Hi,

First post here so let me say hello first so 'Hello'

OK I am looking to go camping over Xmas with my girlfriend and we decided to buy a bigger tent as all of our others are small 2 ~ 3 men size and I dont fancy scrabbling around on the floor trying to cook etc...

The type of thing we are looking for would have enough space for a sleeping area, a kitchen area and then a sitting area with a table etc.. I would like something that I can stand up in and live in if it is constantly raining. Also we need space for the xmas tree :-)

I am looking at either a used Ridgi-Pod Excelsior or a new XXL Excelsior with the annex and was wondering what you guys thought on either of these as they end up about the same cost. I am looking to take the tent for a couple of weeks down to the Ardeche in the Summer and would need it to sleep 2 couples so this is also a consideration.

Do you think the Khyam products are worth the premium or are they slightly overated, the reason I ask is that a couple of my other tents have loads of poles to thread through the flysheet and this can be a real pain so the Khyam system seems to overcome this nicely. The Kyham product also seems to be very good quality compared to some of the other brands I have seen

Thanks in advance

Simon

Khyam Rigipod Excelsior Family Tent

.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Khyam-Rigipod-Excelsior-Family-Tent_W0QQitemZ160062064232QQihZ006QQcategoryZ16041QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Quote: Originally posted by daisybev on 12/12/2006

---

If the budget runs to a Khyam id go for that everytime...

Not sure about a sig in the winter I am looking at the cleaning up at the end of the trip rather than the keeping warm whilst there...
i use my SIG tent for summer...

---

You could put a cheap, lightweight tarp (B&Q) down first, to keep the sig clean. I too would go for a SIG for camping out of season.

My experience of Khyam hasn't been as good as others on this site; we purchased a new Ridgipod (dodgy poles), a classic XXL - old favourite - (hole in flysheet upon receipt), XXL Excelsior (hole in flysheet upon receipt) and XXL Classic (snag / fault in flysheet, evident prior to pitching). Couldn't believe our bad luck and especially as they were all purchased from different retailers. Suggest that you buy locally and check it over before parting with your cash!

By the way, welcome to the site Simon.

Here's a suggestion; Blacks are having another 25% sale today (13th December) so the polycotton Outwell Bear Lake is available at £450 with free carriage. Now, I know that Outwell have had some major problems this year, but the Lakes range seems to be fairly fault-free (if you check the recent threads on good Outwell / bad Outwell).

This tent has a zip-in SIG which is removable (and so best of both worlds) and the construction should be good in all weathers (polycotton flysheet, hence quality without the need to pitch to dry and lightweight alloy frame). It also comes with a (removable) canopy. Click here for spec.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Quote: Originally posted by cecilthecat on 12/12/2006

---

OK I am looking to go camping over Xmas with my girlfriend and we decided to buy a bigger tent as all of our others are small 2 ~ 3 men size and I dont fancy scrabbling around on the floor trying to cook etc...

The type of thing we are looking for would have enough space for a sleeping area, a kitchen area and then a sitting area with a table etc.. I would like something that I can stand up in and live in if it is constantly raining. Also we need space for the xmas tree :-)  (snip)

---

Given the heat advantages and your need to cook inside, I would strongly consider a canvas/cotton tent, rather than a nylon one, like the Kyhams (regardless of their pitching qualities).

As already said, a SIG would have a big advantage in cutting out cold wet draughts and hence be also high on your selection criteria.

Unfortunately a lot of canvas tents, especially the frame based ones, do not have SIGs!. However, there are some canvas options, with SIGs - those that come to mind are:

The Cabanon Bora Bora does have a SIG and two seporated bedrooms, so you might want to look at that.

http://www.norwich-camping.co.uk/product_details/Cabanon_Bora-Bora/4206.html

The Relum Bardani range also has a SIG (zipped) and would give you a good size, but adjoining bedrooms.

http://www.relumcamping.co.uk/pages/domebardanictn2.htm

And as already proposed, the Outwell Lake models (Norfolk, Bear) would also fit the bill, however, I am not sure what they are like to cook inside (others will be better positoned to comment).

I'd recommend a canvas frame tent too. The poles are joined in sections by springs, so they're easy to erect. You won't have a condensation problem if you use a heater during the winter (unlike with synthetic tents). Frame tents are also much cooler & more comfortable in very hot weather. Safer to cook inside a frame tent too.

The only downside with a frame tent is the amount of space it takes up in the car, but for the comfort factor it's well worth it.

For cooking inside, ease of erection, warmer in winter and cooler in summer then I'd agree that canvas would probably be your best bet. Great bargains to be had on Ebay at this time of year eg http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cabanon-Andora-Tent_W0QQitemZ120064671876QQihZ002QQcategoryZ36120QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 

This Andorra would be great for you and your o/h and its only £100. And I think you should be able to buy an additional zip on bedroom for it for when you have company, but you'd need to check that. MT

Hi, Thanks for all of the feedback.

Well the deal has been done on a new Kyham Ultimate Classic, which I got for a very good price. I'm all set for Saturday to go camping till Boxing day, planning on trying to cook a turkey in a box oven which should be good fun. Needless to say we do have a backup option if this does not work :-)

One item I do need and am struggling to find is a Trivet or Grill for the fire, I am looking for something that is approx 18 inches sq that can take my pans etc..., does anybody have anything that they can recommend ?

Thanks