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 Hi campers , been a camper for many years but of tent variaty , now wishing to go trailer tent but not know anything about these since i want a second hand one .

I would say a min of 4 birth and narrow type ( sunncamp ,conway ,more ideas?) so it fits in the garage, my buget is around £600  not a lot i know but i have seen some nice ones on ebay but a little nurvus if it's a long way and turns out no good but i would try and see it first .

I have noticed some conways don't have grills on the cooker in the kitchen department and sunncamp's do, is this standard or depend on age and model?

thanks in advance. kent  

Unless the kitchen unit has been modified the same basic cooker has been around on a Conway since the late 70's, when the on board kitchen was introduced. With grill. It's not actually a bad grill either compared to most camping cookers though it's quite small of course. Be aware btw that not all of the earlier Conways came with a kitchen. "DL" means with kitchen, "L" means no kitchen.

Many of the Cabanon TTs are the standard 125cm width btw. Not sure about the other main brands but anything that has bed boards that fold in like a Conway is worth checking for width.

Sunncamps may look like Conways but the canvas is inferior quality and they are built to a price. £600 will get you a early-mid 90's Conway in good condition. You'd get more for your money if you buy in autumn though...now is the peak price time for TTs!  A four berth will mean the two double cabin beds. If you want more private space for older kids then look for a model that can take undertents (in practice, all of the 4-berths will) even if they don't have the actual undertents. You can buy these easily enough on Ebay.

Other worthwhile features ....awning canvas that zips on and off (makes for easier drying), extension awning section, sun canopy, wind down rather than drop down steadies, carry box, brakes on trailer, bike/top rack if you want one. You'll be lucky to get all of these for £600 though! The first three are worth going for.

On inspection look for sound canvas (no mould, thin bits, massive stains or rips) and zips, trailer in good running order, working cooker, spare wheel, clean mattresses and seat cushions, all cabin and awning liners present, undertent(s), curtains. You can replace guylines& pegging rubbers easily and cheaply. If the tyres are more than five years old consider replacing them. Undertents are £20-30. Take my advice and don't buy generic SunnCamp ones!

Finally ask if it has been proofed at any time. Good cotton canvas in sound condition seldom needs proofed unless someone has been attacking it with detergent based cleaners but once you start proofing cotton anvas you need to renew it every five years so best to know in advance.

HTH. Any other questions????

Thanks very much for advise, now you did say about proofing the tt ,am i right in thinking if it's a cootton canvas it should not be done or if you proof them to much it does more harm than good?

so sunncamp's are not that good then! hmm good job i asked, conway all the way, i do like the look of them anyway.

Another question is when you fold out the two halves and put the two poles down that holds the beds up will they take my weight and is it best to put a small board under the leg support to stop it sinking in soft ground, also when you pitch do you level the tt first like a caravan. 

sorry for so many questions but i'm on a lurning curve.

ta very much  kent

Please don't forget to consider the Raclets the canvas is also Tencate & the rubber are covered with the mudflaps which will reduce the rubbers perishing.

I haven't looked recently but there have been some good one on here & ebay.

We used to fight with & about the awning   but with some practice got it sorted in half the time we started, so agree its worth pracising.

Have fun shopping

We too recently joined the TT brigade.

This forum is fabulous! no such thing as a daft Q. We were advised to visit camperlands in Manchester,it gave us a chance to view loads of new TT's and pre-owned.Work out what we needed as a family.

We were then back on here with loads more Q's. 

Just remember when you see a TT your interested in examine everything.All the awning poles, All zips work,inspect condition of the canvas.Open up the storage areas in the TT and look for damp/holes.

This is going to be an investment,and provide you and your family with lots of hols,take nothing for granted and just because they say it's fab still thoroughly check everything.

Goodluck and happy hunting

Quote: Originally posted by kwca6598 on 14/6/2010

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Thanks very much for advise, now you did say about proofing the tt ,am i right in thinking if it's a cootton canvas it should not be done or if you proof them to much it does more harm than good?

I don't think you can actually harm the canvas by reproofing a lot but given the time, effort and expense it takes to do it my advice is always don't do it till you have to, really!

so sunncamp's are not that good then! hmm good job i asked, conway all the way, i do like the look of them anyway.

They're not bad tbh, so don't pass up a good Sunncamp at a bargain price if one appears. It's just that Conways were built to last 30+ years, with good care. I don't see Sunncamps managing that long.

Another question is when you fold out the two halves and put the two poles down that holds the beds up will they take my weight and is it best to put a small board under the leg support to stop it sinking in soft ground, also when you pitch do you level the tt first like a caravan. 

Level it fore and aft using the jockey wheel and the small cheap spirit level I suggest you buy. Put small wooden plates under the steadies, fold down bed boards, place piece of wood with jamjar lid screwed onto it under each leg (stops leg slipping off) ,level bed boards using outer leg adjustment. Hubby and I weigh near the 30 stone mark between us and we've never had a problem.

sorry for so many questions but i'm on a lurning curve.

We all were once!!

 

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