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Hi all,

I camp alone a couple of nights per week at the moment, the tent always goes up in the evening and down in the morning (it never stays pitched during the day).

I'm pretty happy with my small Royal as it's easy for me to put up and take down on my own...but.... I would like a little more headroom especially in the porch area.

Ideally I'd like to be able to stand up in the porch and maybe have room for a small table and a chair.  I'd also like a door I can walk out of rather than crawl!

The main thing is that I need a tent that is easy enough for me to put up and down on my own, as I'm doing it so often I don't think I could live with one that took more than about 20 mins...

Am I asking too much (compact but roomy?). Any ideas?

Steve

How about a caravan?

Steve.

Why bother to alter your tent at all, if you're happy with it.

Why not get a utility tent for hanging around in

Hi Saturner,

I've been reading your posts and blog with great interest as I was considering doing something similar.

I'd guess the height thing with a bigger tent is going to be the problem pitching alone as I have found that you really need someone inside the tent to hold and stabilise while the other person pegs. Having seen some of the conditions in which you have been camping I think, you may find difficulty and even cause damage to the tent if you tried doing it alone.

Having said that, the Coleman BiSpace 300 might just be what you are looking for:  http://sports.ciao.co.uk/Coleman_BiSpace_300_Dome_Tent__Review_5520030

and

http://sports.ciao.co.uk/Coleman_BiSpace_300_Dome_Tent__Review_5305484

although I know that part of the reason that you are doing this is because you want to save money. With this in mind, there is one finishing soon on ebay if this helps: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Coleman-Bispace-300-Tent_W0QQitemZ8812460008QQcategoryZ36119QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Best of luck!

Howsabout a Wynnster Mallard 4 for £69 http://www.norwich-camping.co.uk/product_details/3695.html or a Royal La Rochelle for £59 http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/SpecialOffers.asp?offset=10?

I'm guessing you are still trying to save maximum pennies by your 'corporate camping' strategy so want to spend the minimum on your replacement tent. MT

How about the utterly reliable Vango Venture 500?

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1428744-10297635?URL=http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4068

Don`t worry about putting up a reasonably sized dome on your own, btw. There`s a knack to it which I and many other people will be pleased to communicate to you when required. If I (mere woman, middle aged,  5`4") can put up my Cadiz 5+2 in twenty minutes then I`m sure you`ll have no problem with any of the above.

Some good suggestions there, thanks everyone! (I've made notes of them all) I think probably after demonstrating my "hardiness" over the last few weeks I'm going a little bit soft!

You know what is causing me to want more space? I struggle to put my boots on in the porch and then get out of the door in the morning without falling to my knees...  I'm normally a bit bleary eyed and often in a hurry to go for a wee... (sorry!).  I may experiment with exiting the porch through the big front door rather than the smaller side door...

Another thing that would put me off making any changes is the cost, a couple of you have pointed out that I am on a penny saving experiment and I really shouldn't have any tent envy by reading this forum all the time

I'll continue to update the blog, glad some of you are calling by! I'll work on the pictures tonight Valk-scot!

BTW - If I stay tonight (and I will) I'll break through the 1000 commuting miles saved (1120 to be exact!)

Steve 

Steve,

It's easy to get carried away on extra gear etc. Reading this site forums you can easily start thinking of your next tent etc.

I was beginning to fall into this trip myself.I have two tents which I can justify and would like to buy two more, which I cannot justify!

I also camp mainly by scooter so I have a weight/volume issue as well

I've done 26 nights so far this year and have decided to buy no more gear until I've done 100!