Outwell Norfolk Lake / Arrow Lake Side Extension

[DaveS]

We had a chance to put up our new side extension on our latest camping trip.

Although quite pricey I think it's a really useful piece of kit that will come in to it's own when the weather is bad. Even though the weather was nice it was still a good porch area to store shoes in and bits and bobs out of the way.

It was quite fiddly to get right when pitching as the roof bit goes right over the Norfolk Lake roof sitting evenly on two of the exterior poles, and you have to get the tension exactly right with the guy ropes, but once done it was very sturdy. You can see from the last picture how it fixes over the roof.

The extension fits the Norfolk Lake and Arrow Lake tents.

[2gocampin]

Hi Dave,

Looks good, been thinking about getting one for our Norfolk ...... hence the comment at the end of the Orchy thread ...... I will try and get some pics posted of our front canopy in the next day or two. Got hold of a Monty 6 sun canopy took the grey poly cover off and set about an Outwell polycotton wind break to made a canopy like the Bear Lake's for the Norfolk. Must admit it works well, keeps the rain off the front door but not too large that it affects the balance of the tent.

What model year is your Norfolk ? We are seriously considering a change for a 2009 model with the universal bedroom pod, dont know what your thoughts are.

Cheers Chap

Gary

[DaveS]

Hi Dave,

Looks good, been thinking about getting one for our Norfolk ...... hence the comment at the end of the Orchy thread ...... I will try and get some pics posted of our front canopy in the next day or two. Got hold of a Monty 6 sun canopy took the grey poly cover off and set about an Outwell polycotton wind break to made a canopy like the Bear Lake's for the Norfolk. Must admit it works well, keeps the rain off the front door but not too large that it affects the balance of the tent.

What model year is your Norfolk ? We are seriously considering a change for a 2009 model with the universal bedroom pod, dont know what your thoughts are.

Cheers Chap

Gary

Sounds interesting, pics would be good of yours up.
We were looking at a front one, but as you know they don't do one. Looked at some alternatives but other half wanted it to match!!

Ours is a 2007 model I think, possibly 2006.
What do you mean by the universal bedroom pod.

[Boris]

Hi Dave,

What model year is your Norfolk ? We are seriously considering a change for a 2009 model with the universal bedroom pod, dont know what your thoughts are.

If you change I could be interested in your 2008 tent. Any idea how much would you be looking for?

[2gocampin]

Hi Dave & Boris,

Im the same as your wife Dave in that its got to look right which is why I started from scratch and made one from the same material. We are away again next weekend so I will take some good pictures, the ones I have are not great, and post them. Basically though its the same as a bear lake canopy.

The universal bedroom pod in the 2009 Norfolks is now one large pod, joined together rather than 2 separate pods. It has a central panel of mesh pockets in the centre between the bedroom doors and a zip out panel between the 2 bedrooms so you can retain the 2 separate pods or open it up to make one large room. This option is better for us as there is only the 2 of us and the dog but still gives us the option to divide them if we have someone camping with us. I took our 2 pods apart removed the middle panels and then stitched them back together so we could get our silly size bed in and we just loved the Norfolks other features even though it wasnt ideal for us out of the box.

If you have a look on the Outwell web site and take the 360 degree view inside the Norfolk you can see the new design. I did price up a new pod separately from Outwell but its £300 + so not really practical.

Hi Boris, if we do make the change we will wait until the end of the season and try and get a good deal, normally the best time to buy a tent, but when we do I will let you know so you can have the 1st choice. How much, I dont know, looking on ebay they seem to be selling for around the £500 + mark but our bedroom pod may now be an issue to some people, although I could put it back as I have kept the other panels.

Regards to you both

Gary

[OaseWine]

Looking at the pictures, I can see that its almost identical to the Bear Lakes Side extension - which on 6 ( dont know about the 4 ) doesn't quite reach the horizontal tensioner poles. I wish it did as I am sure that this would prevent wind from whipping up underneath the edge of the extension.

Like you say though its almost a "must have" bit of kit - so usefull. There is just about enough room to sit around a table in there ( as well as kitchen unit ) which is great for blustery evenings.

I found I had to double peg the main opposing guys for extra security.

[DaveS]

Looking at the pictures, I can see that its almost identical to the Bear Lakes Side extension - which on 6 ( dont know about the 4 ) doesn't quite reach the horizontal tensioner poles. I wish it did as I am sure that this would prevent wind from whipping up underneath the edge of the extension.

Like you say though its almost a "must have" bit of kit - so usefull. There is just about enough room to sit around a table in there ( as well as kitchen unit ) which is great for blustery evenings.

I found I had to double peg the main opposing guys for extra security.

I'm not sure I quite follow.
It doesn't sit flush vertically up against the tent and I've messed about trying to get that right and both times have given up!!
As you say it can if windy be a liability. I have been concerned and the Delta pegs I have will be used the next time just to ensure it's well secured down.
Yes ours is great size too and good for putting shoes and bits in you don't want inside the tent.

[Madhouse]

Hi Dave , we have just bought a Norfolk Lake and side extension I know what you mean about putting the side extension on , we pitched ours in our garden yesterday for the first time it was a right sod trying to get the material that goes over the tent over the poles, we did manage it in the end and no doubt we will get quicker doing it.
I was a bit sceptical about buying it at first as it seemed a lot of money for what it is , but having bought it and now having fitted it as well I think it will come into its own on those wet days camping.

[DaveS]

You need two people and use the extendable side poles to poke the cloth over and position it right.
It worked a treat with me.

And in the wet weather its excellent worth every penny.
Just need to make sure you bolt it down well in windy weather!

[Madhouse]

I ending up using one of the poles off the front canopy to move it over with (same thing though) , it bet it could be a right bugger in the wind I think I will have to invest in some of them Delta pegs , a lot of people seem to rate them.