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If you are reading this, you probably care about what you buy and invest in. It’s our mission to create quality products with purpose for the outdoors. We started out nearly 4 years ago with a single product – the iconic Bell Tent – which we developed primarily for our outdoor events company (see www.undersky.com.au). From using Bell Tents as our go-to camping tent for years to then setting up hundreds of tents for events, we like to think we have become a bit of an authority on Bell Tents and know there is a lot more to this classic tent design than just good looks. With this in mind, we asked ourselves what it would take to make the perfect Bell Tent – we decided on a tent that was not too big and not too small, ultra hard-wearing but without the impractical weight and bulk of most large tents. It would have waterproof canvas but be breathable, and not have the noisy rustle of plastic tents. We would add fit-for-purpose inclusions such as a well designed storage duffle, solid hardware and top-notch detailing. You soon realise that striving for perfection means compromise and trade offs – for example, the heavier the canvas and hardware, the heavier the tent, and how do we get the performance of modern textiles but with the feel of the classic canvas that we love. With the new Homecamp Touring Bell Tent we believe we have come pretty close to perfection.
Yeah… but what makes it so different? Bell Tents have an easily recognisable shape and theses days there are plenty of them around, some good, most not so good. There are plenty of generic sub-par Bell Tents made with crappy canvas, flimsy hardware and badly sewn seams. Homecamp has always tried to offer something a bit different so let’s break down why we believe The Touring Bell Tent to be 100% awesome…
Not all Canvas is created equal Canvas is the single biggest expense for tent manufacturing and the quality of canvas varies wildly (check out our Bell Tent Buyers Guide for our recommendations). The quality of the canvas is dependent on the materials used in the weave, the weight – i.e. thickness measured Grams per Square Meter (g/m2) and the manufacturing process and know-how. There are many factors and trade offs for finding good canvas… how thick and heavy is it? How and what is used to treat the canvas for water and mould proofing? What original materials were used to make the canvas? How is the material spun? What’s its tensile (tear) strength? For The Touring Tent we have used a groundbreaking canvas that we believe to be best of all worlds and, as far as we know, the first for any (Bell?) tent manufacturer.
In short, The Touring Tent uses a unique 350 GSM Ultra-EcoTM Canvas. PEVR coated, triple-layer high tenacity polyspun ripstop canvas, laminated with a layer of PU membrane and 100% pure cotton lining. It’s a mouthful but this canvas has many, many advantages:
Hardware that is actually hard-wearing One of the issues with metal poles for large tents is weight. We overcame this by using Hard Anodised Aluminium – the anodising process makes the aluminium strong enough to withstand structural and wind pressures, but remain lightweight. Losing the weight on the poles meant that we could increase the peg size. We have included extremely tough rebar pegs that with the right force will shatter resistance in even the hardiest of campgrounds.
Details, details Apparently this is where the devil is, but with The Homecamp Touring Bell Tent it’s all goodness. Attention to detail with stitching is paramount, double stitching and even triple in some spots that are prone to wear. Even the type of thread used makes a big difference to longevity. Zoom out a bit and hardware such as brass YKK zips, custom toggles, d-rings for the ground sheet, webbing and reflective paracord, metal guy adjusters and super strong 110 GSM Fly Screen throughout all means that you won’t have to worry about having to get your tent fixed for some minor but frustrating failure. Add to this an extra window – YES we have five windows, not four like everyone else – plus a handy carabiner for hanging lights from and two giant pockets that will hold all your essentials at hand – toiletries, keys, wallet, phone etc.. you can see we have really thought about details.
Size does matter Not too big, not too small. The Touring Bell Tent is 4.5m in diameter and 2.75m in height – we have found this to be the perfect size for most uses and overcomes the dilemma of choosing between a 4m or 5m Bell Tent. This size is big enough for a growing family but not too big for a couple or even solo adventurer who likes space. The Touring Tent packs down to a very reasonable 90cm x 35cm x 30cm and can easily fit into the boot of most cars.
