Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Family tent which one person can erect Post Reply Post New Topic
23/7/2014 at 5:30pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL
View Wildcatisland's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wildcatisland Reply   Quote Wildcatisland Quote  
Joined: 23/7/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi

I've got an Outwell Oakland, which is a great tent. BUT, I was widowed earlier this year and I can't put it up alone, my daughter is too small to manage the steel poles and we keep breaking the rear fibreglass one.

I'm looking for something with standing head height, room for two plus a border collie for weekends / longer sumer camping that I can put up basically on my own. Tempted by a Vango Airbeam Genesis 500, but worried the dog might bite the poles (he has taken to attacking the Flymo). otherwise, a Kampa Oxwich 5 or a smaller Outwell without steel poles.

Any ideas of what might fit the bill? Budget is flexible, but an air beam is at the top end of what I can afford

Post last edited on 23/07/2014 18:00:49


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!


23/7/2014 at 7:22pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Tent & Toyota Granvia
View Tigermouse's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tigermouse Reply   Quote Tigermouse Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7818

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Have a look at the Vango Midas 400 - vis-a-vis with good head height and decent sized living area so plenty of room for two plus dog. I got one last year after it being recommended on here and I'm very pleased with it - I camp solo all the time and it's very easy for one person to put up.

-------------
Tigermouse


I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental


23/7/2014 at 8:03pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI
View quilly101's Profile View Profile   Reply to quilly101 Reply   Quote quilly101 Quote  
Joined: 14/7/2013

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   335

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Have you considered a bell tent? My wife can put ours up on her own in less than half hour.


23/7/2014 at 8:12pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.
View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2232
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 12
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 12
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

A Bell tent is simple with just the 1 centre pole. If you don't like them have a look at pyramid tents same sort of principle but the pyramids have windows. Personaly I like the look of the Obelink Alaska.


link


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!


23/7/2014 at 9:16pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bernie47's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bernie47 Reply   Quote Bernie47 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5533
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 23/7/2014Have a look at the Vango Midas 400 - vis-a-vis with good head height and decent sized living area so plenty of room for two plus dog. I got one last year after it being recommended on here and I'm very pleased with it - I camp solo all the time and it's very easy for one person to put up.


I have a Gelert Alaska 4, no longer made but virtually identical to the Vango Midas 400, and it is dead easy to erect single handed. My son uses it now and he loves it.
I have actually considered using it on the occasions that I go camping alone, as it is far easier to erect than the Outwell.

-------------
Bernie


Advertisement



23/7/2014 at 9:17pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View VangoMan02's Profile View Profile   Reply to VangoMan02 Reply   Quote VangoMan02 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3531
Tent Reviews:   7

Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

The Vango Icarus 500 is really easy for one person to erect.
Its a basic 3 pole tunnel tent with one large or two seperate sleeping areas and a decent living area.

Well within your budget and lots of accessories like canopies, footprint, carpet etc should you want them..

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


23/7/2014 at 9:44pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Soulpad 4m bell tent
View stace75's Profile View Profile   Reply to stace75 Reply   Quote stace75 Quote  
Joined: 09/8/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I've got a bell tent, which I can put up easily by myself & I'm a 5ft female. It takes me about 30 minutes & then time for the awning. As I usually camp solo, I don't have the infers. I got mine from soulpad a couple of years ago, they did a sale which I think was November time before a price rise in January, if you can wait I would as I saved loads. I have also found that soul pads customer service to be fab & they have copies of the instructions online so you can download.


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!


24/7/2014 at 7:16am
 Location: stoke on trent
 Outfit: Bailey 75-2
View paul+kate s-o-t's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+kate s-o-t Reply   Quote paul+kate s-o-t Quote  
Joined: 03/10/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1319
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

Has your dog attacked the steel poles of your current tent if not why would he bother with airbeams
The genesis looks a good sized tent for two and a dog and has a good living area for the size of the tent

-------------
April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
May Peak District Duke of York
May Holland Delfse Hout
June Cotton Arms Nantwich
july/aug Cornwall Pentewan Sands
And quite a few local weekenders


24/7/2014 at 8:13am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL
View Wildcatisland's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wildcatisland Reply   Quote Wildcatisland Quote  
Joined: 23/7/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I've been investigating bell tents.

