Going to the dark side............

[Kingster]

Don't forget that probably more important than the tent is the things you sleep on and in. The best tent ever made isn't necessarily comfortable to kip in.

Personally, I'd avoid airbeds and go for a folding camp bed something like this. Then get a good quality sleeping bag and don't forget to pack a proper pillow.

Just for reference, the tent I took last year was this one. No longer available I guess, but gives you dimensions to compare against.

 

[Andy - a15cro]

I was going to sleep you what it was Chris, as it sort of changed my perception of camping. Your to blame.........lol

been looking at air bed reviews and they're a bit.....well......deflating!

Im torn between 4man or 6, I really think I should buy space and go for the 6 even though theres never going to be 6 of us in it. I only want to buy once.

[Kingster]

We got a 6 man for two of us. Just because there's loads of room.

I also have a 3 man for just me when I need to pack light. So 3x the number of people required is my rule of thumb 

[CraigHew]

Although we gave up camping after my wifes (fairly bad) RTA, we used a Vango Diablo 900DXL.  Great bit of kit, add on Porch extension too.  It is nothing short of HUGE and super stable.

[Andy - a15cro]

The ones I'm looking at have add on porches which I think would be handy

[Onliest Smeg David]

Now we have the Camper, we were thinking of selling our 'Outwell Colorado 5' tent.

As here (blue) https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=outwell+colorado+5+tent&client=ms-android-samsung&prmd=svin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj049bI2K3TAhXKEiwKHd3SD08Q_AUICSgD&biw=360&bih=560

PM me if interested.

[SootySport]

Buy extra tent pegs,  there's always half a dozen that go awol.

[Kingster]

...and try and get a tent that has an oversized bag that it fits into. Why they often make the tent 'just' squeeze in when new so that it never again goes back in I don't know!

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

22 minutes ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said:

...and try and get a tent that has an oversized bag that it fits into. Why they often make the tent 'just' squeeze in when new so that it never again goes back in I don't know!

Yeah, my (relatively) cheap Halfords tent came with a handy compression bag - very useful at repacking time!

[Andy - a15cro]

18 hours ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said:

...and try and get a tent that has an oversized bag that it fits into. Why they often make the tent 'just' squeeze in when new so that it never again goes back in I don't know!

The one I'm looking at has a redesigned bag that folds out flat in a cross shape and you fold and clip it round. 

[neptune]

Check weight and size of the packed tent. Airbeams tend to be heavy and bulky. Especially if you are planning on strapping it your westfield. Beware of cheap air tents. Non are great in strong winds but the cheap ones just buckle and collapse.  Have had a few entertaining evenings on sites watching air tents and awnings blowing around like tethered kites !!

 

[Andy - a15cro]

Well its almost Stoneleigh eve! Tent purchased along with accessories, I have to admit Im quite looking forward to this weekend's adventure. The bonus is having my little sidekick with me, I hope she enjoys both the camping and the show itself. 

[Kingster]

Look after my trailer 

[Andy - a15cro]

1 minute ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said:

Look after my trailer 

Its in safe hands...........Its tucked up nice and warm! I picked up some wheel straps today from Middlesborough, so will have dry run loading tomorrow.

[Greggs]

4 minutes ago, a15cro said:

Its in safe hands...........Its tucked up nice and warm! I picked up some wheel straps today from Middlesborough, so will have dry run loading tomorrow.

Yeah please do... he aint seen it yet...