3 Man Tent Suggestion & cooker
 

Hi It have been many a year since I have slept under canvas or rip stop.
as in the Army we used Bivvi Bags & poncho, (tent minus sides held up by bungees!)
I want a 3 man tent easy up down I got a very cheap 3 man from tesco my gf went to japan & lost it in the hurrican!

nbot botherd if domed, would prefer a portch then by the time u get in it put your helmet bootd etc no room that is why im saying a 3 man.

I have used a mini gaz ring with a tiny gaz bottle last abt a wek making 1 cup of t aday in morning, am thnking of getting a petrol cooker that way with a tank of petrol never worry suggestions please ta

Budget?

On a tent and cooker, you could spend a bit or a lot, and largely get what you pay for...

I can't see why anyone would buy anything apart from the Coleman dual Fuel cookers. (enlighten me if im wrong)

They're cheap at £50-£60, run on petrol, pack small without extras, hardly EVER need cleaning or servicing and pack a punch. I've had mine for 3 years, used it regularly and its never been cleaned or let me down.

It makes me laugh when you see all these people boiling water for tea at Ripley with £300 stoves designed for climbing Everest.

Coleman Sportster Dual Fuel Stove 2009 | CampingWorld.co.uk

You never know: perhaps they climb Everest when they're not at Ripley....

Selous: if a stove budget of £60 is acceptable, also cast an eye at the Whisperlite. I had one and it never let me down, also only about 450 gr (exclusing fuel). Packs down small, too.

An example site so you can see it, but hunt around. Should come with a fuel bottle...

I'm with tedmagnum 100% - Coleman dual Fuel 533 - Wicked little cooker :thumbup1:

Yeah... I'm sure they do !!! :eek3:

On a more serious note.. How are those MSR's for blocking and fiddliness ?


I travelled with a few guys who had them and they seemed to spend more time cleaning, dissasembling/assembling and unblocking them than actually cooking.

Seemed rather "faffy" to me !!

"faffy"? Not so much. It may need maintenance once in a while, but is is not complex to do, and 15 mins every few weeks is not so bad.... In areas with dodgier fuel, I think this is inevitable.

I choose to clean it once during our South America trip, but then we were cooking with unleaded petrol the whole time. White gas does burn a whole lot cleaner. There is a needle in the jet, so jet blockages are just a case of giving it a shake. Boil time about 3-4 mins

Fiddliness? nothing fiddly, really: unfold three legs, connect fuel, prime and cook....

You do need to open out the windshield, but is very effective and using it makes a big difference to efficiency, naturally....

I have since upped to a Primus Omnifuel: more fuel versatility, flame control, and more solid build. Indeed, I now will use either white gas, or propane with that. I'd only go back to unleaded when on a trip: sooty in the priming phase and questionable how healthy it is , even though the burn is probably complete, looking at the after-burner flame. Boil time is about 3 mins.

Down side is simply the cost: the coleman and MSR put together. I only got mine when Blacks knocked off a serious chunk in a sale.
I had an issue with a leak when coupling the fuel line and bottle, but I think I've ironed that out...

Don't regret getting it...

This will do all you need
Coleman Exponent Feather Dual Fuel Stove. on eBay (end time 12-Mar-10 21:35:09 GMT)
Bit smaller than the "sportster" stove and holds a little less fuel I think. But you've got gallons with you in the tank. Only problem I had with mine was when I ran it on 2-stroke pre-mix once (silly boy)

I also have a folding alloy windshield like this Gelert - Camping Stove Aluminium Folding Wind Shield on eBay (end time 12-Mar-10 21:43:37 GMT)

Good stove.

Haven't found a decent bag/box for it yet though so it lives wrapped up in a bit of old towel.

Tchibo sometimes sell draw-string bags. Not massively strong, but will endure some abuse.

I've had a Whisperlite since the early 90's, still use it regularly and have had very little trouble with it. The stove bit packs down to next to nothing but gets you covered in soot doing it. The fuel bottle doesn't pack down unless you stand on it!

