Have air tents improved?
Discussion
I've just sold the caravan that I bought last Autumn and we've been discussing if using a tent would work for us and if we'd want to try a few UK sites this year with one.
I've got a metal poled Kampa Croyde tent in the garage which we've used a few times before Covid and then a couple of times in July & Sept '21. It seemed a lot of mucking about putting up a tent, especially for a long weekend when it's boiling hot.
Are the air tents so much more easier to put up and how reliable are the air beams? I've seen a couple of them in the past on sites where the beams have lost air, (I'd probably carry a spare). I understand as a package that they're heavier but are they really worth the extra money compared to poled tents?
For some reason for the two of us plus one dog (a Westie), my wife now thinks the 6 berth we have now "could" be overkill
Some of the air tents I've been looking at carry a hefty premium. I'm not skint, just tight 
I've got a metal poled Kampa Croyde tent in the garage which we've used a few times before Covid and then a couple of times in July & Sept '21. It seemed a lot of mucking about putting up a tent, especially for a long weekend when it's boiling hot.
Are the air tents so much more easier to put up and how reliable are the air beams? I've seen a couple of them in the past on sites where the beams have lost air, (I'd probably carry a spare). I understand as a package that they're heavier but are they really worth the extra money compared to poled tents?
For some reason for the two of us plus one dog (a Westie), my wife now thinks the 6 berth we have now "could" be overkill
Some of the air tents I've been looking at carry a hefty premium. I'm not skint, just tight I really like ours. It's a Vango joro XL which is a couple of years old now. However it's so much quicker and easier than the pole tent we had previously. I can't remember if it was our tent or the in law's that needed a beam replacing, though if it was ours all the other beams stayed up for a week.
From arriving at the site it was pitched and the kettle on within half an hour.
From arriving at the site it was pitched and the kettle on within half an hour.
Thanks Mark, that looks like a decent enough tent and quite similar layout to the Kampa we have now.
It's also reminded me of one of the downfalls of ours which is the front of the tent doesn't have a built in groundsheet and I just remembered having to chase our dog across a site one night when he escaped chasing a fox. I don't want to be doing that again
It's also reminded me of one of the downfalls of ours which is the front of the tent doesn't have a built in groundsheet and I just remembered having to chase our dog across a site one night when he escaped chasing a fox. I don't want to be doing that again
Air tents are the future! So much quicker, and fewer arguments too 
...partly due to being able to erect it unassisted
But, as with all things, there are air tents and there are air tents; I was shocked and dismayed at the poor quality/flimsiness of the 'popular' brands. Thankfully we were pointed towards 'Zempire' tents; it was immediately apparent that they're in a different league when it comes to thoughtful design and choice of materials. It hasn't disappointed, no leaks, no punctures, but it wasn't cheap; quality rarely is.
Oh, and a five or six berth is the perfect size for two!
...partly due to being able to erect it unassisted But, as with all things, there are air tents and there are air tents; I was shocked and dismayed at the poor quality/flimsiness of the 'popular' brands. Thankfully we were pointed towards 'Zempire' tents; it was immediately apparent that they're in a different league when it comes to thoughtful design and choice of materials. It hasn't disappointed, no leaks, no punctures, but it wasn't cheap; quality rarely is.
Oh, and a five or six berth is the perfect size for two!
Edited by TwinKam on Tuesday 28th March 09:57
We bought an air awning for the caravan after having a bunch of awnings with poles for camper and caravan.
Changes the game entirely in my opinion. Much easier to erect yourself, tends to keep shape better and not as heavy. This one is 5m wide and I'd happily put it up just for a weekend whereas if it was pole I'd be inclined not to bother unless it was a porch awning.
Changes the game entirely in my opinion. Much easier to erect yourself, tends to keep shape better and not as heavy. This one is 5m wide and I'd happily put it up just for a weekend whereas if it was pole I'd be inclined not to bother unless it was a porch awning.
Thanks for your replies. I've been watching some videos of some of the air tents going up and then down and the air tents seem to be half the time of the poled tents. I'll see if any bargains turn up but the sensible thing to do, would try the one I have when it gets a bit warmer to make sure we like it first before buying an air version.
Looking to get something along the lines of Kampa, Zempire, etc as the ones we saw in Go Outdoors yesterday looked poorly made compared to these makes.
Looking to get something along the lines of Kampa, Zempire, etc as the ones we saw in Go Outdoors yesterday looked poorly made compared to these makes.
Definitely easier to put up - peg corners, inflate beams, go around and peg the rest. Easy single handed which is handy when kids are small or when you want to put it up in the garden to dry/air. Putting down is a bit more involved as you need to get the air out so you have to fold/squeeze the right way.
