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Subject Topic: Polycotton vs cotton alloy vs steel pole Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonTapas
via mobile 28/12/2019 at 11:57am
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Hello all.
After several years camping with a cheap(ish) fibreglass poled/polyester tent we need a tent that can be relied upon in all weathers and are planning to invest in a more sturdy tent to go camping further afield than we have previously.
I've looked at some pyramid tests but I'm not sure they would offer enough living space for a family of 4 due to the sloping walls?
One tent I like the look of is the obelink familia 6 which is poleycotton tunbel tent with aluminium poles. Has anyone owned a similar tent to this? Will polycotton /aluminium be a drastic improvement on the polyester fibreglass tent we have currently? Or should we fork out the extra for a cotton, steel poled tent?
I like the look of the Karsten tunnel tents ( not the price so much) but I can't see what type of poles they use, does anyone know what poles these tents use? I'm assuming they would be steel for the prices they are charging? Ideally we are looking for a tunnel tent for around a grand that will last 10 years plus!

Thanks in advance.


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PersonFrancais
28/12/2019 at 8:22pm
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Most off the Karsten tents are inflatable, nice kit but quite expensive although having seen one close up, well worth it.

We have a Heavy Cotton tent bought new in 2008, albeit a contemporary tunnel design, and it works fine for our fortnight camping down on the Cote d Azur during July.

Never used it in the U.K. though.


PersonBRYANMITCH
29/12/2019 at 1:57am
 Location: GATESHEAD
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HI.. you are looking in the right direction for a long life tent.Anything decent seems to come from our close neighbours across the channel.I have bought from obelink and was completely satisfied with the service and prices I paid.
For your budget..have you considered an Emperor bell tent from Bell tent uk? or similiar. Add a couple of bedrooms and you could still hold a disco in the living area!
I bought a hypercamp alaska from obelink and was amazed at the space inside .--steel poles and quite quick to erect and never need to worry about the weather.
I think if you have the space to carry it--go for something substantial.

-------------
Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!


PersonBob61
29/12/2019 at 1:29pm
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£1000 for a tent? Gosh! The most I have ever paid for a tent was £250 and that was when I had a rush of blood to my head!

I have never had a problem with polyester and have never managed to wear one out yet. I have usually changed my tents because i want something bigger, smaller, easier to erect etc; but never because they haven't done the job they are supposed to do in keeping me warm and dry.

What I wouldn't do though is buy a tent with all fibreglass poles and I have found that tents with metal poles are usually much easier to erect and more sturdy in wind.

If you want something considered better than polyester then I would go for a polycotton tent but I wouldn't pay anything like £1000 for one. Bear in mind that in 2-3 years time you might decide the tent is not big enough, too big, something else not quite right ,or simply get bored with it and want to change it for something else, and you won't get anything near what you paid for it when you come to sell.

I am sure a thousand pound tent will be fit for a Bedouin Prince but not for me

Post last edited on 29/12/2019 13:39:03


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PersonCaligula
29/12/2019 at 8:28pm
 Location: Suffolk
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The right pyramid tent will give good living space for a family of four, and some are available 2 nd hand. Have a look for a general idea at the review on site of the De Vrijbuiter Japio Elegance? Some pyramids have a moveable front wall to increase space and you can add awnings and wings, although these adds ons come at a cost! Some new big Dutch tents will go for well over £2000, but can be found for a 1/4 of that 2nd hand. AS others have said, they are a tent for (several!) lifes…...they are made that well.

It is my personal choice to always go for cotton or polycotton. In fact, amongst erm….a few tents?... I don't own a polyester tent.

A good bell tent will do everything that a pyramid can, but simpler as it has one primary pole (but it will have an Aframe for the door).
One can add awnings to increase space, and some have higher side walls than others to further increase the inside useable space. Bell tents are generally cheaper than pyramids.....Again many reviews on the review pages, but a heavier duty one with higher walls would be a Blacks Solace (5 metre, for 4 people?) which also has a custom awning available if wished; or add any awning?

Another option maybe to consider one of the many "Tuareg" style tents available ?


