We currently have a Montana 6 which is quite old with an awning which is only a couple of years old. I was planning on getting a new Montana as the old tent has a few mould spots etc.
But then after looking at other tents, I have come across the vermont XLP which would have more bedroom space (we are a family of 4 who don't camp light) & seems similar to the Montana with awning but can pitch all in one go.
Does anyone know how the living space & kitchen space in the vermont XLP compares to the Montana 6 with awning attached? It looks like the kitchen part at the front would be smaller than the Montana.
Also, if anyone has the Vermont, how do you get in the tent without rain getting in? We have been used to having the porch on the Montana, it's a shame the Vermont doesn't have one.
So basically, which is better, the Montana 6 with awning or Vermont XLP?
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From a quick look at the floor plans of each tent, it would appear that you would get a total of 6.3m living space from the Montana plus awning and you would get a total of 5.5m in the Vermont.
That's only a difference of 800mm. When you take into account that the dividing wall between the kitchen area and the inside area of the Vermont is vertical rather than sloping (as it would be with the Montana plus awning), I think you would get more useable space in the Vermont.
We had this same dilemma a few years ago when comparing the Montana 6 with the Vermont L and we decided on the Vermont L.
I'm not sure about the Vermont XLP but our Vermont L has a detachable bathtub groundsheet for the kitchen / porch area. We removed ours when we first pitched it and have never used it. That way we get more ventilation in the area that we use for cooking and we can use the porch as our main entrance area, removing shoes before entering the main part of the tent.
If i was faced with the same decision again, I think i would opt for the Vermont again.
Thanks for your reply it's really helpful. Think we have decided on the vermont as like you say the space is probably more usable and we could also get the side awning!