Weight: the big trade-off. This is crucial and a problem we have worked hard on. Large tents mean big weights (our old 5m tents were nearly 40 KG). This can be inhibitive for many people. The Touring Bell Tent weighs 30kg and whilst still not exactly lightweight (and therefore suited for car camping), this is manageable for one person and in our opinion the best trade-off for performance, features and portability.
Conclusion This is the best tent we have ever made and we think it’s possibly (or probably) the best Bell Tent available in terms of quality anywhere (bold claim we know). You get what you pay for with materials and workmanship, and if you are planning on making an investment in a tent that will get a lot of use then this is the tent for you. This tent is ideal for touring and tough conditions, for people who want a semi-permanent set-up or just folk who admire quality and want a tent that will serve them well for years to come.
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HOMECAMP Ts&Cs
Welcome to Homecamp. This website is owned and operated by Homecamp and if you purchase from us you are subject to our terms and conditions. You should read these conditions carefully prior to purchase, as placement of an order implies your acceptance of them.
RETURNS
Homecamp wants you to feel completely satisfied with your purchases made online. For any reason an item is not what you expected - the wrong colour, size or you've simply changed your mind - it can be returned for an exchange or full refund.
Please note that an item will only be accepted for exchange or credit note under the following conditions:
• The item is unused, unworn and in brand new condition with packaging intact and the original labels attached.
• A copy of a valid receipt is included with the return.
• The item is returned within 14 days of the receipt date.
Please note that all conditions must be strictly adhered to in regards to returns and exchanges and that exchanges will not be accepted under any conditions if you fail to meet these requirements.
We always inspect our goods to ensure our highest quality standards are met. Many of our products are made from natural products such as wood, canvas and leather. Any variations or marks naturally occurring in these materials are intended. If, however, you receive faulty or incorrect items, we will gladly pay the postage costs for a replacement. If the reason for the return is a ‘change of mind’, then this must be shipped and handled at your own cost.
If you wish to return something, please email [email protected] with your original order number and reason for return.
RETURNS ON SALE ITEMS
We have a NO RETURN ON SALE ITEMS policy.
MISPLACED ORDERS
If for some reason your parcel does not arrive within a reasonable time please contact us on [email protected] and we will track it for you.
PRIVACY POLICY
Any personal information that you provide to us including your name, address, telephone number and email address will not be released, sold or rented to any entities or individuals outside of Homecamp.
ORDERING
All prices are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include 10% Goods and Service Tax (GST). Orders will be processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) only and we do not accept payments in other currencies. We accept payment for goods via major credit cards or PayPal and all your information is securely transferred through an SSL encrypted connection provided by eWay. Goods will be shipped promptly once full payment is received. We reserve the right to change prices advertised on this website at any time.
AVAILABILITY AND BACK ORDERS
In some instances it may be that an item is listed as in stock when in fact, it is not. If this happens we will contact you within 24 hours to come to an agreement on offering you a refund, placing the item on backorder or replacing with a suitable alternative.
DELIVERIES IN AUSTRALIA
Orders are processed as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days of placing your order. We use Australia Post and Couriers Please for small parcel (less then 15kg) deliveries throughout Australia, with the exception of larger orders such as our tents where we engage the services of a courier delivery service, usually Toll or TNT. Courier and post delivery times vary and we cannot guarantee delivery by a certain date so we recommend you allow plenty of time for your order to reach you, particularly if you live in WA or regional areas. If you need an item urgently, please opt for Express Post at the checkout if this option is not available (i.e. on tents or free delivery over $200) then please email us for a quote ([email protected]).
All delivery costs are normally calculated at the checkout. If you are not at home to accept your delivery, then a card will be left and your parcel will be available for collection from your nearest Australia Post office. The same system applies to all courier deliveries. If you would like the courier to leave your package without signing, please ensure you leave this instruction when you checkout. If you choose to have an order left without a signature, Homecamp is not liable for any missing or damaged items.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERIES
We use Australia Post, Sendle or Shippit for all deliveries to international destinations. Some items such as tents are not available for international shipping and you can contact us for quote. You should be aware that import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Please check with your local customs office to find out what these additional costs will be. If you have any questions regarding deliveries in Australia or internationally, please contact us at [email protected]