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Topic: Bell tent-----head battered!!

BRYANMITCH

14/7/2015 at 7:23pm
Location: GATESHEAD
Outfit: Shiney new ALASKAand tent collection

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Have almost made the decision!!! a soulpad 4m ease is the closest I can find to my wish list.Its not an extravagant wish list so shouldnt be too difficult to sort out...should it?

1 4mt belltent
2 must have SOWN IN groundsheet...nothing else would do.
3 must have an entry for hookup cable.
Thats it really. 1 is no problem .2 rules out everybody but soulpad. 3 is obviously not possible!!!
How hard can it be to fit a small cable entry/exit to a tent?

If I wanted a chimney exit -thats not a problem.I have spoken to soulpad to enquire if it would be possible to order a tent with a cable entry fitted(at extra cost obviously) and was told this was not an option---however I could run the cable through the gap where the 3 zips meet! not the answer I was hoping for.
I live close to a shop who would sort this out for me-but I hate the idea of buying a quite expensive tent and handing it over to have surgery.
Seems like my wishlist is a step too far---unless of course----you know different

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Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!

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Pendragoncs

14/7/2015 at 8:25pm
Location: From Wales living in Northamptonshire
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi,

I think there are other companies that do Sewn In Groundsheet versions (SIG).

If 3 is important why not go for the zipped in groundsheet (ZIG), you don't have to remove it all the time but is handy for wet/muddy pack ups as you can pack and dry it separately.

It would also give you 2 other points to feed a hookup cable through.

For info i have a 5 meter ZIG from Soulpad.

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Tents:
Vaude Ferret 3
TNF Tadpole 23
Outwell Nevada L
SoulPad 5000-hybrid-G + the works

geoffprinter

14/7/2015 at 8:36pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.

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Hi Bryan We have a zipped in groundsheet (ZIG) 0n our Bell which has all the advantages of a SIG but with the flexiblilty of being able to remove it if need be. It also has the option of having the cable entry point either side of the door. So I was wondering why you are set on a SIG. This pic shows cable coming out on the bottom right, but can come out other side should the hook up point be that side.

quilly101

14/7/2015 at 9:43pm
Location: Herts
Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI

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Ask if they'll put the chimney exit in the side wall, you can use it for EHU, and as long as its the right height for a side wall stove, would help with resale later on.

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BRYANMITCH

15/7/2015 at 12:15am
Location: GATESHEAD
Outfit: Shiney new ALASKAand tent collection

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Thanks for the replies...The s.i.g is a must or mrs.mitch wont co-operate! Personally-I think the less zips-the better in a tent mainly because where theres a zip theres a way in for wind and/or water.Only my thoughts as I have never owned a tent with a z.i.g. i would always use a footprint so hopefully the s.i.g would stay clean.
What are your thoughts on a 4mt bell for 2 people Geoff? I think yours is a 5m Karma ..great photos by the way..all helps to convince the mrs! I have plenty of space in pick-up truck so could easily move up a size.
Never heard of that being done Quilly..but it would work for me..more research needed.
Ive been looking at a german make..die jurte. They do an "integrated " groundsheet.Still awaiting a reply as to what that means.
Im switching to bell tent for a number of reasons.I now have back problems and the steel poled vango -as much as i love it-is quite hard to put up.Another reason is having the ability to erect and dry out in my garden.A 5 mt would be a tight fit but would work due to the central pole.
If only soulpad did cable entry points...problem solved. Thanks

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Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!

Jayen

15/7/2015 at 12:40pm
Location: Button Moon
Outfit: Currently tentless

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If you've got back problems, don't forget how low the entrance is and having to duck in and out all the time would certainly annoy my back.

Nozza

15/7/2015 at 12:46pm
Location: None Entered
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If the wind or water is that bad that it will get past the zip of the ZIG then I think you're facing bigger problems. I really cannot see it myself.

If you have back problems then have you thought how you'll move a big bell around? Out 5m ZIG job is 35KG - I can JUST carry it on my own for a short distance. It's a large, awkward shape - nothing like a 35KG dumbbell for example. If your back was hurting or weak you might struggle. Splitting the ground sheet from the main tent makes a massive difference to the weight.

Also getting the pole up does require strength. My wife can't do it at all. Depends how bad your back is but of all the tents I've owned, my bell requires by far the most back strength to carry and erect.

As for EHU entry - ZIG would solve it depending where you wanted the cable to enter, but if you were fixed on the SIG then making an entry hole would be an hour's work tops with a sewing machine. They are quite easy to work on. I recently patched mine with the help of my old mum.

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geoffprinter

15/7/2015 at 3:32pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.

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Bryan, I would go for the 5metre if I were you. So much more room for very little extra cost. As for the zig, once its on you dont have to take it off again, just pack up with it attached, we do. I dont think we have ever taken it off yet. Also I would make sure the Bell you get has mesh doors on it (keeps out flies) an absolute must for us anyway. (see 2nd pic)

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