Reccomend a tent, camping experts

faw1tytowers

Heading to France for a 2 week first family holiday in June. As we will be camping I want to insure I buy a good quality tent with comfort for us and our 2 young kids <4. Have seen a really good offer online a few months back but hadnt hte money at the time. And now the offer has doubled in price. This is probably going to be our way of holidaying from now on ie camping unless we win the lotto so hopefully this tent will live a few years too. Saw this one online and wondered is it as good as it sounds? Or shoudl I go for smaller windows.. maybe more vents.. I dunno any tips appreciated.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_745439_langId_-1_categoryId_236916

also this halford brand one for 100 less?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_745505_langId_-1_categoryId_236913

Fratton Fred

faw1tytowers wrote: »

Heading to France for a 2 week first family holiday in June. As we will be camping I want to insure I buy a good quality tent with comfort for us and our 2 young kids <4. Have seen a really good offer online a few months back but hadnt hte money at the time. And now the offer has doubled in price. This is probably going to be our way of holidaying from now on ie camping unless we win the lotto so hopefully this tent will live a few years too. Saw this one online and wondered is it as good as it sounds? Or shoudl I go for smaller windows.. maybe more vents.. I dunno any tips appreciated.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_745439_langId_-1_categoryId_236916

also this halford brand one for 100 less?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_745505_langId_-1_categoryId_236913

With young kids I would be inclined to go with a one bedroom tent, like this one http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_786575_langId_-1_categoryId_236913

Tabnabs

Stay away from Halfords unless you want a tent for a weekend and plan on leaving the tent behind as it's not worth the trouble of taking it home...

Have a read here
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/cat.asp?catid=3

and here
http://www.thecampingforum.co.uk/forum/

And then order online from the UK, save a few quid and get a decent tent that will last the duration of your holiday!

faw1tytowers

Fratton Fred wrote: »

With young kids I would be inclined to go with a one bedroom tent, like this one http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_786575_langId_-1_categoryId_236913

Was kinda thinkiing one room for luggage etc and one for us lot to sleep then obviously the day room is the middle bit?

faw1tytowers

Tabnabs wrote: »

Stay away from Halfords unless you want a tent for a weekend and plan on leaving the tent behind as it's not worth the trouble of taking it home...

Have a read here
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/cat.asp?catid=3

and here
http://www.thecampingforum.co.uk/forum/

And then order online from the UK, save a few quid and get a decent tent that will last the duration of your holiday!

Thanks for the links, are halfords really that bad??

Fratton Fred

I got a gelert tent from halfords and it is quite good. I only go for long weekends though.

Millets do some great deals but I'm not sure what their tents are like.

Fratton Fred

faw1tytowers wrote: »

Was kinda thinkiing one room for luggage etc and one for us lot to sleep then obviously the day room is the middle bit?

If they are what I think, each room isn't much bigger than a double mattress, so I doubt if there would be room.

the_syco

Questions: how do you get to France? Are you flying over, or driving over? Used to camp with the family when I was younger, and we went to France by the ferry. Father could carry a lot more in the boot of the car than on the plane.

If going by plane, you'll be limited to a weight limit. If going by car, your limit is the size of the boot and trailer (if you have one). If you intend on going camping a lot, get a trailer. Great for storing stuff, and it means that you can bring a good sized tent, and not have half your stuff in the back seat.

From having camped in France (Clisson) in the past two years during June, I'd advise getting a tent with a very tick and heavy roof, to stop the heat getting though. Otherwise, you'll be woken at 8am each day, and you won't be able to stay in the tent during the day.

If buying a tent, goto a shop that sells tents, and tent related stuff. Not a shop like Halfords which sells everything under the sun, badly.

Finally, when you buy the tent, put it up in your back garden. If it leaks, bring it back, or fix it. Will save you a lot of hassle when you're in France. I think we got our tent 2nd hand through the Buy and Sell. When we went over to the house, the tent was set up. If buying 2nd hand, and the tent isn't set up to view, walk away.

faw1tytowers

Driving over.. Scenic so lots of space.

Have 2 young kids that will probably wake at crack of dawn hehe, but will take point on board.

never thought of second hand..... will definitly look.

