Help with Buying a Tent

geek001 on 16/02/2015 - 12:38

Hi all,

Got invited to go camping with friends this Easter. I have never been camping and would like some advice on buying a tent and where to buy one. I need a tent to fit 4 people, 2 adults and 2 primary school kids. Ongoing I would expect going camping at most once a year somewhere in Queensland, so the tent will only need to cope with mild weather. I guess if the weather takes a turn for the worst, we can just jump in the car and go home? :)

Since I don't camp very much, can I get away with a second hand Oztrail tent from Gumtree?

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Davros on 16/02/2015 - 12:39

    "can I get away with a second hand Oztrail tent from Gumtree?"

    Of course you can
    Same as anything depends on condition

  • Davros on 16/02/2015 - 12:54
    +1

    Less than $100

  • Davros on 16/02/2015 - 12:55

    Make that less than $50 because I can buy similar and new on ebay for this much

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Person-Double-Layer-CAMPING-TEN…

  • rompastompa on 16/02/2015 - 12:58

    It's good to see a tentative OzBargainer seeking the advice of other OzBargainers. It got my attention. I'm sorry about the puns, it was my intent.

  • sweefu on 16/02/2015 - 13:00
    +1

    Coleman instant up tent is good value. A little more expensive, but higher quality and really easy to use.

    eg: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/COLEMAN-INSTANT-UP-TENT-6P-FULL-F…

    • lemc6125 on 14/03/2015 - 00:10

      We have this tent and I LOVE it. Even went camping 6mths pregnant with it (mind you I had to sleep on a stretcher because I couldn't get up off the floor!)

  • Davros on 16/02/2015 - 13:52
    -2

    The problem with tents is by the time you take in the
    1) Camp site cost often as much as $30/night
    2) Cost of tent, air mattress, stove, lights, chairs etc etc etc
    3) Lack of comfort
    You are most likely better off staying in a budget hotel or pub and probably still be more comfortable than camping.

    This from someone who has a brand new 6 man tent downstairs that is unused for this very reason and replace budget hotel in Australia with comfortable apartment overseas.

  • Davo1111 on 16/02/2015 - 14:31

    For one night a year, i'd buy the cheapest one i can find.

  • mskeggs on 16/02/2015 - 15:57

    Have you asked around to borrow one?
    We are regular campers, with a bunch of friends, and all have been through a few tents as their families have grown and needs changed.
    As a consequence, there is usually someone with a spare who can lend it.

    The best tent we have had is a tourer tent. The Easy up from Coleman mentioned up thread is one example, but I wouldn't buy one for your first trip.
    Our friends have varied between people that come camping 2 or 3 times a year to ones that came once and vowed never again.
    Find out which you are before you spend much.

    Also, Easter is the busiest time of the year for camping, so be prepared for some crowds.
    I recommend looking on gumtree/ebay for somebody selling off all the gear in one lot. By the time you buy cooking, sleeping, lighting, food storage, tents etc it does add up. And a complete lot often sell for a fraction of the price the items would bring individually.

    Lastly, my best camping purchases have been via garage sales, as it is the kind of stuff people have in the garage until the kids leave home and they move into a smaller place - then they just want it gone.

  • Euphemistic on 18/02/2015 - 12:58

    Our first family trip we borrowed. Only the three of us and it was fine. Then we upgrade to one a bit like this:
    http://www.oztrail.com.au/product-range/camping-outdoors-ten…
    Great for a family of four. There was separated areas for adults and kids sleeping, and a centre section for dressing etc without standing on the beds. if the weather went a bit South could play in the centre section without getting the bed space all mucked up.

    The screen enclosure at the front door was also very handy. A good spot to step out of the rain etc to remove shoes out of the rain. We had friends who didn't have the screen room and they often got wet getting in and out of the tent. It wasn't, however, a place to cook in or have a meal in, wasn't big enough

    It did take a little time to set up, but not too bad considering the extra space it provided over a more basic dome tent.

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