Hi we are family of 4 - 2 adults 2 young children new to the world of camping (I went and loved as child but nothing since). Been to a couple of camping shows and really liked the look of Wynnster Mercury 9 (2009) due to a seperate room for toilet and for all the clobber that comes with kids! Also husband liked the headroom and the intergrated porch and I liked the idea of sewn in groundsheet. However good job they were out of stock when we went to order as when looking into pitch fees a little more when we got home I discovered that the pitch sizes for sites like Haven / Park Resorts is 6 x 6m and others with C & CC are even smaller!! Having tried looking for a tent that will fit this size I am stumped unless I either am prepared to lose the extra sleeping compartment. How picky are they with tent sizes on sites? Do they come round with a tape measure or do they allow an extra 50cm or so and can the guy ropes overlap this? Or does anyone know of a tent to suit our requirements. Sorry prob sound like complete newbie - but we are!!
Post last edited on 03/05/2009 21:04:10
Post last edited on 03/05/2009 21:58:38
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Hi and welcome aboard, we have a large tent and we need a pitch approx 8mtr x 8mtr so we tend to stay away from Haven and more commercial sites, but even these sites will still let large tents go on there tent/rally field as long as you don't need EHU (electric hook up) alot of sites will accomodate large tent ring around a few and ask don't just go by there websites. good luck
Hi. Our tent is pretty large, and totally understand all you say about needing space due to kids! I think it's about 8m x 8m.
One thing with a tent this size is that it takes a fair amount of time to set up (i.e. pitch, and get all the stuff in ). As a result we've only used it twice for 'weekends', but repeatedly for 5 night breaks.
We have been to 3 commercial sites, and 2 group camping situations (returning over a period of years), and have never had a problem due to its size. But we do always make it clear when phoning regarding availablity how big it is.
One way to try to get more pitching space is to take week breaks that begin mid week . It is what we usually do, and as a rule we get more options.However, I realise that this is not always practical . As more campers aspire to larger tents , site owners will probably charge more for the privilige during peak periods , or open up additional facilities and probably both!!!
Choose a tent that suits your needs. A toilet/ storage annex is useful , but also consider any tent with additional bedrooms that also be put to such a use . As for the Haven issue , it depends if you can tolerate noise till late . Best camping imo is where you can free pitch-I find that site owners and fellow campers are more respectful and friendly . Happy hunting!!
------------- Be seeing you!!
Numbersix
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Thanks for all yr helpful replies - Craig B - if you avoid Haven Parks are there anything similar which include indoor swimming pools and maybe even child entertainment?