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   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations
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Subject Topic: Upgrading tent - need your advice! Post Reply Post New Topic
24/7/2024 at 1:20pm
 Location: None Entered
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View airheadcamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to airheadcamper Reply   Quote airheadcamper Quote  
Joined: 23/7/2024

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Hi all,

four years ago I got Decathlon's Quecha Air 4.2 to see if we like camping and it turned out great. But it's time for an upgrade - a tent for the next five years. The Quecha is a great tent for a family of four pitching in southern Europe when you can sit outside but now we've decided to go camping in sunny Britain so we're looking for something that's also comfortable to spend evenings indoors while it's raining or cold.

So it needs a bigger living area. It needs to fit four people (two teenage kids) and it needs to easily fit the boot of the car, a Skoda Octavia. And as we tend to move around, should be easy to pitch (even just one night) and suit most campsites.

Airbeams are great, but I am happy to go back to poles to save space if need be providing its not too fiddly.

I've been looking around and seen some options, like Dometic Rarotonga seem appealing, or Bardani spitfire, or Robens Eagle Rock 5XP, but difficult to choose.

Would love to hear about your experiences with your tents. And on several commercial sites selling tents I see them saying a 4 person tent really suits 2-3 people, and a five person tent four, what do you make of that?

Looking forward to your replies!


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24/7/2024 at 6:09pm
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View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

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i would go as far as saying you need a 6 berth tent for 4 people, same reason as your house, you buy a 3 bed house so the kids get their own room, stops the arguing over whose mess it is! however, as they are teenagers why cant they have their own pop up tents?

the dometic tent is far to big and heavy to get in and out of your car, nevermind the price tag for it £2300!

the bardani thing is not something you will find in the uk.

the robens tent, to claustrophobic, imagine having to sit inside that on a rainy day, you couldnt see outside no windows! but then to make matters worse the colour of the tent on a night will be like a shadow show!


via mobile 25/7/2024 at 8:51am
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View Devonatheart's Profile View Profile   Reply to Devonatheart Reply   Quote Devonatheart Quote  
Joined: 28/8/2021

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Something like an Vango Icarus 500 Deluxe for the two of you and a couple of 2/3 person tents for the offspring, to give them their independence. They can be as messy and untidy as they like…..They have to sleep in it! 👍


25/7/2024 at 6:07pm
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View airheadcamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to airheadcamper Reply   Quote airheadcamper Quote  
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Thanks. Hadn't really thought of just getting a kids tent.
Would that fit on most pitches you think, a small family tent (quecha air 4.2) and a two person's tent? Or would we need to take an extra pitch?


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!


via mobile 25/7/2024 at 6:22pm
 Location: None Entered
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View ditsy79's Profile View Profile   Reply to ditsy79 Reply   Quote ditsy79 Quote  
Joined: 31/5/2016

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If you are okay with a tunnel tent with vis-a-vis layout, I would recommend the Kampa Watergate 8. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 at either end, but the separator can be put up to make 1 large double at one end, and 2 smaller rooms at the other end. The living area is spacious too.


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05/8/2024 at 7:16pm
 Location: Kent coast
 Outfit: Gelert Navajo 4
View Poppy9560's Profile View Profile   Reply to Poppy9560 Reply   Quote Poppy9560 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2010

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Forum Posts:   412
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Quote: Originally posted by airheadcamper on 25/7/2024
Thanks. Hadn't really thought of just getting a kids tent.
Would that fit on most pitches you think, a small family tent (quecha air 4.2) and a two person's tent? Or would we need to take an extra pitch?



Two small tents so the kids have one each - a 2 person tent only fits 1 person and their bag



via mobile 06/8/2024 at 9:04am
 Location: London
 Outfit: Vango Kalu Hypercamp Eldorado
View DeborahTurner's Profile View Profile   Reply to DeborahTurner Reply   Quote DeborahTurner Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

Platinum Member
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Forum Posts:   1308
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Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
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Site Reviews 2021: 1  
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Site Nights 2020: 8
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2

I would look at a 6 berth tunnel tent with a porch / living area extension

E.g https://www.millets.co.uk/15981046/hi-gear-hampton-6-nightfall-family-tent-15981046

(What a bargain!)

This looks excellent https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/vango-lismore-600xl-pack-poled-6-man-family-tent/_/R........

Have you anywhere close by with a good tent display?


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!


via mobile 06/8/2024 at 12:06pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member
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Forum Posts:   5073
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Site Reviews 2024: 16 
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
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Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 9  
Site Reviews 2018: 18 
Site Nights 2024: 34
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 32
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 20
Site Nights 2019: 28
Site Nights 2018: 30

Blacks online has a sale at present, with some silly low prices.

-------------
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.


via mobile 07/8/2024 at 11:19am
 Location: London
 Outfit: Vango Kalu Hypercamp Eldorado
View DeborahTurner's Profile View Profile   Reply to DeborahTurner Reply   Quote DeborahTurner Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

Platinum Member
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Forum Posts:   1308
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Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
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Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 8
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2

Blacks is the only place I know that allows the National Trust discount (15%!) on Sale goods. In the shops, anyway.



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