Folks, I am looking for a recommendation from someone for a ground tent for touring if anyone has a brand or model they would recommend? It wouldn't have to be a super duper thing as it won't get much use, but on the other hand it isn't going to be abandoned at Glastonbury/T in the Park! For a spot of touring in Ghana/Burkina/Mali where unfortunately my rooftent has been allocated to my folks, leaving my G/F and I to the terrors of the night...

Gil
(currently on the 'nth Nescafe but looking forward to chilled white wine this evening from my shiny new National Luna fridge - currently plugged into the wall - that arrived yesterday from sunny Durban after a seven week 'holiday' in the clutches of Ghana's nice customs men.... :-)

Hi gilghana1,

I'm a bit reluctant to say something on the lines of "you should get this tent or that one" - it is such a personal thing that you can end up spending a lot of time inside (!).
But there is a very wide choice out there and, IMO, there are no really bad manufacturers around nowadays (lots of innovation in recent years) but you get what you pay for in the end.
So, here is a search that I have started, to throw up other thoughts (and there are very, very many) on this subject:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...earchid=550687

The threads with lots of replies will keep you busy reading for some time!
e.g. a lot of people would say that for 2 people you should get a 3 person tent etc etc.
& here's another factor:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...recommend+tent

ps Interesting comment on the Glastonbury festival and tents; the guy contracted to remove them all at the end of the event was interviewed on the box (in the background, erected tents as far as the eye could see) and he explained that there were thousands of tents left there on the basis that they would be dismantled and passed on to good causes; however he also explained that his contract was simply to remove the tents from the site and they were all going straight into landfill tips.
There you go then; go to a musical festival, leave your tent behind and save the planet.

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Dave

I have a Vango delta 300, it is a 3 man tent with an entrance both ends, this is fantastic for hot climates as you can get a through draught. it was £50 in a sale 2 years ago. the flysheet goes up first with the poles in and then you suspend the inner with hooks....works well

Graeme

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Why not either borrow another roof tent or get your parents to chip in to buy one ;-)

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Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

I use one of the Kyham tents. Quick to erect, poles are all attached and the bag is big enough for it all to fit in easily.

http://www.khyam.co.uk/default.asp

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www.4x4-travel.co.uk

My riding mate uses a tent with a similar design; you can leave the inner tent attached so that it goes up "automatically" as the outer, flysheet is erected - this saves a bit of putting up and taking down and the inner still stays dry while the tent is put up in a downpour.

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Dave

Many thanks for all the recommendations - Vango 300 looking like the way. Festival tents... My comment came from watching BBC World and seeing the mayhem after T in the Park. Couldn't believe the waste!! I wish they could have got a few enterprising Ghanaians to help with their waste management - whether it be batteries/tyres/TVs/Fridges/Cars the European attitude to "disposable" items is getting crazy - and plenty enterprising Africans are making good money from importing what Europe have deemed useless. I guess we are obsessing about Euro IV or whatever but our waste per person is still increasing...

Back to tents! Julian's idea is a nice one but as we are Scottish there is little chance of getting them to help buy a second roof tent!!! Nice 80 though
Gilmour

If you're looking for an awesome tent, check out the Tenere Expedition by Nomad. http://www.nomadtent.com/aboutnomadtent.html
This tent won't empty your wallet but you won't want to leave it at Glastonbury either.
I took it around The Rocky Mtn region last Summer on my bike (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah). It's a 2 man tent with plenty of extra room for helmets, leathers, travel accessories etc. The best part though is a covered area at the entrance where you can park your bike. Keeps the bike dry and prying eyes away!
TM

I also like Kyham, nice quality compared to the budget end, don’t be fooled by their budget end though. There’re not quick erect. Vango always looks good quality also but I don’t think they do quick erect.

Having said that we took a Gelert Twister 4 on our last trip. Once you have the knack they are extremely quick to erect (30sec inner only) and pack away. If you don’t need the fly sheet it has a huge mosquito net on the self erect inner, including nets on both doors. Great ventilation when it’s hot. £50 in a sale.

None of the above are exactly buy one for life though

Russ

I have used a canvas hot weather dome touring tent from cristys for the last 10 years and have never seen better. Brilliantly cool with soft full light and windows all round.It even survived 4 days of solid tropical rain before I eventually had to hang a tarp over it.

Its a 3 man unit I use for 2 with bags of space and u can stand up in it.Weighs about 9kg.

It is made in South Africa for African conditions.Top class.

I had mine shipped by them to Oman.They will do this for you.

Cristy Sports - Tentmakers in Cape Town - Lodge Tents, Gazebos & Overland Tents

looks like their link is down at the mo, The Adventure Motorcycle Tent. Designed for global traveller Does the bike go inside the tent or does the tent just have an extension over the bike?

Umm I like those, you can’t beat canvas (apart from the weight) but no big deal in a car/4x4