VW T5 tent system instead of awning

VW T5 tent system instead of awning

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SwissJonese

Original Poster:

1,393 posts

175 months

Monday 16th January 2017
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We need a tent system that attaches to our VW T5 over the sliding door. This would need to be free standing so we can un-pop/zip and leave it at the camp site when we take the T5 out for the day. Does anyone have any recommendations of models? I've seen some with inflate but not sure how good they would be.

mike9009

7,005 posts

243 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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I wont be much help here, but this has been my take. (plus you get a free bump!)

When we bought our T25 it came with a drive away awning. The thing is massive when packed up and when pitched - so we have never used it. As an alternative we have bought a tent, this one > http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4537373

The side entrance, standing room, 25% the packed size (and weight??), easy to put up and take down, free standing, easily parked near to the entrance and half the price of an awning make it the best choice for us.... luckily in the six weeks we have been camping with the tent, the rain has never been sideways and it works great for four of us!


Mike


micky metro

304 posts

186 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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What your describing in your post is basicaly the fact that you need awning which there are many on the market that would fulfil the needs you describe.

JimbobVFR

2,682 posts

144 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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I've got a Bongo which is a similar size. I use 2 different tent/awning depending on need.

1. Quechua Base Seconds - This is a pop up tent and doesnt actually attach to the van, it does butt up very nicely. Its actually marketed as a family shelter with individual tents as bedrooms but works very well with a van. Utter bargain at £140

2. Vango Kela 3 Low - this is a traditional driveaway awning, you use various different attachment methods, preferably an awning rail if you have one, but you can also use a pole in the gutter and clamps or any number of different methods.

the Vango is in flatable, so instead of faffing with poles it has blow up tubes in pockets, to put it up peg out at the corners and pump up the 2 tubes. Very solid and easy to put up. Pretty pricy though.


This is the Quechua



This is the Vango


Edited by JimbobVFR on Wednesday 18th January 00:56

SwissJonese

Original Poster:

1,393 posts

175 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
quotequote all
Cool thanks for the information. We already used a tent for our holiday last year to Jersey to dump all the suitcases etc. However when it rained we where a bit tight on space in our SWB T5 with 4 of us so need some extra space the kids can use e.g. to draw etc.

Looks like the Vango range seems very popular and would suit our needs nicely. Reading up I think getting a Reimo rail fitted would work to connect the drive-away awning too.