Presently looking for a pup tent for my son and I've noticed a fair few of the models ie Vango Alpha 300, use inner tent first pitching method. I always thought that to be a faff, especially if pitching in the rain. However, I've never owned a tent which uses this pitching method so I'm after advise please. Would it be more difficult or time consuming than flysheet first?
The Vango 400 looks a nicer size, does anyone own one,would I get away using it as a pup\/
Cheers
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Not had the tents you mention but have a an inner first on large tent. It is tricky if pitching the rain and we did have to bail our tent out once. We also found it tricky getting the fly sheet off and folding it on wet or muddy ground.
Many of the outer first tents 'pitch in one' so the tent can just fold in on itself.
Like I say though, ours was alarge tent
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we've had both,but there isn't much to chose between.the flysheet first is good if its raining.The last tent we had was a vango diablo 900,which was inner first,but as said,wasn't any worse to erect.only prob we had was if it was really windy,as you had to pull flysheet over the top,it could be like a kite if you were slow
good choice..I have never seen the advantage in an inner first tent....its not only when pitching but when taking your tent down, everything can be kept dry under the fly untill the last moment...
The Vango Delta 300 or Delta 300+ is a fine size for a pup tent, pitches flysheet first and has a good sized bell end...or two, in the case of the 300+. It's got more head height than the Alpha too. It's beebn discontinued quite recently so if you look around you might find a bargain ot two.
Pitching inner first is only an advantage with the tents that have the whole interior within the inner .There is an arguement that these tents are more insulated to the exterior temperature conditions, which experience with my Aspen seems to bear out . But in the real world , especially for solo campers, flysheet first, or all in one has to be the way to go .
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Numbersix
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Well, as we say on this site, 'I've gone and done it'! After much deliberation, I bought a Black's Cygnus which is classed as a two man tent but is bigger Vango Sigmas and has better head room, good porch, also it has a 3000HH, beating the Vangos 2000HH. It also has a light and battery pack thrown in and a special uv coating to stop it's occupants 'boiling in the bag' on a hot sunny morning. It also has my prefered flysheet first pitching style. Usually £89.99, bought it for £59.99, a bit more than the Vangos but I think, a good buy for the money.
The tent went up in the garden the minute we came home as my son was so excited. We are planning to camp next week for a couple of nights however the forecast doesn't look that great.
Thanks to everyone for your advice. Here's a photo-