Quechua Air Seconds Base XL Shelter is made for VW

[RFH]

Many thanks for that CannonDale, much appreciated. However I think we will keep the Quesha and persevere with it as it was not damaged and we do like the ease of putting it up/ taking it down and feel we will be able make it more stable with additional guy lines (as Highflyer has suggested above in this thread). I suppose it's a question of compromise for us. Although a ''Proper Awning'' is likely to provide greater wind stability it is also likely to be expensive, take up more space in the Cali and involve more time to put up and take down.
I do like the additional space the Quesha provides but think it unlikely that I would risk putting the It up if very high winds were likely.

 

[Highflyer]

We tried our new Quesha Air Seconds Base during the bank holiday weekend in Holmfirth Yorkshire. The tent was a joy to put up on the Saturday and looked neat and tidy. However strong winds on the Sunday afternoon forced us to take the tent down prematurely as the pegs provided were lifting out of the ground and one of the two inner poles blew or buckled out of its housing. I did consider hamering in some rock pegs that I had to hand however the tent would still have been vulnerable due to a lack of guy lines on the side of the tent, A design fault perhaps? I'm sure I will be able to fashion additional guy lines to the side for additional support however this base tent is certainly not cut out for strong winds!

I totally agree, RFH, strong side winds will damage the Queshua Air Seconds Base and I have done exactly what you have suggested. I have sown two additional nylon tape loops on each side of the flysheet which enables me to add guy ropes to hold off the flysheet from the internal bracing poles, it works well. Design fault? yes it is!
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/attachments/20170419_1142lr-jpg.20935/

 

[CannonDale]

Many thanks for that CannonDale, much appreciated. However I think we will keep the Quesha and persevere with it as it was not damaged and we do like the ease of putting it up/ taking it down and feel we will be able make it more stable with additional guy lines (as Highflyer has suggested above in this thread). I suppose it's a question of compromise for us. Although a ''Proper Awning'' is likely to provide greater wind stability it is also likely to be expensive, take up more space in the Cali and involve more time to put up and take down.
I do like the additional space the Quesha provides but think it unlikely that I would risk putting the It up if very high winds were likely.

I agree with your comments which is why I use the Quechua but adding additional guy points like Highflyer has done is a good idea.

 

[Highflyer]

Here's a sketch of the guy rope setup I have added to my Quechua Air Base Seconds for windy conditions. Using the external poles (provided to support the door flaps) to support the upper added loop. The lower added loop stops the sides of the tent from flapping so much in the wind. This rigging may resemble HMS Victory but it has withstood some pretty strong winds and provides peace of mind.

 

[CannonDale]

Here's a sketch of the guy rope setup I have added to my Quechua Air Base Seconds for windy conditions. Using the external poles (provided to support the door flaps) to support the upper added loop. The lower added loop stops the sides of the tent from flapping so much in the wind. This rigging may resemble HMS Victory but it has withstood some pretty strong winds and provides peace of mind.View attachment 21309

That is neat. Is there a risk that the loops you have added could rip the tent fabric?

 

[Highflyer]

That is neat. Is there a risk that the loops you have added could rip the tent fabric?

I've located the loops where the component sheets are hemmed together, the hems provide lines of strength. Locating the loops away from the hems may cause the sheet to rip as you suggest.

 

[Canary Bird]

The ground sheet connections seem a little vague, a few gaps here and there, maybe that's how groundsheets are, I've not had many tents.
---
I'm adding velcro to stops gaps and midge net to the door to be ready for Scotland this summer!

 

[Canary Bird]

I am trying to midge proof the Air Seconds Base XL this summer (additional midge net to the door & velcro along the bottom edges). The end of the tent designed to attach to the side of the van (I have awning over our sliding van door) doesn't fit tight enough if we had a midge attack. The VW awning is too long for the tent fabric to attach over the top. I guess the best way is to attach it someway under the awning to the side.

Has anyone created a tight seal along the side of the van that goes under the awning? ... I know it is another issue to seal it below at the ground level.

 

[Simone]

I am trying to midge proof the Air Seconds Base XL this summer (additional midge net to the door & velcro along the bottom edges). The end of the tent designed to attach to the side of the van (I have awning over our sliding van door) doesn't fit tight enough if we had a midge attack. The VW awning is too long for the tent fabric to attach over the top. I guess the best way is to attach it someway under the awning to the side.

