4 man tent with room for activities

[MonsieurDig]

Hey. So I went camping this weekend with my partner and her two boys, we took her dads 4 man tent, it was one of the ones that is just a 4 man tent, meaning no room to move about, store stuff, awning etc What I am looking for is still a 4 man tent so if me and her go alone it is not massive but sleeps 4 comfortably with room for storage and somewhere to sit in the pouring rain that is comfortable and not just lieing in your bed. I hope this makes sense.

what do people think of these?
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/927-Bergans-Lavvo-4-6-Man-Tipi-Tent-6040/

 

[kmac]

A tipi due to the sloping sides doesn't give you a great deal of internal room relative to the footprint

A tunnel design would give you a lot more room

Something like this

http://www.outwell.com/en/Products/Tents/PrivilegeTentCollection/Amarillo4Tent.aspx

The advantage of the tipi designs is they are quick to put up (only one pole)

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

Agree that a tunnel design would be better for your needs. one sold as being for 6 will be about right for the four of you. With enough living space for your stuff and for sitting in.

Sent from my E2003 using Tapatalk

 

[Nohoval_Turrets]

What sorts of places are you planning to camp? Sheltered, exposed, forest, by the sea... Also what kinds of activities and what times of year? Are you trekking a distance, or camping from a car? It's hard to advise without these kinds of details, but I'd agree tunnels are versatile and spacious.

 

[Squidders]

My advice is to buy a good gazebo. That way, using the existing tent, you don't have to take a massive do-it-all tent if it's for overnight trips and all your cooking smells don't get into your sleeping tent.

Modular win!

We use a MSR Papa Hubba which is perfect for sleeping in and for a quick overnight or weekend.
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelters-3/WG104.html

And a Quechua gazebo for longer trips or where there is parking at the pitch.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/camping-shelter-3m-x-3m-fresh-id_8295843.html

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

Actually that is a bloomin' good idea (better than mine!) Might nick it myself...

 

[Jaeger]

Or -
Sort yourself out an ex Polish military surplus Lavvu (see my post yesterday - Extensive Lavvu mods) (size 3) - use it as shown with ample space for you +1 and if you need additional space set up the two shelter halves as 'bell-end' tents and arrange a ridge style canopy in between the two i.e. the ex Belgian pup tent or if operating with open fires use a canvas tarp - this set up gives you maximum versatility whether you deploy on your own or with the family - just takes a bit of time and application to prepare it.

 

[ged]

A tarp might help. Very light and compact to stow in comparison with a tent for the extra living space you get. Cheap enough to try something from the budget suppliers, maybe upgrade to something stronger if it works for you.

For a group of four I'd consider something in the region of four to five metres on a side, but seven by five woudn't be out of the question - as long as it isn't blowing a gale. You could all dine under there in great comfort.

Tarps can be very flexible. I use one more than I use a tent, sometimes using a tent just for a wind break with a tarp over it.

I rarely close up the tent flaps if there's a tarp over the entrance, much less condensation that way.