Giving Motocamping a go.

[Phild]

I’m not new to outdoor living.

Cubs, scouts, Army, family camping, trailer tent, caravan and campervan so I’m used to the lifestyle and sourcing kit (although the last time I camped was at the Munich Beer festival about 15 years ago.🍺🍺🍺).

Having toured on our bikes for many years staying in hotels, B&B’s etc I’m now touring solo so I thought I’d give motocamping a go. I know how to pack light, and I’ve already got most of the luggage and kit I need.

I’m now in the market for a tent. From experience your shelter can make for a positive or negative experience, and I want this to be positive.

My short list is down to one so far…… Vango Galaxy 300. I know I’ll need an extra ground sheet for it, but that’s not an issue.

I’ve got a definite criteria……. I don’t want to be grovelling on the ground to get in (too long in the tooth for that), I want to be able to stand up (5’8” so no issue with the Vango there), plenty of room with the ability to fit one extra person in it should I be able to persuade my son to join me. It’s not generally going to be used as a one night stay at a time type tent or wild camping. I’ll pick a site for two to three nights and explore the area.

I’m not prepared to pay the Lone Rider cost. However, I know I’ve got to spend more than £50. Although the Vango is marked up at £300, I’ve seen it as low as £240 and hoping for better prices / offers over the winter.

Having recently paid £115 B&B for one night on the Yorkshire Moors, and £115 in Ambleside, it’s an expensive game doing B&B in the UK.

With my criteria in mind, and my maximum budget being in the lower priced Vango Galaxy 300 range, any other recommendations for me to take a look at?

Many thanks.👍

[Rixington43]

I would happily endorse Vango, I've had probably 3 or 4 of their tents in my lifetime and they've all been really good. They sell parts as well which is a huge must for me as I'm not replacing an entire tent if a pole breaks or gets bent.
I must say the Galaxy was on my list as well but I was a little concerned about how that tall porch would deal with high winds, both in terms of strength and noise inside the sleeping area. I've seen a few out on the wild and they've been fine on rough nights though.
Alloy poles are a massive bonus, both for strentgh and weight but also ease of pitching as they don't snag on the fabric sleeves.

If standing up is your priority then the Galaxy was the only tent in my list for that feature. I went for an Omega 350 in the end for the extra porch area and lower profile but it has many of the same features and it's been utterly brilliant.
I also bought the footprint groundsheet and, in the European heatwave, we just pitched the outer over that which was very nice.

[Barbel Mick]

It's a few years old now but this thread went through a few options, maybe a bit of help? 
https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=29891.0

If you have a search for 'tent' there may some more advice available somewhere.

[Phild]

Thanks Mick, I’ve been through that thread. As you say, it’s a little long in the tooth now, so I thought I’d try to get some newer information.👍

[Phild]

The standing or near standing is important. I’m 5’8”, so the Vango would be great for me…… my youngest lad (rides a Tracer 900) is 6’5”.🤷‍♂️

[Steve T]

Got a Galaxy 300 a couple of months ago (2nd hand & old). Used it at the beginning of the month for the 1st time after buying a new front pole.
Easyish to put up on Your own and loads of room. I'm a convert to tents wot you can stand up in - I like being able to stand up and put my trousers on 

Encountered some strong winds accompanied by heavy rain - the tent stood the tests no bother.
However, two ther users of the same make/model of tent suffered broken poles (before we got blown about). Maybe an age thing - both tents had been in use for several years.

Great tent, IMHO. Giving mine another airing this weekend down in Dumfries & Galloway.

Steve T

 

[Phild]

Thanks Steve.

I’ll be on my own most of the time, but want plenty of room. I could cope with a small tent, but I don’t want to cope I want to enjoy.

I’m hoping my oversized son will join me on the odd occasion. It needs to be big enough for us both, but mainly give me plenty of room to spread out when on my own…… and as you say, be able stand to put my trousers on.👍

Enjoy your weekend.

