Front Sun Canopy

The Tent
New for the 2008 season, the Valley range of tents from Sprayway leap into the market place with their innovative design and quality. These premium range of tents are backed up by an aggressive pricing strategy to ensure the camping world knows that Sprayway is ‘the new guy in town’ and is here to stay.

The Valley range is available in  4, 6 and 8 berths versions. With each one available in a choice of Polyester or Polycotton fabric, a host of standard features (see below) and optional accessories of  matching extended sun canopy, windbreak and footprint providing something to suit everyone’s preference.

Pitch Footprint, Size and Weight
Width: 410 cm, Length: 650 cm, Height: 240 cm
Weight : 44 kg (Polyester), expect the Polycotton in 52kg+ range

Erection and Pitching
Erecting is of a similar method to many of the Tunnel tents of this design i.e. Outwell Montana, Vermont etc except that this is pitched outer first and not all-in-one.  
Take the poles out of the bag and connect them together and layout on ground in there respective colour codes. Layout the outer tent (flysheet) on the ground and insert the roof poles into their respective colour coded sleeves. Attach the pre-bend poles to the roof poles and then attached the leg poles of the corresponding colours codes to the pre-bend roof poles. Starting at the rear pole, connect the leg pole base into the pin of the ring & pin system on either side of the flysheet, clip the pole to the flysheet via the black clips on the flysheet. Now raise the rear pole (this is a 2 person task) upright and guy out using the rear guylines to hold it in position so as you can now work your way along the flysheet to the front of tent repeating the same for each pole. Ensure the flysheet is now taut between each pole along both sides of the flysheet and re-peg the guy lines into their final position and peg the ring & pin at the end of each pole.

The inner tent is of a completely enclosed one piece design consisting of integral bedrooms, living area and groundsheets. Open the front door of the flysheet and unroll the inner tent positioning so as the porch groundsheet is at the front of the flysheet. Starting at the rear of the flysheet, clip the bottom of the inner tent to the flysheets ring and pin system and attach the top of the inner tent to the roof pole sleeves via the toggles on the inner tent and the eyelets on the roof pole sleeves. Now work your way towards the front of the flysheet repeating each step. Note: at 240cm high in the centre then it would be advisable to have something to stand on to reach the top of the flysheet eyelets or someone over 6ft tall, I’m 5’ 11in and I couldn’t reach the centre eyelet to insert the toggle.

 Many tunnel tents now erect ‘as one’ for quick pitching and to keep everything dry (except for the person doing the pitching) which is a bonus in our ever changing UK climate. As the Valleys pitch outer first then this may not be to everyone's liking but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. These tents will definitely turn a few heads on a campsite.

The Cost
Sprayway Valley 6 – Poly Cotton £549
Sprayway Valley 6 – Polyester £359

Verdict
Sprayway have put a lot of effort into their Valley range as they are extremely well thought out designs with some ingenious touches. The interior window coverings unzip and literally fall into their own pockets (no more rolling and fastening with toggles), doors can be fully unzipped and stuffed into their own pockets, gear storage at rear of the tent accessible from the bedrooms. Wardrobe space between the 2 bedrooms accessible from living area with low level access from the bedrooms (handy to access your slippers as you get out of bed). Every spare bit of space is utilized to keep the bedrooms and living area clutter free. Sprayway deserve a round of applause. A quality tent.

Personally, I have a feeling that Sprayway may be going head to head with Outwell’s range of Montana and Vermont tents, if that’s the case, then if I was Outwell then I’d be worried. Not only can Sprayway produce a quality tent at a very competitive price but with the standard features of the Valley range you get a lot more for your money.

It’s just a shame that the polycotton range didn't go that bit further with a premium quality groundsheet as can be found on some other makes of polycotton tents. Sprayway are clearly committed to making these tents to a high quality and down to the smallest detail, they have already upgraded the bag to a sturdy trolley bag (as standard now on all Sprayway Tents) after feedback from 365 Camping Caravanning

I’d liken the Valley range to the ‘Beauty and the Beast.
Beauty as it’s so aesthetically pleasing on the eye and the Beast as it’s as solid as a rock and is sturdy enough to take anything thrown at it. Definitely a tent for the family holidays.           

Information and Links
Currently Sprayway tents are only available directly from one UK stockist Outdoor World   but for further information on Sprayway and their products visit Sprayway

Looking for something a bit smaller but the same quality and style, take a look at the Sprayway Valley 4 Review Here

Reviewed by Camper Pete for 365 Camping Caravanning
Reviewed 2008

Side annex

Front Storage Area

Loads Of Storage

The Outer Tent

Erecting The Tent

Living Area With Bedrooms To Rear

Window pockets

Wardrobe Area Between Bedrooms

Room for seating under the canopy