Freestanding tent recommendations

[ScaredyCat]

Hi,

I'm looking at doing some motocamping and for the record I've never been camping before. From what I understand freestanding will allow me to setup pretty much anywhere whereas non-freestanding needs an appropriate soft surface. Camping will be single night, pack up move on camp for next night.

I was initially tempted by the lone rider mototent but went off that idea when I wouked out I really needed a freestanding tent. So then I looked at their adv tent, which looks ideal but the price is really way too high for me to try somehting I might end up hating.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a freestanding tent that a moron could put up in about 10 minutes in the rain/wind. I think price limit is about £300, lower would be better. I looked at the Vango site but they don't say if their tents are freestanding or not.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[MilozFolly]

Morning - I think there are some things that need clarification here.  My understanding is that "all" (OK most) tents are "freestanding".  Do you need to peg them out?  Probably a good idea.  Do you need to have them on a softish surface?  Yes - also a good idea for the sake of the tent base and for your comfort.  You really just need to work out what you want from your tent.  Is it just you?  Do you want it to be light?  Pack size?  Do you want to be able to stand up in it?  Have a storage area?  etc etc.  I know Phild of this parish highly rates his Vango Galaxy 300 for the ability to stand in it's massive porch.  I had to balance cost and packsize and went for the Outwell Earth 3 (currently available for a very reasonable £129.99 on ebay).  I'd say have a think about the size, shape and pack size - look at mine adn Phild's for comparison.  There are a tonne of options.  Good luck

[Rusty Nuts]

I've only ever seen the term "freestanding " used to differentiate between regular tents and those that attach to a vehicle.

[Steve T]

I have a Coleman Phad 3 which, when the poles are inserted, is "free standing" in that it doesn't need any of the  ropes pegged to keep in upright.
I have also used a domed Eurohike tent in the past that, with the poles inserted, was free standing.
Most tunnel type tents require at least one peged rope at each end to keep them upright.

Steve T

 

[crump]

Obviously people will have different priorities.
Mine are weight, pack size and useability/practicality.
I don't personally need to able to stand up in mine but I do like to be able to sit on a camping chair inside.
I also prefer a tent that you pitch outer first, which means if you arrive in the rain you can get the waterproof bit up, chuck your stuff inside and sort your stuff out nice and dry.
I also like a porch or a portion of tent outside of the sleeping area for sitting in and storing your bike gear.
Personally not bothered about free standing. It's probably a bit easier to erect but Is still want to peg it down.
My current tent is a Vango tunnel 2 man which I find perfect for me, although I'll probably be looking for a new one soon as it's 20 years old.

[ScaredyCat]

 Morning,
Thanks for the reply.

When I say 'freestanding' I mean you  can put it up, pick it up assembled and move it without it collapsing, the frame providing all the rigidity. Pegging it down as an option, not a requirement. It will be just me but I'd like some room for my stuff so I'd say minimum 2 person tent. Being able to stand up is not a requirement. The tent will be put in a lomo vizalo drybag with other bits (I have a 40l and am considering a 25L in addition) - the 40l vizalo is 63cm Length x 33cm Width x 28cm Height so anything below those numbers would be great.

[Phild]

ScaredyCat

I’m trying motocamping for the first time this year.

I’ve experience in roughing it, tenting it, caravanning, trailer tenting and campervanning.

What I’ve decided is I’m too old to be crouching down in a low tent. Therefore, I’ve got a tent that has a porch I can stand up in to get dressed.

My intention is to have a base campsite for a few days at a time and not move on daily.

Here’s my kit on my bike……. Yet to be tested.

[nigel s]

When I used to camp I just wanted a place to sleep before moving on. I had a sand tent similar to this, but a cheaper version, can't remember which though, a long time ago.

https://uk.reactiveoutdoor.com/pages/unlock-offer-uk?tw_source=google&tw_adid=707728851746&tw_campaign=21522569966&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlbW-BhCMARIsADnwasqXCzH9eVO_tmeByNLQk1XWf46SawFPWiL8qNaQYOKxpiZ81v0EktcaArCtEALw_wcB

I left it on the bike till I needed it ( no hardship ) because if you put it up before and the wind gets up ?.......... no good in winter I suspect.
The one I had was not as durable as the above one and was replaced with a Vango Alpha 200 which I like 'cos it has a small porch for any wet gear. Very small pack size, but probably too small if you are not moving every morning and are looking for a base camp. As a simple shortstay for one person it is good and due to the small size never got cold  overnight either.

https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/vango-alpha-200/467

[NeilM]

I have been motocamping for only a few years, but typically I spend two to three weeks a year camping and riding in various parts of the UK.

I'll stick my neck out here and recommend an actual tent.

Go on ebay and look at the Eurohike Cairns 2 or Cairns 3. Both are free standing, outer first dome tents with a vestibule complete with groundsheet.

I recently used a Cairns 2 in -2 degrees overnight temperatures and I am now considering a change to the 3 only because I am pretty tall and have to sleep on a diagonal in almost any tent, in order to avoid pushing my feet against the fly sheet and so risk getting moisture in the tent.

