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After searching the internet and getting hoplessly confussed I'm hoping you maybe able to offer advice.  We're looking at buying our first family tent 2 adults and 3 kids (8,5,2) for a family holiday in the Summer.  Thought I'd try and pick up a bargin in the sale!  Price range around 200 pounds.  Want something that will stand up to the UK weather.  Plan to use for short breaks/ weekends. We like the look of Outwell Colorado 5 Tunnel Tent - 2008 Model.  New model has steel poles for extra strength.  Advice anyone?

Many thanks

SJ

Hello and welcome to this site. Firdt thing is to go and view the tent you are interested in.looking on the net doesnt allways give you a good idea of size ie i owna outwell montana 6 and i do get 5 people in it but you have to consider the sleeping arrangement and stuff that gets kept in the tent.Be carefull of the stated size of the berths.Good luck in your search

PS have a google for camping stores near you if they are worth there salt they will give good advise. Yeomans know there stuff  

In also the exact smae position see

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=32&TopicID=132144&SearchPagePosition=1&search=whiskyforme&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Author&forum=32&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Bought a Montana 12!!! but at a good price from intertent.co.uk ,

not errected it yet as I am still not sure,  it is very heavy and with all the things we need to carry (chidlren, bikes, etc)  it may be too much. double the weight of the Diablo 600 we currently have. and it is BIG 7m X 4m  and that's without the extension canopy I would be buying to cook in. 

I am worried some sites may charge us for a double plot.

anyway good luck and plenty of advice in the thread shown below or search for listings under my name (Whiskyforme)

Another vote for the lokon vario - we got the 6 man tent. Ideal for the four of us, had 5 at one point - loads of room - 2 adults and 3 children, would be cosy for 6 adults though!!

Easy enough to put up, coped with very wet and windy conditions at the beginning of August last year - we got up several times to check, but all was ok - used twice, hoping to use more this year. Only concern was getting tension right at the front door, need to improve that this year.

Thank you for your replies.  It's really helpful to look at what other people are using!

Carole

I agree going to look at tents set up would be the best option.  Unfortunately we live abroad and we'll be back in UK for the summer holidays.  Thought I'd try and jump the gun and buy now and than practice putting it up when we get to UK before we go on our first trip!

I'll check out the tets other people have suggested, hopefully I'll get a few more and someone whose used the Outwell Colarado!

Cheers  SJ

SJ

We have the outwell indiana 8 for 5 of us as it gives us more living space, the colarado has 1.45mtrs depth of living sace or 2.6 with the panel at the front, you need to think about how much space this will give you when sat in trying to eat etc in the rain. We find the added room a real bonus.

Whichever tent you consider you also need to think about what you will sleep on and if it fits, the 3 berth bedroom is 180 wide but a standard single airbed is 76 so 3 make 228, therefore will not fit. In the Indiana we get 2 single airbeds in a 3 berth pod. So the kids have the 6 berth area at the back and we fit a double airbed in the small bedroom at the front. The number a tent sleep is based on a roll mat not an airbed or campbed.

You will normally need larger than a five berth tent for 5 people. Your best bet is to try and have a look at some so you can judge them better. Something like this is within budget.http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/5023518584829 or this http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/acatalog/KHYAM_INDIANA_8_PS_TENT__2006_.html#a189

Phil+ruth

Thanks for the advice - really helpful regarding the fitting of airbeds.  I think I need to look at bigger tents now. I like the look of the Khyam Indiana and also other people recommended the Gelert Lokon Vario tunnel tent.  Oh decisions decisions!

Regards

Sarah

no problem, happy hunting!!

Ruth