I would very much like to hear the opinons of others regards the decsion to buy a trailer tent or folding camper?
I am fine with camping have done it for many years. I now have two young kids and my wife has never camped. We are going to start camping regular as our family holiday and long weekends. We know this type of holiday will be a great experence for the kids.
But what to get....camper or tent? I want a something that has a nice large and open feel to it, penty of space. My preference so far is the Canabon Statos or columbia, Trigano Spaceo.
From those that have had the same experence or used both, a camper and trailer tent, what do you think please?
We had a similar choice to make, folding camper or trailer tent. Both have thier advantages and disadvantages but in the end we opted for a Trailer Tent
here were the main reasons for the TT
-smaller trailer so easier to store
-more space in trailer to pack and store items
-unit is bigger when erected
the benefits we saw with Folding camper were
-overnight stops simple because no need to peg out and you can stay with no awning
-less pegging out
-3way fridge built in
it is a difficult choice to make, the Trailer tent is a cheeper option, for the initial purchase and ongoing costs IMO
If i had more room on my driveway i would have gone with the Folding camper so i could travel further, i have young children so the overnight stop still appeals to me
We also have a young family (four children under 7 yrs old), and have never camped before, I have finally wore my wife down into agreeing to try camping
How about having a look at a Raclet Quickstop Trailer tent (I have one which I recently purchased but have not yet used).
This has the advantages as stated above as a trailer tent, but as the name implies can also be used for short overnight stops without having to peg out the main unit, this is the reason we bought it to make it easier for longer journeys with overnight stops to France.
One thing it doesn't have is a built in Fridge that you would get on a folding camper, we are planning to use a Igloo Maxcold cool box instead, which I will have in the back of the car.
I have managed to fit in everything we need into the trailer tent, except clothing, food and the coolbox. This is great as it means everything can stay in the trailer tent till the next time we use it.
A trailer tent would be cheaper.
Folding camper would be easier/faster to put up.
Trailer tent lighter to tow, smaller to store.
Folding campers usually have fridge/sofa/sink inside - do you want them?
All depends on what you like the look of, and how much money you have to spend, have a good look around, there are so many to choose from!
we started out looking at tt s but ended up with a FC having previously tent camped on and off for years. We also had a tt as a child.
We got a pennine pathfinder, complete with toilet, wash basin, hot and cold running water and decent sized oven in the end. If you are going to keep for years invest in the best you can get which ever way you go. Think also that your family will soon grow (too quick !) and you will need more space. There are of course smaller and cheaper ones too. As to the above comment re the size of a tt being bigger, I think that really depends on what units you get! Our pathfinder is huge if we put up the awning but even without it sits 6 well leaving room to still cook/play games and/or sleep at the same time.
For us it was being able to use the unit for short breaks without needed the awning. It is also the fact that most of what we need actually lives in the camper so we can have quick get aways on a Friday night and it is easier to go on the spur of the moment too. With all your cooking gear/ your washing facilities and even your bedding always on board it is just a case of throwing food and clothes in a bag then off we go. The unit is so large we also store camping chairs, kettle, heater and tv on board too. You can use the dining tables inside or out so no need for extra.
I think it is also better to heat in the colder months,(though stand to be corrected) or at least the main part is, where as with a tt you cant really sit in the main part for too long so the chances are you would be trying to heat the awning too, with a fc you can close off the main part. It is a lot quicker to put up the main unit and I doubt the awning takes any longer than any of the traditional awnings on tts but the unit is big enough to sit in and wait if weather is too bad to put up the awning. (the new integrated tt awnings may be quicker though.) There is less to do once up too as the beds can be left made up and folded down the same and you dont need to be setting up various folding camp cooker stands (if not built in) cupboards etc.
You should be able to fit most FCs in standard garages too. We manage to get our FC in the garage (just!) and as far as I am aware that is the biggest unit along with the crusader. Of course we can't fit anything else in our garage now but you can't win them all!
I think it also depends on whether you wife wants back to basics or a little more. Will she use a porta loo/ in the middle of the night, does she like caravans more than tents (FC is in the middle of this) I think an older FC also holds it value quite well though you may be able to say the same as tts.
TTs are fun though and are more like camping but if it is the outdoor life you are after then you get this from both anyway.
Hi. I have the conway mirage and it's great. Would'nt be without it!! Large and we have the 1 mtr extension. Also inside we have the hanging wardrobe and toilet section. Great for the kids to move around and plenty of room for tables etc.
Another one here for the FC. My OH was a quite reluctant camper and we would have fallen out if we hadn't had the luxury of an FC, especially when we camped in Norfolk in the wind and rain!
I'll make my decision on my preference when i get back from my hols this will be my 1st time in the Challenger after many happy years in a Sunncamp 400
------------- If its Too loud your Too OLD
Russ Boy
I've gone for a trailer tent, for the simple reason that a folding camper trailer is too big for my drive. Some of the folding camper trailers are that big, I think why not just get a caravan?? They are also expensive. Just picked up a second hand but never used Cabanon Stratos with kitchen for £1951 on ebay. Going to collect it tomorrow. I think you get the best of both worlds with a unit like this. Nice comfy double beds off the floor, a nice big airy living area and lovely little porch area all packed away in a compact easy to store trailer.
The trouble with camping is that no matter what type of unit you have, there are pros and cons, and its about finding the right one to best suit your needs.
Great comments by Andcow for the FC and life even easier if you have a Crusader with slide out beds!!!! When me and OH were considering FCs we looked at all the smaller Fiestas and Countrymans but we plumped for the Crusader and we were so glad we "went big". It is the most fantastic piece of kit and although ours is 1999,it is in perfect condition. Winter heating is great with a halogen heater and like Andcow, we only use the awning if staying 3 days or more. All in all, my best ever purchase.
These comments are just excellent and good to hear so many views and opinions from 1st hand experence, (What a fantastic site this is!)
I am looking to buy just before or after Xmas so I will weigh up everything. I think there is no wrong choice it just comes down to preference. Either way I think we will still enjoy.
I am sure I will be on the site again for further help and support once we have our purchase!!! I cant wait to take my gang camping,
Hi. I have the conway mirage and it's great. Would'nt be without it!! Large and we have the 1 mtr extension. Also inside we have the hanging wardrobe and toilet section. Great for the kids to move around and plenty of room for tables etc.
Good luck.
Me too! Love the fact that I can have the option of not putting the awning on!
------------- "Money can't buy you happiness but it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes"
Quote: Originally posted by Tweetypie57 on 13/7/2010
Quote: Originally posted by Knapman on 12/7/2010
Hi. I have the conway mirage and it's great. Would'nt be without it!! Large and we have the 1 mtr extension. Also inside we have the hanging wardrobe and toilet section. Great for the kids to move around and plenty of room for tables etc.
Good luck.
Me too! Love the fact that I can have the option of not putting the awning on!
We have the Conway Classic. Just as time consuming to put up as a normal tent, but the kids love it! Cosy bedroom area (and if the weather is really pants they can climb into the bed area to play games), plus loads of space in the awning. Very cosy if you get the ground sheets and storm flaps tucked in. Plus when the weather is nice, you can open the whole thing up - we didn't bother with the ground sheet for the first two days of our hols last week, it was too hot! Loads of room for us all to sit in the shade (and cooler than a poly tent). I think if we had an FC, we would be tempted not to use the awning but would miss the space.
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Topic: FOLDING CAMPER OR TRAILER TENT???
