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Hi Kay6759

I agree that Montana 12 (even perhaps all of them) it would be too big and heavy and difficult for you.  We have the Monty12 now for all the same reasons you want it but I don't think there's any way you could pitch it with an 8 year old.  I am 5 ft and my hubby and I have enough trouble getting it up (ooh-er) especially if there's the slightest gust to take hold of it.  We bought it from a Yeomans Show too - the 6 and 4 looked the same height (7ft) and the tricky bit is raising the tent from the ground by the first set of poles - remember the weight of the heavy duty groundsheet and bedrooms which are attached.  You could take the bedrooms out to make it a little lighter perhaps.  However, you have to attach the side poles to the roof section and life the whole thing up, then one of you has to hold it there while the other pegs out the end guys to keep the whole structure up before you attach and raise the rest of the poles.  If you don't stretch your arms to hold the poles quite near the top, they bend and creak something chronic, especially in the wind.  I think you'd have to take a mate to help you or you'll end up splitting the poles.  My friend changed from a tunnel tent design to a high dome once he split up from his wife because he found it was not a design he could pitch by himself, even with lighter-weight fibreglass poles.  Methinks a domey type would be better.  Shame but not worth the stress chuck unless you're brave enough to enlist fellow campers.

Hi Kay,

I have the colorado 8 and whilst it is a doddle to put up (even for a complete novice like me), it really does require 2 people. I think an 8 year old would struggle, but I might be wrong. I suspect this may be a problem with any tunnel tent though.

the 8 man colorado is HUGE though and would be more than big enough for your needs. The internal bedrooms are very flexible making it easy to increase the living space, or use one as storage. I am absolutely delighted with mine. No SIG though.

Do you know anyone with a tunnel tent you could practice on?

Some of the domes have really good height in the living area and might be easier to erect for you. Don't really know though, as I haven't tried to put one up!!

paula

hi Kay,

I have a montana 6, and as a single mum I camp with my three kids (15, 12 and 8)... no way could I manage to pitch it with my just youngest. Otherwise, it's easy enough to pitch, and fast, but you do need a bit of muscle power... if you do go for it, I'd say that the montana 6, or perhaps even the 4, would be plenty big enough for two of you, the living space in the 6 is massive and we all love it, especially with the added space of the side porch

heather

Quote: Originally posted by cheekychonker on 25/07/2005

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Hi Kay6759

I agree that Montana 12 (even perhaps all of them) it would be too big and heavy and difficult for you.  We have the Monty12 now for all the same reasons you want it but I don't think there's any way you could pitch it with an 8 year old.  I am 5 ft and my hubby and I have enough trouble getting it up (ooh-er) especially if there's the slightest gust to take hold of it.  We bought it from a Yeomans Show too - the 6 and 4 looked the same height (7ft) and the tricky bit is raising the tent from the ground by the first set of poles - remember the weight of the heavy duty groundsheet and bedrooms which are attached.  You could take the bedrooms out to make it a little lighter perhaps.  However, you have to attach the side poles to the roof section and life the whole thing up, then one of you has to hold it there while the other pegs out the end guys to keep the whole structure up before you attach and raise the rest of the poles.  If you don't stretch your arms to hold the poles quite near the top, they bend and creak something chronic, especially in the wind.  I think you'd have to take a mate to help you or you'll end up splitting the poles.  My friend changed from a tunnel tent design to a high dome once he split up from his wife because he found it was not a design he could pitch by himself, even with lighter-weight fibreglass poles.  Methinks a domey type would be better.  Shame but not worth the stress chuck unless you're brave enough to enlist fellow campers.

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