If you're tempted to head for the great outdoors this summer, then there's no better way to do it than under canvas. And, one of our writers, Amanda Jarvis has compiled an excellent guide on The Cost of Camping. Any seasoned campers got any money-saving tips they'd like to share here?
Got any tent-buying tips?
Is it a good idea to invest in a camper van in the long run rather than sleep under canvas?
Where are the best pitches?
Anyone got a trailer tent - how does that work out?
One of Amanda's tips is buy a collapsible linen basket from Ikea – it costs around a fiver and folds down like a spring. She says it's brilliant for dirty washing and toys and stuff, so they don’t end up all over the tent and easy to transport as it folds flat.
I love camping, and my parents did a year around the states in a Winnibago - passing that bug on to me, I found I could not really afford the luxury campervan / motorhome that they had, but also it was not practical to use everyday and could not get below barriers on carparks.
I bought a Toyota Lucida, with a very large topbox, a slot in kitchen in the back, removable porta loo and 8 seats converting into 3 seats and a double bed - its has been a dream come true.
MPV - I have used it for car boot sales, moving house and its great for having naps in on long journeys.
More revently I bought a pop up gazibo with sizes for the side door as an awning so that when I am on a site where I want to set up my camping tables etc, I can keep my position and have shelter.
A useful item to take with you is one of those fold up concertina clothes airers, they fold flat for travelling, but they are invaluable when your camp is set up to hang clothes, coats, washing, towels anything on! Most of the new style dome tents can not have stuff hung from the poles like the old aluminium frame tents. Speaking of the old style tents, we camped on top of a cliff near Bridlington last year, and there was a force ten gale, all around us there was carnage, wrecked tents, and equipment, most of the new flexible dome tents were wrecked, the ones that came through almost unscathed were the old style aluminium frame and canvas tents. We had one for years, but the trouble with them is they are so cumbersome, the fabric is heavy, as are the poles and so bulky, but they are built to last. We gave in and got a fiberglass pole dome tent last year because of the smaller packing and lighter weight, but believe me I wished we still had the old one in that gale! What we did was look around the camp site, and when we saw a tent of the size and style we liked, we asked the owner what the name and make of it was. The we found a web site that sold it and bought one, much cheaper than the camping shops! Like the other reply we have a Toyota Townace, the older version of the lucida, the back seats fold into a double bed and there are curtains,and a cold/hot box. When 9 of us went camping we slept in it with the baby's travel cot in the front seats and put everyone else in the tent! When the seats are up its just like a spacewagon style car. The kids really love camping,the prices are generally very reasonable and the back to nature/ fresh air life really makes you feel better as if you have really had a holiday. Sorry I am waffling on too much......... Go under canvas you will love it!
Buy cheap if you just want to test it out. If you and the kids enjoy camping, and make sure try it when the weathers bad as well as good, then upgrade your tent, etc. And for you first few trips I would suggest going somewhere not to far from home, then if it all goes horribly wrong it won't take long to get back.
Always take spare blankets. Its surprising how cold it can be at 3.00a.m. even in summer.
Keep the tips coming! You have until Friday 28th July to enter our competition to win a 'Cool Camping' Guide. It's a fab book featuring loads of great sites around the UK
My money saving tip would be this - if you can't afford a decent quality tent, then save yourself the £39.99 that places like Millets want for something that is little more than a sun umbrella.
A good quality used 2 man tent can be purchased for around £100 - go for something like a Terra Nova (made in the UK and considered to be one of the world's greatest tent manufacturers) or similiar.
Buying a cheap tent will only lead to a miserable camping experience - one which will put you off tents for good.
When deciding what to buy remind yourself you're buying accommodation - somewhere you're going to sleep and spend time in.
Let's face it, you couldn't buy a decent pair of shoes for £39.99 let alone a tent.
If you're budget doesn't reach to a new tent, consider buying a quality used tent - there's lots of them available online at places like ebay etc.
