Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Tent and camping review..
So,Inspired by Garym2000's tent and trip
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic95452.html?highlight=garym2000 http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic96299.html?highlight=garym2000
I decided last week to suggest to the rest of the family that we might like to go camping over the school holidays.
After much looking,purchased a Vango Beta 350XL 3-man tent
This was part of a cunning plan,as there are 4 of us.....I thought I would politely suggest I sleep in the car.
Anyway,as the forecast had no rain in sight according to the BBC,we decided to have a "dry-run" in the garden last night.
The tent was very easy to assemble and erect,and I was particularly proud of the guy ropes,I defy a professional piano-tuner to have got them tighter. 8)
Around 8 o'clock my youngest twigged that I was not joining them,but after much cajoling,was persuaded (its scary how emotionally persuasive a teary 5 year-old is)
That was bad enough,but the other one then suggested,due to the loss of a dog very recently,that our other dog might get "lonely" and I was dispatched inside to get her.
The Vango 350 is designed with a separate 3-man sleeping area,and large living are...the dog and I were relegated to the living area (it was around this time that I realised my cunning plan had backfired spectacularly)...the dog was still wet from swimming in the sea,and had clearly eaten something down the beach that was disagreeing with her.
My second plan of drinking enough red wine to help me through my torment backfired around 1am,when I needed to go to the toilet.....I spent 10 minutes in the pitch dark trying to get passed the "clever 4-zip system" ....I'd bet Bear Grylls with a headtorch couldn't do that in less than 2 before he lost the plot and hacked his way out with a hunting knife.
I got out just as it started raining (thanks BBC Weatherpeople) My wife had,cleverly at the time,I thought put heavy planters at the foot of the guy ropes to stop the kids tripping over them...I kicked one hard with bare feet,and as you have guessed,tripped over the guy ropes.
I can confirm that the clever system to keep the guy ropes razor-tight works, as the "Mark of Zorro" on my lower right leg shows !
Now wet from the rain,I fought my way back in to find the dog had taken up residence in my newly-vacated warm bed,and her "indigestion" was no better.
Thoroughly dispirited,I managed until 4.12am before heading inside....I used to like the birdsong at dawn,but if I ever get my hands on that Blackbird I will throttle the life out of it....
So to sum up the review of the Vango Beta 350XL (advertising versus reality)
1...."comfortable for 3 people"...this is True...unfortunately,a 4th person will be subjected to a hideously uncomfortable night of unnending abject misery.
2....."excellent ventilation"...again True,for the 3 humans for which it was designed......throw a damp,flatulent Golden Retriever into the mix and it is woefully innadequate.
3......"3000 HH Waterproof"....again True,I have no idea what that means,but not a drop of Scottish Summer made its way through the fabric...however I can only describe the noise as like being trapped in a drum,while Michael Flateley and Roy Castle are having a "dance-off" 2 feet above your head.....
Now Gary posted some beautiful pictures of his idyllic trip to the West Coast of Scotland,and plenty of people try and seduce you with pictures of them and their mates round a campfire in Morocco,holding an ice-cold beer beneath a cloudless,star-filled sky....
....the reality is somewhat different...
Tents....the reason why Mankind invented decent hotels...Hi-de-Hi !"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
9th Jun 2013 9:16 am
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
Serves you right Captain Nick Medhurst would ask:
"What is the first rule when overlanding?"
I would Reply:
"Duratrac"
9th Jun 2013 9:21 am
mjcp
Member Since: 02 Sep 2012
Location: Old Windsor
Posts: 403
I then showed it to my wife....
(I quote)
"Well who buys a 3 man tent for 4 people?"
Will there be a 3 man ten in the FS section shortly?
mjcp03/2007 D3 HSE
98 Audi A4 Avant 2.5 TDi Quattro
Gone but not forgotten
03/2003 330Ci Convertible
93 Corrado 2.0l 16V
98 M3 Evo Cab
Reminds me of the nights I spent in the garden with my kids.
"Being trapped inside a drum with Michael Flateley and Roy Castle are having a 'dance-off' two feet above your head".....Brilliant As you slide down the banister of life
may no splinters point your way
Disco XXV
RRS2 Autobiography Dynamic MY16
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RRS2 Autobiography Dynamic MY14 (Lovely car but preferred the Disco!)
