[Tia Maria]

What kind of tent would you recommend for a family of 5, who intend to use it occasionally?

Keeping in mind I have had no camping experience since my days in the Brownies.

Did you buy new or second hand?

Cheers

Tia

[wilson182]

We bought a tent from KMart when it was on sale over winter, haven't used it camping yet but have practiced putting it up in the garden:D

We had a frame tent in the UK which was great (got it second hand for GBP80) cause it meant that OH didn't have to permanently bend over!! It took ages to put up though, that was the only down side. Our new tent is smiliar to the frame tent but much easier to put up. Dome tents are probably the easiest and quickest to put up, but maybe not so comfortable for someone tall. For a family of 5 I would recommend getting at least an 8 person tent for comfort and space (and I am talking from experience here:exit) You want somewhere to store luggage etc - without having to leave everything in the car.

Thats my 2 cents HTH

Debs

[Moorf]

Ohhh, I hadn't thought of that Debs, getting a larger one than needed for luggage and stuff - we're currently trawling TradeMe for one (used or new, don't care) - and were looking at 4 man ones (well, 2 dogs and 2 people!) - think I'll up the ante now!

[M-Squared]

When they say "8-person tent" they mean to sleep, with NO room for anything else. So get at least a 10-person tent. There are 3 of us and we have a 6-person tent. We can keep our dry food inside, fold-up chairs when we go walkies etc.

[KerryS]

Work out what you want from the tent and then go from there. Do you want to sleep in the same space as the boys, or do you want a tent that's divided into 'rooms'?
My main criteria is that I have to be able to stand inside, as I hate trying to put on trousers whilst wriggling about on the ground.
I have a cheap 8 man tent from KMart, which has done for several summers of camping now. And it fits 4 easily, 6 tightly and 8 only if they're very good friends... It's got a big porch at the front, which is useful for keeping the chilly bin and a place for kicking off shoes, but it's all one big communal space inside.
The Warehouse and KMart usually have a good selection, or there's a really good store in Wairau Park down near Harvey Norman which sells tents and camping gear. It's tucked up a tiny side road and it's called something like the Sleeping Bag Factory Store. Bit of a mess inside, but the people are incredibly knowledgeable and will help you find the right one for your requirements.

[StevieD]

We have a 9 person dome tent, it is huge!! One "room" each for us and the kids, with a large porch area for the bits and pieces.

If you intend to take it up, even for occasional use, it pays to get the best you can in terms of size and durability.

[Flutterby]

A decent 3man tent should have enough space for 3 men plus gear (storage vestibule) blah blah.
My suggestion would be to look around a few camping shops to see whats on offer (try Outdoor Pursuits or Great Outdoors) Payless Plastics had a few when we looked round, but obviously you get what you pay for so if you get a cheap tent it will have less storage space and be likely to fall apart sooner.

IMO the easiest tents to erect are the Dome tents, and the less poles you have the less complicated it is, so if you only intend to use it once in a blue moon, get something that is ultra simple to put up. (the added bonus of simplicity is speed, so you could be camping in 10minutes)

Vango and Coleman are good brands

[melly]

We are a camping family and therefore have 3 tents. A 2-man tent for multi-day tramping (fits 2 people cosy with vestibule at both ends to store packs); a 5-man tent that we bought for 4x4 camping for a max of 1week stays with 2Adults and 2 Toddlers where we want to fit all our gear in the boot, so food and stuff stays in the car and only sleeping gear and clothing is in the tent, it's a dome tent which is quick to put up, but has a vestibule at the front so dirty shoes can stay outside, but not get wet etc.; and a 12-man tent (which we have nicknamed 'The Palace') which is what we take for our extended summer holidays (2 weeks staying in the 1 place), it has 2 rooms (suppose to sleep 6 in each room), so we have 1 room as the 'sleeping room' with all our beds and clothes and the other is the 'living room' where all food and other gear is stored with enough space for us to have room for the kids to play/us to read books if it is raining and therefore being outdoors is miserable.
Our advice to people thinking of camping is not to just go for the cheapest option, because you are guaranteed to not have the most enjoyable camping experience and therefore not want to go camping again so your cheap tent turns into a very expensive purchase as it only gets used once.

[Moorf]

Our advice to people thinking of camping is not to just go for the cheapest option, because you are guaranteed to not have the most enjoyable camping experience and therefore not want to go camping again so your cheap tent turns into a very expensive purchase as it only gets used once.

I'm going to print this and give it to OH!! He keeps trawling TradeMe for cheapie tents but I said I want a decent one that keeps out the draughts!!