Used with Coleman fuel it never clogs although with unleaded it does need cleaning now and again. Priming it to get it going first thing in the morning is probably the biggest hassle. It's ok when you're awake but first thing in the morning when you're still half asleep you're likely to take your eyebrows off with it.

Yes, but once that has happened you are wide awake and no longer need a coffee, so every cloud.....:innocent:

How To Clean A Coleman Stove
 

Now... I've NEVER tried this but I was told and guaranteed by an Aussie stove lover that you can clean the Colemans by filling it with a cap of fuel injection cleaner (not sure how much) and lighting it. Do this once every 200 uses.

It apparently "Whizzes, pops, bang and sparks" and completely decarbonizes itself.

Check post #5 http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...00-499-a-37301

I take no responsibility for your safety or stove if this goes horrifically wrong. :cool4:

A number of suggestions, but no idea pof the budget...

So, Selous, what's your budget?:confused1:

Especially important if you want input on tents....

Hi guys thanks for the Info re the cookers, will have a butchers & see what I think, out of them 2 I am sure I want either duel or petrol.

Budget for tent lets say £200- 250 max dont really want to go that Hi.

I still have my Army Bivvi Bag ok if just me for the w/e, & all my Gear is in Waterproof bags so can be left out over night but chances are it could all get stolen, (can't stop somone stealing from a tent either, lol)
as it will be 2 of us the following will be required.

Tent can be any shape would prefer so 1 person can put up while gf makes the T (dont tell her that :cool4:)

would like to be able to walk around in side it on my knees! (am 5ft 6'),
and has internal ground sheet.

that reminds me I need to get them foam things for laying down before you put your sleeping bag down, we have them in the Army Very bulky must be somthing better & less bulky, they are only there to stop the cold going through.

Think I will go for 1 of the colmans, will pop down have a look @ both, then decide dont really want to flaff about with a 'extra' conntainer for the whisperlight when there is a contaner on the bike called a tank lol

One suggestion for a tent that might do: Vango Banshee 300. about £70 and weighs 2Kg. I Metre high at highest point.

You should decide which weight is acceptable for you and if you prefer a free-standing or a tunnel-type tent. If you want a 3-man tent under 2.5-3 kg, choices will be limited and not necessarily be cheap, if you don't care if its about 4 kg, then you have plenty to choose from. Also read up a bit on free-standing vs tunnel designs. Free standers are easier to put up, especially in tricky terrain, and *might* be able to cope with changing wind directions better, tunnels usually make much better use of space and are therefor roomier and lighter.

The Northface tadpole 23 seems to be the favourite tent for under £200.

They are about for about £170.

Since you've said it's gonna be for two people, my suggestion is to get something with two entrances! Makes life so much easier, as you can both be doing stuff in the entrances/porches at the same time. Eg boots on off, packing, unpacking, cooking, whatever. An added bonus is that when it's hot you can open both doors and get airflow through the tent.

Having had both tunnel and dome tents, I'd only advise a dome tent. On bad ground a tent that relies on pegs to create its shape is just a big useless flappy sheet. The only reason why I'd consider another non-dome tent is for an ultra small/lightweight one man jobby, like what cyclists often use.

Close to your budget limit are Robert Saunders tents. I have the mountain trek, but this is just over your budget. Look at the products page and then click on different models for a price. There are other well known brands with similar designs, similar price and spec, but you don't pay for the name with. I can also testify that it can maintain its shape in a Patagonian gale: that is a baptism of fire for any tent.

We also have a Jack Wolfskin Tundra 2. A tunnel tent which, like all tunnel tents, needs good tension in its pegs and guylines (sp?) to maintain its shape, which means that the surface you camp on can be critical. However, it has a very roomy cabin area and a HUGE vestibule. Generally, seems well made...

Otherwise, Decathlon have a decent range of tents, well within your budget. The advantage they seem to have is they are quite light and pack small: these features are a boon for MC touring! My dad got the T2 Ultralight, I think. Fine for one: look at the T3 Ultralight for two people. Not a massive vestibule, and lacks things like a mesh door panel and only has one exit.

Finally, if I had the cash: Exped! Not a serious suggestion, just wishful thinking!!

