Family Size Tent

[half_empty1]

Been looking at family size tents for touring in the cage, so i'm ready when the good weather comes
There will only be me and the mrs's in it, but i have gone for a 4/5man tent to give us room for us and gear

The tent would only be used in expected good weather, both tents have Hydrostatic head of 2000 mm, so should be ok with the odd downpour.

I have narrowed my choice down to Easycamp or Peakland make, both made by the Oase Outdoors group who manufacturer Robens and Outwell tents as well as Easycamp and Peakland, so should be of good quality.

Both these tents can be had for under 100quid at the moment and i think they look good value for money.

I cant decide which would be best the tunnel tent or the dome with a tunnel bit on the front.

For you seasoned campers, what is likely to be most stable if it got a bit windy

Thanks in advance

EasyCamp Taranto 500 / Peakland Huckland

Specifications:
Persons: 5 People
Pitching way: Flysheet first or as one
Flysheet: 185T Polyester PU coated
Hydrostatic head: 2000 mm
Inner tent: Breathable polyester
Groundsheet: Detachable groundsheet
Pack size: 74 x 24 cm
Weight: App. 14.2 kg
Cabins: 2
Colour: Blue
Floor: Polyethylene
Poles: Fibreglass 11.0 mm, 2 upright steel canopy poles
Type: Tunnel
Standing Height: Yes

EasyCamp Milano 500 / Peakland Pevril EX

Specifications:
Persons: 5 People
Pitching way: Flysheet first or as one
Flysheet: 185T Polyester PU coated
Hydrostatic head: 2000 mm
Inner tent: Breathable polyester
Groundsheet: Detachable groundsheet
Pack size: 72 x 31 cm
Weight: App. 13.6 kg
Cabins: 2
Colour: Blue
Floor: Polyethylene
Poles: Fibreglass 11.0 mm, 2 upright steel canopy poles
Type: Dome
Standing Height: Yes

 

[KMD]

Is there a difference?

 

[Stewart H]

I would imagine that the dome one would be more stable, that said I have had problems with larger pole and sleeve tents in strong winds.

Stewart

 

[JoeC]

Are you intending to spend more time in the porch area or in the bedroom
Use this as a guide although the stats do not give anything away.

 

[Fanum]

I've had both sorts (type rather than make) in that sort of size from when I used to take my girls camping, and there's not much difference when they're up at all.

In a strong wind tough, the dome type is easier to manage- when you get the two poles in and anchored in the corners, you effectively have a self- supporting structure that you can bung stuff straight into (particularly good if it's piddling down) whereas with the tunnel type, you've got to get the poles in and then peg it down AND get the guys on before it'll stand up IYSWIM.

I never had it happen, but I suppose following the same logic, if a couple of guy ropes came free (or attracted the attention of a pissed GSer wandering past ) the tunnel hoops would collapse in on you fairly easily, but the dome would stay up

For those reasons, I'd go for the dome rather than the tunnel

 

[mike wright]

ebay Item number: 110337461893

Great tent for when using a car, loads of room and dead easy to put up in minutes. I was unsure about this one but glad I bought it as there masses if room for a tabel and chairs and took approx 10 mins to put up. You can stand up properly and walk around in it the porch is so big. If you dont want the large porch area it has zips to make it half the size

Hammers down with rain and Im sat in the dry with loads of room. One of the best buys for sure!

 

[wully]

We've got an Outwell Minnesota which is very similar to the first tent you showed and we've found it to be excellent.
It's never leaked and has stood up to some serious wind. On warm sunny days open right up so doesn't get too hot.

Well impressed.

(at 21kgs it is a wee bit heavy to take on the bike...)

 

[Big Lee]

With those tents the weak link is the pegs, DAMHIK , get some of the plastic + shaped pegs as the metal ones pull out of wet ground far more easily. Get one where the sleeping bit is the lowest part and the dome bit where you eat, sit etc is the tallest otherwise you constantly have to bend over, well you do when you`re 6`6"

This is the one we got, big enough for one of those fold up with seats picnic tables in the porch and good vision out with the windows when its a bit midgy or rainy http://www.outdoorworld.co.uk/vango-orchy-500-tent-laurelsage-2009-p-191.html?currency=GBP