Has anyone created a tight seal along the side of the van that goes under the awning? ... I know it is another issue to seal it below at the ground level.

I bought the same Decathlon tent and I want to use a velcro sewing on it to fix it on the van

 

[Tony Beretta]

How big is the Decathlon store? The car park is massive. Wish we had one in the South West.

Hi, I have both an Ikea and a Decathlon 600 meters away from my house. They are in a different country, I have to cross the border but 600 meters away. Things that happen when you live in a small country.

 

[flipflopfloss]

I bought the same Decathlon tent and I want to use a velcro sewing on it to fix it on the van

How did you find this worked, am planning on doing the same thing

 

[Stuart]

@Canary Bird have you done your Scottish trip yet? How did this cope against the midges and wind?

 

[thehorse]

Picked on of these up today.

In the bag with the tent pegs there was a plastic bag with some instructions for fixing punctures, but no puncture kit. Is this hidden away somewhere else or do I need to take it back.

Zip puller also missing on the air beam zipper.

Maybe someone bought it to raid for spares then sent it back!

 

[4NT5]

Picked on of these up today.

In the bag with the tent pegs there was a plastic bag with some instructions for fixing punctures, but no puncture kit. Is this hidden away somewhere else or do I need to take it back.

Zip puller also missing on the air beam zipper.

Maybe someone bought it to raid for spares then sent it back!

My zipper was missing the tab bit too, no sign of a puncture repair kit either, never noticed the instructions.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[Canary Bird]

Hello all! I just got back this morning around three in the morning with the ferry from Huelva to Tenerife ending our trip. My computer broke down during the trip and usually only used wi-fi when able from Tescos along the way. The trip was great and we drove some 10,000kms and probably could add at least another 4-6k with ferries, but I have not tried to calculate it.

I would guess that we set up the Quechua shelter around 15 times and had it up for 20-25 nights. We ate it in it a few times, used it to store items when we drove off to visit things and they three boys slept in it for 15-20 nights. It worked great in general, but as all have mentioned ... wind and rain and midges could be its greatest enemies. Strong wind gusts in Mull literally bent one of the cross beam poles in a 90 degree angle (but it could be bent back - more or less). The midges were no problem, so I would not have waisted the energy in adding midge netting to the screen door, but just zippered down the door. It could handle rain, but rain could pool on the roof if the two cross beams were not really tight ... maybe too tight causing one to bend in rain/wind storm? It obviously could use a rain cover over the top. Having three sons getting in and out meant that the door zipper started to blow out. However, today I took my Quechua tent (musky & still a bit wet) to the Decathlon store in Tenerife (8 hours after getting back by ferry) and asked if they would exchange it for a new tent considering their guarantee, because of the bent pole and damaged zipper (with sales receipt & guarantee info sheet in hand) and they exchanged it for a new one that they had in stock. I now have a new tent ... but need to decide if I will add additional velcro, midge netting in the screen door, etc.

 

[Canary Bird]

Hello all! I just got back this morning around three in the morning with the ferry from Huelva to Tenerife ending our trip. My computer broke down during the trip and usually only used wi-fi when able from Tescos along the way. The trip was great and we drove some 10,000kms and probably could add at least another 4-6k with ferries, but I have not tried to calculate it.

I would guess that we set up the Quechua shelter around 15 times and had it up for 20-25 nights. We ate it in it a few times, used it to store items when we drove off to visit things and they three boys slept in it for 15-20 nights. It worked great in general, but as all have mentioned ... wind and rain and midges could be its greatest enemies. Strong wind gusts in Mull literally bent one of the cross beam poles in a 90 degree angle (but it could be bent back - more or less). The midges were no problem, so I would not have waisted the energy in adding midge netting to the screen door, but just zippered down the door. It could handle rain, but rain could pool on the roof if the two cross beams were not really tight ... maybe too tight causing one to bend in rain/wind storm? It obviously could use a rain cover over the top. Having three sons getting in and out meant that the door zipper started to blow out. However, today I took my Quechua tent (musky & still a bit wet) to the Decathlon store in Tenerife (8 hours after getting back by ferry) and asked if they would exchange it for a new tent considering their guarantee, because of the bent pole and damaged zipper (with sales receipt & guarantee info sheet in hand) and they exchanged it for a new one that they had in stock. I now have a new tent ... but need to decide if I will add additional velcro, midge netting in the screen door, etc.