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9th Jun 2013 10:06 am
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
If it is up for sale I can definitely recommend this tent. Had one for years very easy to put up and take down even in the rain
Did look a bit of a tit though pitching something the size of marks and Spencer's when most single travellers had something the size of a shoe box !!
Club N.E.R.D's
Narpy Grill Mod
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9th Jun 2013 10:35 am
Klinkhammer
Member Since: 02 Jul 2012
Location: Highlands
Posts: 266
"In to every life a little rain must fall" I'm to old to know everything......
D4 Gone over to the Dark Side (D5)
D3 gone ...... But now want one for knocking about! Is this a form of insanity?
9th Jun 2013 11:05 am
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1533
And this was just your garden.
Looking forward to your field trip
9th Jun 2013 11:34 am
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
When you go 'real' camping you will have to do a video diary Cheers Ian
--------------------
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Discoless
9th Jun 2013 11:52 am
Spud43
Member Since: 10 Jan 2013
Location: Aylesford, Kent
Posts: 54
If anyone else is thinking go buying a tent, I can thoroughly recommend a bell tent, (from Soulpad). They are so easy to put up, takes 15 mins one person, are completely waterproof and aren't too noisy in the rain as they are canvas. Far better than all these modern nylon ones. They don't condensate either as canvas is breathable. I bought a 5 metere diameter bell tent and it is massive inside!
9th Jun 2013 12:03 pm
BrianT
Member Since: 17 Nov 2009
Location: Ayrshire
Posts: 2069
That would be the wrath of the camping God for trying to decieve him.
You will however look back on this day with fond memories to the tune of "Do you remember the time........"
Get out and do it for real it is completly different,apart from the regular awakenings for the loo approx every 2 hrs
Click image to enlarge
This was us in Cornwall 2 years ago with a Sprayway Valley 6.not the best to put up but with 2 bedrooms/lounge/porch and vestibule.We have since bought the front extension for when it's persisting down and you still want a BBQ.
BrianT MY 16 Landmark Santorini Black
MY 05 SE Adriatic Blue (Gone but not forgotten)
9th Jun 2013 1:21 pm
SHARKYSHARKS
Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Saddleworth Oldham
Posts: 1954
I'm with Brian T struck by the camping bug 8) Try and get away every fortnight for the weekend
Just got a new tent the Vango Airbeam Exodus 800 fantastic tent that you pump up no poles to worry about and its fully erected in 6 minutes
Takes me longer to get the beers out of the cool box MY18 D5 HSE LUX😎
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9th Jun 2013 1:44 pm
Comc
Member Since: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 238
Funny tale...... thanks for sharing.
I haven't camped for 3 years but was considering trying it again this year.
Now I am having second thoughts Colin
Sunroof Drains Cleared
BAS EGR Blanking Kit Installed
Perm Live Aux "Link"
DVD Player Installed
LED sidelights, front indicators, side repeaters, number plate lights, interior lighting done
De-IrnBru'd Headlights
D4 Rear Lights
Belts Changed by Indy
Dr Tranny added to Gearbox
Aftermarket LR Bluetooth Kit removed and D4 Module installed
Suspension Compressor Dryer Overhaul
Front Fog Light Loom Repaired
Drivers Heated Seat Base Replaced
To do:
Remap
9th Jun 2013 10:22 pm
Comc
Member Since: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 238
Funny tale...... thanks for sharing.
I haven't camped for 3 years but was considering trying it again this year.
Now I am having second thoughts Colin
Sunroof Drains Cleared
BAS EGR Blanking Kit Installed
Perm Live Aux "Link"
DVD Player Installed
LED sidelights, front indicators, side repeaters, number plate lights, interior lighting done
De-IrnBru'd Headlights
D4 Rear Lights
Belts Changed by Indy
Dr Tranny added to Gearbox
Aftermarket LR Bluetooth Kit removed and D4 Module installed
Suspension Compressor Dryer Overhaul
Front Fog Light Loom Repaired
Drivers Heated Seat Base Replaced
To do:
Remap
9th Jun 2013 10:23 pm
motolite
Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: Sydney
Posts: 931
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
....I'd bet Bear Grylls with a headtorch couldn't do that in less than 2 before he lost the plot and hacked his way out with a hunting knife.
