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Quote: Originally posted by Chubba on 11/10/2006

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What is your primary appeal in camping? eg, family time, back to nature, realising what you have etc.

• In your opinion, what do you think would help convert 'non campers' into the hobby? Preferably in terms of tent design.
• What features would you add or change on your tent if you were primarily using it for weekends away? eg, outdoor shelter, windows, security, storage etc.

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Primary appeal is just getting away from everyday life. Peace, tranquillity and talking (which we don't do enough of at home with TV and computer readily available).

Non-campers I've spoken to seem to have only ever camped with the scouts, guides or at a festival, so their idea of camping is a crawl-in tent, and creepy-crawlies sharing their bed. They have no idea that camping can be luxurious with the right tent & equipment.

As for weekend tent designs, I can't understand why manufacturers are so averse to adding windows to small weekend tents. 

My opinion of a weekend tent (for couples rather than a family tent) should have strong but lightweight poles, be made of polycotton which is fairly lightweight but would avoid the condensation problems of nylon & polyester. It should be half sleeping area & half living area so that if the weather is bad the campers have a decent sized area to sit (even if the height of the tent only allows them to sit on an inflatable cushion).

There should be windows to three sides of the living area, preferably with gussetted PVC windows which unzip and peg out at the bottom corners leaving a fixed mesh screen for ventillation (if the weather is hot but wet) but preventing rain from coming in. There should be a small canopy above the doorways so that rain doesn't soak the groundsheet when the door is opened. There should be an 'upside-down J' door on each side with secondary insect mesh door, plus the usual two zipped canopy door at the front (with window in it of course!).

The groundsheet for the living area should be fixed with velcro to keep creepy-crawlies out, but allow it to be packed separately if it gets mucky.  Oh dear, I have gone on a bit haven't I? I'll shut up now

Interesting but almost impossible task you got yourself into.I don't think a perfect tent design excists, same as a perfect car design for everyone doesn't.

Perhaps you can get some inspiration abroad :) Same as in the UK we have a lot of rain as well and our tent designs are adapted to that. Some good tent manufacturars in The Netherlands are Karsten and De Waard. Unfotunately prices start at 1000 pounds.

De Waard have non compromising tents, they are guaranteed to outstand windforce 12, never leak(and for that have no windows) and are very comfortable because of the 320 gr/m cotton and integrated ground shield. www.dewaardtenten.nl (not in english i'm afraid but do try to look, never seen a better tent)

Karsten comes close to a perfect tent design, it's easy to put them up (they have no poles but an air system) integrated ground shield, made from good cotton, modular building possibilities.The only negative side is it's price, for a family tent you can easily build up to 3500 pounds. www.karstententen.nl (also in english)

Sorry for my crappy english it's not my native tongue.

We have a huge frame tent which I adore for space and light but it takes to long to put up for weekends away.

A weekend tent would be quick and easy to erect but for me must still have head height and be light. I hate the way tent manufacterers say a tent is 6 berth when they actually mean 6 skeletons with no padded sleeping bag around them which in real life means the tent is OK for 4 but not comfy for 6. I like a roomy bedroom area - just enough room around the double airbed for a lamp and to be able to put my jeans on in the morning. I once tried out a tent that on the bedroom inner had the fabulous idea of a little flap about 2inches from the bottom that allowed you to thread through the lead and plug to the EHU sockets. Meaning you could zip yourself in and still have a lamp. 

Other good features I like in a tent is good ventilation and mesh options on doors and windows so you can let the air in but not the bugs.

Storage is a must. Pockets and loops to hang things. A porch area for leaving wellies and smelly trainers etc.

Dont want much do I.

I would like a 'safe' cooking area - how about a tent made of a combination of lightweight material for sleeping/living areas with a canvas 'cook' area.

I'd like zip in groundsheet

Lots of options for doors - so you can choose which way to pitch without worrying about the door facing straight into a hedge and a 'porch' on one of the doors at least so you can get in and out without struggling against wet fabric.

Lightweight poles, but strong enough to hang some storage from

Quick-up like the Kyhams but with more headroom would be good - alternatively being able to pitch with the inners already in would save a little bit of time.

Easy to move if after pitching you decide you really wanted it pitched in a different direction.

How about built-in airbeds with wind-up charged pumps built in?

We have just started camping in our own tent so are just finding out what we do/don't like about it - but the ability to get away from it all is the main thing - therefore soundproofing would be excellent - or maybe just a devide that would interfere with the reception of any nearby tv's or stereos etc that are being played too loud!   How about some sort of 'white noise' system?

Christine

Good luck with the design!

We have 3 young girls and we camp because ---- Fresh air,  time together, everyone has an important role to play which the kids love, you can pack up and away at an hours notice and if you've had a hard week at work there's nothing like coming home fri afternoon packing car and snatching kids as soon as the bell goes!

As far as design features you don't want it to be too easy to put up It's all part of the fun!!!  What I would appreciate is something that took up less room, was easy to put away wet without soaking the car and was light weight! 

Quote: Originally posted by xtinexoop on 29/10/2006

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I would like a 'safe' cooking area - how about a tent made of a combination of lightweight material for sleeping/living areas with a canvas 'cook' area.

I'd like zip in groundsheet

Lots of options for doors - so you can choose which way to pitch without worrying about the door facing straight into a hedge and a 'porch' on one of the doors at least so you can get in and out without struggling against wet fabric.

Lightweight poles, but strong enough to hang some storage from

Quick-up like the Kyhams but with more headroom would be good - alternatively being able to pitch with the inners already in would save a little bit of time.

Easy to move if after pitching you decide you really wanted it pitched in a different direction.

How about built-in airbeds with wind-up charged pumps built in?

We have just started camping in our own tent so are just finding out what we do/don't like about it - but the ability to get away from it all is the main thing - therefore soundproofing would be excellent - or maybe just a devide that would interfere with the reception of any nearby tv's or stereos etc that are being played too loud!   How about some sort of 'white noise' system?

 

Christine

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HI CAN YOU TELL ME WERE YOU GOT THE EXTRA MIDDLE BIT FOR YOUR KYHAM COLORADO AND THE PRICE PLEASE ?

THANKS

BEEFTOM

Quote: Originally posted by good_in_tent on 12/10/2006

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Hi,

We have a large tunnel tent which is fairly easy to put up but it does seem a lot of effort for a weekend. To target new campers you have to think of whether that would be singles, couples or families, as this affects the choice of tent. From my perspective, I would like a modular range of tents which you can add on with bedroom pods and sections.

 

 

This would be my opiion too. so you could just have 1 tent and take as much as you need. I have to admit if there was any way to put a shower in I would be completely sold! I am considering a caravan for this very reason but a big part of me is reluctant to give up my tent.