They do take up more space and you can’t separate the poles for easier packing in the car.
They stand up well to wind, can move a bit more than poles in lighter winds but when it’s strong enough to be damaging pole tents they just deform and spring back.
I’ve had one problem with an air tent, the beam itself didn’t burst but the sleeve it was in split and it opened up a big hole in the roof. Was a lower end Vango and they were good about repairing under warranty (despite being a bit past the warranty ending). I’ve got another air tent since, we wanted poly cotton and it’s quite hard now to buy a big family tent in a decent fabric that still uses poles.
They do take up more space and you can’t separate the poles for easier packing in the car.
They stand up well to wind, can move a bit more than poles in lighter winds but when it’s strong enough to be damaging pole tents they just deform and spring back.
I’ve had one problem with an air tent, the beam itself didn’t burst but the sleeve it was in split and it opened up a big hole in the roof. Was a lower end Vango and they were good about repairing under warranty (despite being a bit past the warranty ending). I’ve got another air tent since, we wanted poly cotton and it’s quite hard now to buy a big family tent in a decent fabric that still uses poles.
Nath911t said:
Thanks for your replies. I've been watching some videos of some of the air tents going up and then down and the air tents seem to be half the time of the poled tents. I'll see if any bargains turn up but the sensible thing to do, would try the one I have when it gets a bit warmer to make sure we like it first before buying an air version.
Looking to get something along the lines of Kampa, Zempire, etc as the ones we saw in Go Outdoors yesterday looked poorly made compared to these makes.
I just bought a Kampa Tailgater Air to put on a Model Y (camp mode FTW). No idea how well that set-up is going to work (got a bit carried away reading the Tesla-Camping sub reddit) but a practice pitching of the tent in my garden was very easy and fast. Pump it to 9psi and up it goes, feels like cheating compared to the old tents we used to struggle with on family holidays years ago when I was a kid.Looking to get something along the lines of Kampa, Zempire, etc as the ones we saw in Go Outdoors yesterday looked poorly made compared to these makes.
Don't rate the build quality on our Berghaus air tent.
The theory is sound it's just their execution that was disappointing on a >£1000 piece of equipment.
We got a decent chunk of money back after kicking up a bit of fuss but I'd never buy the Berghaus brand again.
Still need to get it fixed come to think of it.
The theory is sound it's just their execution that was disappointing on a >£1000 piece of equipment.
We got a decent chunk of money back after kicking up a bit of fuss but I'd never buy the Berghaus brand again.
Still need to get it fixed come to think of it.
Some interesting replies. Thank you.
This has kind of swayed me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDTOUNoe8zQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTKTm5IwzXs
Same tents albeit one is air and the other is pole and both the same make and model to what I have now. One is up/down in just over 16 minutes while the other is just under 30 minutes.
We prefer the tunnel style tents but would like or prefer one with a fully built in groundsheet throughout. It seems like a lot of the ones I've seen are part built in groundsheet just to make it dogproof.
I've been looking at this site for tents but will look a bit further into where we do get one from for the best customer services in the event of a problem. Most sites seem pretty much similar prices.
https://www.campingworld.co.uk/en/Air-Tents/cpl-43...
There are some cheap used ones but unless you see it pitched up buying on trust could be a bit of a gamble.
This has kind of swayed me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDTOUNoe8zQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTKTm5IwzXs
Same tents albeit one is air and the other is pole and both the same make and model to what I have now. One is up/down in just over 16 minutes while the other is just under 30 minutes.
We prefer the tunnel style tents but would like or prefer one with a fully built in groundsheet throughout. It seems like a lot of the ones I've seen are part built in groundsheet just to make it dogproof.
I've been looking at this site for tents but will look a bit further into where we do get one from for the best customer services in the event of a problem. Most sites seem pretty much similar prices.
https://www.campingworld.co.uk/en/Air-Tents/cpl-43...
There are some cheap used ones but unless you see it pitched up buying on trust could be a bit of a gamble.
We have the Kampa 2 bed model air awning for our T5 (though really its fine standalone). Its amazing and we use it a lot. Erects in prob 10 mins, maybe about 15 to put down, and great it wind blowing (which I find an issue with 'normal' tents.
Takes a lot longer first couple of times until you get the hang of it.
The inner design is great, you can have 3-4 internal spaces, or merge into less. The build quality is brilliant, and lots of touches like vents, quality windows, blinds - I'm sure you get all that with a standard tent and likely a lot cheaper.
I guess one downside would be if something happened to the pump/fittings, could ruin your holiday but they are pretty common at camp sites - we've had people ask for help.
Takes a lot longer first couple of times until you get the hang of it.
