Message Forums

Probably been asked before so i apologise.

Can anyone give guidance on what could be considered to be the fastest or easiest family tent to pitch (If there is such a thing). I have considered various trailer tents but have had to discount this. At the moment with 2 hyperactive kids putting up a wind break can be stressful so any suggestions would be great.  

How many people is the tent for?

I have the Licata 400 which is ideal for 3 and I can pitch this solo in about 20 minutes (I'm a short unfit mum of 3)

Our Khyam Ontario 8 takes 2 of us about 30 minutes to erect - perfect family sized tent.

Have you seen this thread? Probably won't get anything quicker than this.

Wear the kids out too   

Thanks, for the replies. I'm after a tent for me the wife and two monsters.  Had a look at the thread. A blow up tent. Very novel but a bit pricey. Its going to be for a first go at camping and i don't want to go to mad just in case the tent spends the rest of its life in the garage. However, i don't want to buy a load of rubbish which makes the experience a misery. I happy to consider 2nd hand but with so many makes if difficult to judge which is any good..

What would be your top 5 in terms of brand?

A popular 1st time quality tent is the Vango Icarus 500. There is an upgrading of spec for 2011 including higher level of waterproofing, flymesh on both outer doors and darkened inner tents - about £150-£179 new. There are many 2010 models available too at cheaper prices. 

It has proven one of the most popular tents and you really get quite a bit for your money in terms of features and quality. If you get on with camping you can either use it as a weekend tent and get a bigger family tent or just add the optional extension for more space.

Helen

Hi The Daws

What sort of budget do you have in mind? And is that just for the tent or do you need to get other things as well?

How long will you be camping for?

Thinking about the tent, do you want the children in their own rooms?

Should then be able to narrow it down for you...

Budget wise i was looking at around the £200 - £250 mark.

The Gelhert Horizon 6 was one that i have seen and appears to have good reviews, including easy set up. However, i have no idea of the quality. I also like the idea that you can get a porch for it, although there's obviously a cost for this.

The Vango looks better made from the pictures but appears smaller.For a similar size to the Horizon its alot more expensive. 

Any comments of Gelhert over Vango? 

I'd say Vango is better and draws on features and experience from their mountain range tents (e.g. the unique TBSII system of internal straps that reduce sway and potential pole breakages when clipped in place in windy weather), but as with everything its down to personal preference.

If you could stretch to about £275 you can get a new steel poled, 6 man with enclosed side entrance, 5000HH, 2/3 bedrooms, full or part opening front - the 2009 Vango Columbia 600 (RRP in 2009 = £450). Still a few around as retailers for some reason use a pre-production image of the tent with fibreglass poles so people pass it over without looking at the spec. There are canopies currently available on eBay in sage for it (the Vango WIDE canopy). It was in Vango's premium family range and similar to the popular Outwell Montana 6, but at that price is less than a much lower spec fibreglass poled tent.

Helen

Helen and all

Thanks for the advice. The Columbia looks good. just depends on the price. It'll probably be just for weekends but you never know.    

Hi The_Daws

If you were to go for the Vango Columbia 600 give Mike Davies http://www.mikedaviesleisure.co.uk a call. I got mine last year for £225 by phone, delivered no probs by courier. I would also look at the reviews for this tent. The tent is fantastic but you do need to be careful getting the poles onto the pins.

Regards

Trip Hazard

Quote: Originally posted by Trip Hazard on 27/2/2011

---

Hi The_Daws

If you were to go for the Vango Columbia 600 give Mike Davies http://www.mikedaviesleisure.co.uk a call. I got mine last year for £225 by phone, delivered no probs by courier. I would also look at the reviews for this tent. The tent is fantastic but you do need to be careful getting the poles onto the pins.

Regards

Trip Hazard

---

Its a case of not being afraid to pull the pole sleeve along firmly and keeping your fingers out of the way when putting the pole on the pin. My husband must have the knack as he's never yelped yet. I tend to do the easier side of the pole...

Its not really any different for our other steel poled tent though...

Must admit we love our Columbia - so much so we now have two of them. I managed to win a spare complete new pole set on eBay for a bargain and find the other half of the tent sitting all alone in a retailers' store room (total price £125) - both to make sure that our current Columbia lasts as long as possible and to replace it when it finally goes to the tent graveyard... whether you'd class it as quick though? After 2 years of holidays we can put it up in the estimated 40 mins inside and out.

Helen

Quote: Originally posted by The_Daws on 27/2/2011

---

Helen and all

Thanks for the advice. The Columbia looks good. just depends on the price. It'll probably be just for weekends but you never know.    

---

Trip Hazard-Wow £225 was a price for it I never saw anywhere, we paid £295 at the time.

Speedcamp-Agree about pins, it definitely is a case of not being scared! OH does not want th tent to go as everything about it was fab, just me and my thing for Dutch and canvas! lol