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Topic: What tent do I need

CampingNewbie2015

05/2/2015 at 10:39am
Location: London
Outfit: None Entered

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Hello.

First post here as hoping to get into camping this year. So I guess i'll be needing a tent !

I think I've narrowed it down to the Vango Orava 600 but I wonder if I've missed any other choices that also meet my criteria. The ONLY niggle with the Orava 600 is the 7.25m length which seems to be an issue on some camp sites as I will be needing/wanting EHU. So do you know of any other tent that fills this brief:

3 bedrooms that can be split into 3 x 2berth or 1 x 2 berth plus 1 x 4 berth
Tunnel design
Living area
Porch big enough to sit in if sunny (saves on gazebo packing). Needs to be able to be zipped up.
Poles rather than air (cost)
Polyester (cost and weight)

Think that's it. My 3 year old son insists it should be purple but it's not a deal breaker

So have I missed any other contenders?

Many thanks.

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HEJC72

05/2/2015 at 4:09pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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My Khyam Ontario is 7.5m x 3.7m and I have never had a problem with the size of this tent on any site we have visited and we always have EHU.
I know there are a few sites that have size restrictions but these, I would say, are in the minority.
If the Orava 600 suits your family needs then I would go for it as you will find there are more sites that will accept it than won't.

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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum

CampingNewbie2015

05/2/2015 at 8:16pm
Location: London
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Thanks Helen that's really reassuring. I think the added space will make all the difference to whether I become a camper or not so it's good to hear that we won't have too much problem finding pitches.

HEJC72

05/2/2015 at 11:27pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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No problem.
As I said, there will be sites you come across that can't accommodate your set up. One site we had planned to visit said their pitches were just 6m x 6m including guy lines! My modest sized 4 berth tent wouldn't have fitted on a pitch that size, so we just looked elsewhere.

Happy Camping xx

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

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RachlN76

06/2/2015 at 12:08am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Vango Maritsa 700; Isis 600 + canopy

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I think your son has got it spot on. All tents should be purple!

Mucker1884

06/2/2015 at 6:32am
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings

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I'm with Helen... any doubts, just check directly with the site. If it doesn't fit, look elsewhere. There are still numerous, and wonderful sites that will comfortably accommodate such a tent. The "right" tent should be priority, then the site, imo. Do not, under any circumstances, buy a tent that suits the site, but doesn't suit your family!

-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
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youlbury

06/2/2015 at 9:23am
Location: Cornwall
Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario

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Quote: Originally posted by CampingNewbie2015 on 05/2/2015Hello.
First post here as hoping to get into camping this year. So I guess i'll be needing a tent !

I think I've narrowed it down to the Vango Orava 600 but I wonder if I've missed any other choices that also meet my criteria. The ONLY niggle with the Orava 600 is the 7.25m length which seems to be an issue on some camp sites as I will be needing/wanting EHU. So do you know of any other tent that fills this brief:

3 bedrooms that can be split into 3 x 2berth or 1 x 2 berth plus 1 x 4 berth
Tunnel design
Living area
Porch big enough to sit in if sunny (saves on gazebo packing). Needs to be able to be zipped up.
Poles rather than air (cost)
Polyester (cost and weight)

Think that's it. My 3 year old son insists it should be purple but it's not a deal breaker

So have I missed any other contenders?

Many thanks.

That looks like a great family tent despite it's green colour..what is wrong with purple?. are you looking at the XL version? Gary Cross has a a package deal on this tent on his website.

Ovara XL package

I was thinking maybe the Kampa Croyde 6 or even 8 too, not entirely sure how the rooms divide.

Please take the advice given,buy the tent your family needs, some sites may have small pitches...they are not for you. It's your family and your holiday, comfort and space is essential especially with children, I think Vango have some great tents coming in for 2015 and this looks like one of them.

Whatever you go for buy the accessories to go with it at the time if you can, there are hundreds of threads on here wanting canopies, carpets and footprints for tents that have been discontinued.

If I had a carpet or canopy available to sell to every thread wanting one here I would be sipping on cocktails now rather than coffee.

We have two tents with canopies that are similar widths and lengths and never had a problem getting a pitch and some with loads of room to spare.

Post last edited on 06/02/2015 09:37:30

Post last edited on 06/02/2015 09:39:23

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

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

CampingNewbie2015

06/2/2015 at 5:31pm
Location: London
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Thanks everyone. You've made me feel like I've made the right decision. Gary Cross has a great deal on this tent so I'm going to visit a shop this weekend just to see some tents this size and vangos in general in the flesh then I'll be ordering from him.

I think if I get something smaller I won't enjoy the experience as much and I won't want to go out in it.

I'm not ashamed to admit I am NOT a back to basics camper lol

Ruthos

08/3/2015 at 5:55pm
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Have looked at the spec of the Vango roa a and in my opinion the Kampa hayling 6 is definitely a strong competitor. I think the porch of the Kampa offers much more useable space as the porch area on the Vango is slanted.
Just a thought.

liamjf

09/3/2015 at 1:18am
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Hayling has two bedrooms. (And is smaller)
Croyde has three and very similar size to Orava 600XL however, (and this is a big however for me) the front porch whilst initially seeming to offer more useable space is not enclosed in any way. (Same with the Hayling). Kampa do offer a vestibule (ie another door to put on the front to enclose the porch) but this is another £115 making the Croyde £635 with carpet, footprint and enclosed porch. The Orava is £499 and slightly bigger!
I went to see the Orava today (At the family tent shop). They didn't have a Croyde 6 to compare to but did have the Airbeam version which was very nice but it's £945. Interstingly, the Airbeam version does have an enclosed front porch built in.
I'm leaning towards the Vango Orava 600XL but still not totally decided yet!

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