Vango Tent Features

The information contained below does not necessarily relate to all of the Vango tents displayed within our Website although it does apply to the range as a whole. Indeed much of the information can be considered useful regardless of the brand or style of tent you should choose to buy. We sincerely hope you find the information of use. Information supplied courtesy of AMG Outdoor Ltd.

CONSTRUCTION & PITCHING DESIGN:

Through the crossover configuration of poles, a Geodesic design is recognised as an exceptionally strong and stable structure. The inner tent fabric tension is spread evenly between the pole configuration providing the strongest frame for the flysheet. With the flysheet in place, the pole configuration is further compressed, increasing its structural strength.

Similar to a geodesic structure, however there are less poles and therefore less crossover points. This configuration provides a good balance between overall structural strength and weight and can be found in many of our tents from Mountain, through Adventure to Leisure. As with the Geodesic design, the inner tent fabric tension is spread evenly between the pole configuration providing the strongest frame for the flysheet.

Now the most commonly used structure for tents, Domes can be erected inner first, with throw over flysheet's or flysheet first, with the inner being hung inside the flysheet later. The advantages of our "flysheet first" pitched tents include faster pitching, the whole tent can be moved as one, and the inner is unlikely to get wet if being put up in the ain. Our Dome tents that utilise an "Inner first" pitching system and have a lightweight pole configuration have the advantage of being more stable and wind shedding.

The less poles you use in your tent design the less the tent is likely to weigh. This is where single, double or multiple pole tunnels score over other tent designs. They can of course be less stable in high winds but we have remedied this by incorporating our unique TBS (Tension Band System) on the extreme usage tents or large models. All the tunnels are "flysheet pitching" first, with advantages as listed below.

A hybrid, using both Dome and Tunnel technology, with the advantages that both bring to tent design - the domes providing the stability, and the tunnel parts providing the living capacity.

POLES:

Arguably the most important part of the tent - without them you'll struggle to provide a shelter for the night. We have undertaken extensive research and testing to come up with the right blend of materials to suit each structure and its ultimate requirements. On our Mountain & Adventure styles we use the POWERFLEX (7001-T6) alloy poles. They are made of 7001 - T6 alloy and provide a strong yet light structure. They are shock corded and have smooth locating ferrules, so they just "click" into place. F2- FIBREFLEX fibreglass poles are used in our Leisure and Family sector of tents. Selected from the top manufacturers in the world, we use only the best materials.

Tunnel or hoop tents, using either single or multiple hoops, designed in an aerodynamic shape are recognised as the roomiest, and often, lightest tents available. To provide greater strength and stability in adverse weather conditions, Vango developed the unique TBS (Tension Band System.) The principle of this system is the support and stabilisation of the hoop structure to side winds. This is achieved by connecting the APEX of the hoop to its BASE via a system of adjustable webbing straps creating an internal bracing system for each hoop.

A lightweight version of the tried and trusted TBS- Tension Band System, utilising a 'cord' system instead of the webbing as used on TBS.

PEGS:

The performance of the alloy used in our poles is such that we incorporated it into our pegs. The pegs come in Y V and pin shapes depending on the pegging point usage. For example Y or V pegs are used on anchor straps where most force will be applied, whilst pin pegs are used for standard pegging points such as guylines. These alloy pegs are stronger, lighter and more durable than most others on the market.

Solid steel pegs are also used on our Fibreglass selection of tents. The steel pegs use the same shapes and styles as the alloy pegs above.

FABRICS:

As the fabric provides protection and safety the actual fabric selected is therefore very important. We have spent many months of development, balancing the pros and cons of silicone, PU's, denier, grams and many other criteria to come up with the best and most protective range of fabrics, to suit all requirements. In many cases the fabric of the tent is the heaviest component. It is important to provide the correct fabric weight requirements but without compromising on the safety protection and waterproof cover needed to enjoy your trip, or in some cases, the difference between life and death.

Flysheet Fabrics:

The outer surface of the fabric is coated with Silicon Elastomer, which acts as an initial barrier to UV degradation, water absorption and soiling. The secondary, waterproof barrier, is a flexible Polyurethane coating which is applied to the inside fabric surface. This PU coating also bonds strongly with the hot seam-tape used for sealing the stitching seams, thus making it an ideal compound for using on tent flysheets.

The combination of ultra-light weight, strength and waterproof qualities makes the SL3000 fabric one of the finest lightweight fabrics on the market. The use of an exceptionally lightweight SOD nylon 6.6 yarn with a very high 250T thread count has created a tent fabric that is incredibly lightweight yet super strong.

The original lightweight ripstop fabric used in Vango tents has often been challenged but has never been beaten. Hytex incorporates a 70D polyester yarn with a 190T thread count making it an ideal choice for the tents that do not require extreme performance levels.

Polyester fabrics, if compared to similar nylons, has less stretch because the fibres absorb less water. It also has a consistently higher UV resistance and an exceptional colour fastness. The 75D polyester taffeta is waterproofed on the inside with multiple coats of polyurethane and has a water-repellent external finish.

The pressure at a given point in a liquid measured in terms of the vertical height of a column of the liquid needed to produce the same pressure

The flysheet, inner, mesh screens and groundsheet of all Hytex Dura-Polyester tents have been treated with a Fire-Retardant treatment, to REDUCE the reduce of ignition from naked flames. The tent is still flammable.

Where possible, and where weight is not a primary consideration, we have used tough Oxford nylon on the pole sleeves on our "external pole sleeve" tents. This is a durable fabric that will make for easier pole insertion and increase the long-term durability of the tent. Our "Inner First" pitching tents have continuous mesh pole sleeves for ease of pitching and improved airflow between the flysheet and the inner.

All Vango tents are fully seam taped on the flysheet seams using a hot-air tape which bonds strongly with the Polyurethane coating on the inside of the flysheet fabric.

The qualities required in good inner tent fabric are strength, lightness and the ability for moisture vapour created by the human body to escape out of the confines of the inner tent and into the dead air space between the inner and flysheet. This latter quality is called breathability we use a selection of different breathable fabrics to provide a comfortable ambience for living and sleeping.

GROUNDSHEETS:

Extremely tough, light and durable nylon fabrics are used for the groundsheets on all our alloy pole tents. The nylon is coated at least 3 times, with a strong but light PU coating. Vango ensures that the waterproofing of all our groundsheets is exceptionally high for the conditions that each of our tents would be found. All seams are fully hot air taped and the bathtub sidewalls are high enough to put a stop to any splash back that may occur. (Hydrostatic Head- 5,000mm, 8,000mm & 10,000mm HH minimum).

Polyethylene is use on all Fibreglass pole tents. This fabric has proven to be the most durable groundsheet fabric used in entry-level tents.

We quote 2 weights in our workbooks and catalogues. The total weight includes all pegs, bags and guylines. The usable weight, for those requiring to transport their product, removes unwanted pegs, bags and guylines. The tent will remain a protective, safe haven.

The repair kit supplied consists of fabric swatches and components suitable for each specific tent.