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hi all - just found this forum and it looks great - going to take a few hours to read up on what appears to be the new family pastime - camping - lol

The only downside is, I am sure you would agree is that when you start out you dont know much.

We visited the local store, Camping and General at Canvey Island Essex and were taken by the Sunncamp "Lido" which seems to have about everything we need in terms of size, room number, headroom etc and it seems reasonably priced.

What is the general opinion on the this tent choice are there similar but better alternatives / - all comments welcomed good and bad

thanks

Ross  

Hi and welcome!! Just thought I would say a quick hello as I am pretty much in the same boat as yourself!!

My family and I have just been away in a tent for the 1st time. We bought a tent off e-Bay (see - someone knows even less that you!!) Anyway, we did have a fab time and have definately got the bug. The tent survived the 4 nights but we soon realised we needed a much bigger tent. I have today been to S.K. Camping, South Godstone where they have a fab display of tents erected. I was amazed and speechless. My instincts are pointing me in the direction of the Outwell range but obviously its what ever your needs are.

Anyway, welcome & Happy Camping!!

Debbie x

Hi & welcome to the forum

Sunncamp is a decent well known manufacturer, but I don't know anything about the  Lido model. However, this will take your post back up to the top, and I'm sure someone will be able to advise you  

Know nothing about Sunncamps but we have two Outwells. We have the Nebraska XXL and the Montana 6. We chose them because of the space they offer, the fact they both have large windows (the XXL has a porch) so we can sit inside on a rainy day and still watch the world go by.

They both have excellent HH`s and both pitch all in one. That means no messing about in the rain,  putting up the inner tent first then trying to get the outer on before the inner gets wet. Or no getting the outer up, then having to fiddle about putting up the inner. Once the tent is up.................it`s UP! Job done. 

Both tents are head height throughout and both come with SIG`s. These tents ticked all the boxes for us. It`s just a case of working out what you want from a tent, then finding a tent that ticks all the boxes.

Hi Rossd and welcome to UKCS the most addictive webiste on the internet. Before you take the plunge with the Sunncamp although a very good brand of tent, go visit PJ Camping of Romford. They to have a good display of tents and are cheaper on somethings than camping and general.

Happy camping and whatever tent you but enjoy it.

Had a sunncamp grange myself.  Great tent, never failed us through, just above freezing, high winds, rain and lots of sunshine.

Best advice any of us can give us go out there and look at what is available, the size of tent, and how you will transport it, and don't forget your budget.

Since you are new to camping, look at what you would want in the tent, chairs tables, storage etc.  I even put chairs & a table in a tent we went to look at for my sister in law last year! 

We went from a 4 berth, dome with porch, to an 8 berth dome with porch, 2 x 4 berth frame tents did like the Paris but the OH wanted more living space and finally settled on the Grange.  (it was one of the first that I saw within our price range that I really liked!)

Good luck

Hi and Welcome.

I have only seen Sunncamp's lido at a show - but it look OK.

If that is the set up you like then there is a good choice of tents out there that will do a 2+2 vis-a-vis set up. One thing to take note of is the bedroom widths of the tents and not the berth rating they quote. Allow for a std single aair bed being 80cm wide and a double 140cm - this will give you a good idea of the space/capacity.

Another you may want to look at is the Vango Auora 600 - it is a similar set up, but has a full sewn in groundsheet and goes up flysheet first. I regularly camp with someone who uses one and can personally recommend it.

Also similar to the Lido are the well priced Gelert Quebec 6 and Alaska 4/6 models. Finally there are the Wynnster Buzzard & Hawk (also usually very well priced)

I've just been down to camping and General in Canvey myself this morning, firs time I've been and was impressed with the range of tents and accessories they have in stock, its  a huge place. Overheard several conversations between salesmen and potential buyers of tents and although I'm no expert, they did seem to be handing out very sensible advice and not just trying to sell tents...ask for their advice.

Welcome ot UKCS