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Subject Topic: In the market for a new weekender... Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmemmarmite
via mobile 12/5/2019 at 4:33pm
 Location: None Entered
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Wotcha!

Looking for a new weekend tent and wondered whether anyone had any suggestions. I'm currently using a Freedom Trail Apache 4 (teepee style tent) which is great - I can pitch it by myself, and fast (which is necessary as its invariably just myself and my son, currently 5y/o). I have room to stand up fully. It also packs down pretty small which is useful cause my car's tidgy. The downsides are that it's only a single skin, which makes condensation an issue. And there isn't quite the floor space for a double air mattress, I can get one in but it's squished right up against the wall of the tent (which combined with the condensation issue is particularly unhelpful).

So. If anyone can recommend a tent with the same plus point as my current big green fella but that fixes the problems I'd be all ears! I can pay a little more now than I could when I bought this one so affordability isn't really an issue within reason!

Thanks for looking.


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PersonEwen c
via mobile 12/5/2019 at 4:39pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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We have been looking too. These are the ones we have considered:


Obelink Lissabon 5 has a living area as well as bedroom but am a bit wary of the poles

Robens Fairbanks

Lovely tent but no living area.

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Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


Personseanfdh
12/5/2019 at 5:29pm
 Location: North Devon
 Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3 View seanfdh's Profile View Profile   Reply to seanfdh Reply   Quote seanfdh Quote  
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We have the Fairbanks. Really pleased with it. As Ewen says no living area but it's only about 9kg and a fairly small pack so you should have room for a tarp/shelter.

Edit: You should be able to get a significant discount on the rrp if you shop around.

-------------
Sean


Persongeoffprinter
12/5/2019 at 6:39pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent. View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
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I know I bang on about Bell tents a lot, but for w/ends and no condensation, one pole erection, 20min pitch time if you get a wiggle on. I just feel a 4 metre one will be hard to beat. Although a 5metre one is just as easy, and loads more room. They are not as bulky as you would think as it packs into (poles included) a canvas cylinder shape bag which we manage to stand on its end behind passenger seat in the car. They are quite heavy, a 4 metre one weighs about 24kilos inc poles. but thats because its canvas and the groundsheet is very thick, but can be zipped off if you want to reduce weight.


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PersonEwen c
via mobile 12/5/2019 at 6:46pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Quote: Originally posted by geoffprinter on 12/5/2019
I know I bang on about Bell tents a lot, but for w/ends and no condensation, one pole erection, 20min pitch time if you get a wiggle on. I just feel a 4 metre one will be hard to beat. Although a 5metre one is just as easy, and loads more room. They are not as bulky as you would think as it packs into (poles included) a canvas cylinder shape bag which we manage to stand on its end behind passenger seat in the car. They are quite heavy, a 4 metre one weighs about 24kilos inc poles. but thats because its canvas and the groundsheet is very thick, but can be zipped off if you want to reduce weight.


I believe you use decathlon air70 bed bases. Do they fit in a 4m bell without having the pole between them?

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


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Persongeoffprinter
12/5/2019 at 7:29pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent. View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
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Ewan, not sure if you can see the pic as its a photobox one, but we use normal airbeds. We have the 5 metre bell and as you can see it fits just inside centre pole and edge of tent. With the 4 metre one I dont think you can do this and would have to put bed beside the centre pole. Thats why we went for the 5 metre one.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 13/5/2019 at 6:15am
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Oh well. Scupper the bell then.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


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!


Persongeoffprinter
13/5/2019 at 9:36am
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent. View geoffprinter's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffprinter Reply   Quote geoffprinter Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 13/5/2019
Oh well. Scupper the bell then.




The 5metre is just as easy but weighs about another 10kilos Having seen both sizes I would always recommend the 5metre even for w/end trips. I only had the Meriva at the time, but still fitted everything in that car.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 13/5/2019 at 1:56pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Weight and footprint would mean it would be as easy taking the Alaska.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


PersonCaligula
14/5/2019 at 9:23pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Very variable View Caligula's Profile View Profile   Reply to Caligula Reply   Quote Caligula Quote  
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I am also a bell tent fan and a Robens Fairbanks user...

small tent...lavvu
medium tent- Fairbanks
large tent..bell (3metres, 4metres, 5 metres and on up to whatever size you want...)

(And yes, with my 4 metre Blacks Solace bell tent, you can lay out as Geoff printer above, and I'm 6' 4", but the Solace has higher sidewalls than many, giving more useable floorspace/diameter..)

All being "canvas" are going to be relatively heavy....but if car camping, not a worry?)


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Personbilstonbiker
17/5/2019 at 9:21am
 Location: west midlands
 Outfit: victory vision gelert View bilstonbiker's Profile View Profile   Reply to bilstonbiker Reply   Quote bilstonbiker Quote  
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i have been thinking of buying a new blackout tent any thoughts on those?


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!



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