Because of this, the Cairns 2 is just a little bit too small for my needs.

As a first try tent, they are tough, a little on the heavy side, but extremely serviceable.

You can get one new from Go-Outdoors / Millets, or s/h from one of the resellers on eBay.

Worth knowing is that Vango have a factory outlet web site. They have all sorts of gear at reduced prices and the stock changes all the time. I have found it a great place to get sleeping bags.

https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/


Just to add, if you are planning on camping in the UK, even wild camping in Scotland, then a freestanding tent is not essential.

My current No.1 tent is a Vango Scafell 300 Plus, but like many people, I don't have only one tent.

[ScaredyCat]

Thanks for the tip, I found a Eurohike Cairns 3 for £50 on ebay, and ebay gave me a £10 discount code so for £40 it's worth a punt, right?

I'll soon find out 

[NeilM]

When you put the tent up for the first time, take your time putting the poles in the sleeves.

They can sometimes be inclined to snag, so first time putting it up, do it in the back garden.

I've also just bought a Cairns 3... we'll have to compare notes sometime.

Another tip.

For your first camping trip, keep it local and just do one or two nights. You will have got your kit wrong, or maybe misses something out, being local means it doesn't ruin a whole tour.

I live in Weston-s-Mare and for my first trip I rode to Bude, camped for one night, rode to Lands End the following morning and was home for tea.

I found on that first night that my self inflating sleep mat was pants. That got replaced with a Robens inflatable mat.... but sleep systems are a whole nother world of confusion.

[Phild]

I may get a smaller tent for quick overnighters or maximum a weekend. I’m finding many moto campers have a selection of tents to suit their trip.

However, at the other end of manageable size tents, I went for a Vango Galaxy 300. My intention is to find somewhere to camp for 3 or 4 nights at a time, and tour the area without packing away each morning. I also wanted something big enough so my son could join me for a couple of days, when work allows.

Here’s mine…… and it will also double up for the Grandkids to camp in the garden during their summer visits.👍

[Sir Trev]

Part of me misses the camping trips Lady Poppy and I had with a bike club 30-odd years ago, but I don't miss getting back from the pub at 11pm, finding out I'd left my torch in the tent (no mobile phone lights then of course), and then trying to work out which of the six identical Argos dome tents was ours... Plus the material was so thin you got woken up ridiculously early by the summer sunrise and you were sweating buckets within half an hour as it had no uv protection either.  One couple we're still good friends with bucked the trend and splashed out on a pukka Vango tent and in hindsight I wish I had too.

Good luck with your choice.

[NeilM]

Phil. The National Trust own a number of campsites in and around the Lake District. I camped at one right on Windermere for a few days and did exactly what you have planned.

I have also done the same in North Wales and this years trip will be based in Moffat.

I tend to do a couple of these types of camps a year and then a seven to ten day 'tour'.

[Phild]

Thanks Neil.

The NT campsites are on my list to keep an eye on. They do ‘pop-up’ campsites, throughout the year, at various locations as well.👍

[ScaredyCat]

Quite sidenote:

Do you get free camping on National Trust sites (or a discount) if you're a member?

[Phild]

You don’t have to be a member and no discounts even if you are.🤷‍♂️

[ScaredyCat]

Tent was delivered today. Made the mistake of putting it up in the office. 

Pretty sure I nearly died twice but it was fairly straight forward. I need a rest/lay down.

[NeilM]

Well, that didn't work out so well for me.

I ordered a Cairns 3 from a seller on eBay who specialise in returned stock.

The package arrived yesterday and today I took everything to the paddocks where we keep our two ponies, as the ground is pretty dry and reasonably flat.

Out came the tent / bedroom, all looked good. Out came the flysheet, all good, after a little bit of a fight, the poles were in and up it all went.

I pegged down the four corners and went inside the flysheet.... wow, it was big in there, nice. Next job, connect all the toggles on the tent to the loops inside the flysheet... and here we ran into a snag.... it didn't really seem to fit.

I looked at the tent and it did not say which model it was, but I could see it was clearly bigger than my Cairns 2, so I tried connecting the groundsheet at the front of the vestibule... and clearly something was not right.

I stepped outside to have think and spotted it.... on the outside of the flysheet, there it is, in white on green Cairns 4 DLX! The tent is what I ordered, a Cairns 3... these two ain't going together.

Back home I let the seller know.

At first they didn't quite believe me. I am sure they have plenty of first time campers telling them things are not right, but I've been putting up tents and camping since I was a 7 year old, so I have a couple of clues as to what I am up to.

After a bit of back and forth the seller suggested I send the tent back... at MY expense, and then they would give me the money back and send me the correct item.... no sir, that ain't the way the system works. The whole thing is now all wrapped up with a returns label provided by the Bay.

[Phild]

I’ve been practicing in the garden…… just under 20 minutes to get my Galaxy 300 up and fully ready for occupation.😁

I just need a few days free from Grandad duties to escape.🤷‍♂️