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From a dedicated tunnel-tenter. Are there any advantages to a dome tent, and what about the larger tents which normally incorporate a dome as the centre. I am looking to replace my tunnel tent with something newer and larger.

Large single bedroom -at least 4 man

Large living area- sewn in groundsheet

Large porch.

Advice and suggestions please?

VRC Scenic 5.0i

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=101

Hi Black Dog, Having just switched from a dome tent to a tunnel I would say stick with the tunnel. I had a nine man dome tent with the large dome in the centre and three bedroom pods off that. It was a great tent and we had some good times with it but, was fed up with not being able to stand up fully all the time. While in the centre of the dome you were ok but, as soon as you moved  it was time to start stooping. May not be a problem for most people but I have back problems and it's better for me to be able to stand straight. We also found it harder to erect and it took so much longer. We have just bought the Khyam Yale and absolutely love it.

So personally I would stick with the tunnel but I soppose there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Don't know if this has helped you at all.

Good luck

I am a fan of tunnel tents too for all the reasons stated by beardiebear. However, the dome shape is probably slightly more stable in high winds because of the crossover of poles (especially if the design is geodesic) as the tunnel shape is very dependent upon correct guying for its stability.

However, tunnels give the best space to weight ratio. For general lowland/valley camping a tunnel is fine, and if you invest in delta pegs, a tunnel tent will be sound in more exposed sites too - ours certainly was when pitched on a hillside site in fierce Lake district weather last year!

I also agree with Magnolia that the Outdoor Rev Scenic 5 looks like it fulfils all your needs, and you can get a good deal through UKCS too!

We've got a dome, and as we're not tall, it suits us.  We have one of the three bedroom models, use two for sleeping and the third as a kitchen.  Works well for us.  SIG are a must in my view (for what it's worth)

I also like the look of the Scenic VRC 5. A Monty 4 would probably be too small; but there is the SunValley 6 which would work well for the 4 of you.

If you want to consider a dome then look at a Wynnster Orion. I have the 2005 version, the Anglesey, and sleep in the main area (becuase it is more fun and like a teepee) and use the attached bedroom for the porta loo and storage. When you consider it this way, it fits your requirements well; including haivng a large porch.

Or a little more up market, a Jack Wolfskin Ocean View II RT. I saw one the week before last - a top tent.

Hi Black Dog

I don't know about SIG tents, but we've had tunnel tents since we started 4 years ago, and I'm a big fan, but I've just bought my first dome.  I went shopping for a tunnel, but came home with a Vango Colorado 500, with the living space in the dome.  It has pre bent poles, and I don't think the useable living space is any less than in our tunnel.  Also the other thing that put me off tunnels was the worry of getting the dome upright, but the Colorado has long tensioners, and you can slacken it off so much that the arches form on the floor and we lift it the same way we would in a tunnel.  We've never had any stability problems with the tunnels but domes are apparently more stable, time will tell I suppose. 

Anyway what I'm saying is look for the layout and size you want, and then look at how it pitches, a dome won't necessarily be difficult.

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 07/7/2006

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Have recently been told by salesmen at 2 different outlets that a dome is easier to erect because the poles don't have to be bent as far round as on a tunnel. Having only ever put up domes I don't know how true this is. Anyway, they both lost the sale 'cos I said in that case I'll stick with my dome instead of buying a new tunnel and they agreed that was best!

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Am not sure I would agree, but I guess it is dependent on the individual tent in reality.

I have had more problems with Domes in getting the flysheet right, rather than the poles.

Two more tunnel'ish I forgot, all relatively good value:

Kyham/Campus Yale - the inside is actually one big tent (full inner SIG) with just dividers at each end. It means it can be used as one big single space, if you tie back one or more of the dividers.

Gelert Utah - again can be used a single space tent, as it has a full inner SIG.