my dad has decided the tent which i love is too much hard work for him n he wants a folding camper he did say trailer tent at first but to me folding campers look easier to put up/take down... but my oh is disabled and we find accessibility in a tent good... so need to be talked into folding camper, what are the pros n cons
i suppose for you oh (depending on how disabled) the main pro of being able to just use the main unit for short stays without putting the awning up is not such pro,as the access and space inside is not that big.
now with the awning up and a bedroom inner inside the awning you would get good access,but this will add 30 to 40mins to the setup.
The only problem you may have depending on the disability is getting in and out of either the trailer tent or the folding camper.
The folding camper is basically a soft top caravan so that will give you an idea of the size of the door but as a plus you do have the sides to hold on to as you enter and exit, whereas the entrance to the folding camper is lower and does not offer so much support.
Which ever route you end up going I would recommend going to a dealer where they have tents erected so you can weigh up all the pro's and con's.
We went from a six berth canvas frame tent to a Conway Corniche trailer tent because of struggling to put the tent up. We now have a Pennine Pullman Folding Camper (old one) and it's the best thing we have ever done.
thanx for the replies, i think folding camper would be better for me old dad lol but for me and oh i think we would end up sleeping in awning.... we have found some to go look at so i guess i will have a better idea then..
I know of one guy who modifies Dandy folding campers specifically for people with mobility problems. You don't say what problems your family faces, but if wheelchairs are involved, I believe these are the only campers that can be modified to take a wheelchair through the door. The access is also helped by modifying the frame to reduce ground clearance when on site & fitting a ramp as well as fitting widened doors. HERE is a link to some pictures & HERE is a discussion on another board about this, go to the last post at the bottom. I can't find his web site, sorry. Good luck with whatever you go for.
we have just gone from a trailer tent(conway canterbury),to a pennine pathfinder camper.As good as the conway was,easy to put up and tow,i am disabled,with a back problem,we find the pennine even easier to put up.The beds fold out with the help of gas struts,the unit has built in cooker sink toilet and seating in the living area.they are heavier to tow and move around,but we have just had a mover fitted,so no more problems.
with a tt the living space is really the awning,the cooker and any extras,tables,wardrobe,chairs etc.have to go in awning,so not much space for beds,if thats what you were thinking.
during the last 40 years i have had many frame tents (cabanon mainly) quite a few caravans (overall bloody expensive to maintain /store /insure /tow) a conway trailer tent (totally hated it) a conway countryman folding camper ( nice but not quite big enough) and have now got a older pennine pullman f/c this ticks all the boxes ,and would definitely suit your requirements ,even fully laden two of us move it with ease ,it stores in the garage over-winter ,takes a few minutes to put up .look round till you find the one you want don't buy in haste
Quote: Originally posted by Steve McV on 29/6/2011
I know of one guy who modifies Dandy folding campers specifically for people with mobility problems. You don't say what problems your family faces, but if wheelchairs are involved, I believe these are the only campers that can be modified to take a wheelchair through the door. The access is also helped by modifying the frame to reduce ground clearance when on site & fitting a ramp as well as fitting widened doors. HERE is a link to some pictures & HERE is a discussion on another board about this, go to the last post at the bottom. I can't find his web site, sorry. Good luck with whatever you go for.
Post last edited on 29/06/2011 13:03:54
I think this chap advertises on Preloved.
If you go for a folding camper, try and get one with an annexe on the awning. This will give you and your OH a bedroom without using the main awning body.
There is an article about these dandy conversions along with contact details in out and about live link, HERE,his name is Richard Olphin and the name of the company is Dandy Hire and Transformations,they are based in Staffordshire.
Hope this helps.
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Topic: folding campers
