Appeal to UK members - where can I get this?

[planovet]

Can anyone explain why I am described as a teardrop builder when the only thing in my life I've ever built is a sandcastle and....resentment!
Dave

It's based on the number of posts...

Teardrop Dreamer 0
Teardrop Builder 10
Teardrop Inspector 25
Teardrop Advisor 50
Teardrop Master 100

and when your post count goes uphigher than that, we put you in different clubs like
300 club
500 club
1000 club
2000 club
3000 club
etc

[Creamcracker]

The awning shown in the first posting is a VANGO brand....go here for more info: http://www.bridgendcamping.co.uk/defaul ... tegoryID=2
as an aside I see that the BEDBUGS are made in Hereford.....not too many miles away from where my wife is staying this week....I think I'll have to give her a call and send her on a mission.....as for the tent awnings looks like the Bridgend place is going to be another day trip for her!

[jackdaw]

Hi tearaway, Welcome to the forum.


I have a Vango awning, as well as a couple of others in the search for the perfect side tent/set up

Heres our Vango canopy, if you do a google search or even look on ebay i think you'll find a few



It provides a sheltered space for keeping chairs and the like dry... its open on the end and doesn't provide any privacy.
he guy rope goe over the trailer, and you have a couple of poles making the structure. We have only used it a couple of times. I don't like the fact it kind of hides the teardrop.

Heres our modified freeman villa dome tent.


We've basicaly cut the tent in half and stiched in an lenth of awning webbing. The webbing goes straight in the awning rail around the edge if the tear. It has one fiberglass pole, and a couple of guy ropes

It provides us with our ensuite facilities, and a dry area for dressing or keeping the chairs in etc. We use it most of the time. I like how it fits the trailer.

We have a 3m pop-up gazebo that we use over the galley when its wet.

We have this hexagonal canopy and four poles;



or with two poles;



when the wind gets it , it looks like were going to fly the down side is that there are a lot of guy ropes to trip over.



we've also just bought on of these;


............but we haven't tried it out yet.....

We may use it at the weekend.

I like the tear on its own, or with one of the above, and feel you loose the simplicity when its surounded in tents.

I hope thats some help

Dave

[tearaway]

Creamcracker and Jackdaw - thanks so much. I am indebted to you.
What a success story - I have the answer I sought from the folk who knew!
It's good news and bad news actually because you have confirmed what I asked in a letter to the company - does it have a front for privacy.
You confirm Jackdaw that it is completely open which is not something I want. Altho I know what you mean about covering the teardrop - it seems a simple way of securing an awning.
But I definitely need something with a front.
Your adapted tent looks fine but I'm no seamstress or should that be seamster for a guy. Is that a window in the front of the tent? And presumably that's an opening zip door in it at the front?
I am interested that you sometimes use the easy erect gazebo.
I don't have an opening end galley but reckon I could get my teardrop inside the gazebo and still leave a lot of space as an awning as it were, with all four walls hung.
What do you think? And how easy is it to erect the gazebo? Could I do it on my own?
Thanks a lot
Dave
PS I will post a picture of my van but it seems one can't access one;s own files like I did with the avatar - or am I reading the instructions wrongly?

[tearaway]

Oh nearly forgot - thanks Mark and Cindy for the info about the posting designations.
I'm certainly off to a good start at least with quite a few postings on one day!
You seem a really friendly crowd here - I'm glad I joined.
Dave

[jopasm]

I'm still in the "dreaming" stage (and I'm in the US), but this video review from your side of the pond has given me a few ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om3Fazu9bsw

The EZ-Up type tents/gazebos/awnings seem durable, I know a few folk that have camped in them for up to 2 weeks in varied conditions. You can add walls - mosquito netting and/or solid "canvas" walls. In the video I linked to you can see that one wall has a cut-out the size of the teardrop door and snaps added so the side of the awning just snaps to the tear - I'm considering doing something along those lines - I can pick up an ez-up tent and sidewalls for around $200, and it seems like it would be fairly simple to modify it with a door shaped cut-out. It won't cover the "kitchen" area in the back, but it would give a dry place to set up a couple of chairs and relax. Plus it'd easily fit in the tear or tow vehicle.

