Message Forums

Looks like a nice tent.I do wish manufacturers would just say "Sleeps 8" for that type of tent though. Who`s going to have another four in the living area? where does their kit go? And of course "Sleeps 8" really means "Sleeps 4-6 in comfort".

Yes, it`s best to get someone to support the cross poles from the inside if possible when pushing the dome up.There`s a lot of canvas weight on that first pole and this is when it`s most likely for a pole to snap. (You`ve remembered to buy a spare pole or two and a pole repair kit, yes?)

Also try to pitch a long thin tent like this with the narrow end facing into the prevailing wind. More stable than the wind hitting it broadside. Most newbies assume that pitching with the door facing the road is the only way, but you should think about the wind with a long tent.

This is a departure for us as we have had a Diablo for the last 3 years and if you can pitch that in the rain you can pitch anything. We bought the diablo cos we like our space too, it's just too big tho' for a weekend tent. Her indoors wanted a vango Aspen but when she saw this she changed her mind. We only went for a look and ended up buying it.

It will sleep 6 very comfortably, 8 would still be ok but the 12 is a no go unless they had somewhere else for their kit and didnt mind getting stood on in the rush to the toilet. But there is only 4 of us and 2 of them are under 10 so it will be just up our street.

I'm in the market now for a small cookin tent if anyone knows of anything suitable please chip in.

Cheers

Quote: Originally posted by clueless on 22/4/2006

---

we are going tent shopping today - hadn't seen this one previously but I'll certainly seek it out for a gander!  There's only two of us but we love our space - but all the larger tents seem of the satellite variety which would drown even us!

---

Have a look at the Vango Oregon 400 and 600...tunnel style, flysheet first, hi-riser  groundsheet. I saw them up last week and was very impressed.

Quote: Originally posted by postie on 22/4/2006

---

I'm in the market now for a small cookin tent if anyone knows of anything suitable please chip in.

---

Sunncamp and Outwell (?) both make small 2mx2m utility tents for around £40-50...absolutely ideal cooking tents, easy to put up and pack small. (I think there`s another brand as well but I`ve only had one cup of tea this morning so can`t remember.) Look for one with a pole-out front and zip-down window ...my older Sunncamp doesn`t have either of these features and though I adapted it perfectly easily, it`s simpler to get them included.

Postie,

It would be great if you could outline how you put up your tent. We are camping novices and although we did get it up in the end, I'm now wondering if we cobbled it together somehow and I'm now wondering when the whole thing will fall over with a sniff of wind.

I'm glad you agree it's a super tent. We originally bought a Gelert Satellite 6, but on a second viewing we thought that although the living space was cavenous, the bedrooms were like bogey-holes! And it just didn't feel cosey. The great thing about this Quebec, is that it feels big and cosey - I'm suprised haven't heard more about this tent. And it's great value - it cost us £189, a lot cheaper than some comparable tents.

We too, are thinking about a utlility tent, as we have a toddler, would be great to have all the cooking kit out of the way, where the little fingers can't get at em, let me know which one you decide on. We need a cheap one that disappears to the size of a postage stamp, as we have only a Golf, and as yet we have to buy the roof box.

Cheers,

Claire

P.S. no we haven't though of a spare pole or pole repair kit - where do you get them and which poles do you get.

Thanks,

Claire

I just posted a link to my tent first aid kit on another thread, but here it is again..

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=32423&SearchPagePosition=1&search=ikea+sponge+bag&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Thread&forum=3&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Quote: Originally posted by acemoola on 22/4/2006

---

We too, are thinking about a utlility tent, as we have a toddler, would be great to have all the cooking kit out of the way, where the little fingers can't get at em, let me know which one you decide on. We need a cheap one that disappears to the size of a postage stamp, as we have only a Golf, and as yet we have to buy the roof box.

 

---

We tie the utility tent securely to the roof bars, between our bikes. Make sure the bag is securely tied shut though and that the bag mouth is pointing towards the rear of the car.

We also used to tie the umbrella buggy across the roof bars, as it was much easier to get to during short stops.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 22/4/2006

---

....I do wish manufacturers would just say "Sleeps 8" for that type of tent though. Who`s going to have another four in the living area? where does their kit go? And of course "Sleeps 8" really means "Sleeps 4-6 in comfort". .......

---

Quote: Originally posted by acemoola on 22/4/2006

---

Postie,

It would be great if you could outline how you put up your tent. We are camping novices and although we did get it up in the end, I'm now wondering if we cobbled it together somehow and I'm now wondering when the whole thing will fall over with a sniff of wind.

I'm glad you agree it's a super tent. We originally bought a Gelert Satellite 6, but on a second viewing we thought that although the living space was cavenous, the bedrooms were like bogey-holes! And it just didn't feel cosey. The great thing about this Quebec, is that it feels big and cosey - I'm suprised haven't heard more about this tent. And it's great value - it cost us £189, a lot cheaper than some comparable tents.

We too, are thinking about a utlility tent, as we have a toddler, would be great to have all the cooking kit out of the way, where the little fingers can't get at em, let me know which one you decide on. We need a cheap one that disappears to the size of a postage stamp, as we have only a Golf, and as yet we have to buy the roof box.

Cheers,

Claire

---

Claire,

If you look at my gallery you will see our usual rig is massive. Last summer we had 6 people staying with us and we all fitted quite well in the diablo and wynnster summerhouse.

As for putting up the Quebec, we did this:

Layout the inner tent in the area that you want to erect it, taking into account the prevailing wind, slope and local conditions (you dont want to be looking straight at the toilet block or any other such facility.

Thread the long (in my case Black) diagonal poles through their respective sleeves untill you have a equal amount of overhang. One person should now remove their shoes and unzip the door and enter the main living area. The person outside now slowly connects the poles to the stays at the bottom whilst the person inside supports the centre.

When the main area is up, the two of you can then start at one end and fit the 4 cross poles (grey in my case). Before you peg it down now you can go around and just pull it al straight.

The flysheet is then a matter of one either side and pull the sheet over the top. Peg the lot down and bob's your uncle.

If the conditions are bad ie wind and rain then peg the main section down as you place the ends of the poles onto the links. you can always straighten it out after. same goes for the flysheet, peg the one end as close as you can estimate and the pull it over the topand peg it down the other end.

This is our method and is based on what we find best for us. If it helps you then all well and good, but please dont blame me "if during some bad storm in the summer your tent takes you and the kids halfway to carlisle when you went to Devon for the weekend."

Just a quick question but have you thought about a small trailer? I have a roof rack for the bikes and a few things but a small trailer works far better for us as you can carry more stuff, it doesnt take Garth to lift it up in the air and you dont have to drag it around with you when you go out for the day. I bought mine for £90 out of the free ads. I have over time changed the bearings and a back light but that was my choice as it was still road legal and safe. It also comes in handy for tip runs on a sunday.

Hope this info helps and I will let you know about the kitchen/cooking tent

Cheers

Steve