Oztent for kids
Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 16:07
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Jude&theboys
We have decided on a jayco hawk most likely and discovered that a Kia grand carnival can tow up to 2000kg so making progress. My mum has suggested we get oztents for the kids. Youngest will sleep in the van (he just turned 7 but is a '
young' 7) which leaves us looking at individual tents for 2x 11yr olds and a 9yr old.
We want a tent that the kids can set up by themselves. They have stretchers so need a tent tall enough to allow room for them. Looking at one tent per boy. Oztents are expensive but this may the one time we can afford them.
Will be mostly long weekends plus a week or two over the holidays, with a possible trip from melb to
Perth if I can convince the an to attempt it! Or to
broome as his parents spend half the year there
So can a kid 9-11yr old set it up on their own? Rv1 or rv2? Was leaning toward 2 for standing height
Any other tent options we should be looking at?
Jude
P.s. I looked at lots of
forum posts on oztents but nothing mentioned setting up by a kid.
Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 16:20
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 16:20
Hey Jude (sorry, couldn't help myself),
I love our OzTent but ours is an RV5 - and I've not seen the smaller ones to be confident enough to answer you with any conviction about whether the kids could manage. My kids are ages 8 & 12 and there is no way they could setup the RV5. The height and weight of the overhead bar to pull up would be too much. I can't fault the tent at all for our purposes and if you can sort out the logistics, then go for it. I am wondering however, had you considered the
Southern Cross centre-pole tents? Take a good look at these as they would definitely be able to set these up themselves, are tall enough and might be a better option for your particular circumstance?
Good luck with it.
Michelle
AnswerID:
497278
Reply By: SDG - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 18:47
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 18:47
Don't know about oztents, but my 11yrold has been setting up and sleeping in a old dome tent since he was eight. Got two for 5bucks at a garage sale.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:12
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:12
Jude,
Don't the boys get on?
Why do they need to be separated from each other?
One RV5 would be large enough for all of them.
Eliminate the stretchers and give them each a good quality swag to roll out in the tent, or to use to sleep under the stars, if they choose.
I agree with Michelle re the ability to set up the tent. 11 or so is a little bit
young to expect them to successfully lift the tent bar before locking it.
The Oztent is an excellent tent, but needs to be carried on a roof rack, or placed on the floor of the van when transporting. They are about 2 metres long when packed.
AnswerID:
497307
Follow Up By: Jude&theboys - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:53
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:53
Lol Bill, we are a Recently blended family. One 11yr old is used to being an only child, the other has aspergers (no social skills). Cub leader tonight suggested just cheap Kmart dome tents, I figure if we are ever gunna get them good ones then now will be the time as we are selling my house (can only live in one after all). Might be worth a trip to
bendigo leisurefest with the boys in November even. It's never as simple as just go buy a tent is it. I'd apply ditch the stretcher in place of self inflating mats, not so sure about swags as we need washable a still sadly but boys are keen on them. I looked at the instant pop up type tents too melimoo? But too low if they use their stretchers.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Leanne W (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:35
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 21:35
Hi Jude,
What about one black wolf turbo tent, otherwise just swags?
If the kids really need separate tents, then I would get 2 person tents (or a 3 person tent if the stretchers didn't fit) which are very quick and easy to put up, and much cheaper than an oz tent.
Leanne
AnswerID:
497310
Reply By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:24
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:24
I would be buying cheaper bow type tents, the kids won't be looking after them that
well and your needs will change so will not be needing that configuration for years I suspect. My kids left tent poles from their tent near the
Simpson desert and we did not know until setting up
camp the following night ( lucky I carry another spare cheap tent as a backup)
The nylon type are lighter and easier to handle and simple to erect and do teh job.
By the way I went back into
the desert this year and managed to find our old
campsite and the poles were still there LOL
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Jude&theboys - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:28
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:28
Awesome that the poles were still there
It does appear that cheap tents seem to be winning the vote here.
Trying to get an estimate on caravan insurance, not sure why you can get a car insurance quote online but not a campervan quote
FollowupID:
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Reply By: AdrianLR - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 16:19
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 16:19
Like Michelle and David, we have an RV5 but I suspect the main challenge would be the same - after lifting the front you need to click the side braces in place. This requires a bit of a stretch and dexterity to achieve (on the RV5 in particular). Get it wrong and things can get out of hand pretty quickly. Could be very frustrating for one of the kids in particular.
Also, even the small Oztents weigh a bit. 3 of them is 40kg??
Also, check the stretcher dimensions. Acroos the tent is generally no problem but it you want to put it along the sides it's a squeeze.
Another option for two tents is to add the Tagalong. Again, you'll need to help with set up but it's cheaper and lighter.
Apologies for adding more information rather than solutions :)
Adrian
AnswerID:
497371
Reply By: Rebecca H - Monday, Oct 29, 2012 at 13:55
Monday, Oct 29, 2012 at 13:55
Hi. I have an rv 4 and even as an adult i am only just tall enough and long enough in the arms to be able to set it up on my own. They are a fantastic tent but I wouldnt expect an 11 year old to be able to do it alone :)
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