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Subject Topic: Back to tent from Camper van...luxury?i Post Reply Post New Topic
Personrobchester
15/7/2016 at 3:53pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View robchester's Profile View Profile   Reply to robchester Reply   Quote robchester Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

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Having camped in poly tents for the best part of 10 years (Various Vango 5 mans and a banshee), I've spent the last 3 summers in a converted VW T5 complete with slatted bed base, electric, camp kitchen and heating. Its been a very comfortable experience, but it is a little cramped with 2 adults and a toddler.
We have used a small pop up poly awning in addition but any bigger and the convenience of the van is lost. Its also a pain to convert from sleeping to driving mode as we often do daily on our travels.
Since returning from 3 weeks in Europe, I'm looking at trying something different and I've been looking at polycotton air tents. The main driver being that they're fast to erect and they should keep you warm, especially is using a heater on hook up. The UK summer is notoriously unreliable and there's nothing worse than bad weather spoiling the experience. We also like to extend our seasons so usually head out early May and finish sometime around the middle of September. This year should see around 6 to 7 weeks of camping in total, so we do get plenty use from it.

Anyone done similar? Am I being too romantic over the idea? I seem to recall being envious of the caravans and campers when they were settling down for a night in poor weather yet still find myself looking at a tent!

Having looked at expensive trailer tents like the Opus, the cost of caravan ownership when considering storage, towing etc it makes something like the Outwell Harrier 6Satc look like cheap holidaying..


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Personmwhitcher
15/7/2016 at 8:26pm
 Location: Romsey Hampshire
 Outfit: Karsten 350 300 ESVO bedouin340 View mwhitcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to mwhitcher Reply   Quote mwhitcher Quote  
Joined: 22/6/2012

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Have you looked at the modular approach such as karsten? Fully canvas air beam tents expensive but worth every penny as will last a lifetime and not as expensive as a TT or caravan.


PersonTimCESmith
15/7/2016 at 8:27pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG View TimCESmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to TimCESmith Reply   Quote TimCESmith Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2014

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Air tents still need a footprint, pegging out, carpet and all the rest of the setting up, so in practice the advantage is that they can be pitched single handed, rather than quickly.

If you're keeping the T5 you could have a think about a day tent like the Vango Airhub, but I suspect you're about to find yourself teetering on the brink of Karsten ownership. The modular design could work really well for you - have a look at the Karsten Klub thread and the Used Tents for Sale page on the campingtravelstore website here.


Personmwhitcher
15/7/2016 at 8:28pm
 Location: Romsey Hampshire
 Outfit: Karsten 350 300 ESVO bedouin340 View mwhitcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to mwhitcher Reply   Quote mwhitcher Quote  
Joined: 22/6/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by TimCESmith on 15/7/2016
Air tents still need a footprint, pegging out, carpet and all the rest of the setting up, so in practice the advantage is that they can be pitched single handed, rather than quickly.

If you're keeping the T5 you could have a think about a day tent like the Vango Airhub, but I suspect you're teetering on the brink of Karsten ownership. The modular design could work really well for you - have a look at the Karsten Klub thread and the Used Tents for Sale page on the campingtravelstore website here.

Great mind and all that...😂👍


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PersonAlisonBob
15/7/2016 at 8:42pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Holtkamper Kyte Karsten 300 View AlisonBob's Profile View Profile   Reply to AlisonBob Reply   Quote AlisonBob Quote  
Joined: 21/10/2010

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The tent linked to appears to be in the free adverts with more pics

link

has been modified for a wood burner which is rather interesting

Bob


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Personrobchester
15/7/2016 at 9:52pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View robchester's Profile View Profile   Reply to robchester Reply   Quote robchester Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

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I've seen the Karsten while I was in France, it looked well made but the design of it put me off. Like the one listed above its lacking windows. I know that they can be added, but I prefer a hoop tunnel design rather than the modular system.
I like the look of some of the Vango designs, something like the Inspire 600 but they're not Polycotton only heavy rip stop fabric. Not quite sure how a large front canopy would hold up in a strong wind though, its like trapping the wind in a bag. It would be good to have a decent covered area for cooking though.

Its great having the van as it can use the same sites as tents which is why I don't want to commit to a caravan. Most of the places we like to visit don't take them. I want something that can be set up and left rather than having to take it up and down daily to move about.


PersonMucker1884
15/7/2016 at 10:33pm
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2012

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Forum Posts:   9052
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How about your hoop tunnel tent, but in 100% cotton canvas, and the quality/workmanship of a Karsten?

If only there was Such a thing!

-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


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PersonKatieep
16/7/2016 at 10:19pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Xplore 422 View Katieep's Profile View Profile   Reply to Katieep Reply   Quote Katieep Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2012

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Forum Posts:   708
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What about a trailer tent - there are some really nice looking, fast pitching models out there ..........


Persontentaddict7
22/7/2016 at 6:28pm
 Location: Essex coast living on a boat!
 Outfit:  Vango Stargrove 600xl View tentaddict7's Profile View Profile   Reply to tentaddict7 Reply   Quote tentaddict7 Quote  
Joined: 27/7/2009

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Forum Posts:   540
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Folding camper?

We've just bought one, mainly for the ease and speed of set up, proper beds and kitchen already set up inside with just a couple of minor adjustments and its ready to use, comes complete with an awning so potentially plenty of space as well as the comfort an convenience but still under canvas!

Once pitched we can then head off in the Land Rover wherever we like without any messing about before we can leave.



-------------
Enjoying life beyond kids, new love, living on a boat and a new lease of life in my mid 50s! Never too old to reinvent yourself.....

Mum to five - 4 girls, 31,28,25 and 22 and one boy, 20
Engaged! Wedding June 2020!


Personrobchester
22/7/2016 at 8:50pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View robchester's Profile View Profile   Reply to robchester Reply   Quote robchester Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

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Hi Tentaddict, which one did you get?



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