We purchased the Vango Omega last year, decent sized porch got all the bike gear into it that is 4 panniers & 2 top boxes.
The bedroom pod is a good size and important for us oldies it has plenty room for the air bed
The tent was great we comfortably spent 2 weeks holiday in it without any major arguments.
Stoves
We have MSR, camping gaz and contemplating adding a honey stove to the list both stoves have good and bad points all depending on where you travel. The cheaper camping gaz stove you have the easier it is to get the refil cannisters, or so we found.

After my first attempt at touring when it rained a LOT! I changed my tent as my existing one was a classic inner first pitch,not great when its throwing it down. I now use a Vango Spirit 200+,as it is a tunnel tent it does need to be anchored well so I have invested in some good quality pegs.It will sleep two comfortably.
Plus points;roomy,lots of storage pockets,easy to put up,weighs 3kg & packs up small-44x15 cm,big porch so lots of storage space,side opening door so you dont get soaked when you open it first thing in the morning,I leave the inner attached so I can pitch it all in one go,gap between fly sheet & floor so it lets some air in when its hot,plus 4 ventilation points,inner has decent groundsheet height so that air wont whistle past you when its cold.
Downside;not the cheapest but I did get mine for under £200,headroom is not enormous,I am only 5`8" & can sit up comfortably,a second door would have been handy.

Well hada look @ the 2 cookers & got the feather it has them silly little feet ok if on dodgy ground? & has a bigger tank on it so have opted for that from world of camping sescial offer of £45.99 bit of a bargen

Thanks Guys for the info re tents I have had a look at all of the 1s suggested & will have to go in to the camping shop to see them in the flesh,
as most have it in foren not feet inches, sorry (too old for metric!)
I know what i am willing to cope with but I have to concider the gf, I am used to not much when out in the bondu, & the old Army saying any fool can be uncomftable is very true.

I have decide my criteria needs to be a bit more harsh the £ can go up to £250 rather not & it will be use on my back as well as on the bike & even sometimes in a car!
not too hapy re guide ropes allways 1 idiot to go over them! but aa part of life, would prefer a all in 1 not botherd domed or otherwise.
You guys have gave me somthing to go and look @ and think about, thank you

Well just came out of Tescos, & they are selling a domed 4 man tent £30 they got blow up air bed things £10 & and an array of Fart sacks as well.

Of course a tent for £30 will not be the best in the world but will give something to use while you think about which 1 to buy for seroius work.

Selous, your 30 pound Tesco tent will do you fine. I only ever buy cheapies and then give them away after 10 - 20 years, my last one was given to the op- shop, over 20 years old and still in perfect order. I currently use a $40 KMart tent which is over 10 years old and has taken me across Russia, Scandinavia and Australia - I have no intention of replacing it soon.

My propane stove is now 35 years old and cost something like 4 pound at the time. It's simply a burner head with valve that screws on to the top of disposable propane bottles. I usually buy the bottles in bulk when there is a sale on, but I find they last for ages anyway.

To my mind the only items worth spending big on are the comfort items - namely sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. However, if you are smart, shop around, and buy off season, you can pick up great bargains then too.

Yes that is the way I am thinking then I have more £££ for the trip lol

Sometimes cheap is best,when it leaks on you then its not but to be honest its all a bit of a lottery,I have brands I would swear by but then I hear a horror story about it from a friend!
Which leads me to this,
Igloo - Khyam - Flexi-dome
and this,
Biker - Khyam - Flexi-dome
this brand was reccomended to me by a friend,quite impressed by the web site,check it out:clap:

I have various tents, one of which is a Khyam Igloo. It's a spacious tent and easy to put up quick once you've got the knack. A bit more fiddly to take down though.

It's not light & it doesn't pack small but is OK for Car-camping or on a Road bike with plenty of space. Mine has seen some horrible weather and kept me dry when other tents around me failed. I use the extra "footprint" under it to protect the ground sheet.

