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Hello all!

First thanks for all the replies on my previous thread about where to view tents in the north east. United British Caravans near Newcastle have finally put up their display! Have the full range of Sunncamp and some Wynnsters but no Vangos or Outwells. Still, was good to get a good idea of the size and layout.

So my question: Is a porch necessary? I originally thought that they were invaluable for cooking and for storing boots, waterproofs etc especially in wet weather. But not many tents seem to have them so I'm assuming that this isn't as important to most people.

Any thoughts?

Jane

*Just edited to say we are looking for a 6 berth family tent.

IMHO a porch is not necessary

Cooking in a tent is not a good idea (one spark and tent is history) so a porch is not ideal for cooking under

Lots of people use a utility tent. We dont but if you do a search on this forum or start a thread asking for recommendations, there will be plenty of suggestions

Another alternative is a tarp. That is what we use

Tent, porch, utility tent, tarp etc is all just a matter of personal choice and what works best for you

Angie

You may as well have something that goes with you tent ie a canopy or extension, than start mucking about rigging ad-hoc shelters/other utility tents etc. to cook in/under. At least itll all look 'part of the deal', as opposed to an afterthought.

I appreciate many here do rig tarps/brollies or carry utility tents, but it seems a lot of hassle to me, especialy if your make of tent can be suitably 'extended' as a matter of course.

And, you may not get pinged for an 'extra' by the site owner if it all looks part of the original tent!

Now wheres me tin hat??

Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 26/3/2009

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You may as well have something that goes with you tent ie a canopy or extension, than start mucking about rigging ad-hoc shelters/other utility tents etc. to cook in/under. At least itll all look 'part of the deal', as opposed to an afterthought.

I appreciate many here do rig tarps/brollies or carry utility tents, but it seems a lot of hassle to me, especialy if your make of tent can be suitably 'extended' as a matter of course.

And, you may not get pinged for an 'extra' by the site owner if it all looks part of the original tent!

Now wheres me tin hat??

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Knock knock on your tin hat

Sites dont charge for tarps  lol

Angie

I bought an 'add on' style porch last year, thought it was the best thing ever when we put it up - loads of room to sit under, feed the children their tea ...

Then the wind came, all night it flapped and flapped where it wasn't zipped onto the main tent the wind whistled, tent pegs were pulled out, repegged and pulled out again and then at 4.30am we took it down (in the rain) as the noise of it flapping was driving us mad!

Not sure if a zipped on one would fare any better, those big 'arched' porches look like wind tunnels to me and several other tents had taken their big attached porches off from tents I was trying to replicate with my cheap add on version.

I would appreciate comments about these 'arched' porches as I am looking at a whole new tent this year - anyone seen / used a Kyham Montreal / Cleveland / Aspen?

Thanks

I think it depends on the style of tent you have.  We have an Outwell Montana 6 and tbh the extension or canopy is a big benefit because the front of the tent slopes away floor to roof which makes the door when unzipped flop inwards which is horrible when its raining (dripping all over my lovely carpet).  Its a great extra space for shoes, & other bits & bobs which don't necessarily need to be inside but require a bit if shelter.

 I do agree with what Angie is saying from a cooking safety perspective if your tent is going to catch fire from cooking then it still will from the attached extension made from the same fabric.  However, you can lower your chances by placing your cooker outside of the extension when you actually cook with you stood just inside but this is personal choice.  For us we tend to do this because the cooking & hot things are well away from my children in the tent - but anyway this is only if the weather is rubbish otherwise theres no reason to be cooking indoors at all really.

I've recently also bought a canvas tent & one of the first things I went about tracking down for it was the sun canopy!

Use your porch for storage if you need one (you will be glad of the space)

you are better of with a porch but these canopies you see dont do well in the wind so be prepared to take it down at the first sign of real windy conditions

I repeat the advice from others dont cook in it unless you really really have to due to bad weather, keep it to a minimum and be very carefull at that 

I'm with the tarp users.

Have written loads about tarps, so won't rehash here.