New Tent

[BrumJim]

Heading off to Assen for the Jeugdtour (European Junior Cycling Tour) again this year. Option 1 is to ask my sister if we can borrow a tent of theirs again (her family treat tents like most of us treat bicycles - always one more that you need), but not too sure how much longer the favours will last.

So thinking about buying one of our own. Spec is that it must sleep 2 (ideally with separate rooms), and offer shelter for eating and bike work should the weather outside be inclement. Looking at tents we would need a relatively large one (4-5 person) to have standing up space in the main area, so wondering if we could get a much smaller one (still with a decent sleeping area), but supplementing it with a gazebo-type structure that can be secured against the wind and rain for eating and bike mechanics.

Thoughts?

 

[fossyant]

Gazebo's will only work if it's not windy - you are buggered if it picks up. Go for a poled tent rather than air - whilst the air are brilliant, they are bulky and expensive.

We use a big tarp to supplement our bell tent, so we've a sheltered area outside so can cook out of the rain or sit without getting sun burn - stands upto wind better than a gazebo. You may get away with one of those 'event shelters' rather than a gazebo - better designed but not cheap.

Being able to stand up in a tent is a game changer, makes life much more comfortable. You can't go far wrong with anything from Decathlon or Go-Outdoors.

 

[Jameshow]

I take it your not cycle touring.

I'd go for a hooped 4-6man tent from Vango decathlon Cotswolds etc.

 

[raleighnut]

+1 for a 'hooped' tent, I'd be looking for one that went up 'Fly First' then the inners hung inside on clips

 

[classic33]

How is it going to be carried, is weight an active consideration?

 

[wiggydiggy]

I'm watching this thread as I want basically the same tent.

Last couple years I used a Vango Drummond and a teeny tiny Vango Apex style tent to get around the needing 2 separate bedrooms, but not all sites are kind enough to not charge me full price for 2 tents.

I had a look late last year but most tents I saw that did 2 bedrooms are massive, surely there is something out there?

 

[simongt]

I'd be looking for one that went up 'Fly First'

Definitely, if it comes on rain whilst you're pitching, not a problem.

 

[fossyant]

Decathlon do a 4 person, 2 bed tent. My sister has the older version.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/campi...2-4-people-2-bedrooms/_/R-p-311103?mc=8562098

 

[simongt]

I had a look late last year but most tents I saw that did 2 bedrooms are massive, surely there is something out there?

From what we've seen over the last few of years, many couples appear to be opting for a six berth tunnel tent or bigger - !

 

[wiggydiggy]

From what we've seen over the last few of years, many couples appear to be opting for a six berth tunnel tent or bigger - !

Good lord that's too big. I can think of at least one site I stayed on last year which could not allow something that big.

 

[fossyant]

From what we've seen over the last few of years, many couples appear to be opting for a six berth tunnel tent or bigger - !

That is the case mainly. You should see the stuff some folk have. We camped near RAF Fairford, and the 'folk' next to us arrived in a van. Four adults. Up went this massive air tent, then out comes this industrial sized and 'made' super heavy duty gazebo, which was then secured with storm straps. They also had a folding kitchen sink unit.

 

[BrumJim]

How is it going to be carried, is weight an active consideration?

By car.

 

[wiggydiggy]

How about this. Along the lines of what I'm looking for, 2 beds and large living space.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/campi...oms/_/R-p-301124?mc=8810951&c=dark blue_white

Decathlon do a 4 person, 2 bed tent. My sister has the older version.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/campi...2-4-people-2-bedrooms/_/R-p-311103?mc=8562098

That style is ok, but I don't think the middle living section is big enough.

 

[icowden]

How about this. Along the lines of what I'm looking for, 2 beds and large living space.

I got one of these last year and it's excellent. It's a 4 man but you can unsplit the bedroom to have a nice big bedroom big enough for a double bed and the living area is big enough to stand in and sit comfortably. It has some handy hanging bits and pieces you can dangle a light off, as well as a little zip pocket should you want to run an electric cable in.

https://www.halfords.com/camping/tents/halfords-4-person-tunnel-tent-with-canopy-508294.html?stockInventory=undefined&_gl=1*hlxwvm*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiA-ty8BhA_EiwAkyoa34OxFYdE0PmB9lnDWq6ldmNHf0p76V-
ANnP8Qr2UcPgUa71POTJQgBoCM0cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[raleighnut]

Definitely, if it comes on rain whilst you're pitching, not a problem.

Best tent I ever had was a Litchfield 'Viper 2' only a small 'Canadiene' style thing but I could get the fly sheet up in under 2 minutes, great for if it came on to rain whilst hillwalking/cycletouring.