www.nwcampers.co.uk

8 man tent

They really do have some good bargains on this site http://www.camping.co.uk/

DAISYBEV wrote:8 man tent

They really do have some good bargains on this site http://www.camping.co.uk/

Hi Daisy
I am a firm believer were tents are concerned that in the majority of cases you get what you pay for.
But that 8 man tent as a lot of good points for it.
No 1 it is inner pitch first with breathable inners so the majority of condensation will run to ground, The flysheet is able to use 100% of the poles for strength. unlike external poled tents that rely on partial sleeves,
You would have to use one of the bedrooms to sit in,for stormy weather,but the design to me looks as it would stand up to quite strong winds .
If you could buy a porch to fit it or a 4m + long tarp,to make a porch for cooking and sitting in. I think I would use it for Two season camping in the UK.
Regards
Rex.

some times Rex, people have to camp to their pocket and starter tents are usually what you find you dont really need.
this comes under that heading I think lol

DAISYBEV wrote:some times Rex, people have to camp to their pocket and starter tents are usually what you find you don't really need.
this comes under that heading I think lol

Hi daisy.
Starter or badly made cheap tents will let you down in adverse weather conditions, Many many old campers have seen this through the years of camping, As I have said in the past many many times.If the weather is fine you can camp under a couple of cotton bed sheets. But if you get caught out in bad weather and strong winds,it usually ends up with the family going home and their long awaited holiday at an end the cost of losing the holiday could be quite a lot. the loss of the holiday very depressing and a large percentage never set foot in a tent again.

People new to camping that visit forums,require these things pointing out in my opinion, and recommendations of safe reliable tents recommended to them, good safe tents can be bought on eBay every week for as little as £50 and will outlast these cheap and badly made tents five times over,
Take this cabanon frame tent for instance ,very safe and 100% water proof breathable very easy to erect even in strong winds you can cook in it safely because it as not got a SIG no I think we all should inform our fellow prospective campers of the downfalls in the cheap modern lightweight tents when they can check the adds and eBay and buy something like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CABANON-6-berth-c ... 1|294%3A50

But once we have past that information on to them,the decision his then theirs to make This is one campers experiences and he knew the game. Not me


1. One year we went to Mid West Wales, near Tywyn (just North of Aberdovey). We camped up in a field that was on a slight downward hill. At the top of the hill was a stream that was possibly about 9 - 10 foot down from the bankside. It had never been known to break it's banks before that night but we had so much rain throughout the night that it did break its banks and created a river, straight through our tent. We woke up floating on our air bed inside the tent and all that we owned was soaking. Needless to say we packed up and went home with three soggy children in tow.

2. I think it was 1976 when the Fastnet race was hit by a huge storm and a few competitors lost their lives. We had camped up at a place called St Minver (Near Wadebridge I think) when the storm hit us. Thankfully we were part of a handful that had camped alongside the hedge that sheltered us from the worst of the wind but we sat there huddled watching the storm tearing the tents to shreds. Frightening moment.

3. 1978. Croyde Bay in North Devon. I had been in Hospital for quite a few months diagnosed with prolapsed discs. I had been in traction for a few months since coming out of hospital. A holiday is what was needed so we took our three kids camping again. All went well until the penultimate day. We were walking the rocks at Lee Bay (just south of Ilfracombe) when I slipped and fell straight onto my back. I thought I had done some damage but seemed to feel alright until we got back to the tent. My back seized up and we asked the farmer if we could stay there until my back eased, which took virtually another week. Thankfully the Mrs and kids enjoyed themselves still but I was stuck for that week in the tent not being able to move properly.

4. 1981. IOW. We went to a campside in Ryde. We got there quite late in the day and pitched our tent up against a hedge at the top of a slight incline. It was cold at the time and it was freezing but we managed to settle down ok. Come the next day it was a real hot one. Gradually a smell began to waft around our tent which gradually got worse and worse followed by a swarm of small flies. When we went to investigate we found out we had parked right by the side of a sewage farm. Needless to say packed our tent away and moved quite quickly.

5. 1997. I had just purchased a brand new tent and wanted to try it out. It was November 31st (not the best time to go camping). There were some excellent birds being reported in north Norfolk and I knew of one site that was still open, Kelling Heath. I pitched my tent, hooked up electrics ( I had all the comfort gear by then) switched on the TV to see out the night when an almighty storm hit the campsite. After a few hours I found out that this tent was not up to it and was leaking from almost everywhere and I was getting absolutely soaked. It was about 1am and very windy so I was going to have to sit it out until morning. I couldn't escape the dripping water anywhere so couldn't sleep. That was a terrible night and a terrible pack up as well as by morning the campsite had turned into a quagmire with mud everywhere.

Have any of you guys and gals any horror stories to relate.
Regards
Rex.

and this is why you test your tent in the garden before you go...

DAISYBEV wrote:and this is why you test your tent in the garden before you go...

Hi daisy
Very few have gardens big enough to test their new tents in, and you can only test to see if it leaks,the danger to a tent comes from the wind, But as I said campers have to make up their own minds, but what I try to pass on to new campers is information so they don't end up like this
http://uk.truveo.com/Campers-tents-wrec ... 1056605011
300 tents destroyed in one night but among those the cabanon tents survived
The problem the way I see it these days is fashion and sales hype. The SIG and the tunnel tent. But these campers are all adult so they pay their money and take their chances but It is always best to be safe than sorry, when you go out under canvas to face what nature can dish out at times.
Regards
Rex.

that was a trailer tent first Rex and shell Island is renown for high winds all the time... as it said the met office had warned of these winds campers choice... there in its self is another lesson ...If in doubt head in land behind a building lol

DAISYBEV wrote:that was a trailer tent first Rex and shell Island is renown for high winds all the time... as it said the met office had warned of these winds campers choice... there in its self is another lesson ...If in doubt head in land behind a building lol

Hi again.
Very true,most coastal site facing south west on the coast of England and Wales are susceptible to strong prevailing winds, as the beaufort chart states inland winds above 50mph are very rare in the UK. but winds strait off the sea can regally reach Violent storm force. and very few tents will last long in that wind speed.
http://www.zetnet.co.uk/sigs/weather/Me ... aufort.htm
the little Pyramid 4 that I have just bought is a proved storm beater and with all my guys pegged with SS delta pegs I believe I will have no worries were ever I decide to pitch camp. but that would never be fully open to wind off the sea. You can usually find some sheltered spot on most sites.
Rex. 8) :D

I know people laugh when you head for the bushes but they wont be if the wind gets up ..