Ours is similar, and its really a two person job, though I suppose it could be done. Without the kitchen it would be easier, but even so there are just a couple of bits where an extra pair of hands is useful. Although its a very similar design to the Camplet it is just that bit bigger and heavier, and there are places where the canvas can catch when you pull it over.
We have the kitchen, and I am really concerned that without our now 15 year old son we wouldn't be able to pitch it. Off to the gym for me when they go back to school!!
We have an Odyssee and I think mostly it could be done by one person except for pulling the canvas forward and perhaps more importantly you need to push the two awning poles out from the main body at the same time to avoid bending. We thought about it and I think you could probably just get a fellow camper to do these things with you- they only take a few seconds and are very easy and light but need to be done symmetrically. The kitchen is definitely a heavy 2 person job!
We have pitched it 4 times and are quicker each time. From arriving on our last campsite, booking in, choosing a plot, faffing about a bit and getting the tent up, pegged in and chairs etc out we were off out to dinner in less than an hour. Hopefully as we practice more we will get quicker.
We went to Camperlands yesterday and had a look at the Odysssee. They said it needs to be a 2 man job to pull the poles forward as if you do one at a time you'll be twisting the frame, not good. I'd wanted a kitchen but after myself and dh lifted the empty display one we've decided not to. I was very pleased to see we can get a front box big enough to take the fridge, and there's so much storage under the bed :o).
Combicamps are a good alternative for one person to put up.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
Been looking for a while, video's on erecting TT's are a bit thin on the ground but combi camp is the only one so far I've seen that shows one person erecting it.
Can confirm the combi camp can be done by one person. Takes longer obviously, and at 5ft 6 I needed a step to reach the centre poles, but telescopic poles, and awning that comes in sections means it can be done easily. Had a great 2 weeks in Cornwall in our new to us one recently - love it!!
Can a combi camp sleep 4? There's me and Mrs Billy and two little ones under 7. Mrs Billy could help with some light weight duties as long as they didn't involve huge amounts of lifting.
I might see if I can get to the Caravan show in October and see if there a chance of looking at the Odyssee in more depth.
Setup time, depends on how much you setup!! To just setup the main sleeping cabin, including the attached hardfloor area of tent, a couple of minutes as no pegging out is necessary. Bearing in mind we're still learning quickest way of pitching: We've now left the awning roof attached when we pack away, so to have awning roof up, add 10 min, then another 10 to zip in side and front panels. Some people leave the side and front panels attached when they pack away, but I felt that was awkward and bulky for packing. So to get from no tent to a sheltered tent with awning 20 mins is not unreasonable. The awning does need pegging out - that's where I take a while as I'm fussy about trying to get things taut! Assuming a level pitch and pegs going in easily probably another 15-20 min.
We also have the rear annexe, so another 15-20min to add that - I haven't put that up by myself as yet - mainly as I didn't need to, telescopic poles here too, so wouldn't be impossible on your own, just awkward as it's all one piece.
The combi camp on it's own can sleep 4 - it is cosy, but we managed 2 adults and two large under 8's. However we also bought the rear annexe which sleeps another 2 in a sleeping cabin, with additional storage on the other side. You can also get an annexe for the side, which also sleeps 2. So it can sleep 8 if you buy the extras. It would however then be a huge tent! With the annexe at the back it's approx 4m wide by just under 7m long. The side annexe would add another 1.5m at a guess to part of the side.
You can get masses of stuff in the kitchen, and the fridge it came with was excellent - at it's lowest setting it was freezing things - we were only in Cornwall so not hot, but wasn't expecting it to be so effective! Runs on gas or electric.
I doubt combi camp will be at the caravan show, if you can get to Red Roofs Siggi will always demo. We're in Kent if anyone local wants a nosey!!! Weather permitting of course - have room on drive to demo, but not peg out! Failing that, search for combi camp on You tube, as the demo for how to put it up/down is on there in three parts. Also on the combi camp website, the brochure gives some good pictures etc.
I've only looked at the new Combi Camps, and I've never pitched one, but they can sleep 4. You can get them with either one kingsize bed, one kingsize and single/storage area, or 2 doubles. In addition you can add a side annex which is a good size 2 berth, and/or a rear awning which will take a further 2 berth inner.
When I was looking at them we needed to split up the children (2 teenagers, boy and girl), and we didn't want a smaller bed for us than we had in the Camplet. I simply couldn't justify the extra expense of the Combi Camp over the Jametic, but it does mean relying heavily on our teenage son to assist as I can't lift a lot at present, and I find that very frustrating!
CombiCamp aren't going to be at the NEC, but Trigano are, and I'm hoping they will have the Alpha on display, which is similar to the CombiCamp.
Someone has posted the Combicamp instructional video on youtube in 3 parts, part 1 is here
Our combi is 4 berth which consists of 2 small doubles ~127cm wide (and can't take annexes). We have a 7 and 4yr old who share a bed but on the next couple of years they will need separate beds. I don't sleep brillantly when sleeping and the appeal of a standard double and price is making us look at the Odyssee. I would have thought the side annexe is feasible to put up on your own though I haven't seen one in the flesh.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
Our side annexe on the Odyssee can be put up by one person. If your wife can manage light weight duties then I think unless you get a kitchen you could probably manage the Odyssee. It's very easy to push the poles out but they just need to be done together.
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Topic: Can you erect a Trigano Odyssée alone
