I want to replace my Trigano 575 TC with a flip over T.T that doesn't need any pegging. I can manage without the loo but a small kitchen would be usefull for brekky and the ocasional quick meal, but not a necessity. Really don't want to be pegging out. Any ideas what would suit my needs?
Raclet Globetrotter. As big as a 575TC without the trailer being anything like as big. No pegging, the fastest model on the market to put up, even including the Combi-Camp, and certainly including the Camp-Let.
Otherwise, the Raclet Allegra has a built in kitchen, as does the Combi-Camp family.
Actually, a Globetrotter is faster than a Combicamp. I have both, so I can judge!
The key for the speed of the Globetrotter is that there is no canvas to hook around anywhere. With a combi, even though the unfolding process is very fast, you have to go around and pull and hook the canvas over the edges. On the globetrotter you dont need to do that.
Also, even though you technically dont need to do any pegging on the combi, the fixed kitchen means that to all intents and purposes you do, if you want to eat or drink anything.
Dont get me wrong; the Combi is everything it says it is; fast, well built, easy to erect, cheaper than a Holtkamper (!), but there are at last 2 trailer tent models that I know of faster to put up than it.
Thanks for all your feedback. We would like something small this time, only 2 of us so the globetrotter would be too big. Looks like it will probably be a Combicamp or Camplet. Perhaps next season we could find someone to do a swap with.
Of course, the Camp-Let needs pegging. It's a good unit, but the seating space leaves a little to be desired.
The Raclet Moovea is similar but cheaper.
The Combi-Camps really are the bees knees if they are the size and shape you want. If budget won't stretch to £7k, try a Raclet Allegra, which is essentially the same thing but a little less posh and half the price.
I like the look of the Allegra, the Moovea could be OK as well, just looked it up. Really need something around 500k max, problems moving the Trigano hence the change.
hope you don't mind me butting in on this thread rather than start a new one.
I've just sold the caravan but will want something for next season because I doubt I can live without going camping in one form or another....and I've been considering a FC or TT as a replacement. The wealth of knowledge and experience you guys and gals have is amazing so I wonder if you could help me out with my own specific requirements please?
I'm a woman of a certain age (cough) and suffer with arthritis in my hands so I need something that is very easy to put up. I really want something that will have space to put a porta potty at least as getting up in the middle of the night for a tiddle is inevitable. I'm don't have any real worries about the weight of the outfit as I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee to tow with.
In the past I've had tents, two FC's (Countryman and Crusader), 2 motorhomes and two caravans (yes, I'm getting on a bit) so I know a bit about he FC's but absolutly nothing about the merits of the TT's. From what I've read so far Raclets, Camplets and Combi Camps seem to be the easiest to put up, is that correct?
Camp-Lets are very easy to put up, in that they are gas strut assisted nowadays. You still need to do a bit of hefting, though - they aren't quite 'fingertip' light.
Combis are "fingertip" to put up thanks to the counterweighted cantilever roofrack, but that same weight acts against you when putting it down.
The standard Raclets are identical in terms of putting up to Triganos and Jamets - easier than a Cabanon and not too heavy, but a bit of pegging and canvas unfolding involved.
The Raclet Moovea is a new one - a bit like a Comanche but bigger. It's a bit like a Combicamp but without the lid - so all you ever fold anywhere is frame and canvas - no heavy beds or floors or fibreglass.
It isn't the biggest or sexiest TT but it is not expensive and it is very light to put up.
Also consider the Raclet Allegra - it's like a low-budget Combi-Camp but with gas struts so a bit easier to put down, or the Solena which is smaller and easier still.
Also you might like to look at some of the new Trigano range - no doubt Camperlands could help - 'cos some of them look pretty nifty.
Thanks for that Charlie, I can see that a trip to Camperlands is on the cards!
The nearest dealer to me is Caseys just outside Chester where I bought my FC's from. It's a family business and they are all know plenty about camping. The only TT's I've seen there though are the big Cabanons which look great but perhaps a bit more difficult to put up.
Quote: Originally posted by racletcharlie on 15/11/2009
You will only find some TTs at Camperlands. They don't do Pennine, Conway, Raclet or CombiCamp.
Thanks for the info. I've seen a couple of Trigano's at Caseys and there's a couple of Raclet's on their website. I think that I'll make an effort and go to the next big camping exhibition thing - Shepton Mallet I assume. BIt of a trek but probably worth it. I don't know of any other dealers within decent driving distance to vist.
Camperlands do have second hand stock as well, I saw a couple of Raclets up there recently. I would suggest giving them a ring. They are pretty anxious to get rid of the second hand stock at the moment I think!
I went down to the NEC to look at the Combi Camps and they are very nice. At the moment I don't think we'd see any real benefit from switching to that style of TT, but when we don't have kids coming with us we will definitely be looking at them (and the Raclet equivalents Charlie!) again.
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: Replacing F.C. for T.T.
