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Topic: 5 to 6 birth tent needed

Grumpyselby

08/5/2018 at 12:06am
Location: None Entered
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We’ve camped a few times but always borrowed a tent from friends. This year we’ve booked a two week holiday in France with friends so really need to buy our own tent, this has opened up a can of worms for me!

Requirements:

5 to 6 birth
Decent front cover
Storm side entrance
2 bedrooms as option, with one being decent size.
Good in hot weather and British wet weather
Black out bedrooms (only just seen this as an option on some)

I originally looked at the Outwell Montana 6p and nearly made the purchase including the extension. But then I spotted air tents and then the world of polycotton.

I like the idea of both air and polycotton but realise these do come at greater expense, however I’m a firm believe of “buy cheap buy twice” and I’d rather get the right one to start with.

I’m now completely lost in what tents to consider, I’ve got Kampa Croyde, Airedale, Vango illusion TC 500XL and now Zempire on a list.

Then out of nowhere Karsten tents appear and seem to be considered the Rolls Royce of tents, but I believe big bucks and out of my budget.

In terms of budget if I am to go polycotton and air then £1500 tops, I’m not fussed about this years model, happy to buy 2016/2017 stock.

Or are there any standard tents I should really consider and save myself a fortune?

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richardh1905

08/5/2018 at 6:42am
Location: South Cumbria
Outfit: Lightwave T10 Trek

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The Coleman Mosedale 5 would fit the bill; especially the blackout bedrooms, which really work, but I cannot recommend it as I had to shorten two of the poles with a hacksaw, and one of the pole collars came loose! Shame, as in other respects it is a good roomy budget tent.

Edit - if I was buying again, I would certainly consider a canvas bell tent + with wood burning stove (I'll have to get some use out of the Mosedale before I can justify this though).

Edit 2 - If you want something a bit bigger with the blackout bedrooms, there's the Coleman Pinto Mountain and Oak Canyon.

Post last edited on 08/05/2018 06:48:44

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duffs54

08/5/2018 at 11:25am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Ford Duetto Autosleeper

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Hello and welcome

We have the Kampa Croyde Classic Air 6 berth.

Brilliant tent, can't fault it, but no black out bedroom pod.

check out the reviews.

linky

More here

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Duffs54

Caligula

08/5/2018 at 2:57pm
Location: Suffolk
Outfit: Very variable

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..........bell tents. With canopy if wanted

Bedrooms, blackouts all available, one pole, polycotton or canvas, plenty of choice well in budget......

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Decto

08/5/2018 at 6:15pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Kampa Croyde 6 Air Classic

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Quote: Originally posted by duffs54 on 08/5/2018
Hello and welcome

We have the Kampa Croyde Classic Air 6 berth.

Brilliant tent, can't fault it, but no black out bedroom pod.

check out the reviews.

linky

More here

2018 Croyde Classic now comes with sleep-tite darkened bedrooms. By the time you add a carpet and footprint you'll be at £1500.

Grumpyselby

09/5/2018 at 5:49am
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Only thing putting me off the Kampa polycotton tents is I’ve read a few reviews saying it’s way more poly than cotton compared to other polycotton tents.

The Vango Illusion TC 500XL seems like it could be a good fit as it’s not too big or too small and ticks most the boxes. The thing that I don’t like with the 500/800xl is the front porch slopes backwards not forwards, always seems odd to me as surely water will come in more, saying that I know there is the storm entrance.

Decto

09/5/2018 at 9:27am
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Kampa Croyde 6 Air Classic

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I was looking at the Croyde classic and 500/800 TC last year. I preferred some of the TC features, however the end of season sale price of the Croyde tipped it

I wasn't concerned about the polycotton mix, as material is either breathable or not. Full polyester is sealed so not breathable, any significant amount of cotton will allow condensation to wick through and evaporate externally and increase the breathability of the fabric in hot dry weather.

Polyester fine for bedrooms as it's not sealed with a waterproof coating and bedrooms have lots of mesh to allow circulation.

Lots of happy Kampa poly cotton owners if you read the reviews, though I still like the Vango TC's with the skylights. Kampa have now added zip up curtains which was another difference.

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duffs54

09/5/2018 at 10:17am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Ford Duetto Autosleeper

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Agree Decto, we've been in all sorts of weather in it, storms, gales searing heat and cannot fault it.

The new additions are great, would still like the option of adding a front zippable canopy on porch.

This is our 4th year I think, we got one when they first came out from the NEC with footprint and carpet it cost £1300

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Duffs54

Grumpyselby

09/5/2018 at 11:00am
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I am tempted by the Croyde as it does seem to tick so many boxes and the cost is pretty good compared to others I'm looking at.

Have you bothered in getting the front zip extension? Already seems big to me.

Any other extras that need considering, like lighting?

duffs54

09/5/2018 at 11:06am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Ford Duetto Autosleeper

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Ours doesn't have an add on canopy option, but it would be handy, to give more shade for our dog and if it's raining it would protect the front porch when you are sitting inside.

They are big, there's only 2 of us and a dog, so the whole of the sleeping pods are just for us.

We also cook in the porch area and the middle bit to be honest we hardly sit in unless its late or chilly.

Mostly outside and sit in the porch area.

Lighting, we have one in the bedroom and one in the middle area that are electric, and then a couple of moveable ones, but in the summer they are hardly on as it is so light.

I am biased though lol

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Duffs54

Kampa Camper

09/5/2018 at 4:39pm
Location: Middlesbrough
Outfit: Kampa Croyde 6 Classic

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We bought the Croyde 6 Classic Air at the end of last season and its a great tent with plenty of room and standing space. I'm guessing this years model will be even better with the blackout bedrooms.

I used it last weekend when the temps were reaching mid 20's and it was fine.

We don't have the Kampa LED strip lighting but its definitely on the list as it looks pretty good for the price (around £60-70 for starter kit plus one add on strip)

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