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We've just returned from a week's holiday using the Khyam Igloo and our new Wynnster Utility tent. Firstly, the new Utility tent has been absolutely superb. Could do with a few more guying points to stop the walls flapping in the wind (which we managed to get from every direction at some stage) - nowt I couldn't handle though with some judicious cross-guying.

As for the Khyam Igloo - it pains me to say we won't be using that one again. It's no reflection on the tent itself which has served us very well over many years. It's just too low for both of us now - getting to bed and getting up again in the morning was far too much effort (maybe I'm just getting older?). Cheerful Dragon with her MS & bad hips has particular trouble getting down that low now and the tent being low meant we had to use the lower camp beds (which incidentally were a right pain to put together and are now just not wide enough - our bigger folding camp beds are much quicker & easier to use!). It was all far too much hassle for a holiday.

So from now on we'll be using the Marechal Club 4 frame tent, until at least we can find something lighter, smaller when packed & easier/quicker to pitch that still has standing room in the living & sleeping areas, will stand up to a bit o' weather,  & that doesn't cost the earth (don't want much do we?!).

Tricky Woo, we bought a Vango venture 500 for shorter hols and it seemed to do the job.  I am 5 foot 8 and can stand up in the living area and the bedroom just about.

£90 for a 2005 one if that is any help.

Ali

We have the Vango V 500 perfect. Oh is 6ft 4 and can stand up in it.

We got it coz I had bad back.

Easy to put up too.

I saw a vango venture 500 ( 2005 model) in Millets for £83.99 last week. they had a few in the shop. i was in Chester.

Very easy to put up. and it goes in the bag when you take it down without any problem. seperate the inner from outer first.

Yep, it is a cracking little tent.  We also saw it in Millets for £84, in their one offs clearance section but we are loyal to Taunton Leisure and wanted to go and have a final look before chosing.

We didn't even do a dry run, just rocked up to the campsite last weekend and followed the instructions - easy peasy. 

Ali

Cheerful Dragon with her MS & bad hips has particular trouble getting down that low now and the tent being low meant we had to use the lower camp beds (which incidentally were a right pain to put together and are now just not wide enough - our bigger folding camp beds are much quicker & easier to use!). It was all far too much hassle for a holiday.

..just inerested to know what folding camp beds you recommend? we are still using the blow up beds which are fine for us know ..take up little space ..but always looking for good ideas!

thanks

Quote: Originally posted by carolines on 07/5/2006

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..just inerested to know what folding camp beds you recommend? we are still using the blow up beds which are fine for us know ..take up little space ..but always looking for good ideas!

thanks

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They are the folding ones in the Argos catalogue for about £20 or so each (that's where ours came from last year) - used to be known as camping "cots" I think in military circles. they are a bit like stretchers but with end bars both ends & have the legs that cross underneath. They are aluminium framed and the frame folds rather than assembles, so quick & easy to fold & unfold. Quite heavy & bulky to carry though if space it at a premium. 

But main advantage you are approx 18 or so inches off the floor (rough guess, I've not actually measured it) so easier to get on & off but as wider & overall bigger (only just fit the bedroom of our frame tent lengthwise) than most other types, they need a tent with a higher bedroom area. Very comfortable though.

Tricky Woo - I had to give up on low level tents some years ago after developing lumbar problems, its just the way it goes. Luckily these days there are several weekend tents that are big enough to stand up in - obviously the Vango Venture 500 gets a lot of mentions, but there are others such as the Wynnster Mallard 4, Vango Oregon 400, and lots of those vis-a-vis style tents, though the latter may not have the bedroom space for your comfy beds.

Other makers have Venture type big domes too - Outwell Arizona, Wynnster Shrike 6 and Gelert Cadiz 5 or 5+2 come to mind. Plenty to look at.

Good luck with finding the right one for you.

Hi all.

Regarding the camp bed situation i have just bought the sunncamp aliminium folding bed. Easy to put up seems to be quite wide, wider than the argos ones with the legs that come off. Also seems quite sturdy too, havnt spent the night on it yet so proof in pud as they say.(sounds a bit creaky tho).