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Hey everyone

Would really apreciate some advice on buying our first tent from you guys if you could spare us a few mins?  We are basically looking for something that would be suitable for two of us, plus our small dog, that would also fit a couple of our friends (if we choose to invite them)  Thought it might be good to make a purchase while the sales are on?  We have seen a few, and were hoping for some reviews or advice if any of you have any of these:

Coleman canyon 6 (seems reasonable price, £84.95 at Towsure and has removable bedroom for trips without friends)

Vango Aurora 600 (Window panels and living space in centre)

Freedom Trail Utah 6 (looks cool and has canopy thing)

and camping friends have recommended khyam ontario 6 (but i think its ugly im sure thats a girl comment!)

Any help would be really apreciated so i dont choose the best looking tent, and him indoors doesnt choose a marquee!

Hope to hear from some kind soul soon!

In my view you can't beat a Vango tent. I would recomend the Oregon 600 which is a good sizeable tent with a removeable bedroom. It also has a sewn in groundsheet which is a must in my view if you have a small dog.

It's easy to erect and is very spacious with a good living space and main bedroom is also a good size. I don't know how much you are willing to spend but I am sure you will get agood deal in the sales. I have used the Aurora and this is also a very good tent

If you think that the 600 is to big the 400 is again an ideal size.

Hi Blondiebags,

Do you have a big camp supplier nearby that has tents erected? If you can get inside a few, it helps to decide what size and layout appeals to you. Staff should give you a low-down on what of their stock sells best and what's easier to erect (as they erect them for the display). It's really hard to advise on a make or model as it's such a personal choice. Unless forking out for a canvas tent, the huge ranges on offer these days seem similar quality, but of course do a search (on here maybe) to check for any regular gripes about certain models you're interested in.

Great place to oggle tents (from afar) is at a large campsite ... we all do it, there's always a better looking outfit to be peered at!

If you want to pitch and pack-up after a few days, look at smaller models that are usually (not always) easier to pitch. Think about storage space at home, boot space and space for other camp gear/luggage and check out it's packed dimensions. Bigger tents with higher ceilings are easier to get dressed in and relax in luxury when the weather's bad but can be a faff to erect if one or both of you are alot shorter (I've been enveloped a few times by our Coleman tri-space). Most campsites (uk and abroad) can easily accomodate large tents but you may have to pay a few quid extra per night. 

If you plan to camp out of summer months, think about internal comfort and space and maybe a porch/ canopy to shelter the gas ring. Most leisure tents claim to be weather tight over 3 seasons and unless you opt for half way up Everest, you needn't look at specialist tents (although they do look pretty cool ... but small of course).

Absolutely go for looks! there's a buzz to be had in pitching your pad and admiring it!.

As this is your first tent, I imagine you'll be forking out for extras too (mattress/cooking stuff) . It can be relatively inexpensive to buy a good tent and there's always e-bay to sell it on if you're to up-grade or just change scenes later. Saying that, we bought an all singing/dancing  canvas tent last year but still can't part with our first tent (coleman). The canvas is more comfortable in cold\wet weather but the coleman has proudly withstood many a rotten storm.

No apologies for not telling you what tent to buy, the pleasure is in the searching! I'm not aware of any 'dodgey' makes, maybe others are, but given it's a level playing field, enjoy the search and keep us posted.

Quote: Originally posted by blondiebags on 30/1/2008

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Hey everyone

Would really apreciate some advice on buying our first tent from you guys if you could spare us a few mins?  We are basically looking for something that would be suitable for two of us, plus our small dog, that would also fit a couple of our friends (if we choose to invite them)  Thought it might be good to make a purchase while the sales are on?  We have seen a few, and were hoping for some reviews or advice if any of you have any of these:

Coleman canyon 6 (seems reasonable price, £84.95 at Towsure and has removable bedroom for trips without friends)

Vango Aurora 600 (Window panels and living space in centre)

Freedom Trail Utah 6 (looks cool and has canopy thing)

and camping friends have recommended khyam ontario 6 (but i think its ugly im sure thats a girl comment!)

Any help would be really apreciated so i dont choose the best looking tent, and him indoors doesnt choose a marquee!

Hope to hear from some kind soul soon!

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You got friends who camp!!! ????? they can't be normal!!! Get yourselves up to the NEC, I'm sure you must be able to scab a lift off aomeone who is going who lives near you!!! Apparently loads of tents on display up there!!!

I agree with Adam's thinking about going for a Marquee, all you need is carp weather and you'll appreciate it!!! The worst mistake newbies make is not buying a big enough tent!

The only problem I can see with the Coleman Canyon 6 is the amount of living space when you have friends with you!

Vango is a great make, as is Outwell (at a price!) Kyams can be heavy and bulky, depends on whether space is an issue!

Oh well, keep looking! The new ranges should be on display from the end of March!

H

Thanks everyone for the replies, i really apreciate it!   This forum seems really friendly and helpful-so glad it was recommended!  (Thanks Haribo1 & Fossil!)

Ive taken all your advice on board and will be visiting our local Towsure at the weekend with him indoors and hopefully that will help us decide

Then the next decision will be where to stay first- do campsites mind us drippy newbies staying just one night to break us in gently, the ones that i have looked at seem to do minimum 3 night stays?

Many thanks A x

Newbie campers aren't drippy, blondiebags. Us -slightly -more -experienced campers can be more drippy when it comes to attempting to pitch... we've managed to pitch in the wrong pitch, well, across someone elses pitch (there were no clear hedges, that's our excuse for our dumbness) and I've been swept away whilst trying to hold our tent and keep an eye on the kids a few times. What we have found over the few years we've camped is that fellow campers are mostly marvellous and helpful and oft when we've made prats of ourselves, a cold beer and cheery smile has been offered.

I'm surpried at the 3-night booking rule you mention, when we've camped out of season, we've never booked and have stayed one-night without extra cost. During peak season at a popluar site it is common to have a minimal stay, but even end of Aug., we've had one-nighters. But! if you want a taster, to pitch one afternoon and pack-up the next morning is a fair amount of work .. maybe a two nighter isn't such a bad idea?