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Topic: Help me decide -air tent

Sky1970

08/1/2023 at 12:19pm
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Returned to camping solo now my boys are grown and do their own thing and hubby not a camping fan.. Last season used my old poled tent and canopy a good few times and loved it - but looking for a bit more ease and comfort this season.

Trying to choose between last years models of OUTWELL PARKDALE 4PA which I can get for around £600 and the carpet around £45 and the Kampa Hayling 4 AIR Tent which I can get for around £550 and carpet for around £40.

My heart also loves the idea of the Robens yurt (poly cotton - around £950) but my head says you need a canopy for cooking in the rain and lounging when there is too much sun.

Have looked at the reviews and still can’t decide…any comments really appreciated. Also any hints and tips for solo camping…and camping in cooler early season (eg March)

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Fiona W

via mobile 09/1/2023 at 7:18pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

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Can’t help specifically.
Someone will come back soon. with knowledgeable advice but meanwhile compare the weights - from memory of chats about caravan awnings, the air tents are heavier. I’d have to factor that in because I have a bad back. Weight might not be an issue for you though.
Our Cabanon Pyramide was not unlike your teepee but very versatile; sadly, big new Cabanon tents like that are are wildly expensive now. .

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2024 = 18 sites / 38 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

TimCESmith

via mobile 09/1/2023 at 7:21pm
Location: London
Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG

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Hi and welcome to the forum. The Kampa appears to be about 10kg lighter, which might be a consideration for solo trips. Presumably the pack size will be smaller too.

seanfdh

09/1/2023 at 7:50pm
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3

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Are you camping solo? We use a Robens Fairbanks with a Decathlon Tarp. I reckon I could set it all up on my own.

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Sean

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Virsec

12/1/2023 at 6:05pm
Location: Cirencester
Outfit: Outwell Blackwood 5

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Hi, we bought our Outwell Parkdale 4PA last summer (see Tent Reviews). We think it is fantastic but there are two of us. As mentioned above it is very heavy (23kg) and also takes up two thirds of the back of our Ford Focus. We are 70 and hubby says in a few years time we'll be going for something lighter.

The storm straps are for my peace of mind as I hate the wind. The side door has a mesh as do the middle doors which is idea when cooking in the front area as you can zip them shut. The three sections can also be unzipped to make one large area; the bedroom also has quick and quiet magnetic openings

We've cooked in the front area during drizzle.

It is very spacious and ideal for us. I would suggest though not buying the carpet, the Eurohike one is far superior and the Outwell is quite 'slippy'. Also the footprints are very expensive and in short supply, it's taken us 6 months to get one!
Hope this is of help.
Sue

Sky1970

14/1/2023 at 9:39am
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Thanks so much for all the replies. I thought I would be OK with weight because I will always be car camping and no bad back at least yet - but perhaps need to think about that a bit more.

One good thing about solo camping is I have 3 empty seats for stuff as well as the boot.

I really like the look of your teepee Sean… others elsewhere have suggested a tarp for the yurt. I wondered if I could use tarp grips to actually fix it to the face of the yurt as its sooooo tall. Anyone used them?

I know I might seem odd wanting so much space for solo - but I intend to camp Spring to Autumn and wanted more comfort for rainy evenings than the tent I was in in 2021.

The plan today is to buy the yurt this weekend…follow my heart for once - unless my head changes my mind in which case it will probably be the Outwell

Sky1970

via mobile 07/2/2023 at 8:58am
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Just a quick follow up - brought the Robens Yurt and yes boy is it heavy - so also bought a fishing trolley which holds it high up so I can use gravity to get it in and out of the car boot and to my pitch .Have test driven it in the garden a few times - leading to buying an electric Outwell pump (had not realised they are sister brands). Next is to figure out how to fit a tarp to the door area for a canopy - will be back on here soon with adventures and more queries. Thanks all again for the responses and happy travels!

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