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Subject Topic: Newbie tent advice please Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonTiclmomma
07/4/2016 at 10:14am
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As much as id love to purchase an airbeam tent being a single mum of 4 youngsters 11,6,4 & 3 money is an issue.
I need advice of easy tents to put up to take my kids away. I've been offered a gelert 6+2 for £200 with footprint and carpet. Is this a good price? If so anyone know how it is to erect. Could possibly get the eldest to help. Any information would be greatly received.


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Personmarietot
07/4/2016 at 11:01am
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Hi Ticlmomma, welcome to the forum. I am on my own with my little one (6) and fairly new to camping. I researched it lots and visited camping shops where I could physically see the the tent sizes, also the bag sizes when they are down, some are pretty heavy! I came to the conclusion an inflatable tent was the only way for me to go. I got a great deal on a Vango 600 (6 berth), which is much bigger than we need, but bought on price point as cheaper than any other inflatable last year by a long way (thanks to a helpful forum member on here highlighting a website deal!). We love it, but would consider something smaller if the price was right as it is big, heavy getting it into the car. You are lucky as your eldest child will be a great help. My son is already trying to join in and runs inside to push the beams up as I am inflating them.

Another thing to consider is carrying the tent, my tent bag has wheels so it is easy to maneuver. If it is big and heavy you can split the poles and tent into separate bags, or may need a trolley of some description.

If it is too difficult to pitch, too heavy, makes life hard, you will resent it and might put you off camping, so you're doing the right thing asking on here. I'm sorry I don't know the particular tent you're referring to, but sure someone will offer great advice!

Good luck!!!

-------------
Total camping newbie


PersonRichJean+Ellie
07/4/2016 at 12:40pm
 Location: Telford Shropshire
 Outfit: Kampa croyde 6 Series 3 View RichJean+Ellie's Profile View Profile   Reply to RichJean+Ellie Reply   Quote RichJean+Ellie Quote  
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Can't comment on the tent or the price, but it might be worth asking how old the tent is, how often it has been used and how much sun it has been exposed to.

Polyester tents have a limited lifespan as the fabric degrades on exposure to UV light. A typical 70 denier fabric can be expected to last for 12 to 16 weeks of exposure, the higher the denier the longer it will last. Cotton tents aren't affected by UV light and will last much longer. So just bear this in mind, if the tent has been used a lot then it might not have much life left. Having said that you can tell when a fabric is reaching the end of its life because it will start to feel "crispy" and possibly go milky in colour.


Persongekko
07/4/2016 at 12:56pm
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Welcome to the forum. We have a Vango Iris 500 and it's very easy to pitch. They do a 600, which would be more the sort of size you'd need. They are cheap but good enough quality.

-------------
2019 trips booked so far:

Easter - Red Shoot, New Forest
May - Secret Campsite, Sussex


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Personyoulbury
07/4/2016 at 1:19pm
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario View youlbury's Profile View Profile   Reply to youlbury Reply   Quote youlbury Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Ticlmomma on 07/4/2016
As much as id love to purchase an airbeam tent being a single mum of 4 youngsters 11,6,4 & 3 money is an issue.
I need advice of easy tents to put up to take my kids away. I've been offered a gelert 6+2 for £200 with footprint and carpet. Is this a good price? If so anyone know how it is to erect. Could possibly get the eldest to help. Any information would be greatly received.


Hi Welcome to the forum, we have the Corvus 5+2 smaller than the 6+2 it really is a 2 adult pitch, worth looking at the reviews below


http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Gelert-Beyond-Corvus-6-+-2/1029

-------------
It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.


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PersonCampernic
07/4/2016 at 5:10pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua View Campernic's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campernic Reply   Quote Campernic Quote  
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I would have thought this is really too much tent for a newbie, unless of course 'newbie' refers to being new to the forum rather than a total camping newbie.

Even then....

Have you considered a Bell Tent? You could get three double beds in, one at the back and one on each side leaving a bit of space at the front to lounge in. In that case a separate 'utility' tent for a kitchen set up would be good.

5m Bell Tents can be bought second hand from glamping sites who are starting to buy replacements for last years tents. They tend to have to replace their Bells regularly as they are in use so much more. Does mean you can pick up a bargain although it might need a bit of waterproofing spray.


PersonTiclmomma
07/4/2016 at 9:17pm
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Thanks all. I've not been camping since i was a teen and will be first time with my kids. Wanted a bigger one for living space esp if it rains.


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PersonTiclmomma
07/4/2016 at 9:17pm
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Thanks for the reply i will find this information out


Personfoggers
09/4/2016 at 9:31pm
 Location: Sheffield
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Hello there. Good points have already been made by others that when buying second hand you need to find out roughly how many weeks a tent has been used for.
The Gelert Corvus 6+2 looks a bit of a beast for a novice to handle. Check this video out Here

There is a tricky balance between you finding a tent big enough for the five of you ( the usual rule of thumb is to go for 2 berths higher, so you need a7-8 berth tent for 5) but one that is still going to be handle-able by you with help from your 11 year old. I would certainly say that a tunnel shape is the easiest to do as a single adult with a child to assist.

Whilst Campermic is right that bell tents are very manageable, a quick scan of eBay and gumtree indicates that even second hand 5m ones are more like £300 and I appreciate that you need to be strict on budget.

I would echo the recommendation to look at Vango tents: other brands that offer reliability and value for money are Gelert, Kampa, and hiGear. Outwell have cornered the market in family tents and have gone up in price in the last few years. I think the other makes are better value for money.


Persontentsandaccessories
10/4/2016 at 10:04pm
 Location: Verwood
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Hi i have personally put the Corvus up in its different sizes many time's and it's not easy by yourself! The legs are steel and the crossover poles are fibreglass, so even if you are quick enough the tent will try and flex into itself whilst you try to get to the other side and clip the ring and pin in. If you have even a slight breeze you will become fluent in french very quickly!!

Great tent but definitely a 2 person job.

If you are going to consider Gelert or Hi Gear then also consider Royal or Sunncamp. Better in our opinion and similar prices, look for the Royal Brisbane 6 or 8 and possibly the Sunncamp Spectre 800. These are all vis a vis tunnel tents, easy to put up, great bedroom arrangements for the age ranges of the kids etc and plenty of room in the middle of the tent.

We currently have the Brisbane 6 including carpet and footprint groundsheet available for £299.99 but it may not be quite big enough for you. You can check it out here https://www.tentsandaccessories.co.uk/collections/tents/products/royal-brisbane-6-........

If not have a look at the 8 berth Brisbane and the Spectre 800. If these don't suit please feel free to get in touch with us and we will happily scour the 2016 tent universe for the right tent for you within your budget, you don't have to buy from us for us to help!

All the best :)

-------------
Darren - Tents and Accessories
          :)


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PersonTiclmomma
11/4/2016 at 12:42am
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Thank you everyone for your advice think ive found my tent the sunncamp shadow 800 dl just what i need :)


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Personfoggers
11/4/2016 at 7:49am
 Location: Sheffield
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Good choice. I have had Sunncamp tents in the past and they are reliable.

Once you have your tent you can start a new thread in the Equipment forum, for advice on essential gear for camping!


PersonTiclmomma
11/4/2016 at 10:39am
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Thank you foggers



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