Respect Tinkerbelle! Its not something you'd want to do regularly though is it?? I've also got the Quecha on my list but prefer the living space of the small Outwells and i'm quite willing to put SOME effort into pitching a 'normal' tent. That said, i cant decide what to get and i want to go away on friday so -inspired by your efforts-I am going to solo pitch the Trout Lake. Thats if i'm not sick of the bloomin thing by the time i heave both bags downstairs..... Will let you know how i get on. Stopwatch and heart monitor at the ready...
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you really would not want to be doing it regularly! i think the worst bit was carrying it from the car to back garden- since I brought it has been living in the car boot as too big to put anywhere and cant face carrying upstairs.i think if you can get it downstairs you can pitch it solo! I was thinking iwould get a couple of extra bags to make lifting TL easier but now am thinking will go for base 4.2 as if am going for sthg different then may aswell go the whole hog and go for pop up polyester. Having said that I think you're right about Outwells living space better .with base 4.2 you can add on to it though.
will probably have changed my mind by tomorrow , but thats my current plan! look forward to hearing how pitching goes
Hi - Like you I started with a BL6 and once on my own with 2 kids bought a TL. The trout is easy to put up on your own. put in all poles clip on sides. Peg out the back and pull up from lines at front and peg them down. Then adjust your tent till you are happy. However, I have recently put up the lovely BL6 on my own with a little steadying help from my 9 & 7 year old. The BL6 is easier than the trouty and I am so pleased i did not sell it as will definately use it in future. So wait till you are ready and have a go. You can always ask for help. They are lovely tents and I feel a real sense of achievement knowing that I can put up the BL6 without a partner. Ha!
Ok, i did it! I pitched the Trout Lake solo all by myself on my own with nobody else just me! It took about 30 mins to get the poles and flysheet up but there were lots of tangled guy ropes which hampered my progress (will make the effort to tie them properly from now on). Not sure what method i used, i tried Jill's method of pulling up from the front but it wasnt budging so i just hoisted all three poles up and it stood up by itself just long enough for me to peg the front down. There was absolutely no wind so not sure how i'd do in less favourable conditions, but still chuffed. Testimony to my magnificent pitching skills was the caravanner who asked where i got the tent from as it 'looks really robust'!!
So reckon about an hour including carpet, wouldnt say it was easy but it was worth it! Once pitched, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, spent hours playing with the door canopies and the different window configurations; the three full length mesh doors are wonderful, gorgeous tent and was so grateful for the polycotton in this weekends 30 degrees heat.
As it can only get quicker and easier am inclined to hold fire on a smaller weekender for now and see how long my enthusiasm lasts to take TL for short trips. I just cant imagine being happy in anything else!
And to think i would never have even tried to pitch her solo without this thread... cheers everyone! Now me and troutie are friends again....
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Hi All, not familiar with the tents mentioned so far, but I'm about to embark on my first solo trip with a Vango Tigris 400 - sounds like pegging back corners out first is advisable, then inserting poles, concertinaing then pegging front two? Is that about right?
Looks fairly easy in theory, but having said that I'm five foot tall...any thoughts & advice VERY gratefully received!