There are many topics on this but my search for a tent is more specific and I am convinced it doesn't exist. Before I give up, I would like to check with this forum in case I did miss something.
So my tent requirements:
- Weekend smallish tent for 4 (2 adults+3 toddlers). I imagine a minimum of 5 berth even for a weekend (?)
- Inflatable, polycotton with built in awning/porch that can be up and pegged out in 30 minutes. The awning/porch needs to have sufficient cover to provide cooking shelter using a small low table if it rains.
I have looked at all the mainstream brands, dutch tents, karsten...I just don't think any tent tick all the boxes of my seemingly simple requirements. If anyone think of something that fits the bill, please let me know.
Budget up to £1500. I have ruled out Outwell (unreliable inflatables) and ESVO (for some reason, the look just doesn't appeal to me).
Your recommendations please O Knowledgeable Campers :)
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Ruling out Outwell and Karsten doesn't leave many options for inflatable polycotton/cotton. The Kampa Brean 4 Classic air does not have enough of a porch to cook under, so I can only think of the Vango Solace 400. That also has the option of a front extension which you could buy, but only use if the weather dictated it (to keep the pitching under 30 mins). Also bear in mind it may take 30 mins to fully pitch, but it will still take much longer to furnish it with all your kit.
Jim
I agree the Vango Solace 400 with optional front awning. We have had one on show all summer and we have not had to top up the beams once and it's been rock solid in bad weather. The only problem is stock is pretty much sold out in most shops. We do have one tents and awning left though.
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
I agree the Vango Solace 400 with optional front awning. We have had one on show all summer and we have not had to top up the beams once and it's been rock solid in bad weather. The only problem is stock is pretty much sold out in most shops. We do have one tents and awning left though. https://youtu.be/MFyxhOtuzao
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
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If you can find one ( there are some around if you take the time to look - might need more than 30 minutes though ...
The Vango Eden comes in various sizes,iv got the the v500.
It's a great tent for a long weekend.
It's polycotton and inflateable and has a large canopy.
It can be pegged at the corners and inflated in 30 minutes but that won't be pitching it properly and then probably another hour ( as would any other tent ) to set up the inside to a comfortable standard.
I don't think you will find any tent apart from the basic pod from Karsten ( 4 pegging points around the base and 12 guys - 16 pegs altogether ) that can be fully pitched with all guys and pegging points in 30 minutes.... If 30 minutes is as long as you can spend pitching perhaps a caravan / motor home would be a better option? Or leave home earlier? Lol.
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How do you rate the Vango you currently have? I heard of build problems on some of the polycotton models and has now started to make me look at a bell tents. I've heard there is problems with the beams being pulled down with the weight, probably the bigger models. I was looking at either a used Eden or the new Solace 400, although the solace might be a little small.
Nothing wrong with Outwell with this years models (2016), all have up graded beams. I haven't read of any failures this year. Vango wins that award this year I believe. I've got a Concorde 5SATC, I was originally thinking of a Solace and found it too small for 3 of us. The Concorde has a perfect amount of living space for weekends and weeks in France.
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I imagine the Solace and Brean 4 might be too small for our family of 4 too...even for a weekend...especially if it decides to rain. Karsten single pod can probably go up real fast but not sure how it takes to add on a porch and unsure if even the 380 is sufficient space for our little family.
hankakampa Vango Eden looks good but can it really be up and fully pegged out in 30 minutes excluding internal set up?
Kirsty same question, can you let me know how long it takes for the Concorde 5SATC to go up and be fully peg out? I recalled you mentioning not using the Concorde because it is too heavy at 41kg? Impress you can swap between polycotton and polys for weekends. At this point, I am under the impression, polys are not that easy to dry out and you have condensation to deal with as well.
