I am going round in circles trying to make a decision about what to do. Our large campus tent has officially bit the dust so I now need a new tent for trips of 4 nights or more. We already have the nevada M for short trips, but it does not big enough to accommodate us on larger trips.
I have a budget of around 550 - 600 and am torn between investing in a new vermont L or going for a second hand polycotton tent (like the norfolk lake or bear lake 6). I can't make a decision lol!!
We are a family of 4 with 2 boys aged 3 and 5. We have just invested in a trailer and also have a roofbox if needs be. We will not be camping outside of the UK. The tent needs to have a universal sleep pod that can open up to sleep the 4 us all together, but with the option to seperate us at a later date. We need a reasonable amount of indoor living space for the kids to play should it be pouncing down (after they have got soaked and muddy of course!!). I like the idea of storing all the kitchen stuff at the front of the tent (ie. where the detachable ground sheet is in the vermont or norfolk lake)although we intend to actually cook outdoors with tarp and a windbreak. We would also prefer a tent that fits on the majority of regular sized pitches.
I love the idea of polycotton and think we will be more comfortable in that in the long run, but budget will not stretch to a new one! Not bought a second hand tent before and feel a little nervous finding a trusted seller on Ebay etc. Was therefore thinking of getting the vermont to be going on with until we can save for a new polycotton and then sell the vermont in the future (and then after that I absolutely adore the look of bell tents and having seen cabanons pitched can't get over the quality........and no doubt, on it will go lol!!!)
Any thoughts / advice welcome!!
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Weve had our Vermont L since 2007 and its still going strong, plenty of room + built in porch thought about changing it last year but theres still plenty of life left in it. We use the Nevada M for weekends
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