[Phild]

I’ve tried a couple bids on eBay for a used 2024 Galaxy 300 (including footprint) but with P&P it’s approaching £160.🤷‍♂️

[NeilM]

I use a Scafell 300 +, but I have two buddies who have Galaxy 300's for motocamping and they both love them.

Keep an eye on the Vango factory shop, they have ex demo and refurbished kit and you may get lucky with a Galaxy.

Link: https://www.campingrecycled.co.uk/

[Phild]

Thanks Neil.👍

The one on eBay is approaching £200. There’s another refurbished one going for £240.

I can get a new one for not much more money.🤷‍♂️

[MilozFolly]

This was the issue I had when planning my recent exploratory jaunt into Germany Phil.  Adding the "want to be able to stand" criteria either added too much bulk or too much cost.  In the end I settled for something I could sit on a chair to get dressed and cook in (in an emergency) with plenty of storage space for my gear.  I was also determined to buy new  based on previous longevity issues with used items.  Something like the Vango Scarfell 300, Outwell Earth (which I went for as it was on sale) or Robens Pioneer series.  Depends how much of an essential criteria standing is to you.  I did 7 nights without an issue but it'll always be some kind of compromise I guess.

[Rixington43]

Look at it this way though.
Vango tents are commanding silly second hand values because they last.
It also means you'd get most of your cost back if you look after it and find your not using it as much as you first thought.
Yes the cost is significant but tents are one of those things where you only realise you cheaped out when it gives up in a storm 🤣.

[Phild]

Thanks people.👍

Standing or near standing is my preferred way to go, along with a good size area for kit. My intention is to use it as a ‘base’ tent, staying in one place for more than two days at a time. The weight is about 6kgs, and using the online dimensions, the Galaxy 300 will strap nicely onto the top of my 40L Held roll bag that I attach to my pillion seat.

I can buy new for £269, but saw one on another website for £234….. but you have to register and login in to get best prices. They wanted too much information for my liking, so I gave that a miss.

I’m up in Lincolnshire next week so I’ll be calling in to Go Outdoors in Lincoln. The Vango list price is £380….. if I can get one for £269 then I think I’ll be taking the plunge.

A footnote to this…… the Grandkids like the idea of going camping with Grandad.🤦‍♂️

[NeilM]

Don't forget Attwooll's in Gloucester... right on the A38 and with a nice cafe there too.

They have displays of erected tents you can look at and walk / crawl into, that's where I got my Scafell.

Check they have what you want before you make a specials trip (the cake in the cafe is excellent), or swing by if you are passing.

[Phild]

Thanks Neil.

If it doesn’t work out in Lincolnshire, I’ll call in on my way home.👍

[Rixington43]

Might be very out of your way and I don't know the Go Outdoors in Lincoln but the one in Chesterfield has a huge number of their tent range pitched up on a big mezzanine floor, it's where I went to look at various options, although granted it's pretty easy from Sheffield.

[Bobsyeruncle]

I'm looking to replace my tent for motorcycle camping. Leading contender for me is the Khyam Loctec Dallington.
Comes with a lifetime warranty...

https://khyam.co.uk/products/loctek-dallington-3-0

[Phild]

I went to the Go Outdoors at Cribbs Causeway (Bristol) last week, poor selection of tents and other stuff that I went to try and have a look at that was on their website.

The Khyam looks really good, but a bit budget busting. The Vango’s list price is £380, but I’ve seen several new ones over £100 less than that. It also comes in at twice the weight of the Vango. Although an extra 6kgs on the pillion seat wouldn’t be a massive problem.👍

[Bobsyeruncle]

That's why I've not bought it yet to be honest. It is an excellent tent with great reviews. It's also quick pitch if you check their video.
The reviews I've read about the vango 300 have been mixed.....

[Phild]

Checking the Khyam’s packed dimensions, it’s 10cm’s longer and 8cm’s wider.

Again, not the end of the world, but all to take into consideration.🤔

However, I haven’t written it off yet.👍