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Topic: Outwell Montana 6

Cheery_Camper

15/7/2015 at 11:03am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6 Vango Arlay 500

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Hi everyone,

We've got a Montana 6 that we bought a few years ago. Will need to use it again soon as our family has expanded since we last used it and so our smaller tent is no longer suitable.

My grumble about the Montana 6 is the poles are just SO HEAVY!! I find it exhausting and stressful to put up. We've looked at the youtube and outwell videos and they make it look so easy; putting all the poles in then calmly walking the tent forward and clipping into the lock and pin system...whilst smiling and narrating what they're doing.
Me and hubby don't look like that; we swear and argue and stress and then end up nearly divorced by the time the tent is up!!! Hahaa!

What I'm trying to say is I am genuinely worried about whether we should keep it or sell and buy something with smaller poles. It's my fault entirely as I wanted a good sturdy tent with 'proper poles' but I didn't think through how big the tent and poles are when in the car, the weight of the pole bag and the stress it causes us to put it up.

Does anyone know an easier way to construct a Montana 6?? As I said, we've done the outwell video demo way of inserting all poles and walking the tent forwards and it exhausts me (not helped by the fact I'm not very tall either!)

Thanks!

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dmsplat

15/7/2015 at 12:25pm
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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Hello!

Two videos linked to below. These should sort you out (with a bit of practice!)

Cross Camping Method (Gary from Cross Camping is an active member of the UKCS community and an all round top chap!)

Outwell Video (Basically Outwell's version of the Cross Camping Method)

Just remember to unzip the doors when you're getting the poles in but to zip them up before you do your pegging out. When I pitch it this way, I peg a couple of guys out along the way, but re-position them once the tent is up.

Using a similar method, I can put up an Outwell Sun Valley (about the same size as the montana) on my own, as long as the wind behaves itself. It's surprisingly easy.

One last word on married couples putting a tent up together... Both of you watch the videos and learn what to do BUT when you're putting the tent up have ONE person who is in charge and the other being the assistant who just does what they're told. That helped me & Mrs Splat a lot!

Grotbags

15/7/2015 at 9:47pm
Location: Rutland
Outfit: Outwell Montana Lake & Trout Lake

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Agree with the the above! The cross camping method makes it soooooo much easier. I can put our Montana Lake up (polycoton version of the Montana 6 up with help from my daughter easily! I'm sure it will help you!

Frazzle-

16/7/2015 at 5:46pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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Hey Cheery camper,

Yes, the poles are heavy. I make Mr F carry the bag. I can lift it on the ground from by the car to where we need it but not far.

Just to check...

When you put the pins into the pole do you put the side in first without the adjustable straps at ground level?

You can also move the canvas on the angle of the pole (roof meets leg bend) so that it is level, or slightly more to the side that you are putting the ring and pin in.

Just how short are you? I am 5 ft 2 (on tip toes!), so quite short normally when not on tip toes. I always have problems with the front door of the 6p as I can only just reach it on tip toes.

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Cheery_Camper

20/7/2015 at 7:27pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6 Vango Arlay 500

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Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I will check out the attached video links and get hubby to watch them too!

Hopefully between us we can did an easier way to get this mansion tent up as at the moment I feel deflated about using it; the weight do it makes it too much of a chore (especially for a short trip)

I am only 5'1" so not very tall...!

Thanks again x

Frazzle-

20/7/2015 at 9:31pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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Don't tell anyone but I'm that tall (just sounds better if I quote my tip toes height).

timpro

21/7/2015 at 9:05pm
Location: stoke
Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder 600tc

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Yeomans way is very good and can be found on YouTube it's what I use

-------------
Tim

Harlyn August
Hopefully somewhere for a weekend in Sept

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

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

timpro

21/7/2015 at 10:49pm
Location: stoke
Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder 600tc

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Oh and the yeoman's video is a Montana!

-------------
Tim

Harlyn August
Hopefully somewhere for a weekend in Sept

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