After much thinking and searching of the internet and these forums we are thinking of one of three tents - family of 2 adults, 3 kids and dog.
- second hand Cabanon Aruba with bedroom annexe and sun canopy £400
- lightly used Royal Winnipeg £500
- new Wynnster Perpignan 6 Poly Cotton.
For the past four years we've been using a cheap Sunncamp £80 tent and with the kids getting older we need some more room.
In terms of erecting them and pack size are there any of these three that are much quicker or more compact than the others - which would people go for ? Any advice ?
Thanks
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I think you can get all the pack sizes and weights from the tent reviews.
In terms of pitching, all the PC tunnel tents will be roughly the same difficulty I'd guess, more or less.
We bought our new tent, a Wolf Lake 5, a couple of months ago after considering lots of options. One thing that stood out to me was that not all polycotton materials are the same, and it's not at all obvious how to find out the specific makeup of the materials. In the end I decided to
see each one of the contenders up close and go on the 'feel' of them - entirely subjective of course.
As far as the Cabanon is concerned (not something I know much about), I think we're talking a 100% cotton frame tent, in which case I'm presuming it would be quite a bit bigger per unit ground area, with a very different system of pitching to the tunnels.
I'm assuming you're not considering the Kampas due to the groundsheet, and the Outwells due to the price tag.
I looked at the Kampas but the Polzeath new looked above what I'd like to spend, the Holkham model didn't have three sleeping areas like their Filey model does - if that option had been there I'd have thought about it.
The Wolf Lake is a bit above our price range even used - plus I'm not sure how easy something that big would be to pitch - though the same goes for the other PC tunnels I listed the WL looks that little bit bigger again though I could be mistaken on that.
I guess I'm trying to balance getting something with more space and comfort with not going overboard and buying a canvas hotel IYSWIM. I went to a tent exhibition and saw an Outwell Arkansas and whilst it's easy to get seduced by the space and forget it's us who will have to put it up, take it down and lug it around ;)
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You're absolutely right: it's a balance between lots of factors, and in the end we had to go for a certain level of compromise. The pack size of the WL5 is quite a bit bigger than I'd have liked ideally, but it was something I was prepared to deal with. I justified (rationalised?) the extra cost of going for the Outwell by considering not only what it would be like to use, but also the resale value if I manage to look after it well.
BTW, I would suggest that if there are two able-bodied adults pitching any of these tents I can't see you having too many problems.
The Aruba may take up more space in the car, but frame tents are really easy to erect, canvas tents last for up to 30 years, you can cook inside if the weather is bad, it won't feel like waking up in an oven in hot weather yet it will be warmer if you camp in cool weather.
If you have enough space in the car, then definitely go for the Aruba
How much space would the Aruba take up bagged - compared to say a big poly cotton tunnel like a Royal WInnipeg / Bear Lake 6 etc.
Part of the thing that stops me just getting one is they are an unknown for me - whereas I've been in the big tunnel tents and know the pack size and know they are doable in our car. I do have a Fiat Doblo which is pretty big but no trailer and we have 3 kids and a Belgian Shepherd to fit in there too. I don't want to choose between taking the tent or the kids.
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Quote: Originally posted by popsider on 04/8/2010How much space would the Aruba take up bagged - compared to say a big poly cotton tunnel like a Royal WInnipeg / Bear Lake 6 etc.
Read the tent reviews for all the pack sizes and weights. Be warned: the tents rarely pack down quite as small as manufacturers suggest. It looks like the Aruba will be a bigger pack than one of the polycotton tunnel tents. But you may want to check that out in detail for yourself. Just click the tent review link at the top and do a search for each tent then scroll to the bottom.
BTW, I think the idea behind using polycotton for tents is you get the benefits of cotton with a little less pack size and weight. Some people love 100% cotton and would never have anything else. It's a moot point as to whether or not PC performs materially (!) better than, the same, or worse than cotton for waterproofing/breathing/warmth (and as I said there seem to be quite a few variations of PC, and thicknesses of cotton also), but in general I think the pack sizes are noticably smaller and lighter for the same amount of square footage.
In terms of bang for your buck the cotton frame tents, if you get a good one, look like superb value for money. And they've certainly demonstrated they last if you look after them. The PC tents, as I understand it are a relatively new innovation so don't have the same kind of track record.
OK have gone with the Cabanon - very nervous now having not been in a frame tent for 35 years ! Did go and see the Royal but I thought for me the living area was out of proportion to the bedroom space - depends what you want I suppose. Hopefully it's dry tomorrow so I can trial putting it up in the garden.
Quote: Originally posted by popsider on 06/8/2010OK have gone with the Cabanon - very nervous now having not been in a frame tent for 35 years ! Did go and see the Royal but I thought for me the living area was out of proportion to the bedroom space - depends what you want I suppose. Hopefully it's dry tomorrow so I can trial putting it up in the garden.
I'm so happy, another happy camper soon to arise, you will never look back.
Enjoy
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