The inner design is great, you can have 3-4 internal spaces, or merge into less. The build quality is brilliant, and lots of touches like vents, quality windows, blinds - I'm sure you get all that with a standard tent and likely a lot cheaper.
I guess one downside would be if something happened to the pump/fittings, could ruin your holiday but they are pretty common at camp sites - we've had people ask for help.
Nath911t said:
We prefer the tunnel style tents but would like or prefer one with a fully built in groundsheet throughout. It seems like a lot of the ones I've seen are part built in groundsheet just to make it dogproof.
Always found it more useful to have the porch area bare for shoes (and drying / dirty stuff) so that you can keep the inner part cleaner. Most tunnel tents I've seen have an extra groundsheet for the porch area if you do prefer that, but we've never used them.
If you're in Hampshire then SK Camping are over in Godstone, usually have plenty of tents up to look at and a big indoor store for other bits. Bit more of a trip but I can recommend Camping Intl in Gillingham, huge indoor store with dozens of tents on display and they were great with handling our Vango warranty repair.
We've got a Vango Galli for the VW camper which has 4 beams, takes a bit of an effort to pump them all up manually, but otherwise on its 5th season with no issues to report.
And then we got a Kampa 390 Pro Plus something for the caravan, I use an airblower to pump this one up, I'm lazy.
The Kampa leaks like a sieve, not sure where from, but for £1500ish I won't be buying this brand again.
One thing to remember with airbeams is to adjust the pressure when it's hot, they can potentially pop in prolonged hot weather.
And then we got a Kampa 390 Pro Plus something for the caravan, I use an airblower to pump this one up, I'm lazy.
The Kampa leaks like a sieve, not sure where from, but for £1500ish I won't be buying this brand again.
One thing to remember with airbeams is to adjust the pressure when it's hot, they can potentially pop in prolonged hot weather.
Thanks for letting me know about SK and Camping Int. When I get a bit of free time I'll give them a call to make sure they've got some pitched up and in stock and take a drive there.
Thanks for the tip of checking the pressure as well. I did hear about some going pop on hot days. I'll make a presumption that the pumps have gauges on them and you can see how much pressure is going in there?
I've read mixed reviews (yeah, I know reviews aren't always how it is) and Kampa seems questionable in some of those. I've seen quite a few Outdoor Revolution that are advertised for a few £'s. It seems they cater for all budgets. I quite like the Zempire along with some of the Wild Country models.
Thanks for the tip of checking the pressure as well. I did hear about some going pop on hot days. I'll make a presumption that the pumps have gauges on them and you can see how much pressure is going in there?
I've read mixed reviews (yeah, I know reviews aren't always how it is) and Kampa seems questionable in some of those. I've seen quite a few Outdoor Revolution that are advertised for a few £'s. It seems they cater for all budgets. I quite like the Zempire along with some of the Wild Country models.
Good advice to view tents up, preferably lots of them side by side, and it must lead to sales as lots of camping outlets now do this. Bit late now, but the Camping Show at the NEC (late February) is brilliant as there are ample sales staff to quiz. It was here that we first saw an air tent erected (and had a go with a hand pump ourselves) ...and discovered Zempire.
I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
TwinKam said:
Good advice to view tents up, preferably lots of them side by side, and it must lead to sales as lots of camping outlets now do this. Bit late now, but the Camping Show at the NEC (late February) is brilliant as there are ample sales staff to quiz. It was here that we first saw an air tent erected (and had a go with a hand pump ourselves) ...and discovered Zempire.
I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
I should have been more specific, it’s a blower specifically for blowing up awnings/tents etc, pumping up a 390 awning on a hot day after an 8 hour drive is not my idea of fun. The sooner I can get the bbq on and a cold beer the better.I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
And the leak is water when it rains, not air, it’s not related to the 12v pump.
C3ntaur2084 said:
TwinKam said:
Good advice to view tents up, preferably lots of them side by side, and it must lead to sales as lots of camping outlets now do this. Bit late now, but the Camping Show at the NEC (late February) is brilliant as there are ample sales staff to quiz. It was here that we first saw an air tent erected (and had a go with a hand pump ourselves) ...and discovered Zempire.
I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
I should have been more specific, it’s a blower specifically for blowing up awnings/tents etc, pumping up a 390 awning on a hot day after an 8 hour drive is not my idea of fun. The sooner I can get the bbq on and a cold beer the better.I know it's (probably) totally unconnected, but I did have a giggle at the previous post where an air blower was used to erect an air tent that "now leaks like a sieve" ...puhleese ...it's honestly not hard work with a hand pump.
And the leak is water when it rains, not air, it’s not related to the 12v pump.
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