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Camping

I have never been camping before and want to try it but which tent should I buy?

19 replies

cece · 29/03/2008 10:37

As the title says I have never been before. I have 2 dc and a very reluctant DH (who may not come with us).

So I need to be able to put the tent up on my home with some assistance from a 4 and 7 year old.

I don't want to spend a lot of money in case we don't like it. Plus DH says I have to use my own money as he doesn't want to come. And I only work part time so not that flush.

It may need to accomodate a grumpy DH - preferably in his own little section!

I would like to be able to stand up in it.

I like the thought of a sewn in groundsheet in the bedroom areas at least.

I have been looking at

Gelert Cadiz 6 Person Tent for about £70

or a

Coleman Canyon 6 for about £85

Any thoughts on these.

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cece · 29/03/2008 14:37

bumping for the afternoon camping experts...

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whirly · 29/03/2008 17:16

my husband is Mr un-practical, so we got a Khyam - 600 tourer, I think. It is quick and easy to put up (I can do it on my own!) and lots of space inside. There are 3 bedroom pods, so we sleep in one, the kids in another and we put all the "stuff" in the third. HTH!

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cece · 29/03/2008 17:45

whirly it looks lovely but is loads more than I have to spend....

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sallystrawberry · 29/03/2008 17:46

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KbearAndHerSweetBippy · 29/03/2008 17:48

trust me, if DH is grumpy before you go you will marriage guidance after, especially if the weather is bad! Go without him.

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sallystrawberry · 29/03/2008 17:48

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Lucycat · 29/03/2008 18:12

What about something like this Khyam?

ebay may be your best bet tbh, or look at Halfords / Argos for their all in one packages.

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cece · 29/03/2008 22:30

LOL I was intending to go without DH but he may decide to tag along at the last minute, expecially if we go with friends.

sally, no we have nothing except one blow up bed that we use for overnight child visitors in our house.

So the tents I have named aren't worth getting then??? Or should I give up on the whole idea...

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mindingmum · 29/03/2008 22:50

NO NO No don't give up!!!

I too am the owner of a miserable DH who doesn't come with us (bed is too uncomfortable, chairs are no good for his back, food doesn't taste right, kids get on his nerves, tent might blow down - I could go on and on...)

We just go on our own and we LOVE it

We have a large tunnel tent (Vario 6 plus) and I can easily put it up myself - guy in the camping shop was brill and told me to throw away the instructions and he would talk me through assembly - so might be worth you asking what your local shop recommends (tell them you have to put it up yourself)

Kbear is right about your hubby - camping brings on huge arguments with most of my friends who camp with DH so might be worth you going with your kids and him joining you for the last night and then he can help you put it all away

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mrspnut · 29/03/2008 23:09

We have a gelert cadiz 5 which I use if I'm taking the kids by myself for the weekend but there isn't much living area in it and it's quite a small tent.

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cece · 29/03/2008 23:14

yes I looked at the measurements of the two I had shortlisted and the gelert was quite a bit smaller than the coleman one.... Although it seemed to be a better spec

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sallystrawberry · 30/03/2008 00:22

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cece · 30/03/2008 10:21

I also have found a VANGO ALBANY 600 TENT for £140 as it is a sample tent. It looks pretty good and has a SIG...

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Peachy · 30/03/2008 10:23

I think I know the right one for you- just beenr eleased.

gelert twister 5, on ebay for around £95, pop up tent soe asy to put up yourself, standing height, pretty much everything you need.

HTH

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Peachy · 30/03/2008 10:24

here

but have seen cheaper on ebay via reputable companies

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cece · 30/03/2008 10:44

Oh that looks interesting peachy! Can't seem to find a plan of sleeping arrangements though - will keep looking...

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Henrietta · 01/04/2008 21:26

We bought a KYHAM Ontario 8 for our 2nd time camping with a 3 & 1 YR old (Was quite expensive but space made all difference to our old tent wnt up in minutes (you could keep kids in car till it's up poss.) and didn't let in rain even in an extreem storm where others on site did!! sewn in groundsheet means less mud leaks in.

HAd great fun. would do it again and recover cost after a couple of uses - have you thought of buying from local paper? people use them once and decide don't like camping.

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Henrietta · 01/04/2008 21:27

forgot to say hubby very tall and can stand easily in all of it - reason why we went for that one

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cece · 02/04/2008 17:17

I am leaning towards the coleman canyon still... But all this wet weather is putting me off a bit. LOL

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