Best tent for family of four

Baking_Mad

Looking for some advice. We are thinking of going camping in summer and need to buy a tent.

There are so many makes out there I'm getting really confused.

Can anyone recommend a good quality tent that will withstand great british weather for a family of 4? It doesn't matter if it's a bit bigger but needs to be a good quality so it will last us for a few years.

Thank you

WestonDave

best bet is to pick out a few that you think might do the job and look at reviews on ukcampsite.co.uk

If you are going as a family of 4, you may want to look at a 6 person tent (depends on the children - 2 of the same gender will share a 2 person room fine - if you have both genders over a certain age you may need a third room).

Outwell are probably one of the top makes but are pricey, Coleman another with a good pedigree. Go Outdoors own brand Hi-Gear seem to do OK for the price.

Cotton will last longer as the polyester/nylon ones will degrade over time in sunlight (less so if used in the UK than if taken to say France but they do have a finite life). The hydrostatic head is important as its a good measure of waterproofing - the higher the figure the better.

Poles - carbon fibre etc poles are popular and have some give in wind, but probably won't stand the worst weather on a big family sized tent. We've got steel poles on ours which makes it very heavy, but also very weather proof.

Finally if you can borrow a vaguely suitable tent for the first trip (pick a campsite near home on a sunny weekend and phone up - they'll probably fit you in) as that way you'll know what you like and don't like for when you buy one.

daveyjp

You will need more than a 4 berth. Our outwell is supposed to be 5, it fits three when you start storing clothes etc. We also have a smaller three berth, which does fit three, for weekend trips as putting a 5 man up takes a while.

If you want a tent to last consider 4000/5000HH material, it costs more but being thicker it is more durable, especially in windy weather. Of course they do cost more.

Hi Gear are Gelert tents with different badges.

Don't rule out e-bay. To many camping is a one season fad and there's always plenty of tents for sale.

spacey2012

The starting point is been able to stand up in the tent at some part of it.

HalfPint

What type of camping are you doing? Weeks or weekenders? Are you glampers or campers? It's a good idea to borrow something if you not sure if you are going to like camping.

Stay away from anything cheap n cheerful. Outwell is one of the best out there, but pricey. I've had all sorts of tents!:o

My absolute top number one recommendation is a bell tent. :T It needs looking after correctly being canvas but it's is well worth the investment.

Go round anywhere that stocks family tents, get in there and see how they feel to you. Then come home and look on uk campsite for reviews. Uk campsite is one of the best places to get information on equipment and camp sites.

As a seasoned camper, I've been there and done that, and am happy to offer advice if you need it (of course,you don't have to follow that advice:D)

HP x

piccybabes

From my 10 years of experience (others may have different views).

Cotton tents ( e.g. cabanon) - fantastic quality but very heavy, some may say old fashioned ( think 1970's camping). Generally don't have fitted groundsheets but are very sturdy and come with steel poles. Unlikely to get blown over. Waterproofing is easy. Should be able to get a large decent one from ebay around £200, but you will need a large car trailer to carry the tent, internal bedrooms, curtains and poles.

Cheap tents ( circa £150 for large dome tents) . Will last for a few years but generally cheaper materials will degrade with UV exposure. Avoid

Better quality tents (circa £500-800 ). Outwell Montana etc ( which is what we have migrated to). Built in ground sheet. Bedrooms can be left clipped in so when erected so all the rooms are already fixed. Can have problems with condensation as the tent is sealed pretty much but they have clips on vents to keep circulation flowing.

The only problem I see with the Montana is the sloping front so when it rains and you open the door rain can get in. Can be solved with canopy extension though.

Oh and there will be loads of people with the same tent on campsites if ytou go for the Montana.

We bough our Outwell on ebay for about £400 second hand with a front canopy and tent carpet ( a must but some diehard campers will moan).

Best advice is to look for a tent that sleeps 2 more people than you need. 4 man tents are generally small. Also although the floor area is a good guide some have very sloping sides that restrict the standing area considerably.

I'd second the recomendations for ukcampsite.co.uk

HalfPint

piccybabes wrote: »

Oh and theer will be loads of people with the same tent on campsites.

Not if you get a Bell Tent:p We're usually the only one! We do tend to attract a lot of attention though:o

Good advice there from piccybabes.

HP x