Tent advice pretty please.

[Overrun]

We are going to take the plunge and buy one, hurray! I have found several that I like. We are a family of 5, so I have been looking at tents for 6-8 people for extra space.
I only want a tent with a sig, 3000 proofing and it has to be under £200. The cheaper the better.

I like the look of a 2006 Gelert Quebec 8 +4, and a 2008 Vango Albany 600, and a 2007 Coleman Columbus 6, and lastly a 2006 Khyam Arizona..

Which makes do you think are best out of these? What is the difference between a durawrap pole and a fibre glass one?

I find them on the Camperland site, but can't do links I am afraid. Just in case some one is bored enough or kind enough to look they are all in the £101 - £201 section of family tents.

[dustystar]

Is this the site?

[Overrun]

Yes it is, thanks Obviously if I can get them cheaper else where I will, but seemd a pretty good site, with some good offers on camping equipment as well.

What do you think?

[dustystar]

Here is the link to the right section.

They all seem like nice tents. Have you looked them up on ukcampsite?

[Overrun]

No, what is ukcampsite? Do they discuss different merits of tents? I'll do it now.

So no favourite out of those tents then?

[ska]

if you are new to camping then i suggest you buy a secondhand tent. tents are expensive and it gives you a chance to try it out. we have been through 3 tents in 9 years findingout which one is right for us. it's expensive if you buy new. there are also tent etc weekend sales done at garden cetnres which come up thrugh the spring and early summer and are good for bargains. again get the equipment secondhand or borrow to start with. and as long as you lend back no one who camps will mind lending you stuff to try for a weekend break!

[dustystar]

Its a website where all things camping related are discussed. Its really good for finding info or getting advice.

[dustystar]

look here

[Overrun]

Thanks ska, any friend we have who camp have too small tents. I will think about the second hand, but my dh and I have camped before, but not as a family.

[dustystar]

Have you had a look around a display?

[Overrun]

I have looked around, at the message boards, and the shop. Is that what you mean?
Still undecided really.

[dustystar]

I mean a display where they have tents put up for you to have a look around. We have a couple of shops near us with a display.

[ska]

i understand as we camped too before but since having kids our neeeds changed amazingly! things like table size, chairs, camping kitchens etc are a bit trial and error. are you in an NCT group - we borrowed via there as well as friends. just athought - we started off with a 2 bed dome then went to 2 bed something else with a big central room and then bought a huge 12 man which we find fab as it has 4 bedrooms, boys, girls (teens), us plus a place for all our kit and teh huge standing up bit in the middle for sitting in nwhen it rains! we sue it mainky for short breaks and take oter peoples kids with us so sometimes we have 8 kids, 2 dogs and us!generally get other people in after dark or in the rain as we have so much space. love it but would never have thought of getting it when we were starting out.

[ska]

yes taht kind of display is good,thats why i suggested the camping fairs

[Overrun]

What is the difference between an intergrated ground sheet and a fully fitted one?

[ska]

integrated is part of teh tent (so you cant lose it) - fuly fitted, not sure may mean same thing

[dustystar]

I'm not sure but I assume that they are different ways of saying the same thing. Which tent says it has a fully fitted groundsheet?

[Overrun]

Kyham Arizona,

Now liking the look of kyham Ontario 8, but the cheapest I can find is £199.

[dustystar]

Having looked at another description of the Arizona I think fully fitted is different to intergrated. It described the goundsheet as a fully fitted clip on groundsheet.

[Overrun]

yes, I think it probably means something different, curses.
I would like the Ontario, but have been reading past threads for info, and I think peachy has it, and it has been refused on some sites.
does any one know what the maxium size is, that you can have without being refused?
I really think we would struggle with a 6 sleeper, we have 3 year old twins, small but active and a 5 year old. All boys. Plus we are really messy as a family

[dustystar]

The maximum size is different for different sites and also some sites are stricter about size at busier times than they are when it is quieter.

[Overrun]

Now really keen on the kyham ontario. What are your thoughts dusty star?

[dustystar]

It seems like a really nice tent and peachy is really happy with hers. I don't think she's had too many problems with it size wise.

[Overrun]

thanks, I have found the kyham ontario8 thread, so that was helpful too. YOu have been very kind.

[dustystar]

You are very welcome i can't resist a camping thread lol!