2 threads is greedy but know you will help...

[karen.488walker]

because of returning to UK hubby has no summer hols. Therefore want a few camping weekends a traind ride from London. Am I peeing in the wind or will I find vacancies? Also looking at a vango diablo which has a pitch size of 7 ish by 8 ish m. Am I better off buying a smaller tent?
Help...never camped before.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

You will have no problem finding vacancies.

Does you op read 7 x 8 metres? Ye gods girl, are you holding a summer ball?

 

[karen.488walker]

http://www.skcamping.com/products/l...s/vango-diablo-600-dlx-family-dome-tent-2009/
I want to bu this tent, but i want to know if it's stupid and will create probs???

 

[Gerry Attrick]

There's nowt wrong with Vango tents, but how many people/dogs/cats/earwigs are to kip in it. Are you intending to carry it on a bike?

 

[karen.488walker]

There's nowt wrong with Vango tents, but how many people/dogs/cats/earwigs are to kip in it. Are you intending to carry it on a bike?

No in car. 2 adults 2 children. only hope in hell I have of getting hubby camping is to offer as much luxury I can.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Ah, that explains a lot.

The only thing that strikes me with the tent you have highlighted is that they say it takes 40 minutes to pitch. Now on a lovely warm sunny day, ok. But if its blowing a hooley and dumping the equivalent of Lake Windermere on you, that 40 minutes will seem like 40 days. Not only that, but everything you have with you will also be soaked by then.

There are other tents which are much quicker and easier to pitch. I really advise further shopping around. Stick to well known brands and you won't go far wrong.

 

[karen.488walker]

Like the 2 separate bed thing rather than parallel sleeping comparts. + enough room for a kingsize airbed/ room between the children. Would love recs. + enough room when it's raining. But don't like frame tents!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Frame tents take even longer to pitch. I was forced to use one for years because I needed to get a couple of vintage motorcycles to sleep with me! (Yeah ok, but my wife did know about it!). However, there are many tents using flexible p;oles which can be erected in a couple of minutes. Oh how I wished I had one three weeks ago in the Yorkshire Dales!!!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Only tip I have is practice erecting it before you go till you get it down to a fine art, and make sure hubby and kids all know their jobs.

 

[karen.488walker]

All well and good, but can I pitch that tent on your avrg spot? is it a good tent?

 

[Joe24]

Have a look around the shops, Millets has a few good tents, and when theres a sale on its even better.
The other good thing that Millets do is if you take in an old tent, you get 20% off a new tent!!!
The old tent goes to countries to offer releif and you get 20% off your new tent.
Thats if you have an old tent ofcourse.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Like I said, Vango tents are fine. As to an average spot, well camp sites tend not to measure. You picks your spot (not too much or it will fester) and pitches your tent. Simples.

 

[Crackle]

For family camping in a car, I would recommend http://www.khyam.co.uk/ tents. We used to have one, absolutely excellent, not the cheapest and watch the pack size of some of them but fabulous quality and foul weather is not a problem.

 

[karen.488walker]

Have a look around the shops, Millets has a few good tents, and when theres a sale on its even better.
The other good thing that Millets do is if you take in an old tent, you get 20% off a new tent!!!
The old tent goes to countries to offer releif and you get 20% off your new tent.
Thats if you have an old tent ofcourse.

Just spent a week in a bargain tent from millets at my parents. (darwin, eurohike) great bargain, didn't let in the rain but a bit thin for a proper holiday.

 

[karen.488walker]

For family camping in a car, I would recommend http://www.khyam.co.uk/ tents. We used to have one, absolutely excellent, not the cheapest and watch the pack size of some of them but fabulous quality and foul weather is not a problem.

Look great Does ot sound fussy if I say I don't like the floor plan? Really want the kids just that bit more separate.