REGULAR readers will know that we normally walk around a tent, starting at the back with a comment about the ubiquitous rear vent. However, here it deserves a little more than just a passing mention for Coleman has a great take on this vent and one that should make its way across all brands.

The vent sits under a huge cowl. The cowl is held open by an eyebrow pole that’s held in place by a guyline. There is a zip-close storm curtain at the base of the cowl and this is unzipped to allow ventilation. There is the usual mesh screen behind to keep out the bugs and this, too, can be unzipped. As usual, there are matching vents in the inner tents. However, these can be opened to reach the mesh screen and the cowl’s storm curtain, allowing the ventilation to be controlled from inside the tent – no more getting cold and wet to close things off in bad weather or at night!

A deep eyebrow porch sits over the side door and this also protects a large vent at the top of the door. This vent can also be closed off from inside the tent. Additional two small cowl-protected vents sit each side of the front door panel of the porch.

All doors feature vinyl windows and are mesh backed for bug-free ventilation. The tent’s other windows range in size from big to huge – there is plenty of natural light to brighten up the interior.

Inside, you have the large living area supplied by that excellent zip-off porch. There is easily enough room here for a kitchen, table and four chairs. The porch has an electric-hook-up cable port to the front, and a removable groundsheet in case you want a wet area or to feel the grass between your toes.

The inner sanctum also has a cable port. There are two bedrooms: the side bedroom can be removed if you need extra living space, say, if you’re dispensing with the front porch during a shorter break. The main bedroom is split into two by a sewn-in wall that contains a zip-open panel if you need to create an extra big bedroom.

Camping says The Fremont 6 came Highly Commended in this year’s Camping Magazine Awards Best Family Tent category. The judges commented: “We appreciate the fact that Coleman has listened to campers’ comments and produced a versatile family tent complete with a large detachable porch and plenty of living space.”

Versatility, space and detachable porch make this tent a firm contender for your money. Ease of pitching just puts the final stamp on its desirability and the Fremont should prove a popular choice with the camping family looking for a practical and well-built tent


More information

Price £549.99
Packed size 50cm x 85cm
Materials Outer PU-coated polyester, 4,000mm hydrostatic head Inner Polyester Groundsheet Polyethylene Poles Wrapflex glassfibre
Dimensions Outer 310cm x 520cm (Porch +280cm) Inner tent 2 x 210cm x 140cm Height 205cm (190cm)

Sleeps 6
Packed weight 28.9kg
Pitching time 15 minutes
Style Tunnel
Sewn in groundsheet
Electricity port


CONTACT

Coleman
Tel 01275 845024 Web www.coleman.eu


This review was published in the May 2011 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.