We currently have a huge sleeps 9 Coleman (can't remember the model name) which has 2 3-berth bedrooms, an inner tent and a large awning. However, we now have to replace all the poles as several of them split last year so we're expecting the rest of them to go shortly! So, instead of doing this we are thinking of buying a smaller tent as we don't really need one this big anymore!
I've been doing some research but the perfect tent is still eluding me. We want one that will fit on a standard pitch (so less than 5m x 9m) with 2 proper sized bedrooms (they are 2 adults, a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old) which doesn't actually sound too difficult to find. However, we have found the awning part of our current tent invaluable for cooking when it's wet or cold or just first thing in the morning when we want a cuppa before going out into the world and this is the bit I can't find.
A lot of tents have a large porch but this is open to the elements so although actually undercover doesn't look like it will provide much shelter (or privacy for 7am cuppa's). Also lots of tents have large inner tents but you're not supposed to cook in these and with 2 small kids I wouldn't want to risk it!
Any suggestions, gratefully received.
Thanks
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My sister had the Outwell Vermont and that was hard to beat for versatility and space. Lovely front awning for the cooker etc, loads of space in the middle for living in and two bedrooms at the back. She didn't use the wardrobe/storage area but some find it extremely useful for storage or even a porta potti lol.
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Check out the Kampa range, they are great value and really good tents, we have the Lulworth 6 and love it to bits. Just come back from Cornwall and it has with stod all the really wind and rain no problem, and its great in warm condition as you can open all the windows and doors down to mesh to keep out the bugs.The tent reviews are on this site are worth a look
Have you looked at the Vango Maritsa 5 berth or 7 berth, with enclosed porch, separated from the main living area of the tent, so you can keep the stove out of the play area...?
I have come to the conclusion this week that there is no such thing as 'the perfect tent'.
I want my Outdoor Revolution Scenic 6.2 with fibreglass poles and a SIG...
otherwise known as a tent with
2 decent bedrooms (so a 6 man), not vis a vis
large 3 x 3 at least living area
opening doors with mossie mesh on both sides of living area and at the front
sig
fibreglass poles
1.9M headheight minimum height in the living area
Christine
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Quote: Originally posted by xtinexoop on 02/6/2010
I have come to the conclusion this week that there is no such thing as 'the perfect tent'.
I want my Outdoor Revolution Scenic 6.2 with fibreglass poles and a SIG...
otherwise known as a tent with
2 decent bedrooms (so a 6 man), not vis a vis large 3 x 3 at least living area opening doors with mossie mesh on both sides of living area and at the front sig fibreglass poles 1.9M headheight minimum height in the living area
Christine
I know what you mean - having gone through all the tents out there - I still come back to our large tent being the best for us out of the current designs: The Vango Columbia 600.
Now if there was a Columbia 600 (with its current 2/3 bedroom arrangement, steel poles, enclosed side porch, sloped full or half opening front for windshedding, large open living area, TBSII) in 100D polyester/ polycotton with a retractable front canopy, zipped inner divider and flymesh on all doors then you'd have our ideal tent.
I am seriously considering making some mossie nets for the doors on our StarCamper5 - it still won't open up on all sides, but at least it would be bug proof... although I might still persuade DH to invest in the Quecha 6.2XL air which I think has everything I want except the sig.
I'd love a 8 man vis a vis with an offset front and back door (to let the breeze right through) but with loads and loads of windows! Only tunnel tents have good windows...but vis a vis have one piddly little window each side!
It would have to be sig.
It would be nice to get it for £150 or thereabouts too.....
And something other than green or blue would make a nice change....
2nd vote for Outwell Vermont.We have two children, one of which is a baby and we wanted somewhere where we could sleep as a family - the bedroom pods unzip to make one large pod - that could also end up as separate rooms when the children are older and want their own space (or more likely it will be us wanting our own space!). The living area has a 'walk in wardrobe' which can be used for all sorts of storage or removed if you don't want to use it. We have a carpet down here so it is clean and soft for our baby to play on. At the front there is a fully enclosed 'annex' which you can do your cooking in, store bikes, wet weather clothes etc. I love this tent! We have the L but you can also get an XL if you want 3 bedrooms. The downside is they are not cheap. We bought ours at the end of last season heavily discounted but not sure how cheap you will find them mid season. Hope you find the tent you are after!
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