Thanks

the_syco

Came across the following on adverts.ie:

http://www.adverts.ie/231245 - trailer tent. Looks cool. As you'd be sleeping on the trailer section, it'd be great in Ireland (speaking of which, ensure you get a good ground mat with the tent).

faw1tytowers

Fratton Fred wrote: »

If they are what I think, each room isn't much bigger than a double mattress, so I doubt if there would be room.

hmm see your point, Had originally thought seperate rooms for us but I guess not realy practical on campsite with young kids..... Yes good point maybe I need a larger sleeping area.

Tabnabs

faw1tytowers wrote: »

Thanks for the links, are halfords really that bad??

When I did my research last year before buying I came across a load of threads on how poor quality the Halfords tents were. You can get decent quality tents (eg Vango) for not a lot of money and it will stand the use and abuse any family gives it.

We bought this one after reading some good reviews by people who owned and used them. Found the retailer to be very helpful too. Not a problem to send it by courier for a reasonable price to Ireland ( £12.00 (€13.20)).

faw1tytowers

Tabnabs wrote: »

When I did my research last year before buying I came across a load of threads on how poor quality the Halfords tents were. You can get decent quality tents (eg Vango) for not a lot of money and it will stand the use and abuse any family gives it.

We bought this one after reading some good reviews by people who owned and used them. Found the retailer to be very helpful too. Not a problem to send it by courier for a reasonable price to Ireland ( £12.00 (€13.20)).

Thats great suggestion, I really like it, thank you!

the_syco

faw1tytowers wrote: »

Have 2 young kids that will probably wake at crack of dawn hehe, but will take point on board.

Not so much as waking, more of a case of, tent becomes a sauna, hotter than outside. Boils you alive. Sun directly overhead. During the day, you'll want to chill in the shade. You'll need the thick roof then Also, ensure it either has a mesh door, or get a mesh door. Allows you to leave the door open, minus the flies.

=-=

What ages are the kids? You say under four, but are we talking babies, or sociable kids? You'll get a lot of sites with kids clubs of some sort. It'll allow them to play with other random kids of around that age, and allow you to sit down and relax with other parents. This also ensures that there are family friendly facilities there.

Tabnabs

I would echo the suggestion that when you do buy make sure to put it up in your back garden etc. to see how it's done without the pressure of bystanders or rain or anything else distracting. It will make life so much easier once you arrive on your holiday.

BTW, the tent will look huge in your garden, but tiny once you erect it on a campsite with some of the monstrosities out there

faw1tytowers

the_syco wrote: »

Not so much as waking, more of a case of, tent becomes a sauna, hotter than outside. Boils you alive. Sun directly overhead. During the day, you'll want to chill in the shade. You'll need the thick roof then Also, ensure it either has a mesh door, or get a mesh door. Allows you to leave the door open, minus the flies.

=-=

What ages are the kids? You say under four, but are we talking babies, or sociable kids? You'll get a lot of sites with kids clubs of some sort. It'll allow them to play with other random kids of around that age, and allow you to sit down and relax with other parents. This also ensures that there are family friendly facilities there.

Aged 1 and 4 and the site has a farm and playground pool etc but the kids club is not open till july. But im sure the kids will make friends they are social boys. And oh yeah sauna ewww no no.. and defo been looking for he mesh netted windows/doors!

faw1tytowers

Tabnabs wrote: »

I would echo the suggestion that when you do buy make sure to put it up in your back garden etc. to see how it's done without the pressure of bystanders or rain or anything else distracting. It will make life so much easier once you arrive on your holiday.

BTW, the tent will look huge in your garden, but tiny once you erect it on a campsite with some of the monstrosities out there

Lol oh yes once we buy this baby I we will erect it.... cant wait!

Tabnabs

Just to mention, that one I bought has two doors, a huge front door/porch which is great for airing the place out and a side door which has a mesh screen too.

And yes, you will be awake at 5.30/6am. I found that out the hard way last year with a toddler. On the opposite side of it, you'll be knackered by 9pm and as it's dark and the bottle of red wine is empty, may as well go to bed

faw1tytowers

now looking at vanga 400 & 600