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PersonJim1977
29/12/2019 at 8:38pm
 Location: Leicestershire
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A used polycotton tent with steel or alloy poles could be a great buy. You can’t go too far wrong with the Outwell Lakes range. Loads on eBay normally. Some specific models in that range to look for

Bear Lake 6
Wolf Lake 5 or 7
Trout Lake 6
Montana Lake
Norfolk Lake

Some of these are pretty big and heavy. You want one from about 2014 or earlier.
Should get a good one for £500 or so.

Wherever we go camping there always seem to be at least one of the above tents on site, going strong and looking great.


PersonPulster
via mobile 30/12/2019 at 7:42pm
 Location: Scotland
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I have a Gerjak twin pole pyramid tent and I feel it would be large enough for 4. I believe its 3.8m wide x 4m long.



That's a double SIM at the back, and the green chair on the right is a double seater.

Housed 5 adults and 2 kids for meal times in bad weather without too much problem.

Survived big storm in lake district that flattened a few fibreglass poled tents, hasn't got too hot in summer. Love the canvas, quieter in wind too, it's like the tent is alive and breaths.

Post last edited on 30/12/2019 19:47:48


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PersonTapas
via mobile 30/12/2019 at 9:32pm
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Thanks for the responses above, definitely a few things to consider. It it noted that some people get on ok for years with poleyester tents with no problems, but after one exceptionally windy camping trip our eurohike tent ripped where the guy ropes were attached to the tent leading to water getting in. The poles also shattered so we are looking for something more dependable to camp in places like Wales and the lake district next year. May have a look at 2nd hand tents but i am cautious due to some leaky canvas tents we used for family holidays as kids. I think this was caused through bad storage/maintenance so i would be worried I might buy something that hadn't been looked after properly leading to similar problems!


PersonPulster
via mobile 30/12/2019 at 9:49pm
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2 well recommended used pyramid sellers on FB, Dutch Tents for Sale (ran by a chap called Dave) and Dutch Quality Canvas Tents (ran by Abs).

Had tents from both, 1 unused old stock tent (the Gerjak) and a 2nd hand well used Randstad and both are weather tight and should last us a good few years to come.

If you are ever near anywhere that Camping Travel Stores holds one of their displays worth checking it out to see the Esvo pyramids in the flesh-would give you a good flavour of space and feel of what a pyramid can offer.


PersonJim1977
31/12/2019 at 6:20am
 Location: Leicestershire
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Camping Travel Store will soon have a permanent display rather than having to wait for one of their shows. They have moved into what was Cross Camping near Royston, Herts, and so come Feb will have a shop and display area.
You won’t go far wrong with any of the brands they sell, Karsten, ESVO, Dewaard. Worth a visit to see all these tents in the flesh so you can see what you are getting for the money.


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PersonDeborahTurner
via mobile 31/12/2019 at 12:53pm
 Location: London
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Has Cross Camping closed down?

Good news about a permanent CTS display and outlet.... but I will miss the legendary Gary C.


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PersonJim1977
01/1/2020 at 9:47am
 Location: Leicestershire
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Yes, Garry has gone, not sure where. His websites cross camping and inflatable tents online no longer exist either.

But the Cross camping method of pitching poled tunnel tents will live on forever 😎


PersonBob61
01/1/2020 at 9:49am
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He's probably retired to the Bahamas


Personromany
01/1/2020 at 8:22pm
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From my experience camping in all weathers with little worry about what your tent can take and you want to be fairly comfortable you can not beat steel framed cotton tent my 40 + years cabbanon has seen me come through two storm force gales and everything in between and in the 1997 storm in st Ives we and one other frame tent were the only ones left standing.


PersonBinzi
05/1/2020 at 10:12am
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Oh no - Gary from Cross Camping has gone? Feeling sad.

-------------
Claire


PersonDeborahTurner
via mobile 05/1/2020 at 11:54am
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Gary is still posting in his Camping Guru Facebook page, promoting other reputable independent camping shops, but no mention of the end of Cross Camping.



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