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Topic: Any recommendations for a tent?

ascotiel

17/5/2013 at 8:14pm
Location: None Entered
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Hi all

Im fairly new to camping as a single woman . I have 4 children age range between 9-2 yrs. the 9 yr old could probably help me a bit with pitching but Im basically on my own.

Im thinking of getting an 8 man tunnel tent with a bathtub groundsheet, the footprint, carpet and porch. But Im really not sure if this is the easiest type to pitch by myself though Ive been told it is.

Can anyone give me any pointers re type of tent and also are there any make or models that are going to be better for me . At this point , while I would prefer as cheap as possible, i would rather go for one that is quicker and easier to pitch rather than the cheapest .

If there are any other hints and tips as well re camping Im all ears :)

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gari

17/5/2013 at 8:47pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4

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The tent I have can be pitched single handedly (Outwell Nevada L) but I'm sure there must be lots of others. Yeomans, tent manufacturers and retailers have videos on youtube of how to pitch tents - these videos and the reviews on this site may help you.

If cost is important my advice is to look on Gumtree and Ebay to identify potential second-hand tents then check the reviews on here for more information before buying/bidding.

Good luck

1Man1Dog

17/5/2013 at 8:49pm
Location: Gwynedd
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A tunnel tent is an easy option. As the poles are all usually the same length and can go anywhere. You don't have to worry about putting the blue one in the blue coded sleeve, the red in the red coded sleeve, and so on. It's a case of any pole in any sleeve.

What is your budget? That way people can give you suggestions that suit what you can afford etc.

1Man1Dog

17/5/2013 at 8:51pm
Location: Gwynedd
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Also check out the solo campers and single parents group on here.

I am yet to join them, but many people who camp alone or as single parents meet up. The meet ups sound like fun.

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Katieep

17/5/2013 at 9:22pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Xplore 422

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Have you thought about a Bell tent as these are easy for one person to pitch. Pricey though so would depend on your budget.

ascotiel

17/5/2013 at 9:37pm
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I'll spend what it takes tbh . Id rather spend less, but if for example £800 will get me something that is better in for example, quality, pitching etc etc I would rather spend that than go for a cheaper example that will make my life harder. My intention is to buy a tent now that will last us for years. Ive tried to look on Youtube etc for easy pitching but Im not getting anything - must be putting in the wrong seatch words - any clues re this! (absolutely clueless as I said!) Many thanks to everyone who has posted so far!

Stu1377

17/5/2013 at 10:50pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Kampa Studland 8 Air Pro

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Hi. Have you considered an inflatable tent?

We have the Vango Eternity 600. The first time we used it was on May bank holiday weekend. My partner looked after our little boy while i pitched the tent. From unrolling the tent to finish guying out took me 12 minutes. the good thing about them isn't just the speed in which it goes up but how easy it is for one person to pitch it.

I admit though, they are a little pricey. We paid £950 for the tent, footprint, extension and carpet and we got the 5 pole matching windbreak thrown in for free!

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Stu

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gari

17/5/2013 at 10:55pm
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Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4

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There are a bunch here but if you have a tent in mind just google the name of the tent with the words pitching video . eg Hartford xl pitching video....

And Gary from Cross Camping has just posted this showing one person (mostly) blowing up an inflatable.

Post last edited on 17/05/2013 23:01:49

hankakampa

18/5/2013 at 1:17am
Location: uk
Outfit: Karsten - sun storm - doesnt matter!

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For easy pitching by yourself, I too recommend an inflateable BUT ask to check the weight of the bag with the tent in it 1st - they can be incredibly heavy to lift / move but once in place then it does go up quickly and you then just have to out pegs into the tent and guy ropes like you would a regular poled tent.

They can be pricey too but they are easy to put up. Vangos inflateables are from around £600 up to £1500, the kampa s around £1000- £1300 ish and Outwells from £1100 - £ £1650, karstens from about £1500 to £5000+

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scotsgordon

18/5/2013 at 6:14am
Location: Swansea
Outfit: Hobby 650 UFF

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ive got a 4 metre bell tent which is incredibly simple and quick to put up, for your number of people though i'd go for a 5 metre one. there are several companies selling them, just search under bell tent.

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Katieep

18/5/2013 at 9:53am
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I must admit if it was just me and my girls I'd get a Bell tent. Its not just about whether you can get something pitched, its about the time it takes. Children can get up to all sorts of naughtiness and boredom if it takes too long. They're really stable too and because they're canvas won't be as noisey. Lots of kids are fine with the noise a tent makes in the wind but my youngest didn't like our polyester tent in the wind cos of the noise.
They're also really pretty and can be very easy glamped-up (think that is a word!). Have a look at some of the pictures in the review sections.
Ooh and I'd go for a zipped or sewn in groundsheet too as I think they really add to the snuggness

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campernan

18/5/2013 at 10:12am
Location: merseyside
Outfit: Outwell Nevada M and Gelert Cabana 4 t

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Iv just bought a gelert cabana4 purely based on reviews from this site, as I have back trouble and struggle putting tent upon my own, Its on its way as we speak, so havnt tried it yet, its a case of watch this space....
I like the idea of a bell tent but they are a bit pricey for me personally, and I like the separate bedroom pods, the cabana solved all these issues, I hope it meests up to my expectations

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pnoguer

21/5/2013 at 3:19pm
Location: Bilbao - Spain
Outfit: Hypercamp Eldorado - Coleman Bedrock 2

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I would recommend a 5 m bell tent. Tunnel tents are not as easy to erect for a sigle person, because you have to bend the poles throgh the sleeves, and it might be difficult. The cons of a 5 m bell tent are the weight, the lack of flat walls, and the pice. But so simple to erect.

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