[melly]

Other piece of advice I have is going to a store where they have the tent set up so you can actually walk in and out, lie down (just as important for tall people as height as some tents floor lengths mean taller people have no choice but to spend the night sleeping in a semi-foetal position), get an idea for size and where stuff would fit. Buying a tent is just like buying a batch, it's just a collapsible/take with you anywhere version. But the goals are the same: you are intending to live in it for multiple days - cook, clean, eat and sleep; and you want it to be an enjoyable experience.

[Tia Maria]

Thanks guys - any other extra bits that make the experience more comfortable? As you've probably guessed me and the 'great outdoors' don't particularly get along! :D

Cheers

Tia

[Bergita]

How weird - we've just gone thru the whole tent buying process ourselves. As of this week-end just past we are the proud owners of a family tent, camp chairs, blow up beds, sleeping bags, a tiny barbeque, lamps, a crockery and cutlery set, a "pantry"..... etc. We are going camping for the very first time over labour week-end. We're going to practise setting up the tent at home this week-end. Any camping experts tips on how to be a successful camper would be welcome. :D

[thezorbster]

Any camping experts tips on how to be a successful camper would be welcome. :D

Just never forget the mantra that camping is fun!!!

So, when it's blowing a gale when you're trying to put it up and the cover is blowing everywhere and you're getting increasingly frustrated just say through gritted teeth 'camping is fun'.

Or, when you've had to take the tent down in the pouring rain (think West Coast sluicing it down rain) to move on to your next site and you have to then reassemble said soaking wet tent in more pouring rain - say to yourself 'camping is fun'.

Or, when you're lying in your tent while the mother of all storms is going on around you and you're watching the rain drip from the outer tent to the inner and hoping and praying that it doesn't start dripping on to you then repeat to yourself 'camping is fun'.

Or, when it's peeing down outside in the middle of the night and you suddenly decide you need the loo then repeat to yourself 'camping is fun'.

Or.......

Get the drift???

Advice - get the best quality tent you can afford and learn how to whistle 'always look on the bright side of life'.

And contrary to what you may think after reading the above - I do actually think that camping is fun -but not for the wussy!

[Bergita]

Fantastic! I'm an expert at self-delusion so I should be fine. Besides, I'm going to be standing on the side line making helpful remarks while OH assembles the tent. :)

[thezorbster]

Further tips Bergita...

1) 'helpful remarks' from the sideline tend to lead to full scale family arguments.

2) Practising putting the tent up should be done during the worst weather imaginable to give you a taste of reality. Perhaps arrange for a neighbour to spray you with a hosepipe during the first attempt?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

We have had this thought often.

Never tried camping in anger since I was a cub scout - an experience which put me off ever becoming a proper scout at 11 years old, which shows how long ago that was.

Oh, hang on, I did do a few festivals with mates in my early 20's which I suppose technically count as camping as we had tents with us. In reality though it went more along the lines of drink and consume as much substance, legal or otherwise, as possible and enjoy the mystery that is working out where the hell you are and which way is up on regaining consciousness at some point in the future. The tents were merely an ornament that added annoyance at home time when attempting to remember where they were.

Happy days :)

So, I'm with Tia et al on the not a clue what to look for in a tent or any other outdoor equipment category.

The thing that always puts me off doing this for real is the thought of shared campsite washing and latrine facilities. Sorry, but I am a latrine snob I guess.

One day we'll go for it........ Maybe

[Flutterby]

i like to keep a "potty" for those moments when its Peeing with rain and you don't want to leave the tent. :nice1

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

eeuuurrrggghhhhh

sorry, latrine snob in me coming out again.

[dylan]

Camping is wonderfull,
Camping is fab,
Tents are cold and drafty,
Tents can be rather drab.


But rest ashured,
All is not said,
Please go and look in the lounge,
There's a tearfull little thread.

For there it is almost lost in time,
is a wonderfull little querie,
all be it a little strange,
go on,go and have a little look it isnt quite that dreary

Pure unadulterated luxury,
a pleasure to behold,
a bargin it will be for that special someone,
a treasure for you to hold.

For its a lovely touring caravan,
a bargin it must be said,
doesn't anyone want it,
its getting to my head.

Now come on all you lucky people,
with camping on your mind,
a proper bed, hot coffee,
and a toilet close at hand!

If you know of any body,
who likes the finer things and all that,
get them to pm me,
and we will have a little chat........




YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRYING...... DON'T YOU???:D

[Bergita]

Just for the record, I was kidding about the helpful remarks. In fact, I will do my best to make them unhelpful. :D

Well, we were planning to put the tent up in the privacy of our lounge so that the neighbours wouldn't fall about laughing at us. I guess I could put our industrial strength fan on to simulate a weak breeze...

[wilson182]

Thanks guys - any other extra bits that make the experience more comfortable? As you've probably guessed me and the 'great outdoors' don't particularly get along! :D

Cheers

Tia

Get a power lead ( we got ours off TradeMe) and book a power site. At least if its cold you can plug in a little fan heater. :D

You will be amazed when you go, if there is one thing the Kiwi's know how to do well it is camping.

