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Hi Great Minds think alike.

Have sent leaky Monty 6 back and bought Khyam Colarado from Winfields Haslingden for £175 (they have a few left). Much less than the £339 I paid for the M6

Only bought it yesterday so will be trying it out next weekend.

Tent comes in one bag and is heavy.  We have removed the poles to a separate bag to make handling easier.  The tent pegs you get with it weighed in at almost 5llb!!

I will let you know how we get on when we get back on Sunday.

If it is okay, I am going to try and get another front wall to leave in the middle position permanently with the door open most of the time. This way, I can put the front wall on if weather is bad and also close the door in the middle to make the room at the back smaller and easier to heat if it is cold at night. Not a wimp, just have small child to think about.

Pauline

Hi Karina

We are taking our pegs from the Vango, they weigh nothing at all (well almost).

Have also managed to get second door for £10 - well done Jon at Winfields!!!

Tell you more next week.  We have been out today doing reconnaissance for somewhere to stay. We also went to Daleswear Outdoors at Ingleton Yorkshire - they have a sale on.

Pauline

Hi

Well done!! Jon said that he had sold a few and thought I was to blame (think people asking for him by name gave the game away!!)

Well, we are going away tomorrow come hell or high water (though judging by the weather I think the latter is most likely).

Will let you know how we fair.

Have a good weekend too.

Pauline

Hi Karina (and everybody else)

We are back and love the tent.  Few minor upgrades required (but we do that with all the tents we buy). Endless bodging possibilities as you said.

You are right, one hell of a windy weekend. 29+ mph if the weather websites are to be believed but it felt like double that

Tent stood up to the test. The side poles make a massive difference, so if it is windy when you pitch, get them in as quick as possible. Actually putting it up in the wind was not as difficult as we thought it was going to be.  The best way we found was to put the back pole in and stand it put, peg out the back centre two top guys and lay the pole down again with the "legs" facing forwards. Then with the tent flat on the ground, put in all the other poles and lay them on the ground facing the same way.  We then went to the front of the tent and with the two front centre guys, pulled the tent up and pegged them out. This held the tent upright.  We then went to the back of the tent and pegged it out moving forwards.  We have sussed that the doors must be closed on erection and also it is best to "test" the ease of the zips before pegging the front guys as we had to move the poles in slightly.  Also to stop the front wall being to high problem which has been mentioned on here, ensure that the front wall is not pulled forward at the bottom.  The one we looked at erected, had the front strap in front of the wall. Ours was just behind it. Even if the wall is a little high, there is enough valance to stop any weather getting in. We put up the middle wall and as I thought, made the tent easier to heat but did not steal any of the usable space.

Today, it rained and we were dry as a bone with the exception of four drips which came in as a result of the side pole screw head rubbing the side. A simple adjustment sorted that out and we know to watch that in future.

The front "canopy" that the centre guys are attached to makes a little porch in the rain and stopped the top of the door getting wet which meant we did not get drenched when opening the door.  Also, there is plenty of room to get in and out the door if you leave it pegged at the bottom. All the windows make it light and airy (the only downside on the Montanta is that you have to go outside to open the side windows).

All in all, the tent is a success and was easy to put up and has loads of usable space. We are definitely keeping it. Hope your maiden voyage goes as well.

Please feel free to ask about any aspect I have not mentioned.

Cheers

Pauline

Hi Karina

I am laughing my head off right now!!

We first looked at the Vario which numerous tent companies do. OH liked the Sunn Camp one.  I refused to consider it because I thought it looked like a POW camp!! Oh dear.

All the best to you.

Pauline

Hi Karina

I am so sorry to hear of your truly miserable time with the Colorado,  We did not experience anything like that with ours (all down to luck, not judgement). I think you should send it back cos it is definitely faulty (notwithstanding the lousy sewing job).  It seems that quality control is a joke with these companies

It makes me angry to think that these fat cat bosses are happy to take your money without ensuring that you are getting what you are paying for! (Oh no, I'm venting again, sorry).

Pauline