Hi all, what a fantastic site! Just discovered this so thought I'd seek some advice from all you other lovely campers. We've been camping (in a tent) before & we've also had a folding camper which we sold a couple of years ago. We've recently realised that we miss the camping scene and so are now thinking of getting either an Outwell Montana 6 or Idaho L....but, can't decide which one. The Monty seems to be very popular but I like some aspects of the Idaho, i.e. the skilights, separate beds & dressing area as our son is now 13 and might like to bring a mate with us this does afford us some privacy. There's only me, hubby, son and a small dog (whose barking mad!). Anyone got an Idaho? Any advice is greatly received.
What fantastic weather we've had today in the South!
Cheers, Jules
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Hi. We were (until this afternoon) having exactly the same dilemma. I went over to DW Camping (Bognor) in the hope of seeing both erected. The very knowledgeable owner told me that they had put up an Idaho but had decided not to stock it because of concerns over longevity - he did tell me what the concern was - something to do with it being too tight at certain points. The Montana looked great and that is what we are going to go for. I haven't read a bad review about the Montana and it was really bright and airy; we are a family of 2 adults + 2 kids and expecting a dog - it looked heaps big enough for us and all our gear. I am also going to order the extension because for longer stays it looks really useful.
That's very helpful Di thank you for that. We've been swaying towards the Idaho but now I think the Montana will be better. There are alot of positive reviews about the Montana aren't there, in fact I've not seen one bad one. I think that bearing in mind the amount of money we're spending we do actually want it toa last so the Monty will probably win. Are you getting the extension or the canopy? Am I right in thinking the extension is fully enclosed?
I have just placed my order with Outdoor World. If you click on the words larger image below the picture you get a slideshow of images. I ordered the extension (rather than canopy); the extension is enclosed at the sides - not the front - but will make a super shelter for cooking and eating in drizzly or windy conditions. The picture on the site doesn't really show it off that well, but it is great.
Outdoor World seemed the cheapest for the two products combined (£299 + £79) and includes delivery costs.
I've also ordered some Delta ground anchors - we will be camping on a cliff top in Brittany (in July) and, after a few exciting nights in high winds in the Vango last year, I am looking forward to a bit of stability in the new tent!
------------- Diane
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we have got the monty and love it. up tp last week we had a folding camper but after using monty for the last 2 trips we decided we would not be using fc again so bit the bullet and sold it. we have the extension and it is a very useful bit of kit i would not be without.
We have been looking at a lot of different tents recently as we are going to upgrade at the end of this season and the Montana is definitely the one in the lead at the moment. It has a real cosy feel about it. We have seen it up with a canopy and extension and they are both great additions to the tent. We think if we do go with the Monty that we will get the canopy as the extension is quite large and we think its bigger than we really need. Saying all that, like you, I also like the layout of the Idaho L. I like the space in front of the bedrooms and also the large porch area at the front. Somebody did mention to me in a previous post that they had read a review that people with the Idaho sometimes have problems with pitch size! This may have been the XL though. Its a good job I enjoy going to tent shows really as there are some many to choose from I can't make my mind up
Thanks everyone for your input. Know exactly what you mean Lynne, the more I look the more confused I get. Anyway, there's a tent exhibition near us next weekend and I think they'll be a couple of Outwell models for us to look at.
Glad there's another ex-folding camper on here kateboo - thought I was going mad going for a tent and not another camper! Like the sound of the extension so if we go for the Monty, think we'll go for the extension too - afterall, size does matter!!!
Jules
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I bought an Idaho L a couple of months back and got to test it on Shell Island over the Whitsun bank holiday. While we were really impressed with the sturdiness of the tent during the high blustery winds there is one serious design flaw.
The main living area roof has 2 fibreglass poles in a cross to create a dome and they are attached to the roof by 4 velcro loops and 4 sewn in corner pieces (2 of each per pole). Due to the wind hitting the dome at such a force it was pushing against the poles making them burst out of the velcro and inverting themselves so they hung down and the roof flapped. This happened repeatedly until i tied the poles together at the top of their arc, a slight improvement, and zipping up the tent inner, a vast improvement but a pain.
All said and done though it's a great tent due to its layout and we were 1 of a handful of others on the island left standing....literally!!!
Thanks for the review ToffeeNick. We were at a tent show at the weekend and saw an Idaho XL which had actually been pitched next to the Monty 6 so we were able to have a good look at both. We really couldn't decide so it was left to our teenage son who actually preferred the extension on the Monty so after much agonising (and sleepness nights coz I couldn't decide) we finally opted for the Monty.
We really did like the look of the Idaho though but what a shame about the dome issues you had - that would've really annoyed me too! I think then we've made the right decision for us.
Hopefuly next time out you'll have calmer weather!
I think the only way Outwell will solve the dome issue is to use curved steel poles instead of the fibreglass ones.
A workaround i'm going to use is a nylon spider that fits under the fibreglass poles to keep them inline and together, then support the spider with a parosol pole to stop the poles flexing in the middle of their arc.
The internal layout of the Idaho is what swayed me over the Monty, the changing/bedroom areas in particular, as the wifes new to camping and i wanted her to have some privacy when getting dressed from the boys instead of being put off it