With all tents in whatever price band; buy some quality pegs. The little bits of bent wire that come with most tents are pretty useless anywhere except on your lawn. I have various types that will get me pitched securely on most ground conditions. My "mixed pegs" bag goes with me whichever tent I take.

uggawish
 

If you plan to do any traveling by air don't get a stove with an integral fuel tank. I had my old faithful Coleman Peak I confiscated even though the tank was empty - because it still had vapors in it. Plan on getting your fuel canisters after you land.

V Good point

My 6 year old 14.99 euro tent will soon be off to the Spanish Pyrennes again.
It is a dome tent that can be pitched on any surface very quickly without pegs. Is both insect and waterproof. So cheap can be fine.

Update,
Well so far
Tent £29.99 3 man domed & fly sheet.

Sleeping bag from Blacks reduced from £60.00 to £25.99 + £5.99 discount with forces ID = £20.00 Vango Fusion 2-3 season.

Cooker a Colman dual fuel £45.00 world of camping, it was sale of the week.

Only thing I need to get now is some pots etc as mine I had with my
Gaz cooker seems to have grown legs! preferbly non stick unless im going to carry salt, (cook salt dry in the pan, salt turns brown then pan is non stick)

btw decent tent pegs from local Ironmongers (Colchester still has 1! known as Cheap Jacks real name Jacks)

Thank you all

Backtracking !!!
 

I was always a firm advocate of cheap tents....

I've used my £15 ASDA dome tent at the last couple of very wet Ripley meetings and a couple of dryer weekends around the U.K.

Last weekend I spent another wet weekend in Wales and woke up both mornings in about 1" of water ! :censored:

The seems and waterproofing had totally given up even though the tent still looks like new :nono:

I'm glad I found this out now rather than on the road in a few months time..

I'll be sure to buy a quality 2 skin tent now..... I suppose in most cases, you get what you pay for ! :innocent:

ive had that before, a tent that was perfectly good when it went away leaks like a sieve next time out.

i think they can start to leak on creases and any dirty/wet patches there were when it got put away. when i started spending decent money on decent tents i started looking after them better, before every trip now i set up the tent in the back garden (if its not p###ing down!) and have a good look at it, then afterwards i sponge off any bird poo or grass/dirt, slug trails etc and hang it in the garage over a rope line to completely dry before putting away. ive been told you shouldnt roll tents and sleeping bags in their stuff sacks but loose in as big a sack or pillowcase as you can find. i dont go that far but it makes sense to keep the "loft", and my dad gave me a tent once that had been in his garage for a few years, when i tipped it out it was like confetti and had a rats nest in it. good job i checked before going away!

Hilleberg and MSR
 

Hi There,

The MSR Dragonfly is pretty much the benchmark as far as serviceable , petrol stoves go. However because of that they are a little more pricey than some of the competitors. We have had ours for about 5 years and have cooked more than 500 meals (plus hundreds of cups of tea) on it as we travelled around the world. The key is to make sure you bring the service kit which has all the spare parts. Often the poor petrol in some places around the world clogs them up and requires a little cleaning.

Hilleberg tents are also pricey but very good. We have the Nalo 2 GT and its been fantastic although when we got a huge snow dump in russia one end of the tent slightly collapsed which bent a pole.. don't think it was designed to have a 2 meter snow drift weigh it down ;)

Folks
I have a Trangia. It runs on meths only (I believe) and it never causes me any trouble. Some people say it doesn't cook as fast as other fuel types but it does me fine to boil water and heat stuff up. It also comes with pans and a kettle. I dont go to wild places so getting a little bottle of meths never causes me any trouble. I like it, but everyone must choose whatever they are comfortable with.

Chris

Plenty of advice already..
 

Well it seems there's no shortage of sound advice re: 3 man tents and petrol stoves on the HUBB.

But I don't see that as a reason not to add my two-penneth!

I bought the Coleman 533 Dual-Fuel stove, and after 13 months daily use, with some of the lowest quality fuel in the world (assumption, not based on fact) it's just clogged for the first time. $14 replacement part and I'm good to go again.
Coleman stoves are fantastically good, I would not bother looking at anything else, based on my experience.