Paul+Kate, no, he never has attacked the tent, but until last week he hadn't attacked the lawn mower either, but he went for it the other night.

The Vango Icarus was also on my list, but both that and the Genesis are currently sold out locally. That will teach me to dither.


24/7/2014 at 10:04am
 Location: stoke on trent
 Outfit: Bailey 75-2
View paul+kate s-o-t's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+kate s-o-t Reply   Quote paul+kate s-o-t Quote  
Joined: 03/10/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1319
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

Paul+Kate, no, he never has attacked the tent, but until last week he hadn't attacked the lawn mower either, but he went for it the other night.
I do apologise but the thought of the dog attacking the lawn made me giggle
Our dog attacks the Hoover but is quite happy lying on the grass while I mow around him

-------------
April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
May Peak District Duke of York
May Holland Delfse Hout
June Cotton Arms Nantwich
july/aug Cornwall Pentewan Sands
And quite a few local weekenders


Advertisement



24/7/2014 at 5:35pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL
View Wildcatisland's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wildcatisland Reply   Quote Wildcatisland Quote  
Joined: 23/7/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

It made me smile too, once I'd ascertained he still had four legs!

He's sufficiently scared of the Hoover to leave it alone.


Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!


26/7/2014 at 8:42am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View VangoMan02's Profile View Profile   Reply to VangoMan02 Reply   Quote VangoMan02 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3531
Tent Reviews:   7

Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1

Quote: Originally posted by Wildcatisland on 24/7/2014
Hi.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I've been investigating bell tents.

Paul+Kate, no, he never has attacked the tent, but until last week he hadn't attacked the lawn mower either, but he went for it the other night.

The Vango Icarus was also on my list, but both that and the Genesis are currently sold out locally. That will teach me to dither.



If you are still looking, Gooutdoors have the Icarus 500 back in stock. Tent, footprint and carpet for £250 or tent only £189.99.
Got an email this morning with all the offers...

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


28/7/2014 at 5:59pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Kampa Frinton Classic Decathlon Air
View 100_mph_pennine's Profile View Profile   Reply to 100_mph_pennine Reply   Quote 100_mph_pennine Quote  
Joined: 26/6/2007

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   140

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I've had this same consideration for tents as I have camped mostly with my two daughters over the past couple of years.

Luckily my girls are now trained in the art of pole holding while I run round like a loon to get the main guys pegged on the Kampa tunnel we camp in for the main camping weeks in the summer.

The two main options as mentioned are the airbeams or a bell tent.

As a consideration for a third option - for weekends we also use a quechua 4.2 family pop up tent - which is really easy to pitch alone, getting it back down alone is an artform though, but is possible - honest. If you've got a decathlon near you, they'll be able to give you a demo of putting it up/ taking it down hopefully - they did when I went to buy one. This coupled with a tarp is probably sufficient for you and your daughter. It's not the biggest tent in the world but it depends on how much stuff you intend to take, etc.

Although, if it was me, I'd go for the airbeam.

Hope you have a lovely time with your daughter.



-------------
Paul, Amy(13) and Poppy (9)


28/7/2014 at 7:50pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango beta 450; Outwell Hartford XL
View macburns36's Profile View Profile   Reply to macburns36 Reply   Quote macburns36 Quote  
Joined: 27/8/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   24

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 7
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi I had the same issue - female single parent with two younger children(then 8 & 6) - needed a tent I could carry (!) pitch easily and quickly by myself in bad weather too. Had been using a Vango beta 450 which was great but too low and after a week I couldn't stand up outside the tent either. (we have an outwell Hartford which is a fab tent but you need 2 adults and it takes 45mins).

I purchased the Vango Icarus last sept at a very cheap price of £160 from Decathlon as I thought it ticked all my boxes - HOWEVER - It doesn't and I am going to return it as it is still under guarantee. I ignored the reviews about the poles splitting as I am an experienced camper - but one shredded on the first use and another on the second (luckily I had some gaffer tape as a repair job).

It feels really flimsy and cheap quality. I did think about getting some spare poles from Blacks as back up, but I am also not keen on the zips on any of the doors - you def need to use both hands as they catch all the time (not great for kids!).

The living space inside is huge though if you really need it, but with dogs you might be better with the two bedrooms at either end of the end and the lounge bit in the middle?   

I've been told I can get a full refund so am happy returning it! Good luck :)



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6016 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder