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I'm in the process of buying a family tent and could do with some advice.There are so many yents on the market I'm finding it quite confusing. I like the Vango Diablo 600 any views on this one. Also I've heard that some campsites are quite fussy about pitch size and can charge double for any tent over 7 metres is this true?

I would appreciate some advice.

I can only recommend one, tried and tested. That is the Vango Aspen 700.

The Aspen has so much head room, even allowing you to stand up in the bedroom compartments. Do a search on here for the Aspen and the reviews speak for its self.

Good luck and welcome to UKCampsite 

How many people to sleep (in what configuration 2+2 etc.)?

For weekends or weeks away?

How transporting? Space issues?

Any feature preferences (SIGs, windows etc.)?

Budget?

Hi there and welcome to UKCS sr123. I appreaciate how confusing all the different kinds of tent are, and you have come to the right place for lots of advice.

If you have a look through these message boards you will see that there are lots of view about frame versus dome versus tunnel tents, inner first versus outer first erection etc etc which may help you think through what YOUR specific requirements are. For example - how many folks, ages of any children, what kinds of hols (short or long, UK or warm sunny places etc), weight and packed size of tent and your budget.

Also, it helps to get out and see lots of tents in the flesh too. This will really help you get your head around some of the things that are important for YOU, cos we are all different, and waht is perfect for one family may not suit you and yours! Try and get out and about soon as camping shops often take down their displays in hte autumn. If you are not in a hurry for a tent you can get great bargains during the winter, especially shopping online. If you want one sooner to try camping out now then a lot of places are into the sales season now and you could bag a bargain.

The diablo is a great tent with a lot of fans, the only problem is that it goes up inner first which can be tricky in rain. There is a thread on the issue of pitch sizes but that would be more of an issue if you were considering the Diablo 900.

Good luck with the hunt!

Hi sr123.  I personally went for the Diablo 900 as we wanted the extra bedroom to store our stuff whilst on holiday.  The tent is very good and provides loads of room even on a rainy day.  I especially liked the porch area which is the same size on the Diablo 600.  We sat four of us around a table in the porch to eat when it was raining.  The only down side was the time and effort it took to pitch so we didn't fancy setting off late on a Friday for a weekend away so we have also bought a Coleman Weathermaster Plus which is smaller and quicker to pitch just for weekends.

Hope this helps.

hi. we bought a diablo 600 this summer and couldn't be more pleased with it. there are 5 of us and we had loads of space in the tent, when it was raining the kids just spraweld out in the middle or in the bedrooms and just got on with playing games. we have been away twice this summer with it and the both times we have stayed for a extra couple of nights because we felt comfortable in the tent and we could have stayed in even longer if it wasn't for work.

the 2 sites which we stayed on didn't have a problem with the size of the tent and i cant forsee it being a prob anywhere, maybe with the 900 but not the 600.

our family(2+3) think it is a exellent tent but i am sur there are many other great family tents out there aswell, but this one suits us.

hazza

We'd recommend the Vango Aspen 700, every time!!!

Hi We have a Gelert Lokon Vario 6  a tunnel tent well pleased with it, served all our needs in the past 2 years and in all types of weather. Plenty of Height and and space in the living area, with the nice detachable front porch worked well in France this year.

Had a look at a new camping shop nearby and it had over 35 tents on display, and if I had to get a new tent on a budget of £300 I would get  the Wynnster Anglesey excel. They have thought of all the little extras,  hooks to hang lights from and even the little ties for the cable, fully fitted ground sheet and fitt the inner first then the fly sheet. I walked into loads of the disply tents and felt chilly (up in Scotland) but this one felt warm, and the chap explained why , Its double skin helps in the hot and cold days.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=46373&PagePosition=1

Maybe need to look at this thread