[dharder]

We just bought a tent (Oztrail, I think), and I found it slightly depressing to look under the ‘Group Tents’ section. Ours is a dome tent with a room in the middle, and one room off each side. No bathroom, though. We put it up the other day, and though they put twelve of these little people icons on the package, it seems about right for us and my mother, seven altogether, of which 4 are children.

I hate camping, and managed to successfully weasel out of the last two occasions, but seem to be stuck for the trip in January. This is camping on a field, with nothing on it, where the first thing you do is dig a hole… At least I won’t be able to complain about smelly toilets or dirty showers, because there are none.

I really can’t think of anything to make the whole experience more pleasant, I usually just get too cold so need a superwarm sleeping bag, I hate groping around for the flashlights in the dark so will get lots of flashlights and attach them to the tent, and the worst thing is having to pee at 4 in the morning (and I always do when camping, always), but there's not much that can be done about that.

On a positive note, the new tent comes with two ‘self levelling cup holders’. Any idea what that could be?

Have fun tent shopping :)

Daniela

[Moorf]

I don't suppose there's anywhere you can rent tents is there - I'd hate for us to buy one only to let it mold away in the garage.... ?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

mold

Is mold different to mould? I thought Mold was in Wales?

:smile

[Bergita]

http://www.hirethings.co.nz/locations/65-wellington-city/categories/367-interests-sport-camping?page=2

It says you can rent all sorts of camping equipment here...

[Moorf]

Hmmm not bad prices really...

http://www.hirethings.co.nz/asset/show/2779-large-family-size-dome-tents-2-3-rooms

Thanks for the link, I've never seen it before - what a great idea - people hiring out their gear!

[kanatakiwi]

Is mold different to mould? I thought Mold was in Wales?

:smile

mold or mould... both are acceptable ways to spell the horrible fungus stuff that gets on everything in the winter!

[Jo Jo]

I really can’t think of anything to make the whole experience more pleasant,

Vodka?

[dharder]

Vodka?

Yes, I have thought of that, but the in-laws will be in the tent next to us, and alcohol tends to make me rather chatty and brutally honest (not a good combination in some circumstances).

So I think I might have to pass on the vodka, and just head straight for the valium... :)

Daniela

[Tui2too]

O my this is the best thread for a good laugh!

I liked the caravan poem too.

That is the best thing about this forum its informative AND highly entertaining!

[Bergita]

So we pitched the tent in the park next door yesterday for practise - and it went quite well. One or two tense moments but we were rather well-behaved. And we managed to get it back in the bag afterwards (but not zipped up!) so that went better than expected too. So full steam ahead for next week-end!

[pipnix]

We have an Outwell XL tent its a 9man tent but its big enough to have table & chairs in it. Air bed room for luggage larder kitchen stuff, infact I think we will probably buy a plot of land in NZ, when we get there and live in it! (joke!) mmmmm maybe!

[jeffanar]

This is camping on a field, with nothing on it, where the first thing you do is dig a hole… At least I won’t be able to complain about smelly toilets or dirty showers, because there are none.


I think that if you are well set up (solar showers with shower tent, toilet tent etc.) this is much nicer than a campsite with communal toilets that have been used by everyone else!

It sounds like where my family goes camping every year in the bay of islands - no 'facilities', no electricity, just a field and a beautiful unspoilt beach, I love it! Mind you I've never actually had to dig the hole ;)

[YouMeAndThree]

What kind of tent would you recommend for a family of 5, who intend to use it occasionally?

Keeping in mind I have had no camping experience since my days in the Brownies.

Did you buy new or second hand?

Cheers

Tia

Maybe this (http://www.exclusivetents.com/?gclid=CITC_PLduZYCFQv7agodhR2aLw) is the sort of thing you're hoping to find Tia :nice1. I'm sure a tent like that would help me overcome the loss of our 6 berth caravan from the UK.:D

Lx

[Tia Maria]

Maybe this (http://www.exclusivetents.com/?gclid=CITC_PLduZYCFQv7agodhR2aLw) is the sort of thing you're hoping to find Tia :nice1. I'm sure a tent like that would help me overcome the loss of our 6 berth caravan from the UK.:D

Lx

OMG they are fantastic! I could slum it in one of those, as long as I had my servants to put it up! :D

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

Warning! Al those who are planning on camping on the Labour Day weekend I have been warned it always rains - particularly in the Coromandel!

So have fun! :p

Cheers

Tia

[Bergita]

Fantastic! I heard after we had booked that this is the case.... We'll go anyway and if it is too miserable, hopefully they'll have a chalet available.

[Moorf]

Perhaps you guys can introduce the concept of Glamping to NZ :D

http://www.great-womens-vacations.com/glamping.html