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Quote: Originally posted by Andy D on 26/6/2008

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... yes the outcome maybe buy a new tent ..tell my Mrs that.. she says why should she??!!

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Why should she? Because a smaller tent or one of a more rectangular will fit on more pitches and give you a better choice of campsite?

It makes you think though, why do they make these huge spreading tents when so many sites refuse to take them. I pity the first time buyers who get them, only to find they can't find a site, or have to pay double for 2 pitches.

i have always preferred the tunnels for easier pitching, and think they are just as spacious but more effective in use of space.

There's definately been a trend away from the big podded dome tents though towards the more space efficient tunnels, don't you think? Of course the manufacturers are now starting to produce optional zip-on side annexes for some tents which is taking us back to square one...except of course you can then just leave a piece off if on a tight pitch.

For example, if I compare two of my own tents....

I've got a Vango Colorado 1200DLX which is a  3-podded dome plus porch and it measures 6.6m x 6.3m on the footprint, which is pretty modest for a 12-man dome. Snug fit for 12 of course and it would really only take 3 single or one single+one double airbeds per pod but it would sleep 12 on self inflating mats, so better than most. Realistically though it's a 9-man. Big living area of 2.4m x 4.4m including the tunnel porch. For four of us it's palatial and there's tons of room for friends. There's the option of putting a canopy on the front.

But...my Vango Oregon 800 pitches at 6.8m x 2.8m. It has four double bedrooms that will each take a double airbed or two self inflating mats, so a genuine 8-man. Living area of 2.4m x 2.8m which is less than the Colorado, but there is a porch extension availible.

The Colorado won't fit on all pitches including C&CC ones and takes an hour to put up. The Oregon will fit almost anywhere and takes 20 minutes to put up.  They both sleep the almost same number of folk but the Oregon pods seem much larger as they've got full head height throughout most of the pod. I don't cook in the tent so I find I hardly need the bigger living area, especially if I take the kitchen tent. (Which will almost always fit on with the Oregon, but sometimes not with the Colorado.)

So, which tent above looks like the best bet when it comes to balancing space with restrictions on pitch size and flexibility, not to mention ease of use? The Oregon (and similar tunnels) of course. I love the Colorado but I have a strong suspicion I'll never use it again, not with the 20 minute pitching time of the Oregon, smaller pack size and the head height in the pods.

I wonder if those big podded tents are why some sites are going for no tents. It must be a pian to have difficult phone conversations because someone has been sold a whopper with no warnings. Much easier to go "No Tents."

Alan

There again you can come across the occasional site who are a credit to tent campers.  When I enquired about pitch sizes at a site i recently booked the lovely lady replied: 'Oh the pitches are huuuge, you can easily fit a ten man tent with a kitchen tent and a couple of large cars', In fact this site have recently done the impossible and increased the size of pitches, therefore reducing the number.  Well done them.

Clare