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Topic: wekend family tent

roodi

12/6/2015 at 4:09pm
Location: None Entered
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Just returned from windswept Shell Island which very nearly wrecked my Outwell whitecove 6 tent.Subsequently the family and I are looking to purchase a smaller family tent which would be suitable for weekend camping and not so susceptible to stronger winds.
Mom, dad , 13 yr old , 10 yr old and Labrador.
Mom and dad only 5ft 6 in tall.
Any recommendations please.I don't want to spend too much money on this second tent.
Will be returning to tackle Llanberis path up Snowdon in late August and would like campsite recommendations for the family please.

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kazo2014

12/6/2015 at 7:18pm
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I don't think the problem was much to do with the tent, but more to do with its position, after years of going to shell island we found that it was not the wisest move to face out to the sea! we always went in the first field on the right of the security gates and although we have had a few rough nights at least we wherent leaving the gear in the skips the following morning

Bob61

12/6/2015 at 7:35pm
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I can't recommend any specific tent but I note that the Whitecove 6 is a fibreglass poled tunnel tent and will, therefore, sway alarmingly in high winds. My suggestion is to look at some tents with metal poles as they are far more stable.

osca2002

12/6/2015 at 7:47pm
Location: Dorchester
Outfit: De Waard Albatros & Papegaaiduiker

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Try Cae Du Campsite. We stay there most years. Lovely.

http://www.caeducampsite.co.uk/

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roodi

13/6/2015 at 11:24am
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Agree that steel pole tents are better but size and cost ruled them out.
Are dome tents better in wind than tunnel tents?

Bob61

13/6/2015 at 1:55pm
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Quote: Originally posted by roodi on 13/6/2015
Agree that steel pole tents are better but size and cost ruled them out.
Are dome tents better in wind than tunnel tents?

It's debatable...I used to have tunnel tents with fibreglass poles and although they swayed alarmingly in wind they always seemed to spring back and I never had any catastrophes. What prompted me to change to metal poled tents though was that immediately prior to then I had a large dome tent which one would think would be more stable with crossover poles, but in actual fact it sort of twisted in the wind and nearly laid flat!!

I find the advantage with metal poled tents as well as being more stable is that they are usually uniform height throughout. There is no struggling to thread flexing poles through long sleeves either. The tents themselves are not necessarily bigger but they can be more heavy as metal poles are quite weighty but I carry the poles separately to the tent so split the weight.

I wouldn't go back to all fibreglass poles now although my present tent is a combination of both. I struggled a little to afford the first one but if well looked after they tend to keep their price and sell well second hand so the next one isn't such a hardship to afford...although camping is getting more and more expensive all the time unfortunately.

Katieep

13/6/2015 at 4:32pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Xplore 422

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It is a lot quicker and easier threading steel poles compared to fibreglass

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Hacksaw Bob

13/6/2015 at 5:32pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Various tents

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Quote: Originally posted by osca2002 on 12/6/2015Try Cae Du Campsite. We stay there most years. Lovely.
http://www.caeducampsite.co.uk/

UKCS listing to the above Beddgelert Cae Du Campsite (not to be confused with the coastal one at Rhosllefain near Tywyn Cae Du Campsite)

Campernic

13/6/2015 at 6:19pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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What about a Bell Tent? I have a polycotton 4m but for you a 5m would be needed.

I survived a force 7 gale in my Bell recently, having the one pole means it has a windshedding shape. Admittedly it was still a bit scary but the wind was extreme!

You can get in to the whole glamping thing if you want, but I have enjoyed weekends away as much if not more when I didn't bother with the cushions and decorative bits. That central pole lends itself to fairy lights, but that's just a practical thing never mind the glamping (doesn't hurt though!)

Cooking in a Bell is a bit different. It seems more practical to have a way of just making hot drinks indoors, and take a barbecue for outdoor cooking. The stove can be brought in and out as needed. If it's not windy you can put up a tarp and windbreak and make an outdoor kitchen.

My Bell came from a German company, but they are selling through Amazon uk as well and the brand is 10T.

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