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Hi all - Weve been using a Europe 6 Frame Tent, bought because I thought frame tents offered full standing height and real strength.

Problem is it weighs a ton, takes up half our estate car and it's heavy and cumbersome to erect.

So I've been looking at lighter smaller options...

PLEASE advise which tents give good standing-height (this is important to us after our tall, square frame tent), berths 5 or 6, and is lightweight & seriously quick and easy to erect.

Our boy is just 3 years old, loves camping, and we want a tent we can stand up in, is good for a two-night quick stay away, and goes up real quick (so I can play fun stuff with young Oliver rather than struggling putting the tent up). 

Any advice MOST welcome

Budget I'm not sure about -

I've spent money on things I found wrong for two-night jaunts away, a Campingaz double burner/grill and gas bottle which I found "far too much cooker" and bought the little Bistro instead. I bought the wrong chairs, too bigger water butt, all sorts - all which I've now changed (camping is working out expensive!)

I'm enjoying getting it right for our needs so |I don't want to scrimp on the tent.

KHYAM: am I right thinking that this tent differs from the Starcamper 5 in that it has a special pole frame that hinges, making it quicker? I see the Starcamper under £200 and the Kyhams £300 - £400, yet they look similar to me.

Jean - yes my Sunncamp frame is a great tent. We like it and will hang on to it until we are totally happy with its replacement. But last time camping I too our truck to make packing easier - all this stuff for just two nights away!!! The big frame tent doesn't help.

For a weekend tent you could look at the Outwell Oregon 5.  Priced around the £140 mark.  Not sure if it would be big enough for a weeks stay.  Takes about 15 minutes to put up, so I've been told.  Also like the look of the Khyam Ontario.  8 berth retails at about £199.  You could leave a bedroom out to give yourselves extra space.  Don't know how long it takes to put up though.  Both have good standing height and the front of the Oregon opens up to form a canopy.

Hope that helps.

Hi,

I've got an Outwell Oregon 5 and it flies up.  20 minutes sees you pitched up securely ( when you pitch all in one anyway).  Plenty of space for us and our two kids (4&2) for a weekend or a little longer.  Like you, I've got a big frame effort for longer holidays but the outwell is great for the shorter break.

Try the outwell indiana 6....great tent pitched in 40 mins...see my gallery

jans

I am 6'2" and have stood in the Kyam QE tents.  I found them too short for me.  I am sure that they are great tents but if height is an issue, try them out first.  If Khyam are something that 'float your boat' that visit Camping World at the Frensham Garden Center near Farnham in Surrey.  I think they displayed the entire Khyam range.

http://www.campingworld.co.uk/tents/tents-khyam2007.html

All good suggestions - many thanks. Think I know better where I'm going with it now - a 5 or 6 berth dome with removable 2nd bedroom when I don't need it.

Khyams - There has been a camping/tent exhibition on in my town and I caught the tail end of it today. Loads of tents out on show with many Khyam "easy erect" and including the XL Classic (which I had singled out as my best hope)...

So just as I was looking at the XL a lady (a girl guide leader who has another easy Khyam already) had bought the display model and was just taking it down. Nice lady - but I was not impressed. It looked no easier than any other dome and they seemed to struggle unlocking and folding the supposedly easy joints. Not impressed, and I'll not be paying extra for a Khyam.

I like the Coleman range better (normal fiberglass poles) and truly believe I could put it up and down just as quick - and for half the price. I'm just compairing it with the Outwells and others kindly suggested above, and the Starcamper. I think smaller domes are quick and easy as they are.

I'm glad the lady bought the tent - I'd probably have bought it myself and regreted.

hi

i've just bought a coleman darwin 5 and am really impressed and we got it up in about 30-40 min (test pitch) and I picked it up for £199 from www.yeomans.co.uk