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Hi Sue

Ooops!

Oh well, you seem in good cheer about it!  I would never buy another tent without seeing it up first.  There are a few shops near where I live and one has in excess of 50 tents permanently erected outdoors.  I visited this shop when it was windy as hell and lashing it down with rain.  It is amazing what you learn about a tent when you see it "put to the test".  Also, as a rule of thumb, it seems to be a good idea to get a tent that has an extra three berths minimum more than you require.

Can you not send the tent back and spend some quality time with the family choosing a new one? 

If you do decide to go for a new tent, why not ask for member's comments on it before you part with the cash?

Hope this helps.

PK

Hi Sue,

We've tried tent after tent (or at least it seems like it!) and now have the tent that's best for us and the stuff that we actually use, rather than take loads of stuff that we thought we'd use. We also have young children like you - trial and error gets you there in the end. Don't feel daft, everyone's been there. Are there any camping shops/places near you where you can see tents errected? It's a good way to get an idea of the difference in quality, sizes, style etc.

Hi there

 I had my heart set on a Vango Diablo 900 until I actually saw it up and its enormous. We went to a tent display and weighed up all the pros and cons, make of tent etc and whether to have SIG or not. That and this site were an enormous help in our final decision. Hope you find what you need without too much more outlay

Little Ern  

Hi,

sue you sound the complete opposite of me!  I have to research things for so long that I forget why I'm researching!

we got our first tent with all the gear second hand from a friend for peanuts.  I then went round and spoke to other campers on campsites about their tents and the pros/cons of each.  I would go off to do the washing up and come back ages later tispy but full of info!

The info on this site is excellent and I wish I had found it years ago, hopefully you will get enough advice to make an informed decision that is right for you all

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