I really really wanted a Camplet. Went along with card in hand to do the deal. OH said "Try the bed for size." Sure enough I couldn't sleep in it without either my feet or head touching canvas. Walked away a sad but relieved man. There's no point in a holiday where sleep is disturbed.
But a word of warning about the Camp-Let, Jametic etc. type tents. They have a real habit of being advertised along the lines of "3 minutes and they're up!".
No, they're not. Three minutes and the canvas is erected, yes, but that also applies to traditional Jamet, Raclet and Trigano trailer tents. You still have to peg them out and faff about for another 20 mins or so.
I would plump for a cruiser if you want speed. If you want speed, peglessness, space and you don't mind a lack of posh oak-faced ply (i.e. a FC with a TT-type interior), I would look at the Raclet Globetrotter. If you are careful you can get them new for £4K.
We had ordered a Camplet, but due to a change in circumstances and a kind relative we ended up with a Pennine Fiesta!
Must say that on a wet am, being able to get out of bed, put on the kettle and make breakfast without leaving the main carpeted area of the camper is a big winner over sliding feet first out of bed onto a cold groundsheet.
All in we can put up the Fiesta in less than 10 minutes (including hanging curtains and frilly bits). Awning took about 30 minutes first time, but know that will get quicker.
The weight of the Fiesta is about double that of the Camplet, but the trailer is braked and easily pulled behind our Automatic 1.6 Renault Megane Scenic.
Additionally we can store almost all of our equipment in the camper. We just put bedding, clothes and food in the car. This is good if you go for a last minute getaway.
With the fiesta (and most campers) we have a a built in three way fridge. This can be chilling the night before we travel and whilst towing to site. We used to use a Waeco Combicool with out tent, but these are heavy, big and take up most of the boot. You need a large front box to store these on a camplet.
All you gas connections are made so no fiddling with the gas, just turn on the tap and away you go. Add 12V and 240V electrics and a built in leisure battery and you have lighting etc wherever.
Now these are replies! Very valuable and really appreciate your honest opinions. Fortunately (depending on how you look at it) been busy working so not purchased yet but we intended to next week.
Sold on the folding camper!
Any further advice on type might be useful? But no pressure - you've all been great.
Thanks again
------------- Only regret yesterday if you didn't live today!
You already know what sort of quality to expect from a Sunncamp Venture - it's just the FC version of their trailer tents. White formica and no fridge, but at under £4K including awning it might be worth a look.
Conway/Pennine rather the other end of the scale, pretty expensive but look fab. Choose a Countryman/Fiesta type if budget limited and you don't mind having to make up one of the beds every night.
Choose the Cruiser if you like the two permanent beds and want space, and choose the Pullman/Crusader for the same but more so.
Don't discount the more obscure types - some of them are absolutely fabulous value. The Trigano Randgers are comparable to the Conway/Pennine range but a bit less shiny and a bit cheaper.
The Raclet Globetrotter is also about £4K, it has the advantages of a HUUUGE awning, the best canvas on the market and a fridge, but no toilet, the folding mechanism is just a big TT (the beds sit on legs), and the finish is not Conway.
The Raclet Tamaris is even plusher than the Crusader/Pullman, and it is a lot cheaper (as in 3 grand cheaper), and has better quality canvas (if you go for the canvas version). There are shows round the south of the country where you can get them for comedy prices, but they only come in orange...
Let me repeat, the Tamaris is plusher than the plushest Conway. The carpets are deeper pile, the wood is oak rather than faced ply, the mattresses are thicker (and sprung, just like the conway), both beds are king size, there is a shower option.
It's rare, normally expensive when not at the tent show, and the canvas is an... individual colour. It's heavy and high, and so I can't imagine that it's a joy to tow.
But for the bargain hunter it could be worth a look!
Charlie
Are there any folding campers where the beds are as long as TT beds? when we looked a couple of years back it seemed that the beds in folding campers were all quite short because they were the 'width' of the camper, rather than the 'lenght' of the trailer.
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Topic: Camplet or Folder.... helpppppp!
