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We are nearing final 'make our minds up' time in respect of buying our 1st tent.  Pretty sure we want Vango Aspen.  Have seen 500 erected and really like it but just think we'd probably need a little extra space as there is 5 of us.  Only problem is we can't find 700 in any showroom and wondered if it will be exactly the same spec as 500 just larger dimensions.  Does anyone know if this would be right?  All help appreciated.  PS what a great idea this message board is, I've already learnt so much.  Thanks to everyone for advice already received. 

Hi Chris17

          Between the two tents the difference in dimensions are 1m15cm width so your doubles either side of the master bebroom turn to singles, 10cm length on the porch , 20cm length on the living room. Height of both sizes remain the same and all features remain the same. The width made my mind up as the living room is alot bigger on the 700 so in rainy weather you have a huge room to spread out. Theres only the two of us but already we have invited another four people along and our little dog and it works lovely, imagine fridge, tv,cooker,2 tables and 6 chairs all in the living room at night and still lots of space to move. The only thing you may not like is the weight of the poles(25kg) but the way I see it, once they are all in place you have one very strong frame which is piece of mind...Hope this has helped   

Hi Chris

Great choice of tent, we have the 700 and there are only 2 of us, the weight of poles is quickly forgotten once the tent is erected.

Many happy days of camping.

Ginger 1

Hi Ian

Your right getting it up if a bit of an art.  As there are only two of us it takes a bit of team work.  We find it helps if you stake out a couple of the corners first, and then hubbie lifts up the tent holding the front roof pole which runs from side to side and the left roof pole which runs from back to front.  I then take over from him  and support the tent while he goes around and lifts all the poles to half height.  Takes a bit of strength to support the tent, but I can just about do it and I'm only 5ft tall and just over 8 stone. 

Next stage is that he hold the tent while I take myself inside along with a little plastic pair of steps (need these cos of my lack of height) I then hold the centre pole which runs from side to side and start to push the tent up while he goes around and lifts all the poles to full height.  I continue holding and supporting the tent (gets easier when all poles are up to full height) while he goes around and starts putting in the ring and pins.

Once all this is done I usually take a breather and have a large drink, then between us we finish of the pegging out etc.

Hope this helps, would love to hear how you get on.

Happy camping.

Ginger1

Hi Ian

Last time we pegged down just a couple of corners, but hubbie said will be trying pegging all four next time we go out with the Vango.  (not until September)

Your right the little ties are a nuisance, we didn't do up the very top ones and I held out the flysheet while hubbie squeezed between the two.

Can't remember the porch flaps not fitting well, but will take a look next time.

Notice your from Hampshire, lovely area to live, we always come down that way for our hols, last time went to Sandy Balls near Fordingbridge.

Hope you get on okay next time you erect your Vango.

Regards

Ginger

Ian/Jed

One of the corners on a red pole also gave way with us  Hope this isn't indicative of a problem.

Ginger 1

Just had a look at mine but they are ok so far, how would you say they have failed, just a clean break or something else? I think Vango will do the right thing and send replacements but your local retailer should be doing that as the sale of goods act defends the consumer, a shocking result from outdoorworld though

  Hope you get your new poles asap