It has the new riser central groundsheet (it laps up the side of the flysheet and toggles into place), the Vango TBS (tension band system) that provides added  stability on high winds and it has a lovely big roomy living area.

800...(eight man..)

http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=872

600...

http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=1856&a=282492&g=19117&url=http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=1856&a=282492&g=19117&url=http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Vango-TBS-Oregon-600---SS06.html

I`d go for the 800 myself (except Hubby says no more tents this year) if you`re going to have two kids eventually. One of the pods splits with a curtain, I think, so it`s a versatile tent. You could have one side for you with the kid(s) on the other side of the curtain, and the big pod for storage. I don`t belive in skimping on the size of tent you buy and this one has a nice neat footprint for the size of accomodation it offers.

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone - they are much appreciated!

Val - a question about the Vango TBS Oregon... Is the groundsheet in the living area removable? I like the idea of that!

thanks again!

Quote: Originally posted by AnotherNewbie on 03/5/2006

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Val - a question about the Vango TBS Oregon... Is the groundsheet in the living area removable? I like the idea of that!

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Yes it is. It`s one of the new riser groundsheets with a lip that you can toggle onto the side walls if you want. That`s one of the features I like about it, as I don`t always use a groundsheet. It`s a nice design because you have all the advantages of a flysheet first tent plus most of the advantages of an inner first tent with full SIG...not quite as draughtproof but better than a flat groundsheet plus mudflaps.

Actually, if I thought I had any chance at all of pitching the 600 single handed I`d buy one to replace my Cadiz as the weekend tent. The Oregon has far better living space. For longer trips though the 800 would be better, and I doubt it would take any longer for two folk to put up than the 600.

Just had a look at the Oregon 800 pitching instructions...the groundsheet is a 3/4 one, which means you can leave out one of the pods and have the whole living area still covered by groundsheet. There is a door in the flysheet at the end where you can leave out the (apparently slightly smaller) pod, which could give you a vast living area with just one bedroom.

I`m afraid I got it wrong about the pods splitting into two with a dividing curtain, sorry. Was misreading the floor plan. Though as it`s a suspended inner tent there`s no reason you couldn`t make your own divider and attach it with safety pins.