tent recommendation for a single mum

converted-lurker

I also recommend the Quechua. We have 3 tents but the one I always take when its just me and the kids is the Quechua Base Seconds. They are modular so if you need more space you can just buy 2 and put them both up. They are not the cheapest though unfortunately.

Whatever tent you get practice in your garden first as most of the pop up tents have a knack to them. But as I say I find the quechua easy by myself. But campers are a friendly lot, so I am sure if you are stuck someone will be around to lend a hand.

Good luck on your adventures:T

iammumtoone

Thanks everyone. Apart from going loads as a kid my only experience as an adult camping is the tent we borrowed, it had two poles but they were really hard to bend into shape (kept trying to spring back straight) even me and the ex struggled a bit to do it so I can't understand how it would be possible for my 5 year old to hold the pole whilst I bent it. It might just have been a been a difficult tent (think they brought it from halfords it wasn't a branded one). Are the poles on the branded tents easy to bend?

I don't think I could have a pop up one as I can't even managed to get the knack to fold my sons play pop up tent back again.

WestonDave

Trick with the poles is not to worry about bending them to shape as such - get one end in the eyelet or on the hook (different systems) and pinned to the ground (most of the pole points also take a tent peg). All the kid then needs to do is make sure it doesn't jump out while you push the other end into the fixing point at the other end. With carbon fibre poles its easier than it was with the old aluminium bendy poles - my old Vango Hurricance tent used to be hard to bend because it was aluminium but even the thick carbon fibre poles bend easily enough. My OH did our new Caister and she has to be careful with anything too hard as she can get arthritis flares if she over does it.

We got ours from a local independant camping place (family run) - might be worth seeing if there is one near you as often the owners will be a lot more helpful if you have specific requirements. OK so you won't necessarily get the cheapest price but if you know you've bought something you've had a go with or been advised about its less likely to be a waste of money than something cheaper but ultimately unsuitable.

sooty&sweep

Hi

Try having a look on https://www.campsite.co.uk

Jen

Bigmoney2

sooty&sweep wrote: »

Hi

Try having a look on www.campsite.co.uk

Jen

Did you mean www.ukcampsite.co.uk
either way ther is lots of info there.

dandelionclock30

Hi There, I've got the old version of this one http://www.millets.co.uk/activities/107840-eurohike-tamar-2-man-tent.html

I really recommend it because it is very easy to put up and take down by yourself.Its also cheap and very waterproof.All you have to do is feed the poles through,put the ropes and the pegs down and clip in the inner part in. I've even put it up in the dark.
Steer well clear of pop up tents, they are a nightmare to pack down.
Also when you get your tent, make sure you put it up and take it down one before you go camping so you know exactly what your doing.

Sorry, I've just read you original post again.You cant stand up in this one, but its still a good tent.

sooty&sweep

Thanks Bigmoney I did mean ukcampsite.co.uk
Typing on a tablet so still getting used to the predictive text trying to correct me !
Jen

Carer

I can thoroughly recommend the Kyham range. I have a Chatsworth and also the biggest in the range that sleeps half the world (can't remember the name).

Been a camper for over 30 years (I love tents) and the Chatsworth is the best tent I've ever had (and I've had a lot!) Currently I have about 10 different ones, one for every eventuality ). I can put it up solo in 10 mins (i'm a small female) and it's easy to pack down too. It's a great size, loads of headroom and the carpet is lovely underfoot.

Popup ones are great but they do take a while to get the knack to put them down again. I have several of these but none big enough to stand up in. I have sleeve and pole tents too, but I won't take them if I'm going camping alone, far too difficult and time-consuming to do solo.

Beetlemama

We have a three man dome tent that has poles that crisscross like the inner bits on a spider web, 5 of them I think and I can put that up on my own, the hardest part is getting the first one to stay in, but once you've done it a few times it's easy. I use to be scared I was going to snap them but they bend ok. I can put ours up in a few minutes, give the kids the wooden hammer and the tent pegs and let them hammer a few in the ground randomly to keep them busy while you do the tent, stoops them wandering off.

I'm not sure how long I'd like to stay trapped in it with small children in the rain but if it all goes wrong you can always give them your phone to play with lol a few rounds of angry birds and some 9p noodles are a great distraction (still for my 10 year old).

c-m

Whatever you do make sure your tent has aluminium poles. Fibreglass poles although lighter don't bend as easily and they are prone to snapping.

You'll also probably want to get a double skin tent that erects with the outer first. This will save it getting wet if it's raining while you're erecting, but also help reduce condensation.

You'll be able to put most modern tents with ease. I'm sure whatever you choose that you with a bit of practice you'll be able to put it up in around 5 mins.