THE Frinton 4 is a three-pole tunnel tent that uses steel poles to support the weight of the fabric. This always instils a bit of confidence when pitching a larger tent in windy weather. A fourth steel pole is used to give shape and strength to the storm porch that protects the side door.

The storm flap that protects the usual rear vent can be guyed out, zipped closed or opened fully. A similar flap protects the large vinyl window with mesh vent above that is located in one of the sidewalls. The opposite wall features that side porch. Although the door lacks a window it does have a mesh panel behind so you can keep out the bugs while ventilating the tent.

The main door can be guyed out as a sun porch. It features a large vinyl window with an internal curtain. It, too, has a mesh panel behind.

Inside, the tent has a full sewn-in groundsheet and a port for the electric hook-up cable. The inner tent is split into two by a zip modesty curtain and one compartment can be unzipped and folded away to create more space. A panel of 12 pockets runs down the central column and a further seven pockets can be found in each bedroom.

Camping says Although a newcomer to the camping market the guys behind the Kampa name have a tremendous amount of experience in tent design and camping products. No wonder the Frinton 4 proved a popular choice with campers in 2010.

Kampa likes to highlight the quality of materials used in its tents – hence the ‘Feel the difference’ tags to its publicity material. And this well-made tent has a few more neat features that campers will appreciate. These include the SleepTite system – the use of darkened bedrooms that help you get a good night’s sleep. This is aided by the outer’s dark roof panel located over the bedrooms. Of course, because the other roof panels are a lighter colour they keep the living area nice and bright – and this feature is continued on to the optional £174.99 porch awning.

The addition of an awning to a medium sized family tent is always handy as it provides the much needed space that’s needed on longer camping trips and a little shelter for cooking or sitting out in the evening. We recommend that you consider one as part of your Frinton package – you’ll appreciate the versatility it brings.

MORE INFORMATION

Price £449.99
Packed size Poles (9.6kg) 69cm x 18cm x 12cm; Tent (15kg) 75cm x 29cm x 28cm
Materials Outer Weathershield PU-coated polyester, 4,000mm hydrostatic head Inner Polyester Groundsheet Polyethylene Poles Steel and Dynaflex glassfibre
Dimensions Outer 480cm x 300cm Bedroom 140cm x 300cm Height 205cm (195cm)

Sleeps 4
Packed weight 24.6kg
Pitching time 15 minutes
Style Tunnel
Sewn in groundsheet
Electricity port

CONTACT

Kampa
Tel 01376 500111 • Web kampa.co.uk

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