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Hi all

I am just about to invest in a new tent, and i've spent hours looking at local dealers ( though i admit , there are not many in Manchester) and looking at spec's on the internet..

i know i want an outer pitch first, this time, and think i have narrowed it down to either the Outwell Montana 6 or the Sun Valley 8.

But i have seen reviews and on the whole both seem really good, just the odd problem with poles on both tents,

I currently have a sunncamp tourist, that sleeps 12+ , which is great for when we do group camping with work and friends..( we've had 17 people and a dog in it, with out the bedrooms in place, with plenty of room to spare. But for short family breaks i need something a little smaller .. for 4 of us and a dog..

any thoughts on which tent to get will be gratefully recieved, even if it's not on one of the tents i have picked

thanks vonner68

I wouldn't buy a monty now until next year...hoping outwell have sorted little probs out, try the indiana like mine,free canopy plus more room. The khyam ontario 8 is another superb tent for the price.

jans

I chose the Sunvalley8 simply because I preferred the huge porch on this tent (The montana doesn't have this). I would thoroughly recommend this tent. The space and flexibilty is amazing. I had 20 people on camping chairs in mine a few weeks ago during an evening of torrential rain!

The Montana is more sturdy in high winds due to the steel poles, however, I've had the Sunvalley8 out in very high winds, and, although the tent flexes more than a Montana, I have not had any problems with the poles.

Both tents suffered manufacturing problems last year, but I believe these have generally been ironed out. Whichever you choose, I'd just advise you to buy it from a reputable dealer who will happily take back a faulty/leaking tent. Both tents are great, but just be aware of Outwells recent history of faulty tents.

In summary, I looked at both tents in detail. Pro for the Montana (More sturdy steel poles), Pro for the Sunvalley, more flexibilty with space. I often cook inside the huge porch. I couldn't do that in a Montana unless I bought the Extension (Which I actually did!!! To make the Sunvally even longer :-) Space is great when it's raining!

thanks for that,

 i'm really drawn towards the monty 6 , but i want to see the vermont up.. but none on display near us.. just emailed some shops to see what they have on display..

just when i think i've made a choice i find another tent i quite like. I've just sold the vango 600 want an outer pitch first for the next tent.. but keeping the sunncamp tourist its brill for our large group camping..

Before buying our Georgia L, we looked long and hard at the Monty 6. It's a great tent.

We visited 3 seperate camping stores near where we live and each had a Monty 6 built in their field area. It just so happened it was raining on each visit and every Monty 6 we viewed was leaking. Having checked many review sites, including UKCampsite, we were left with mixed messages. Many reported problems, many did not.

I assume that if you buy your Monty 6 from a good dealer they should respond to any concerns you may have.

Myself, I was put off by the reviews and went for the Georgia L. I still like tunnel tents and will probably buy the Indiana 4 (better reviews) next year, when not all the family want to go on camp.

have you been to go outdoors at stockport they had a few outwells on display last time we went if not there it was camperlands but there is also atlas leisure on stretford road old trafford which poss not to far for you.

Hope you find your tent

Lynles

Would recommend the SV8 for the same reasons ckc69 posted.  We also.   have an Outwell side canopy that we have tried on both the side dorrs and the front ..  Both ways are great .. but now we've tried it on the front it will probabaly go on there every time.  It makes the porch even more useable.. no rain coming in when door left open .. 

Alos echo the sentiments on reputable dealer.. Tyeomans changed the first one we bought 2006 model for a 2007 no problem.

thanks for all the info,

it's just a mine field, especially when this tent will have to last a good fre years

thanks also to lynles i've never heard of the place in old trafford, we've been to goout doors at stockport..they had a monty 6 on display. also went to winfields where the had a monty 6 and vermont.. i've still not seen the sv 6 or 8 on display..

i'll start the search again in a few days.. just got back from doing the Ben Nevis Challenge for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust,.. i was the worst and in a funny kind of way best thing i've done done in my life..

so at the minute i can barely walk.. thanks to everyone for theie advice, its been the first question i have post on the site and everyone as been so helpful.

thanks yvonne