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Subject Topic: Single handed family tent recommendation Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonLiztd
16/1/2015 at 12:16pm
 Location: None Entered
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Can anyone recommend a tent that I could put up on my own with a 6 and 3 year old in tow (or brand/feature to look out for)?

We have a Vango Airbeam Infinity 600 which is fantastic for full on family camping trips but I'd love to be able to throw me and the kids in the car and go somewhere for a couple of nights in the holidays when dad won't always be available.

I absolutely love the airbeam system (have put it up on my own at a festival whilst dad brought gear out of the car) but it's not easy to squash down into the bag and I'd like something that is a bit smaller too in terms of internal space and room taken in the car so am open to suggestions.

It's needs to be able to sleep 3-4 and have some space for us inside or I could get some kind of shelter / tarp for outside space too. It must be easy to erect and take down as my attention and patience will be limited due to watching over excited monkeys running around at the same time.

Thanks


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PersonTynxuk
16/1/2015 at 1:26pm
 Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
 Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent View Tynxuk's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tynxuk Reply   Quote Tynxuk Quote  
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I use a canvas 4m bell tent when it's just me and the kids, the company that distributed ours is no longer trading but the lower priced ones are all pretty much the same (Karma, Soulpad, boutique camping etc). It is one pole in the middle and an A frame at the entrance - really easy.

I have recently bought a fishing umbrella for a quick pitch shelter to cook under when needed and should be able to place it over the entrance if needed - not pretty but functional.


PersonLiztd
16/1/2015 at 2:31pm
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Ooh thanks for the reply. I have to admit I'd not considered a bell tent as assumed needed more hands. I love the fishing umbrella, great idea!


PersonCampernic
16/1/2015 at 3:01pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua View Campernic's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campernic Reply   Quote Campernic Quote  
Joined: 28/4/2013

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How about a pop up tent.Don't get much easier than that! There's the Outwell Fusion 400 or a few options in Decathlon.

Decathlon have a Base Seconds which is stand up height, and then there's a inner which can be purchased separately to make it a 'sleeping' tent.

The trick with pop ups is to look at youtube for instruction vids.

Decathlon also have a great tarp with two poles which will create that extra shelter.

Tarp ideas


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PersonHEJC72
16/1/2015 at 4:05pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5 View HEJC72's Profile View Profile   Reply to HEJC72 Reply   Quote HEJC72 Quote  
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I have the Licata 400 which I find is very quick and easy to put up and take down on my own and is ideal for 3, with a spacious bedroom pod (can be divided with a curtain) and a large living area with big windows which let on loads of light.
My 2 camping friends both have the Vango Icarus 500 and again it is quick and easy to erect on your own with enough space for 3 or 4.
The newer version of this tent is called the Vango Isis.

-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


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PersonKatieep
16/1/2015 at 4:35pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Xplore 422 View Katieep's Profile View Profile   Reply to Katieep Reply   Quote Katieep Quote  
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I would be a little wary off pop-up tents - really quick to get up not so easy to get down and put into bag. We've used ours loads but would struggle with putting it back in the bag on my own!


Personyoulbury
16/1/2015 at 8:04pm
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario View youlbury's Profile View Profile   Reply to youlbury Reply   Quote youlbury Quote  
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What about the Coleman instant Dome 5?

Link

Can be had for £85 delivered from Millets by Sunday midnight, I would add the Decathlon tarp for £20.00.


Tarp



-------------
It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


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PersonRachlN76
17/1/2015 at 12:23am
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Vango Maritsa 700; Isis 600 + canopy View RachlN76's Profile View Profile   Reply to RachlN76 Reply   Quote RachlN76 Quote  
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I've got the vango isis 600 and I can put that up on my own.
I imagine the 500 would be big enough for one adult and two children, and that would be a little smaller and easier again.

The main trouble I have is getting the initial pole up. And I have used my children as free labour for this part, I get them to stand and hold the doorway open to help stop getting a vacuum.


PersonCampernic
17/1/2015 at 12:56am
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua View Campernic's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campernic Reply   Quote Campernic Quote  
Joined: 28/4/2013

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I've three pop ups from Decathlon, including the biggest one which I've no problem getting packed back down, but there is a knack.

I've also got a Vango Icarus 500 (same as Isis..named Iris this year has anyone noticed?) and I can also put this up on my own. It just takes a lot more running around from side to side whereas if you've got even one kid to hold the pin in it does make it a whole lot easier. Also use the Cross Camping method (youtube) for erecting a tunnel tent...different make and model of tent but principle is the same.


Personyoulbury
17/1/2015 at 6:22am
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario View youlbury's Profile View Profile   Reply to youlbury Reply   Quote youlbury Quote  
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I can certainly vouch for the Icarus 500... Now my brother's, we miss it and should have kept it for ease of pitching. As campernic mentioned on your own there is a bit of running around getting the rings and pins in.



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It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


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PersonCross Camping
17/1/2015 at 9:21am
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Anything I like !!! View Cross Camping's Profile View Profile   Reply to Cross Camping Reply   Quote Cross Camping Quote  
Joined: 20/6/2007

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If its a poled tent then the Vango Calder 500 is great, just like the Vango Icarus but comes with a front canopy attached, a great value (2014 model) simple, easy tent.

If you like airbeam the new Vango Capri 500 xl is much smaller than your Infinity and is much easier to pack up due the fabric being a normal 75 denier like the isis, Icarus and Calder.

Hear is a link to a video showing how easy it is to pitch any of the poled tents I mentioned above...

Cross Camping Method of pitching a simple tunnel tent.

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Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.


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Personpaul+kate s-o-t
17/1/2015 at 9:21am
 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  
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Take a look at the vango flux 500 or genesis 500 both Airbeam tents


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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


Persongeoffprinter
17/1/2015 at 5:21pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent. View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
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Having watched my 5ft 3in 8 stone wife lug our 5m Bell tent down from upstairs and into the garden and pitch it on her own I can confirm it can be done. We were going to get an inflatable, but decided on the bell as its just so damm easy once you get the knack of it.



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