A common misconception is that standard car or airbed pumps can be used to inflate tents and awnings. Unfortunately, these often lack the correct valves and pressure settings needed for the task. 

Inflatable pumps for tents and awnings have been available for a good while now, typically powered via the mains. However, advancements in technology have given us rechargeable pumps for convenience and speed.

The good news is we finally have rechargeable pumps that can inflate air tents and awnings just as quickly as the manual pump the equipment comes with. This marks a major step forward in efficiency for campers and caravaners.

The challenge with traditional pumps

While the standard manual pump included with your tent or awning may work faster than most 12V pumps, it can be physically demanding. On a hot sunny day or during rainy weather, manually inflating a large tent or awning can be tiring, time-consuming and uncomfortable. Meanwhile, you could be enjoying a refreshing drink instead of wrestling with your pump.

In the past, 12V electric pumps operated at a fixed PSI (pound-force per square inch) setting, often resulting in a slow fill rate. This is really noticeable when inflating tents or awnings with Single Point Inflation (S.I. Pro) systems, like those from Vango. These systems mean you can inflate the entire tent or awning from a single valve, making electric pumps a great choice since you don’t have to move the pump from beam to beam or spend forever manually pumping.

The only problem is the inconvenience of where to plug your electric pump in.

Vango Tempest Rechargeable Airbeam Tent and Awning Pump

The team here at Norwich Camping are very excited about the new Vango Tempest Rechargeable Pump. Here’s why we think it’s a top contender amongst the new wave of awning and air tent pumps:

Key features:

• Compact design: Portable and compact even with its rechargeable battery.
• Dual-setting operation: Starts with maximum airflow to fill the tubes quickly and then switches to a pressure mode to build up to the desired PSI.
• Universal fit: The pump is compatible with all models and makes of air tents and awnings. Features the Vango valve as standard and includes attached adapters for:
  • Standard Boston valve fittings
  • Twist-lock fittings for Coleman, Outdoor Revolution, and Outwell tents
• Deflation capability: This unique feature lets you switch the hose to deflate air from the tubes, making packing up the tent or awning easier.
• Power bank functionality: Comes with USB and USB-C sockets to charge your phone or power Vango USB flex lights.
• Affordable price: Typically priced at around £79.99, but as always, our price match guarantee means we’ll beat any other full-price offer you find online.

Check out our helpful videos at the bottom of this article for a closer look at the Vango Tempest in action.

Other recommended pumps

If the Vango Tempest isn’t your top pick, here are a few other brilliant options we think are worth considering:

Outdoor Revolution Rechargeable Pump

• Budget-friendly and excellent value
• Features:
  • Rechargeable via the included micro USB cable (or your own if the included cable gets lost)
  • Very compact and portable
• Limitations:
  • Operates up to 10 PSI, requiring manual oversight for accuracy
  • No pressure gauge: you’ll need to stop it manually at the right pressure

Kampa Dometic Gale 12V Electric Pump

• Affordable, middle-market price
• Features:
  • Reliable and durable
  • Comes with multiple valve adapters, except for Vango models
  • Includes a long lead to plug into a 12V socket
  • Handles pressures up to 15 PSI
• Limitations:
  • Not rechargeable
  • No included carry bag (available as an optional extra)
  • Less portable than rechargeable models

Sevylor 12V Electric Pump

• Originally designed for Sevylor kayaks and paddleboards
• Features:
  • Simple and effective
  • Compatible with most tents and awnings, except Vango
  • Select your pressure unit from PSI, Bar, and Kpa
  • Handles pressures up to 15 PSI
• Limitations:
  • Not much versatility for other brands

Discontinued models

For clarity, here are some discontinued pump models and what they have been replaced with:

• Vango Turbo: Replaced by the Tempest pump.
• Vango Zephyr: Also succeeded by the Tempest pump.

Recommended PSI for inflatable tents and awnings

Here are the recommended PSI settings for popular brands:

• Vango tents: approx 7 PSI
• Telta awnings: approx 9 PSI
• Dometic awnings: up to 9 PSI
• Outdoor Revolution: 4-7 PSI
• Kampa tents: up to 9 PSI
• Coleman tents and awnings: 6.5-7 PSI 

Can you over-inflate an Airbeam tent or awning?

Yes, it’s possible, though it would require seriously excessive pressure. Airbeam tents and awnings feature inflatable beams rather than metal or fibreglass poles, and while they are tested to cope with high pressures, it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid damage.

Watch our helpful videos

We know how important it is to understand how to use gadgets and equipment properly to avoid damage or hassle, so we strive to put together as many helpful videos as we can. Take a look at the guide videos we have created, one featuring our Vango Tempest Pump overview and another with our own pump comparison and some handy tips:

If you’re ready to save yourself the time and frustration when blowing up your air tents or inflatable awnings, visit us in-store or check out our tent accessories range online. Whether you choose the versatile Vango Airbeam Tempest Pump or a budget-friendly alternative, an electric pump is a worthy investment for stress-free setup and takedown so you can focus more on relaxing.