hi guys
just returned from norfolk in a brand new sv8.it leaks like mad.i think they call it a bath tub ground sheet cos when it fills up u can take a bath in it.we had about 3 pints gather overnight in one lower corner.the wind shook the seepage off the inside of the 5000mm water proof material and gave us all a shower every 5mins.not good if it lands on the electric thingy!tent has gone for testing at ccc wakefield.
Been back to our supplier - Highbridge Caravans and Camping at Bridgwater in Somerset. Fantastic customer service - they've given us a choice between a replacement SV8 (we've sort of lost confidence in this model now as this was a replacement for the 06 model), a full refund, or a different tent. We've opted for option 3 and will be picking up a Vermont XL. Here's hoping that the quality control problems are few and far between as if we get any more problems we'll totally lose confidence in Outwell. The SV8 was by far the best choice of tent for us due to its versatility so hopefully the Vermont will prove even better.
Midge21 - have you had to pay the difference in price between the SV8 and Vermont XL? We're still waiting for Go Outdoors to test ours (although we gave them the photos of the leaks) and therefore don't know if we are going to have to look at other tents, but the Vermont would be our choice
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Yes, we did. We were unable to negotiate anything on this. However, we were hoping for a bit of a discount but this was not offered when OH asked. We're just hoping that the Vermont doesn't have any of the problems as reading some of the other threads on the website it looks as if people have been having problems with this model as well.
If we do get problems we'll be stuck to know what to do as the Outwell tents are definitely the best designed - it's just their finish that leaves a bit to be desired. There are no other tents which come up to the Outwells for versatility as far as we're concerned and we haven't been able to find any other makes which we like as much.
Same for us - can't find any other designs that we like as much - I'm trying to convince OH to try a Vango, but he's not so sure. Don't really want to have to spend another £150-£200 for a leaky tent!!! Let's hope we both end up with a good Outwell this time!
We've just pitched our new Vermont XL and it's luverly! We're really pleased with it and will now HAVE to go for a short weekend to try it out before we head to France at the start of the school holidays. It's warm and sunny here in Weymouth today so can't really tell whether it's waterproof or not but what a tent! Hopefully we'll have some good weekend weather in a couple of weeks as we won't be able to go before then.
We even managed to get it back in the bag without too much fuss!
------------- Midge21
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Can't really say better as we loved our SV8 and to be fair we have yet to 'live' in it. We'll probably not bother with the wardrobe - it is a bit of a gimmick and takes away one of the windows and some of the room from the inner living area. We can use the 1 man bedroom as a storeroom. There's also a little more useable space in the front area as the sides and the front do not slope so much.
It's definitely more roomy as it's nearly a metre wider so I hope we love it just as much. We also managed to erect it and take it down faster than the SV8. The poles are really heavy though so it's a good job they can go in the trailer.