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right it's a new year, new car with huge boot and a new outlook to camping....some spare money coming now i seriously need to find a tent to sleep 2 adults and 3 nippers, 3,6,and 9

what do i buy???

use will be mostly long weekends!

http://www.nordiktackle.net/6-12-man-tunnel-tent-sewn-in-floor-p-311.html?wizid=e4h15jkveab68t4044jbaml8n5

As others will know on this site, we have the Vango Columbia 600.

This tent is being discontinued (upgraded even further, up-priced and re-named for 2010) but there are still a few around for £275. This tent has a few wind related advantages - its steel poled, sloped front and back and although a simple tunnel shape has a system exclusive to Vango - the TBSII which is a series of straps on the inside of the tent that you can put up in bad weather. They effectively extend the line of the guys through the tent and up to the centre of the poles, thus reducing the flexing of the poles significantly in high winds. Unlike other tunnel tents this actually means that the tent is also very strong when hit by wind from the side. I don't think Vango are adding the TBSII system to their steel pole tents generally as steel framed tents are generally stronger anyway. I believe the Columbia has them as a by-product of the tent at some point having been designed for fibreglass poles, before Vango decided to give it steel poles. With a HH of 5000 - this combination makes the tent exceptionally good in the wind. We had strong winds last year in Weymouth and it performed a treat!

The Columbia has 2/3 bedrooms and a very large living area and an enclosed side wet weather entrance.

If you want a porch - a removable one for fairer weather is preferable as it avoids the wind having a leverage point on the tent.

Good luck

Helen

We have a Vango too, (Breckenridge 400) it was about £200 new in a sale but think rrp at time was £400 ish.

It's not been pitched in truly bad conditions, but we live in a very exposed location (& 170 metres above sea level) can see entire Cairngorm Plateau (around 70 miles away as the crow flies)  but it was pretty strong when we pitched at home to dry it out one time & it did pretty well for a biggish tent. Wouldn't rate it's chances in our worst winds - but they've been storm-force with gusts at 100mph ! Here's a pic of it in the Highlands on a nice day ...

it's a nice& roomy inside, also bright but cool with a nice big window.

Guess who bought a new tent!!!!

a shiny new Vango Icarus 500..(139.99)

I was almost happy till i fond it had a damaged pole!

tent was less than an hour old i came hope started putting it up as i hreaded one of the poles through the sleev thingy it split down the middle!

phoned gooutdoors and they said poles were not covered!!

with a mild threat "go outdoors gave me a new one

lol was gonna be this weekend but i got a £70 parking fine while using a cash machine!!

ebd of the month now probably!

still not been away yet things keep cropping up

2 weeks off in august, Does anyne know a cheap site within an hour of Bolton next to a shallow river the kids will like?

must have a playpark other than that i'm easy.

thanks, Leon

HI hun Three rivers preston is good has toilets ,showers, club, arcade, arcade, pool, and two swing parks only £21 per night with electric hook up right near river ribble iv been loads of times and am going twice in august, theres plenty of grass for the kids to play on aswell and you van take dogs for an extra £1 per night. its good

heres the link have a look

 http://www.threeriverspark.co.uk/

Ive found you a tent that sleeps up to 8 people, and will with stand a hurricane........................

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Made_in_the_UK/Cosmos_GREEN.html

......maybe a tad out of your budget though!!

Sorry, I know thats no help, but what a tent!

Wont go wrong with an Icarus by the way. Good choice!

Wont go wrong with an Icarus by the way. Good choice!