I find I don't enjoy camping as much as I'd like to. Just seen camp-lets (see other post) and am starting to think whether a tt would be better for us esp a camp-let as set-up and down is something I really don't like so like the fact that with the (new)camplet the whole thing goes up very quickly. Interested to know what the pros and cons of having a tt over a tent are, (initial cost aside)?
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
They are alot more sturdy, cosy and comfortable all round, I know some wouldn't agree with this, but thats just our experience.
When it's tipping down with rain and a force 9 gail, we really dont care in the TT. Some are harder than others to put up or down. Our Neptune can be done in around 30/40 minutes. It's all the crap that we take that takes the time to set up!
Beds are alot better in a TT, you would have a nice cabin, put a table etc. Have a look on the items for sale and the 2nd picture down is our Neptune, you can see a little inside but it gives an idea
Main pro for me is the beds, sleeping on a foam mattress 3ft off the floor is a lot warmer and more comfortable than a leaky old airbed on the floor. Also the kitchen units that come with tt's, built in twin hob, grill, sink and storage, some even have a built in fridge.
Sleeping in a comfy bed, keeping all bedding, pots, pans, cutlery, table, windbreaks, chairs, toiletries, waterproofs, etc IN the trailer tent rather than in the car has been a huge plus point to us. Saves on packing time as you set off and unpacking when you get home! We found easier to put up (camplet) and warmer. The one think I don't like about the camplet is the groundsheet isn't a sewn in one. We bought a big one that went to the edges and put the carpet over the top (camplet carpet) I have replied to your other post too.
I'll let you know after next weeks trip in our old Conway Campa. First trip out for us after a few years of regular tenting.
I suppose one obvious con of a tt is needing to get the tow hitch on the car if you don't already have one. As campers with serious quantities of stuff we already had one for the camping trailer though.
We've tested it in the garden so far and really like what we've seen, so fingers crossed.
we had a variety of tents over 15 years and this season got a camplet. Its so much better than a tent, the beds are very comfy ( we each sleep with a child each to avoid them murdering each other) the kitchen inside the tent is great, even the running water as it means you can at least rinse cups etc, its easy to put up, we've gone camping from easter it was nice and warm with a heater. We didnt have windows in tent so thats a bonus. And during a recent thunderstorm it was quite funny (though not for the Flemish) to see them all darting out trying to stop the rain pooling on their tents and digging trenches as they were getting flooded while we were dry and snug.
WE havent got the sun canopy or side windbreaks as it seems only the British want to hide behind them and as we intend to go continental most of the time didnt see it worth the additional expense.
------------- Taffy
2012 Planned
Easter - Cornwall
July scout camp
August North Wales
After many years camping and our tents getting bigger and bigger we found we where still sleeping near to the ground. With the TT we have proper beds. Also being able to stand up while getting dressed etc. With the awning connected the amount of space is brilliant. Apart from fresh food and clothes everything is kept in the TT ready for the next outing.
This is something i am looking at for the future, but what about a wet TT.
With my tent i can lay it around the house as i have some big rooms. I presume with a TT u have to wait for a good day to erect in the garden to dry it out, possibly incurring the evil mildew while u wait for a nice day ?.
I agree with all of the previous replies especially having beds off the floor. We had a Dandy Trailer Tent for 18 years which we sold when our youngest reached the age of no longer holidaying with us approx 4 years ago. The Dandy does have some good points but the list of cons is longer than the pros. We found we missed camping so much that this year we purchased the Camplet Concorde which is so much easier to use than the Dandy (no seperate awning to erect, etc). The gas assisted erection of the Camplet and the integral kitchen are both major plus points. The Camplet is up in 5 minutes - ready for a cuppa!!
If it does rain and you have to pack away wet you can I believe take the canvas out of the runners and dry indoors - haven't tried that though.
Camplets can be packed up wet but have to be dried out within two days to prevent mildew on the canvas. Paul, I'm really not sure how you could take the canvas out of the runners - and the canvas on the bedding area is attached to the trailer.
So it's potentially a big problem if you haven't got a garden or other space to put it up when you get home. And, of course, you could have it up for a number of days if it's persistently raining.
I'm not sure how it works and I haven't tried it. As for drying space and the time scale to prevent mildew etc that applies to all tents - except the Dandy which isn't Canvas!
This is something i am looking at for the future, but what about a wet TT.
With my tent i can lay it around the house as i have some big rooms. I presume with a TT u have to wait for a good day to erect in the garden to dry it out, possibly incurring the evil mildew while u wait for a nice day ?.)
With all tents and tt other than the Dandy you have to dry it out A.S.A.P.
You cannot wait for a good day to put it up to dry. When you come back from your camping trip You have to put it back up again even in the wet day's, then you LEAVE it up until it drys out, then take down and store away until next time
Last year I had mine up in back garden for 10 day's before we got a dry day to dry it out!! But as long as it is up and wind getting through it the evil mildew will not strike!
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Topic: pros and cons of tt over tent?
