We have just returned from our first camping trip with a tent. We loved the whole camping experience, except for the large amount of equipment that we need and couldn't fit in our small trailer and the amount of time it takes to put it up and down.
We saw somebody come on site with a folding camper and it seemed to be a lot quicker and easier to put up and looked like it could be done by one person. There also seemed to be a lot of stuff stored in the trailer and seemed like an idea solution to us.
Before we can decide if it is, I wondered if anyone with a folding camper could answer a few questions.
Is there any other costs associated with it? I'm guessing there's insurance and do you have it serviced? On average what are the costs each year?
Can you fit a lot of your stuff in the trailer and leave it in there for storage when not in use? Is it easy to set up and can you do it with only one person? How long does it take you to set up camp?
Is there anything else we should know and weigh up when considering it as an option?
You'll find plenty of old threads on this ...
Also the whole 'Folding Camper' -v- 'Trailer Tent' 'discussion.
A folder can be put up by one person ... the more recent ones with gas aided struts are pretty simple ... some older ones are a bit heavier to fold out.
On my own, I've had ours up and ready for bed within 20 mins of arrival on site.
If you're putting an awning on add another 30 mins.
Yes you can carry extra stuff in the trailer ... depends how you organise things. We have two mid sized storage lockers under the seating ... though one gets filled up with awning, floor covers, skirts etc.
We service our annualy, costs about £120 .... insurance is advisable ... between £60 and £150 depending on who and what sort of cover you want.
Storage? From this summer on we are leaving ours in France in a caravan storage facility ... indoors/locked.
Will save lots on ferry costs and fuel!
Hi, we have had a Dandy folding camper for the last couple of years and can thoroughly recommend them.
Being quite small it fits into the garage, being made from PVC there is no canvas to rot should they need to be put away wet.
I guess we ought to insure it but as it is locked in a garage most of the time it seems pretty secure, we can store a lot of stuff inside including the awning, chairs,table and cooking utensils. We have not had to have it serviced since buying it as the trailer is in very good condition although again this may be advisable.
We bought this after being frustrated with a camper van which we loved but found that due to other comittments we could only rarely use - the folding camper doesn't need to be taxed, parked on the road,mot'd or insured by law and at only 350 kgs makes little or no difference to the mpg of the car when towing. Unlike the old VW we don't have to cross our fingers every time we want to go!
I have come to the conclusion, that as I am towing a trailer already, might as well get a FC you have all the modern day mod cons all in place ready to go, a FC also opens up the option of being able to do overnight stops, with little setting up, is a big plus, especialy as it takes two overnights for us to get to our main campsite in Southern France.
I did think of trailer tent, but a FC certainley takes things to the next level, although at considerable more cost.
And that's the rub, my trusty tent set us back £700 and the trailer gets used for other things when not camping.
So spending £5k on a used FC, or upto £12k on a new one is a serious expense, and is starting to turn a cheap holiday into an expensive hobby.
So for now the jury is out, whilst we are still fit and able to set up our camping kit.
yep i'll go along with the others a good second hand one will last you years ,a visual inspection of the canvas first should suffice as anything else can be replaced/renewed .once you have it up and running theres not a lot of difference between a old one and a new one they do the same job
i bought my pennine fiesta c1990 last year for €400 , then spent €170 replacing the side walls and a new lino floor, canvas was in very good condition so im confident mine will give me and my boys years of fun
Thanks everyone for your replys. I'm off to look at one tomorrow, which seems a good price. It'll will be the first time I have seen inside one in the flesh, so hopefully I will like it.
How did you get on?
I thoroughly recommend an fc, I have just come back from my 2nd trip (only had it 6 weeks) it is so much more luxurious, I'm afraid there's no going back for me. We went away a couple of weeks ago just for the weekend and it was so quick to put it up as we didn't need the awning, this time we went to devon for a week and used the awning, it took us the usual 15 mins to put the main bit up and probably 45-60 mins for the awning, which wasn't bad as we had never put it up before, will be quicker next time as I have numbered the poles
We were impressed by it and (I should say I, as hubby didn't see it!) bought it and went to Clumber Park today and put it all up. We've got a Conway Crusier 2004. It took us ages to put it up, but then we only had some very vague instructions to get it up, as we didn't see the seller put it up, only down. We put up the awning as well, which was quicker, lol. Putting it down was a lot faster and hopefully, now we know what we are doing, it will be quicker to put it up. That's a good idea about numbering the poles, and I think I might have to do something similar.
We found a hole in the awning, which we didn't know about. The seller didn't have it up and never has since owning it, so we were a bit disappointed to find it. I would like it professionally repaired and need it doing before our holiday in July. I've also got to change the booking from a tent to the FC, so I hope it doesn't cause any problems.
tent valeting services at bolton should be able to repair /patch your awning it depends where it is ,how big and there work load ,but at least there not to far from you ,give them a ring on 01204-708131 as they tend not to answer e/mails
I also highly recommend Tenacious Tape if it's just a small hole. We temporarily patched up a couple of split seams in our main unit canvas and still haven't had to do anything more to it.
Quote: Originally posted by the black fox on 04/6/2011
tent valeting services at bolton should be able to repair /patch your awning it depends where it is ,how big and there work load ,but at least there not to far from you ,give them a ring on 01204-708131 as they tend not to answer e/mails
not always true friend!! two emails last week with an equiry, and both replied to within 24 hours,[may have finished the crossword i`spose!!]
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Topic: Folding campers, pro`s/con`s and costs