I use the Nash Stove Bag, it's a bit bigger than it needs to be, but I also put a little bottle of oil in there, spices, pepper grinder and a mini chopping board. 8 quid online, see above link

For a tent I've used the Marmot Aeros 3P, which has also been extremely good. Used a LOT since leaving home 13 months ago, and only this week has it started to give up. Marmot have been great when I contacted them.

You can pitch the inner mesh only.
2 Doors, and 2 porch areas.
Light and compact.
Orange (I worried about the visibility when wild camping, never an issue)

http://www.gabe-rtw.co.uk/img/photo_...tenegro_4l.jpg

In fact, I've found most manufacturers have been really good if/when stuff fails. Email them and there's a good chance they'll send out a new one

Vango Tempest ..
 

I've just bought a Vango Tempest 200..

Outdoor Megastore Vango Tempest 200 Mountain Tunnel Tent - 2010 Model

Very impressed with it indeed. Packs VERY small, easy to put up and down and really well made with quality poles, stitching etc etc.

It's NO WAY a 2 man tent though. Maybe 2 woman but not 2 bikers with gear.

Suits me perfectly, although I think I may of been better off with the Tempest 300 if I had a little more space on the DRZ.

Still, BARGAIN at £89

I like the little bag looks like just the thing i have been looking for thanks

Hi I'm in the same situation and have to get a tent in days so will be making my mind up today. Tent for RTW 2-up.

Tents I'm considering are:

1. Vango Halo 300
2. Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3
that's pretty much it to be honest. Exped and Hilleberg are too expensive, MSR, The North Face etc. I haven't found anything with big enough vestibules, two entrances etc.

I would go with the vango - the only thing is: the inner material is quite a fine mesh and therefore I'm concerned about condensation and airflow? On the other hand it's good midges protection :)

Did anybody else find Vango tents hot inside in the warmer climates?

I think we'll go with Halo300.

Andy

We have just bought a Khyham freerider it's not the lightest and does not fold up the smallest but its a great tent I can stand up in it which i like, has a large porch for gear etc (could get the bikes in) being that we take two bikes the weight an size is not quite as much of an issue and we see it as little bit of comfort.

Freerider - Khyam - Pole and Sleeve

Tents
 

I don't remember how often I posted this URL already, but here we go again:


My tent (similar to the "Vanua" URL: Rejka Outgear) has lastet me for more than 10 years now, lots of use and abuse and it is still going strong. Will be our home again during this year's Hokkaido touring.

If you compare the price with what you get from this company - there is nothing at all to complain about. The floor is coated for 10.000mm of water, the outer tent 4.000mm. The poles are 7075 T6 ALU, 9,5 mm + 11 mm, the outer tent is 185T/ 70D Ripstop Polyester, inside PU-coated. The company gives you a 5-year-warranty - anything else?

Again, I DON'T get any paybacks, no favors or anything else. In my opinion they just sell great tents (comparable to those "well-kown-brands") at a better and more acceptable price. Sorry that the homepage is in German only - but it should give you an idea. In case of any questions, send me a mail to klausdorth(at)web.de. Replace the (at) with @.

Google chrome translates it straight to English no prob

Use Hair spray it will water proof the Tent (old Army trick)

I'll deffo keep that in mind ! Gives me an excuse to grow a vibrant 80's perm too !

Cheers :thumbup1:

Vango Beta 350 / 450
 

Oops..forgot to mention cookers...
 

I have an old oval ex-army Trangia which has served me well, but I couldn't resist a cheap copy of the more common round Trangia kit, which Lidl sell now and then at a fraction of the Trangia price!

The only drawback is that I have to carry a supply of meths, but in reality a 500ml bottle goes quite a long way.

I also keep a small hexamine stove in my panniers, in case I want a quick cuppa...

Jo

I love the smell of Hexi in the Morning. lol

Tent
 

I have 2 tents one is Coleman Phad 3man tent that we use in Winter (Pictured) and the other is a Mutta Hubba 3man which is good for summer, in my opinion the Coleman is better made ! We use a Coleman dual fuel stove as well and it has never missed a beat.

Kyam Biker Tent - seems to tick all your boxes so to speak.

Stove hmm whisperlight is good if a little messy.

how bout a nice little gas stove :scooter: