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Topic: Go for the 4M belltent or the heavier 5M

EveB

09/4/2013 at 4:06pm
Location: West Berkshire
Outfit: Vango Vail 700 Bell Tent 5m Standard

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I have now after much deliberation decided to buy a belltent from Karma Canvas, hooray! I had decided to go for the 4M as I want to be able to take the kids camping on my own when my husband has to work. The weight of the tent was the biggest issue for me, we currently have a a Vango Vail that is 33kg and far too heavy for me to put up hence the purchase of the belltent.

The 4m weighs is at 24kg so so much more manageable than the 5M which is 31kg, however, the lovely people at Karma Canvas emailed two photo's of the interiors of the 4M and the 5M. The 5M looked so much bigger and now I am thinking that the 4M is too small for a family of four plus a dog and we will soon outgrow it and would 7kg of extra weight really make that much difference?

I have been advised that I can unzip the groundsheet from the canvas to help with the weight when pitching and separate into three bags to help with getting it in and out of the car. I am slightly concerned that I won't be able to lift the center pole up on my own but I could always ask for help or get the kids to!

Any advice from someone who owns a 4M or a 5M will be very greatly received. This is an expensive purchase so I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Thank you

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P-T Family

09/4/2013 at 4:32pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: 5m bell tent & Vango Peace tepee

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I've got a 5m and I can put it up - make sure you waft some air into the tent as you're doing it as this helps and don't peg down the grounsheet too tight as a bit of slack helps (and you can sort once pole is up). Hardest bit is getting it in the car which I leave to my other half!

P-T Family

09/4/2013 at 4:36pm
Location: Norfolk
Outfit: 5m bell tent & Vango Peace tepee

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If you need to see more pics to help you decide check out the bell tent reviews on here, as well as the gallery pictures on official websites/Facebook pages for Bell Tent, Soulpad, etc.

scotsgordon

09/4/2013 at 8:47pm
Location: Swansea
Outfit: Hobby 650 UFF

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I have a 4m, but there are only 2 of us and whilst there is plenty of room for 2 I think you would be better off with the 5m

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Paper clip

09/4/2013 at 11:47pm
Location: north west
Outfit: Emperor Bell & 4m & 5m bells

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I have a 4m and a 5m and would definitely say go for the 5. There really isnt enough room for all of you plus your gear in a 4m. With regards to pitching I am 5'3 and have back and neck trouble and I can pitch both tents single handed with no trouble, saying that I couldnt lift the whole thing in one bag so as long as you separate the components for lifting them in and out of the car you will be fine.

All of us, thats 2 adults and 3 teenagers plus dog (a fat one) can camp comfortably for a week in the 5m, the 4m however would struggle to sleep 4 plus gear.

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armchaircamper

10/4/2013 at 12:52am
Location: Aberdeenshire
Outfit: Several tents and a hammock

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4 metres sounds big but because of the sloping walls there's not all that much standing room. If I have my chair in the tent it has to be near the centre to avoid touching the tent roof with my head.

Also I have found with the 4m that I can't fit my campbeds between the pole and the outer wall so have them side on to the wall. As the wall is curved it means there is a semicircular wasted space beyond the bed.

Obviously you'll have more or less space depending on how much furniture you want to fit in the tent. I know that two of us can be comfortable in the 4m but I wouldn't like to try to fit four in.

I've looked out one or two photos of the 4m which might give you an idea of the space that the two of us have with some of our setups. Note what is and isn't in the pictures (tables, chairs, etc.):

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Sarah

robnchar

10/4/2013 at 11:17am
Location: Notts Derbyshire
Outfit: Soulpad 5000tribe Vango 450

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We have a 5m Soulpad Tipi plenty big enough for 4 . We've looked at other smaller Tipis and bells and although you can sleep 4 or more there isn't room to spread out and remember you need extra space for the woodburner when you get one

Bells and Tipis are great but they do have big disavatages if there canvas . You seem to want a lighter tent our Tipi is 32kg dry . Wet it's 40kg plus .
For short breaks 3 nights or less we use our small tents Vango Equinox 450 which will sleep 4 but very cramped so for more than 1 night our girls 9/12 have there own tent . Wild country duolite tour .

I'm not trying to put you off a bell there great . But the sun doesn't always shine and beutifull isn't always practical .

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EveB

10/4/2013 at 12:33pm
Location: West Berkshire
Outfit: Vango Vail 700 Bell Tent 5m Standard

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Thank you for the all the information and the photographs. It seems the 5M is winning the battle of belltents as the one to buy!

I am trying to be practical and consider the weight of the tent, however, I have always wanted a belltent. I bought a little Outwell Padmani last year for when the kids and I went camping on our own and for when we went to a festival, it's a great little tent, easy to put up and takes up hardly any room in the car BUT I didn't love camping in it and it was just the practical rather boring choice.

You are right robnchar that the sun doesn't always shine and beautiful isn't always practical BUT after being practical last year with the Outwell purchase, I want to buy a tent that I can really really like if that makes any sense!

robnchar

10/4/2013 at 2:32pm
Location: Notts Derbyshire
Outfit: Soulpad 5000tribe Vango 450

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You have well balanced advice and I think you get the pros and cons of a bell / canvas .
I would buy a 5m then if it's not working for you sell it early . You will loose very little value if any and if it right you may have aren't for life !
I can see our daughters borrowing our Tipi in years to come !

Rob

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