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Hi folks,

we're looking at getting another tent but are not sure what to go for. we'd like a roomy tent that doesn't blow away and stays waterproof in the UK rain and gales.Are the tunnel tents as 'robust' as the geo-disco or dome jobbies? Oh and also it must be fairly easy to put up.. (demanding eh?) preferred ones at present are vango diablo 600, Hartford xl or wynnster cygnus (nice and tall - but stable?). Anyone have favourites/horror stories about these? Pls help to bring enlightenment to this confused soul.

ta, Colin

We have a Hartford XXL, very roomy and very good headroom. We had some pretty strong winds the last time out and it stood up no probs. We did take ages to put it up the first time but wev'e cut that down alot with practice. It took us months to decide on this tent, we looked at loads, read loads of review and of course read all the threads on this site.

Well good luck in your search. Happy hunting.

We have a Diablo 600 and a superb tent it is. Although not the quickest tent to put up, take an hour to get up and pegged, it will stand up to the worst the British weather has to offer.

Roomie and a lovely blue glow inside, we love the porch entrance especially in the rotten weather, great for ditching the shoes before you get into the inner sanctuary

I'm biased - go for a Diablo !!

Welcome aboard !!

Quote: Originally posted by eaglehurst on 21/6/2006

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... we'd like a roomy tent that doesn't blow away and stays waterproof in the UK rain and gales.Are the tunnel tents as 'robust' as the geo-disco or dome jobbies? Oh and also it must be fairly easy to put up.. (demanding eh?) preferred ones at present are vango diablo 600, Hartford xl or wynnster cygnus (nice and tall - but stable?).

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The tents you list are all well known and trusted makes. Only in really extreme conditions would they let you down.

Personally, I would not worry about tunnel or dome, unless you are going to some extreme places. I would worry, however, as various stories on this forum will testify, about dodgy makes. Stay with a well reputed brand and you will be fine.

How many are you want to sleep? in what arrangement?

For primarly weekends or weeks away? Just summers or all year aorund?

How will you be transporting it?

Any budget?

wow, what a lot of replies! thanks for the advice but still undecided.  taking a trip to Towsure this afternoon to nose around a few tents as suggested.

some answers for Big Bunny 1.~ separate pods prefered ~ it will be me and my wife in one bedroom and my 3yr old nipper in another. My wife would prefer one she can stand in if poss. 2.mostly for longer breaks (1 or 2 weeks) but if some have better put-up-and-downabilty i'd be interested to know. (can one or two people put up a Vango diablo type?) 3. hopefully spring to early autum use. However, last time we camped in the Lake District (in June) it rained every day for a fortnight so we are looking for somethinng more weather proof than the old bungalo tent we just ditched) 4 we'll transport it by car. 5. approx 200 to 300 quid (cheaper end preffered ~ of course)

THANKS!

You mentioned the Diablo Eaglehurst, is that your prefered?

Diablo has loadsa space in the bedrooms for your numbers, Diablo 600 pitch is definately a 2 person job, it is a bit heavy thought when all packed up in it's bag but that wouldn't matter really if the car is your transport.

There are loads of threads in here regarding the pitching of the Diablo ( very popular tent in the Forums) and loads of hints and tips.

I would go for a nosey round the tent shops, check out the bedroom space, even have a lay down in them..! Imagine your gear, like hold-alls with clothes in, sitting in the bedroom pods. Places for your cooker, wee table and chairs etc, to go...

I've found ( biased again ) that the Vango is a well rounded tent, suitable for all weather types, plenty of room in the porch for cooker on a stand, cool boxes, shoes, kids toys etc. Then in the living area tons of room for 4 chairs and a table AND still room to move about. The bedrooms take a double and a single comfortably with the hold-alls at your feet.

But, all said, whatever tent floats your boat, Stick to the 'brand' names and you really can't go wrong.

Cheers !

Quote: Originally posted by eaglehurst on 22/6/2006

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1.~ separate pods prefered ~ it will be me and my wife in one bedroom and my 3yr old nipper in another. My wife would prefer one she can stand in if poss.
2.mostly for longer breaks (1 or 2 weeks)
3. hopefully spring to early autum use.
4 we'll transport it by car.
5. approx 200 to 300 quid (cheaper end preffered ~ of course)

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With a budget of 200-300 for a two sleeping pod tent for three gives you LOTs of choice. With a 3 year old, you may want to get one of the bedrooms big enough to get all three of you in, in case they want to come and join you.

As others have said, the best thing is to go and look at lots of models.

In addition to the dome already suggested, have a look at some alternative shapes such as the Vango Aspen and Sunncamp Oasis - nice size tents, with good alround space and lots of comfort. With the Aspen, the kids bedoom as an ajoining zip, so you can get to them easily.

One of the diferentiators will be if you want to stand up in the bedrooms, as well as the living area. Lots of the domes don't do this, but the tunnels do - have a look at which you prefer.

Others will ahve mentioned already the popular Outwell's: Montana 6 and Sunnvalley 6 - definately have a look at them.

Hope it helps.

Our Vario 6 did us proud in the lake district last year. Very very wet & windy but stayed nice & dry in tent, bags of room, especially as there was just the 2 of us at the time so we only put one bedroom up and used the space where the other should have been as kitchen area. Very easy to put up, 4 flexi poles that go accross the tent then once up 2 adjustable poles that brace the lengh that keep the whole thing rigid. Steve practicly put it up on his own when I was too pregnant to try!

Like the fact that tunnel tents give you more usable head room saves on all that stooping!