I picked up this Andorra on eBay for £50 and was pleasantly surprised how good condition the canvas, inners and curtains were in though disappointed to find a broken metal c-clip and missing spikes from the bar that separates the two kitchen area supports. My disappointment was short lived when I found a Cabanon repair kit on the internet which contained exactly the items I needed - I guess this must a common problem with this style of tent that has the protruding kitchen area.
The tent is up in my garden now ahead of a trip for the Mrs and me to Belgium this weekend. I bought this tent as i wanted a large single sleeping area which could take an airbed and leave us a bit of room for bags and stuff. Here are some pictures I took in the garden today
There is one problem I couldn't get sorted out straight away and that is one of the poles has been bent out of shape so will get that replaced at some point in the future after our first trip away.
Other than that I am very happy with my £50 tent!
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Personally, I'd rather pay more for a "perfect specimen" than have the "hassle" having to make do and mend a bargain.
But one thing is certain... the more I see of these old framey bungalow doodahs, the more I like 'em!
"Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow....", as the saying goes!
Looks like a early model of the Andorra - no window on the right hand side and no side door on the left. But £50 is superb value and once you get it up on a site people will be giving her admiring glances. Had ours 10-years and very little has gone wrong with her. Most of the bits & bobs you'll need to keep her ship shape and Bristol fashion can be found on eBay, Attwoolls or the Forest Camping Center.
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Photographer to the stars
2013
May - Knockengorroch Festival
June - Eden Festival
July - South Lytchett Manor
July - Dorset Naturist
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Quote: Originally posted by sjray on 19/8/2013
There is one problem I couldn't get sorted out straight away and that is one of the poles has been bent out of shape so will get that replaced at some point in the future after our first trip away.
Other than that I am very happy with my £50 tent!
Whereabouts In Essex are you? I have a spare set of Andorra poles hanging around and I'm sure I could spare a leg........
Quote: Originally posted by dmsplat on 19/8/2013
Sjray - Good job on bagging a bargain tent!
Mucker - I'd rather spend £50 on a tent like this, £5 on some parts and an hour's pottering than spend £1000 on a decent new tent!
But you're right - there is something special about a frame tent, don't know what it is, but they're fab!
Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of no broken metal c-clip, no missing spikes from the bar that separates the two kitchen area supports, and no bent poles.... and shall we say, erm, £80?
Quote: Originally posted by sjray on 19/8/2013
There is one problem I couldn't get sorted out straight away and that is one of the poles has been bent out of shape so will get that replaced at some point in the future after our first trip away.
Other than that I am very happy with my £50 tent!
Whereabouts In Essex are you? I have a spare set of Andorra poles hanging around and I'm sure I could spare a leg........
Hi 3madboyz,
I'm in Upminster (RM143BA) but happy to travel to find a better leg! It's the front right (looking face on) that's bent. Check my profile page and you will find my email address. Thanks, Steve.
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Quote: Originally posted by OberonFoto on 19/8/2013
Looks like a early model of the Andorra - no window on the right hand side and no side door on the left. But £50 is superb value and once you get it up on a site people will be giving her admiring glances. Had ours 10-years and very little has gone wrong with her. Most of the bits & bobs you'll need to keep her ship shape and Bristol fashion can be found on eBay, Attwoolls or the Forest Camping Center.
There is a door on the left hand side of this tent. I got my spares from Forest Camping Center. I've been swapping out some springs this evening while packing away and found a useful tool for pulling out stretched or broken springs, it's a 'Draper 24317 Brake and Headlight Spring Hook' and can be found on Amazon.
Bargain! The problems aren't big ones as long as the canvas is good. We have an Andorra, it's a lovely, solid tent and I love the kitchen area being shut off from the living space. Enjoy it
Helen
Quote: Originally posted by sjray on 19/8/2013There is one problem I couldn't get sorted out straight away and that is one of the poles has been bent out of shape so will get that replaced at some point in the future after our first trip away.
Other than that I am very happy with my £50 tent!
Whereabouts In Essex are you? I have a spare set of Andorra poles hanging around and I'm sure I could spare a leg........
Hi 3madboyz,
I'm in Upminster (RM143BA) but happy to travel to find a better leg! It's the front right (looking face on) that's bent. Check my profile page and you will find my email address. Thanks, Steve.
It's been a year since I bought this tent have just come back from a trip with it (and the wife) to Belgium and France where it held up very well with no problems dealing with a couple of thunderstorms. The tent is just the right size for the two of us, room for our table and chairs, and easy to put up.
Last year I managed to fix the buckled pole by cutting it back and fitting a piece of steel tubing which turned out to be a strong and robust repair. A few of the pegging rubbers are going and that's an easy thing to fix.
On the 'nice to have list' would be a sun canopy for some additional shade which i'll keep an eye out for on here, eBay etc.
It was an absolute bargain for £50 I'd say. I love the kitchen door, it makes me think I need a tent like that! I need another tent like a hole in the head actually but if I found one for £50 too....
I quite like furbishing up older tents too, a bit of TLC goes a long way with a basically sound tent like this.
I have noticed with this tent having a plastic roof that rain water does not always run off it not pegged out correctly keeping the roof taut. I woke one morning to find the roof over the kitchen area bulging with trapped rainwater. Another Cabanon tent I owned with a canvas roof didn't seem to have this problem. I just need to make sure I've pegged out correctly (plus I have made up an additional roof support now from a piece of 22mm aluminium tube and a couple of C clips).
Managed to pickup a sun canopy on eBay though paid more for than the cost of the tent. It's arrived and in very good condition so worth the extra money. Tightest pole springs i've ever come across. Also been promised a Cabanon utility tent from my sister so I'll have a full Cabanon rig soon! Will put up some pictures when it's all out together. With this warm weather I might be going away at the end of the month if it holds out.
If you have EHU go the end of the month regardless (unless another hurricane is due) .
Halloween is always our last chance to camp for the year so unless it's going to be cold, wet AND windy we go a few nights with extra layers and fan heater to take away the chill in the evening & morning. So long as you have a roof liner to catch the condensation and remember the poles also get wet and tend to drip you'll be fine.