Looking at getting one of these but just worried about it been such a big space.
I used to camp in outwell tents and never used any sort of heater. I'd be wanting to use the tent from end of may through to end of sept only.
Space in the car is limited. Plus I don't really want the hassle of having to set the stove up for a weekend away. So ideally I don't want to get a stove.
I'd be happy to use the bedroom compartment if that makes a difference to temp? Not sure how thick or thin the bedroom compartment structure is, is it comparable to the thickness of an outwell bedroom compartment?
Other option is to get a 4m tent if that's likely to be significantly warmer. There's normally only me and my daughter and the dog. Hubby might come away the odd weekend but isn't very keen on camping. So I think we could manage with a 4m tent but I'd prefer the space and height of a 4m.
Thanks.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
May to September with an inner in a 5m will be fine
If it's very cold you could always have EHU for a fan heater
4m is warmer, but space is a lot more restricted (although 1 adult, 1 child and a dog would be fine) Pack size isnt that much different between the 4m and 5m
If cost is an issue I would for a 4m ZIG ahead of a 5m seperate groundsheet though
Price isn't really an issue so will go for the 5m zig. I'm getting rid of. My lovely vw camper van mainly due to running costs but also due to the smallness of it driving me mad. So I need to make sure this tent is big enough!
You can never have too much space! Thanks for the info, good to know we should be ok temp wise. Will look at getting a heater for ehu as well.
Quote: Originally posted by binka on 25/10/2011
Price isn't really an issue so will go for the 5m zig. I'm getting rid of. My lovely vw camper van mainly due to running costs but also due to the smallness of it driving me mad. So I need to make sure this tent is big enough!
You can never have too much space! Thanks for the info, good to know we should be ok temp wise. Will look at getting a heater for ehu as well.
Have you considered a side awning for your VW?
-------------
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I've got an awning for the VW, but I'm not getting to use it much and the running costs vs hours spent in it aren't making it worthwhile. I need something that I don't need to tax, insure, MOT, service, etc.
No tent is going to be that warm, its thin cloth. Canvas tents might be slightly warmer than nylon & a sig will be less drafty than non sig, but its the right sleeping bag that keeps you warm. If you want a heater, easiest best bet is to use ehu & a fan heater.
No, you don't need a stove for a 5m bell tent. What you do need is appropriate clothing (thermals, fleecy gear, waterproof gear etc) and good sleeping bags. Also, don't go to bed in damp clothing - getting the stuff you wear at night damp is a quick way to get cold. A really good way to keep warm is to eat properly as well. And if you have a covered over area outside the bell tent, i.e. a tarp, then you can have a nice fire (even if it's in a BBQ) outside. Stove in tent is nice, but far from essential in our climate.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Thanks, will give it a whirl without and see how we get on. I've got what was a good sleeping bag, a four season snugpak one. But it's 17 years old so maybe I need a new one, not sure if they get less thermal as they get older.
Binka, same as Pete. My fav bags are older than yours and we slept out under the stars in them on the 1/10/2011 got covered in dew but fine. They are Alaskan Wolf bags BUT also bought last year a pair of Snugpak Winter Bags they are too hot LOL
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
That's good news. I have a Snugpak Elite 5 and it's certainly warm - talk about 'boil-in-the-bag'. And now I've ordered a stove for the tent as well!
I think it's more important to warm yourself, rather than the tent, as the tent isn't insulated and will be constantly cooling down, whereas if you wear the right clothing you can retain warmth. So saying, it would be nice to have a warm tent too. Either EHU or a stove, as there aren't the same carbon monoxide concerns that there would be with gas heaters.