Has anyone yet seen the Karsten TOW (Tent On Wheels)?. What a great name, and a great way to have a large (350) Karsten but without having to lug around the weight of the tent bag! The price tag is though.
It has near the cost of a new small 'pod' caravan with it's ready to use kitchen, beds, heating, lighting etc. and near instant pitching, but it has ALL of the disadvantages of a trailer and tent - driving speed restrictions (50 or 60mph), storage space required, trailer maintenance cost (including new tyres every 5 years regardless of wear!), insurance costs, but you are still spending time and effort effectively erecting and living in a bare bones tent! You can get a very good s/h larger caravan with every amenity and great comfort for that price!
When I decided my old bones needed to upgrade from a tent in a bag, I looked at pretty much every option, started looking at trailer tents, folding campers etc., but quickly came to conclusion if I was towing anything, with its inherent restrictions and operating costs, then it might as well be a 'proper' caravan with all the comforts that brought. Having to keep working at 'partial' tent pitching, and 'canvas' drying etc., with compromises on comfort didn't make sense to me. Friends with VERY short lived (barely one season) Trailer Tents who found them too much like hard work, also persuaded me! I did look at folding caravans, but again the 'nominal' advantages but comparable prices just didn't put up a good argument against a proper caravan!
I liken this to a Roof Tent in some ways, VERY few points that make it sensible, but significant cost and operating penalties to achieve 'not a lot' over a conventional tent, and even significant disadvantages for most users!
It no doubt will find some customers, but can't help feeling they will be people who have not thought it through well! There is a reason why the trailer tent/folding camper/folding caravan market has all but vanished, and lingers on only as very niche, IMHO there are better options these days if spending that kind of money.
Personal view, from a personal perspective, and I'm sure other will disagree, which is fine.
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 03/7/2026
Paying for the name???
Probably not - a decent size basic Karsten would be upwards of 4-5k GBP without any extras when I was looking to replace by Hypercamp Escala 4 cotton canvas pyramid tent with a better make back in 2014-15.
Settled for the ESVO Bedouin 340 instead as I would prefer not to have to learn to pitch another type of tent.
DK
Post last edited on 03/07/2026 15:51:13
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Something similar - but cheaper - reviewed recently in one of the club magazines: a standard car roof top tent with solid roof, mounted in a trailer. Added awning to one side & porch to other side. An option for people who can’t / don’t want to put up a tent, or who can’t / don’t want to climb up an external ladder to bed (and back out again to the site loo at 0200...)
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Karsten TOW (Tent On Wheels).
though.
via mobile 03/7/2026 at 3:27pm
