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Hello everybody, first time on here, here goes!

We currently own a Vango Vista 600 DLX which is a fine tent. However, we are thinking of buying a large family tent, preferably with 3 pods, with some sort of porch and definately with a SIG, spending around £200. Not asking for much are we!

I am currently looking at either the Coleman Columbia or the Wynnster Carmarthen. Both these are for sale at under £200 from the Norwich Camping & Leisure Centre (£199 for the Coleman, £175 for the Carmarthen which seems a bargain) Does anybody have any thoughts on either of these 2, or does anybody have any other options?

Or should we push the boat out a little and go for the Diablo 900?

Be grateful for any opinions.

Hi

I can highly recommend (and often do!!) the Campus Indiana 8.  We have one and have found it fantastic.  It has three good sized bedrooms and and as it is a tunnel tent the height is consistent all the way through - my dh is almost 6 foot and can stand up anywhere in the tent no probs.  We have the large bedroom with plenty of space for storage and chaning and my daughter and son have a bedroom each.  It has a good sized living area too.

Have a look and see what you think.

http://www.oswaldbailey.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51109801&desc=CAMPUS+INDIANA+8+FAMILY+TENT&

By the way, do you have any relatives in Hull, I used to know a family of Renders here!

Trace x

Forgot to say, it also copes very well with wind and rain.

Trace x

Thanks for the replies so far, I will have a good look at your suggestions. I'm sure they will be added to my list of possibles.

In answer to your question Trace, no known relatives in East Yorks, plenty in West Yorks though!

With both the tents you list (Coleman Columbia and Wynnster Carmarthen) you sleep side on to the main central dome - this means that one person (assuming two in the pod) has to have the slope of the end on them - which is less than ideal (it is the same issue I have with the Hartfords).

The Diablo, and I think the Campus Breckenridge, have slightly larger bed pods, allowing you to not sleep side on - i.e. the sleepers feet head toward the sloping end (hope this makes sense). This, to me, is a far better arrangement - so i would say "yes" pay the extra £50 for the Diablo or other (no one likes waking up with a face full of sagging tent!).

Ah but with the Indy you don't get sagging tent cos of the consistent height throughout the tent including the bedrooms.  We sleep head facing the outside of the tent and the kids do the same at their end.

Trace x

we have the wynnster harrier 8 and it is great were looking at the coleman columbia before we saw the harrier and the number of doors made our choice.

We have 3 doors a massive living area (new blow up sofa and chair for next trip out) 2 large sleeping pods which aint sagged yet? full sig and paid £150.00 for it from gearzone.

Ian

Angie Ian Rachel an Nanna