Hello everyone, iv posted on the main board so apologies if you've already contributed on that.
Im a single Mum to 11 and 15 year old girls and 6 and 4 year old boys.
None of us have ever camped before but would love to try :)
I have been looking at the Quechua xl 4.2 tent but have been advised this isn't going to be big enough so i'm throwing myself at your mercy.
My eldest wouldnt be able to help pitch so anything I can erect myself or with very minimal help from an 11 year old girl essential :)
It would pretty much only be used for short weekends.I drive a focus and with four children I really only have boot space so it mustn't take up too much room :-/
Budget- as a beginner I have the essentials to buy so need a balance between cost and relibility.
Myself and the children have no concerns sharing bedroom space so it wouldnt necessarily need to have 3 bedrooms or anything, likewise I dont think i'd need a porch/extentions etc.
Anything you can reccommend? I have looked through reviews but there are just so many, a lot i'd imagine discontinued :(
Anything you can offer greatly received (p.s, not keen to buy the tent second hand, just for the assurance of being able to return for a refund/exchange should I have any issues)
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Have you looked at the Vango Maritsa? Seems to tick alot of boxes and is really popular with families, the 700 particularly gives good space. Not sure what the pack size is like. If you can, you need to go to a Go Outdooors or Yeomans or somewhere that has a tent display, and have a look. Take the kids, its important that youre all happy with the choice, and (particularly at Go Outdoors) they are often selling off the display models, so you could get a real bargain, too.
------------- March 2015 Aberford 1 night
April 2015 Skipton 3 nights
May 2015 Aberford 3 nights
July 2015 Lake District 7 nights
August 2015 Aberford 3 nights
Thanks CatAndNett,
I've been to Decathlon looking at theirs and someone reccommended Camperlands as i'm in Manchester.
The Vango Maritsa looks good but I dont think I could justify £500 ish with having to buy mattresses etc :-/
Iv looked at the High gear Zenobia 6 but many people report snapping poles. Shame as that looks like the sort of tent we'd love.
If you like the look of the Zenobia, then I would buy it. I'm not saying that you should discard the reviews but GO sell hundreds of these tents and not all of them have poles that snap! Go have it on offer at the mo, too.
Buying a couple of spare poles so you have them in your kit if needed isnt expensive or a hassle. Most camping shops sell them, and most will fix them for you if you ask/for a fee. As has been said, if the Zenobia is what you like, get it- but deffo have a look in one first
------------- March 2015 Aberford 1 night
April 2015 Skipton 3 nights
May 2015 Aberford 3 nights
July 2015 Lake District 7 nights
August 2015 Aberford 3 nights
Not sure if this helps but we've just bought a quechua 4.2 XL and it is quite roomy - I think you could get away with you and the boys in one room and the girls in the other. The only problem is it is quite difficult to take down and needs two adults probably, unless you have a very strong 11 year old!