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Topic: which awning? Bear lake 6

dbice

25/6/2012 at 6:32pm
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iv bought a bear lake 6 tent which as standard comes with a "sun canopy" over the front door.

id like something more sheltered especially at the sides and a little bit longer too.

i dont know whether to go for the official/standard bear lake front extension - which is basically like an open ended tunnel

or ...

iv read that some folks use the Montana tent front awning - this has a front to it which can be rolled up if the weather is nice or completely closed in and it supposedly "fits" the bear lake - although i do wonder about this as the bear lake tent is quite a round profile ( almost shaped like a traditional railway tunnel ) and the montana tent is more square.

i just think that in windy weather, the open end of the bear lake front extension leaves it vulnerable to damage, rain can come in a fair way and it ll be draughty.

what have others on here done and thoughts / recommendations / experiences.

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traciemills

25/6/2012 at 7:06pm
Location: Rugby
Outfit: None Entered

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I too have just purchased the bear lake 6, I did not know about the Montana 6 fitting it, how interesting, I look forward to sharing your replies with you if you dont mind that is?

I imagine the Montana 6 extension is cheaper too? Is it the same colour? Polycotton?

Tracie

:))

dbice

25/6/2012 at 7:45pm
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hi tracie ...

yes please! Do share any info - luv to hear others experiences and what works!

im bit confused by the montana range tbh, there seems to be the montana lake, the montana 6p and the montana deluxe - the lake version is polycotton and you can get a montana lake polycotton extension for it.

but not a front awning!!!.

however the 6p and the deluxe which are the same shape of tent but in a different fabric are available with both extensions and awnings! ( the awnings have the covered in and zippable front - the extensions are open ended in case you didnt know - its confusing! )

id like the covered in front which can be zipped up if the weathers nice - so preferably id have the montana awning but it would have to be the 6p - which is Not polycotton but it is green to match the bear lake tent!

however - just to let you know, iv just about an hour ago ordered the official bear lake front extension from Go Outdoors on their telephone order line.

go outdoors list the bear lake 6 front extension at 279.00 inc free delivery.
but i had a look at camping world online who lists the bear lake 6 for 225.00 plus 4.50 for delivery.

so i rang go outdoors to order the front extension, quoting the online offer from camping world and that i had rang camping world to confirm they do have it in stock, and they do ... so go outdoors beat it by 10% and so iv just paid 203.39 for the extension - saving 75.00 so im pleased to have the original extension for this tent.
but at some point in the future i may also buy the montana 6p awning so i can have the choice of either open or closed in options depending on the weather as the awning/extension isnt really a large item to have in the car so id have the luxury of choice lol - its terrible this addiction to equipment!!!.

i however wont be buying the side extension as its open ended and its quite short - seems a whole lot of money and bother for 1metre of canvas outside the side door wich isnt even protected from the elements if it starts to rain and theres a breeze as everything in there could get wet!

andyfisher

25/6/2012 at 8:28pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2

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Youll love the front canopy! It lets you stay outside when it's raining! I prefer open ended for this reason, with the closed awning may as well go inside the tent! I got a Montana lake canopy for arrow lake. Some minor alterations to make it fit!

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traciemills

25/6/2012 at 8:45pm
Location: Rugby
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Wow... GO are very good at deals, I have just done the same with the Bear Lake Tent, I found somewhere selling it for £795 so they beat it and took 10% off so can get it for an amazing price of £715......

My dilemma is, I have the offer of a 2009 model for £650 with carpet, side extension and footprint....

Hence why I have asked for help on here but I am not getting any replies... do I go for the brand new tent with flimsy polyester bedrooms and the slightly less quality from outwell or do I get the older one with extras that has only been used for 1 fortnight holiday...

I am just stuck as to what decision to make... Any suggestions or opinions welcome...

xxx

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Life is For Living As You Only Live Once :))

andyfisher

25/6/2012 at 8:56pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2

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If its only been used for 2 weeks then that sounds great. You get the extras too. You could sell side ext and buy front canopy instead. Also depends if you like the striped bedrooms too!

Debhill

25/6/2012 at 9:54pm
Location: Northampton
Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder Q6 X Trail

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Our friends used to use a Monty extension with their Bear. Look at the photo gallery. It isn't polycotton though. The colour is a fair match.

We have the front extension. It is very long so the wind and rain doesn't come all the way in. We wouldn't have bought a closed one if it was aavailable. We like the fresh air. If it's too cold we'll go in the tent.

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tonyb21

25/6/2012 at 9:57pm
Location: Hull
Outfit: Elddis Rambler 550 Frinton 4 Classic

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We have the bear lake front extention on our bear lake at the moment. It is great - really love it

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2016
Feb - Bridlington CC Site
March - Bridlington CC Site
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Aug - Thorpe Hall

dbice

26/6/2012 at 12:04am
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hi debbie

i dont know if it helps but the earlier 2009 model tent has a grey curtain / doors to the bedroom pods. the later model from go will have the newer striped green curtains/doors.

its a personal thing i feel, i just prefer the green as its brighter and when your outdoors the green is a natural colour like the vegetation ( well up here in scotland anyways where it never seems to stop raining so everythings green! lol )

but then your getting over £200 of extras with the 2 week old tent! i feel your dilemma! id probably be very tempted to go for that and then sew or have sewn in some green fabric for the curtains/doors!

i like andyfishers idea of selling the side canopy and putting the funds towards the front canopy instead!.

the choices lol - all part of the fun!

let us know what you decide to do!.

( btw, just as a way of comparison, i paid £711 for my 2011 model with stripey curtains, inc foot print, carpet and delivery )

Gadget Woman

26/6/2012 at 3:19pm
Location: Reading
Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 6 Vango Evoque 400

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As for an awning on a BL6, I recommend making one! I bought an Outwell windbreak - the polycotton one, some side velcro and some nylon, woven tape. Took about an hour to make and works really well. The spare panel is used as a windbreak. Easy to do and packs away smaller than the bought one (cheaper too). the windbreak comes in 3 sections - all with clear windows. Use a panel each side of the existing porch to extend it - is exact fit.
If I knew how to post photographs - I would do this to show you, but I don't know how to do that!

Gadget Woman

26/6/2012 at 3:24pm
Location: Reading
Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 6 Vango Evoque 400

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I have just added a couple of images to my profile so you can see what I'm trying to explain.
p.s. I meant to type "wide" velcro in prev post.

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