Gary from Cross camping Have you had problems with Outwell inflatables this year?
we can get our Rhapsody inflated and completely pegged out in around 30 minutes, but that's with both of us hammering in the pegs at the same time...i take one side of the tent and my OH takes the other...it's within your price range and has a lovely big enclosed porch, but i think it's probably too big for your requirements...
i was posting more to let you know that even a big tent can be pitched quickly, but it will usually take more than one pair of hands...
Post last edited on 05/07/2016 18:20:15
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"tereba nessa, kemer wyth"
.~*MOONIE*~.
Snowdonia - Peak District - Brecon Beacons - Lake District
I can get the Concorde up in 6 minutes with the hand pump, then it depends on how quick you peg out. Could be done very quickly. We've since been camping again and I'm getting used to it now, getting to know it like an old pair of slippers . It had a drenching last time we camped and I was very surprised how quickly it dried out, the guy lines took the longest. And for its first ever drenching and weathering it didn't let in one drop of water.
It is a heavy tent but actually I managed it all on my own a couple of weekends ago as my husband had an op. I got it to and from the car and put it up without any help whatsoever. We're going again this weekend and I'm having to do it alone again and it's not daunting at all.
I'm aware the beams aren't the same quality as Karston, but for what I paid I can't and won't fault it. The quality of the polycotton is fabulous, I even went round trying to find fault with it, I couldn't .
So ultimately it's staying as our one and only tent, as long as it behaves in the heat of France that is!.
Quote: Originally posted by keai7 on 05/7/2016
I imagine the Solace and Brean 4 might be too small for our family of 4 too...even for a weekend...especially if it decides to rain. Karsten single pod can probably go up real fast but not sure how it takes to add on a porch and unsure if even the 380 is sufficient space for our little family.
hankakampa Vango Eden looks good but can it really be up and fully pegged out in 30 minutes excluding internal set up?
Kirsty same question, can you let me know how long it takes for the Concorde 5SATC to go up and be fully peg out? I recalled you mentioning not using the Concorde because it is too heavy at 41kg? Impress you can swap between polycotton and polys for weekends. At this point, I am under the impression, polys are not that easy to dry out and you have condensation to deal with as well.
Gary from Cross camping Have you had problems with Outwell inflatables this year?
Post last edited on 05/07/2016 18:03:21
Hi
The Eden is my 4th air tent - so I'm kinda used to them now...
I can have it up & pegged in 30 minutes forgetting the inside...
But I use my pitching time efficiently...
As the electric inflator is pumping up a beam, I'm busy pegging either the tent or guy ropes - not standing looking at the tent going up gasping ooooh and aaaaaah like I saw on a campsite recently where it took them longer to put up their air tent than it would have taken me to put up my poled bear lake!
My outwell Concorde L is the longest to pitch with an incredible 74 pegs required to fully peg out. The airframe also takes longer to inflate than even my Kartsen pod which requires 50psi!.
The eden is a very nice tent to be in... Easy up, polycotton quiet & comfortable.
I'm curious to see how it performs in very wet weather though as the fabric is very heavy quality anyways and iv seen & read stories of the back beam unable to support the large arch ( esp on the very wide 600 version ) and the roof caves in with the sheer weight of wet polycotton.
No such troubles with the Karsten pod tho - it truly is a reliable Dutch storm tent - the weather can do what it likes in a Karsten!
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The Concorde 5satc is nowhere near the size of the Concorde L, very different tents hankaKampa. Can't even see why they have the same name to be honest.
I'd suggest the Kampa Croyde 6 Classic, great value and whilst it is probably larger than you need now this will be a perfect tent as your kids grow. And there's no reason that after a few goes you can have this fully pegged in half an hour, and as with all air tents they take just a few minutes to take down. And the Croyde has a great canopy so this ticks alot of boxes in my opinion.
Another vote for the Kampa Croyde 6 Air we pitched ours in under 30 mins and as OH was bashing in the pegs I was setting up inside...so including inflateable furniture, camp kitchen etc etc 1st beer opened in about 40 mins. Lots if room inside for toddlers to play when it's raining and cooking in the front enclosed canopy is fab.