[Creamcracker]

Creamcracker and Jackdaw - thanks so much. I am indebted to you.
What a success story - I have the answer I sought from the folk who knew!
It's good news and bad news actually because you have confirmed what I asked in a letter to the company - does it have a front for privacy.
You confirm Jackdaw that it is completely open which is not something I want. Altho I know what you mean about covering the teardrop - it seems a simple way of securing an awning.
But I definitely need something with a front.
Your adapted tent looks fine but I'm no seamstress or should that be seamster for a guy. Is that a window in the front of the tent? And presumably that's an opening zip door in it at the front?
I am interested that you sometimes use the easy erect gazebo.
I don't have an opening end galley but reckon I could get my teardrop inside the gazebo and still leave a lot of space as an awning as it were, with all four walls hung.
What do you think? And how easy is it to erect the gazebo? Could I do it on my own?
Thanks a lot
Dave
PS I will post a picture of my van but it seems one can't access one;s own files like I did with the avatar - or am I reading the instructions wrongly?

But tearaway this one does -- it's a little more expensive.....Philip
http://www.bridgendcamping.co.uk/defaul ... =VANEXTCAN

[fireaunt]

It is fascinating to see the similarities and differences in US and UK camping. If I ever get back to the UK I would like to go shopping for camping supplies. Where do they sell "stuff" We have stores that specialize in outdoor products and I suppose you do also but where are they and where do you find them?

[tearaway]

Creamcracker - you're a cracker! Thanks!
Yes that £80 one looks just right.
So now I have the decision to make between that one and the easy up gazebo at about £20-30 more.
More room in the gazebo even with the teardrop actually fitting snug inside but maybe the tent extension will be more stable in a gale.
But I wonder which will take the longest to erect when I arrive tired at a campsite?
Decisions, decisions!
Dave[/quote]

[tearaway]

Dreamer Jo - thanks for that video link.
Yes the gazebo looks pretty good although to save adapting it for the door I plan to put my teardrop inside - less room but maybe more convenient.
Wish he'd shown them putting up the concertina roof of the gazebo - must seek out something on You Tube to show how easy that is.
Wow - that gazebo is big, if the economy gets any worse we may all end up living in things like that!
Let us know Jo when your dreams become reality!
Dave

[bobhenry]

A year of experience with our first up has taught us several things. I have been with others who fold the top with the frame and their tops leak. If you look closely the supporting frame bites tiny holes in the material I have removed the top and store it seperately from day 1. It make an extra step setting up but it does not leak. We have used it away from the tear as a setting area but with weather moving in we will round up a couple fellow campers and all grab a leg and set it just even with the hatch hinge and strap thru the frame and under the belly of the tear. We will then carry a picnic table and strap thur it to the frame on the otherside. It has stood in 35 mph winds with all solid sides on. Rope and nylon straps are your ez-up's best friends.



This pic was our spring gathering a monster rain storm went thru saturday night our sides were up so we could cook and all was fine. In the pic you can see the red nylon ratchet strap running down the side of the tear about 2 foot from the rear and on the far side the other running thru the table. As we left sunday we noticed a pop up type gazebo stuffed in the dumpster. " GONE WITH THE WIND"

Wind during the 09 shivaree was 37 mph rocking the tear during the night. The first up was up with full sides and this was the next morning

[tearaway]

Thanks for those experiences Bobhenry - sounds like you weathered the storm.
I'm sure like you say, ropes can hold the gazebo down, but I have finally decided on the sidetent (awning) similar to Jackdaw's black one above - but the latest version with a front door and porch flap.
I got it for £85 including carriage so I am well pleased.
Thanks to everybody on this thread who helped so much.
When I go on my first trip I'll post some photos here
Happy travellin'!
Dave

[Creamcracker]

Thanks for those experiences Bobhenry - sounds like you weathered the storm.
I'm sure like you say, ropes can hold the gazebo down, but I have finally decided on the sidetent (awning) similar to Jackdaw's black one above - but the latest version with a front door and porch flap.
I got it for £85 including carriage so I am well pleased.
Thanks to everybody on this thread who helped so much.
When I go on my first trip I'll post some photos here
Happy travellin'!
Dave

So you did buy the VANGO one? who did you purchase it from?
Philip

[tearaway]

Got it from a nice lady called Alison at
http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/
I found it a bit cheaper on Amazon.co.uk so got her to match the price because she stocked some extra poles I needed - £85 including carried including £11 for the poles.
Dave