 

[Canary Bird]

Hello all! I just got back this morning around three in the morning with the ferry from Huelva to Tenerife ending our trip. My computer broke down during the trip and usually only used wi-fi when able from Tescos along the way. The trip was great and we drove some 10,000kms and probably could add at least another 4-6k with ferries, but I have not tried to calculate it.

I would guess that we set up the Quechua shelter around 15 times and had it up for 20-25 nights. We ate it in it a few times, used it to store items when we drove off to visit things and they three boys slept in it for 15-20 nights. It worked great in general, but as all have mentioned ... wind and rain and midges could be its greatest enemies. Strong wind gusts in Mull literally bent one of the cross beam poles in a 90 degree angle (but it could be bent back - more or less). The midges were no problem, so I would not have waisted the energy in adding midge netting to the screen door, but just zippered down the door. It could handle rain, but rain could pool on the roof if the two cross beams were not really tight ... maybe too tight causing one to bend in rain/wind storm? It obviously could use a rain cover over the top. Having three sons getting in and out meant that the door zipper started to blow out. However, today I took my Quechua tent (musky & still a bit wet) to the Decathlon store in Tenerife (8 hours after getting back by ferry) and asked if they would exchange it for a new tent considering their guarantee, because of the bent pole and damaged zipper (with sales receipt & guarantee info sheet in hand) and they exchanged it for a new one that they had in stock. I now have a new tent ... but need to decide if I will add additional velcro, midge netting in the screen door, etc.

 

[Canary Bird]

sorry! it seems to have uploaded multiple times, despite saying it didn't work and to try again later

 

[2into1]

I had a meal in one of the shelters and when the wind blew, one of those poles fell out and hit me on the head! So it's a balance between too tight or too loose. Nice to hear that Decathalon were so easy with the warranty claim.

 

[Stuart]

I bought one of these a few weeks ago and used it on a recent trip (west coast Scotland), but today I returned it to Decathlon for refund. My reasons:
- It doesn't seem to like the wind or rain much! This is understandable if you look at the shape of it.
- When the weather was miserable we preferred to sit in the van rather than in a big flappy tent!
- So it basically just got used as a big storage and cooking tent, rather than spending much time in it.

For now I'm going back to our previous approach of a small Quecha popup tent for storage (mostly just for car seats), and the VW awning for rain protection outside the van. But I may try out one of these http://tente.quechua.com/en/tent/r-9,a-31,base-seconds.html for our next trip.

 

[thehorse]

Just had a week away with ours and was pretty pleased with it.

Canary Bird, I see you were drying towels off the 2 poles. We did this initially but noticed the poles sagging a bit so stopped. Suspect if you have some heavy wet towels hanging off it combined with a strong gust of wind it could cause the pole to break. Maybe the reason for your issue.

 

[RFH]

I have returned from a 2 week tour of the Western Highlands and conclude that the Quechua Air Seconds base XL has not been one of my better buys and will not be joining any further excursions. As mentioned previously, It is indeed easy to put up, looks good and functions well when the weather is calm. However I have found it to perform badly in anything more than a light breeze. Even with the addition of extra guy lines, tarp clips and guys placed strategically I still felt the need to dismantle it on what I would describe as only a 'relatively windy days' due to its flapping and suspect stability. I do not have the confidence to leave the quechua Air Seconds Base unattended and for me this renders it not fit for purpose.

 

[Stuart]

I have returned from a 2 week tour of the Western Highlands and conclude that the Quechua Air Seconds base XL has not been one of my better buys and will not be joining any further excursions. As mentioned previously, It is indeed easy to put up, looks good and functions well when the weather is calm. However I have found it to perform badly in anything more than a light breeze. Even with the addition of extra guy lines, tarp clips and guys placed strategically I still felt the need to dismantle it on what I would describe as only a 'relatively windy days' due to its flapping and suspect stability. I do not have the confidence to leave the quechua Air Seconds Base unattended and for me this renders it not fit for purpose.

Remember decathlon will give a refund if you're not completely happy. No questions asked when I returned mine yesterday

 

[Digger]

There is the much cheaper popup version as well which I guess takes up much less space in the van?

Has anyone seen this version as the colour would suit the Cali much better.

 

[Stuart]

My decathlon has them both on display. It's a lot smaller inside, but would handle bad weather better. You will get the cali table and chairs inside it, but not much else.