![]() ![]() The one way valve enables air to be pumped into the inner tube, but when the pump is taken off, the valve shuts automatically to stop the air from escaping.The tube is pumped to the correct pressure using the hand pump provided, making it firm and rigid and ready to perform its role in supporting the fabric of the tent or awning. The inner tube ( inflatable tube ) is made of heavy duty clear plastic and of course this is the chamber that the air is pumped into.The sleeves main function is to protect the inner tube which is does superbly, but it also plays a part in adding strength and substance to the airbeam. Ripstop nylon is a woven fabric that uses a special reinforcing technique making it resistant to tearing and ripping. The outer sleeve is made from a very tough and robust ripstop nylon material.Essentially it has three parts the outer sleeve, the inner tube or inflatable tube and a one-way or non-return valve. When the car engine was started up it would pump up the tent! We don't think Vango will be developing a similar method for their airbeams! So What Is An AirBeam?Īn airbeam is surprising simple and uncomplicated. We understand that one way of pumping them up was to remove a spark plug from your car's engine and connect the ten's airbeams to the engine with a long tube. In fact people are still selling and buying them. Some people are still using them to this day and there are many nostalgic anecdotes to be found on the internet regarding them. The Pneumatic Tent Company produced an inflatable tent back in the 1960's, called the Igloo. You may not be aware, but airbeam tents are not new. This article seeks to answer those questions Are AirBeam Tents New? ![]() They are a major departure from the traditional methods of providing a tent or awning with its skeleton - the underlying structure on which to hang the clothes or flysheet ( whichever you prefer ). Airbeam poles probably represent the biggest change in tent and awning development within the last decade or more. Was there an alternative? The answer of course brings us to the present day - airbeam poles. Poles that had to be stored, looked after and transported to and from site. Yet, despite all these technological advances, one thing remained constant tents had poles. Dome tents, tunnel tents, semi-geodesic and full geodesic tents appeared on the market and the departure from the traditional tent shape had arrived. Combining these tent poles with new fabric materials that replaced the weighty traditional canvas, enabled tent designers to flex their creative minds and realise the potential new tent shapes were born. Over the years, as new materials have been developed, tent poles have taken on new characteristics rigidity has given way to flexibility and poles have become lighter whilst retaining strength. Many of us will be familiar with the traditional shape of the ridge or frame tent. The stubborn rigidity of these poles and the weight of canvas they had to support, tended to determine the shape and design of the tents. The five tents stamped with the Country Living Approved logo have been expert-tested as above, but there are also some great editors' picks to browse.Traditionally, tents and awnings have used rigid tent poles made of wood or metal to form their shape and structure. They scored their tent on its instructions, ease of use and design.īack in the lab, our in-house team tested each tent's waterproofing capabilities using a hydrostatic head machine. Our testers fed back on how spacious their tent felt inside and how much light and fresh air it let in. Our top picks include teepee-style tents, luxury designs with king-sized bedrooms and cheaper options if you're after something affordable.Ĭountry Living sent each tent to a family of camping enthusiasts and asked them to set it up, sleep in it for at least one night and take it down again. Not only are they all ideal for camping holidays around the UK, but also for use in the garden, for family picnics or when the kids fancy getting cosy in a sleeping bag on a balmy night. To help you shop smartly, our expert testers and editors have found the best family tents for pitching up in comfort, luxury and ease during the 2023 camping season. Whether you're a small family of three or a big group of eight, there are some amazing designs out there that the whole clan will adore. With the holiday planning season in full swing, now is the perfect time to invest in a trusty tent so you can round up the family and head into the great outdoors for a night under the stars when the weather warms up.
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