Hello campers.
I have sold my camper van and I'm going back to canvas. Tents have moved on so much since my last purchased nylon 3 man jobbie!
So has my life we are now two adults, child and dog.
Anyway we are going to be in Europe for six months, staying 3 months each in two places, we have a small car.
We are looking at a 6M bell tent or even a huge 7M one, and have also seen the emperor tent which is based on abell tent.
I also saw the most luscious lotus tent but its too heavy and too pricey at £1500 for 5m.
So we are trying to decide can anyone advice any pros and cons between them?
Can we stand up in much of the 6M tent?
Is the emperor much better headroom?
The shape is not as appealing but is it wokrth it for inside space?
Is 7M just over the top?!
Or does it allow for much more headroom?
Thank you x
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A bit concerned about the 'small car' bit. I have a 4m Bell Tent, new - haven't used it yet. But it's at the limit of what I can carry and it's going to take the full width of my boot with not much room to spare.
Hi thanks for reply..yes...I know what you mean! I'm thinking of getting one couriered over actually, maybe from obelink direct to portugal ...getting it home im not sure..maybe I'll just stay ;)
So I guess my question relates more to living space!
I don't know where you are going but you might struggle finding a pitch for such a big tent. Dutch camping forums are full of comments stating that pitches in Spain and
Italy tend to be quite small and most bigger ones get booked a year in advance. France has a lot more campsites but it will still limit your choice.
Also 6 months of camping in a cotton tent could result in mould. See what happened to this owner of a smaller bell. Karma Canvas
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for the 7m tent. We have the 7m bell from boutique camping and went to that tent from a new Wolf Lake 7 and love it....,although it is huge! But a doddle to put up.
It's definitely possible to camp for 6 months in a cotton tents but there are some things that you have to bear in mind.
1. You probably can't use the tent for many years when it's pitched for that long of a period at once. Probably about 2 years.
2. You have to ventilate and clean you tent on a regular basis to avoid mould. You should clean the canvas about one or twice a week with just plain water and a brush/cloth. This will swipe off any mould spores. The spores are always in the air but when the cotton is damp, these spores will become mould and you can't clean mould from canvas.
The Emperor had more headroom than the 6m bell tent.
You should clean the canvas about one or twice a week with just plain water and a brush/cloth.
I think trying to clean such a big tent with a brush/cloth would be quite a challenge.
Since you are planning to go away for so long would you not consider a cabanon biscaya made from all season polyester or Baco? Much more expensive but probably more suitable for such a long trip.
I understand - I am not going to try to convince you to buy something else. I have a bell (5m) myself as it ticked most boxes for me and breathable fabric was on my list too. But once the temperature exceeds 25C it is going to be too hot inside anyway. It might not be as hot as a in an all season polyester tent but still too hot. What really matters then is the number of windows you can open etc.
If you still prefer a bell - you might be better off with a smaller 5m bell and a big awning for some protection from the sun. It all depends on the size of your pitch really
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I like the ZIG which allow for a full removal of the lower skirt of a bell tent for this purpose but will also be sure to get one with two doors for this reason
Cheers
Think we will go for 5m or maybe 6 m but 7 is probs over the top for the three of us!