Buying a tent - what factors should be considered ?

[Hicky]

Things considered essential......how long is a piece of string.
Depends how nesh your wife n kids are. I could get away with a bivibag for the kids.....the wife wants ehu, fridge, heating, family bathroom, the whole works!!!

 

[Sandra6]

I wouldn't buy anything you hadn't seen in the flesh, as it were.
Vango do a tent similar to the one you were looking at for half the price, available at go outdoors and online, I can't remember it's name though.
For me a tent has to be taller than me so I don't have to crouch down to get in, and have separate bedrooms.
We have a massive 8 man one (make me an offer and it's yours!) that was fantastic when we had a big van to fit it in, but it's no use to us now.
I would always try and get a sewn in groundsheet too.
As for equipment you can go with just a tent, sleeping bag and stove or you can buy carpets, curtains, kitchen sink. Everyone has different definitions of "bare minimum" don't they?!

 

[Poacher]

Standing room in the living area is a must for me. We've used a Coleman BiSpace 500 for 15 years or so - probably in the region of 200 days camping in total - and there's not much I'd want to change. It now has a few repairs due to tears caused by extreme weather, but is still going strong. Long discontinued, but often crops up on Ebay at bargain prices - there are three on there at the moment.

 

[4F]

Be warned, tents are like bikes - n+1 applies.

I say this as someone who currently has 7...

Indeed, not quite as many as you but I have 5

 

[hobbitonabike]

Indeed, not quite as many as you but I have 5

Four here lol. Ranging from 4 to 12 man.

 

[Crackle]

6 and none of them are right.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

6 and none of them are right.

Mind you, neither's the owner

 

[Crackle]

Mind you, neither's the owner

Shut it you.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Shut it you.

That's very mature of you, mr poopy pants.

 

[Hicky]

2, a three man(Coleman 400bispace) when it was just us.....then n+1 kids and we have a huge Dutch pyramid for us four.
I would like a small single man type but I'll stick to bivibag and basha.

 

[spicy12]

Hi nicky would appreciate more info about the possibility of buying a real karsten tent on markplats. It seems like a gumtree type site so am concerned about not getting ripped off and the whole transporting the tent to the UK aspect as I was not intending to collect it myself. Any tips appreciated jay

If you are interested in a second hand dutch tent, have a look at Markplaats it is fairly simple to work out.
You can email the seller and use bablefish to translate if needed(most dutch do speak english).
PM me if you want more info.

Voy

 

[Hicky]

Hi nicky would appreciate more info about the possibility of buying a real karsten tent on markplats. It seems like a gumtree type site so am concerned about not getting ripped off and the whole transporting the tent to the UK aspect as I was not intending to collect it myself. Any tips appreciated jay

Voy

All I can suggest is find one you like after much research. Ask if they speak English as it's not a given.
Then further photos etc....as with anything you buy whether it's from the opposite end of the country or NL you are at risk unless you credit card it.
I know many people on ukcampsite have bought from mark plats with no problem.
Good luck