Hi everyone,
I recently bought a year 2000 Pennine Aztec folding camper. I'm really pleased with it in general, it's ideal just for me and the dog, and I don't bother putting up the awning as we don't need the extra space. The one problem I am having is that I find it really hard to open up the trailer as the bed boards are very heavy to flip over on your own. This is not a problem on site as there are always willing souls happy to lend a hand. However at home it means I have to keep asking neighbours to give me a hand.
I note some of the other 4 berth FCs on the market had gas struts fitted to aid lifting the bed boards. I'm told it isn't possible to retro-fit them to an Aztec.
In case case, I was wondering whether anyone else has worked out a way of making it easier for a solo camper to manage lifting the bed boards independently. Thanks.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
only other thing i could think is some rachet strap setup when at home but that maybe more of a faf than just asking a neighbour and if they don't mind helping its not really a problem
yes use a length of wood in the middle of the bedside, and lift as far as you can manage, then ut the wood in place to hold it there, then after attaching a strap, go around the other side and pull on the strap to lift the remainder to vertical, just be careful tho as it might come over rather quickly, be ready to catch it!
i did this when we had our trailer tent and i was on my own. it worked well for me.
Homebird: removing the mattresses would seem to be the easiest way to reduce the weight. Also I tried taking down the inner tent but couldn't unclip the C clips from the back roof pole. I guess I'm being lazy and trying to avoid too much faffing about so I was hoping to find a way to lift the boards complete with mmattresses, inners and curtains.
Johnboy004809 A ratchet strap arrangement would seem like a good plan but I'm not sure how I'd set one up. My neighbour doesn't seem to mind helping out at the moment, but not sure whether the novelty of helping me open up the camper will wear off eventually!
Marg6 When you say 'use a length of wood' I assume you mean as a prop?
I saw a YouTube video a while back, posted by Highbridge Caravans, of a Conway Challenger 4 berth FC, which had a sort of pully system attached to an extra leg on the bed board to assist with lifting up the board. I'm not sure that was a fitting common to all Challengers, or whether someone had added that as an afterthought. Difficult to find out from Highbridge Caravans at the moment as they're climbing up the wall with work. They're prioritising work according to whether you're a customer of theirs. as I didn't buy the Aztec from them they don't seem inclined to help work out a solution for the problem I have with it.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
On packing away the Aztec the other day (it was erected on the garden, drying out after a damp last-day-on-an-outing) I managed to fold in the bed boards independently! Very pleased with myself.
I think on the next opening up session there will probably some campers around who might help me, but otherwise will try marg6 's 'prop and straps' method. I would still much prefer to be able to manage the set-up and pack away procedures independently if possible.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Hi Cynth, I've not opened one of these but seen Bluesky slideshow putting it up.
There seems to be a lot of canvas and weight to be lifted as well as the bed. Reducing this as much as possible may help.
Also, lifting canvas is a lot easier than dragging canvas out from under a tangled heap of canvas. Untangling it as much as possible before lifting, if possible, should help.
Maybe you can fold the canvas before packing up. Rolling the sides up neatly alongside the roof.
Hi Navver,
Thanks for your reply. I watched the Blue Sky slideshow and didn't find it particularly helpful as it just shows photos of each stage. YouTube movies are more helpful as you can see someone physically doing what's necessary at each stage of the set up procedure. However I haven't found a YouTube video specific to the Aztec yet.
Agreed, there are ways the load could be lightened when lifting the bed boards. Simply unclipping the inner tent and removing it would help. I tried that once but couldn't actually prise off the C clips on the back end of the tent. As I didn't want to risk snapping them (plastic can get pretty fragile with age) I decided to carry on as before.
I am already as careful as possible to get the canvas folded over the hood neatly prior to folding down. Not sure how else I can make life any easier for myself!
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Pennine Aztec Set-up
via mobile 26/5/2022 at 8:14am
