We have a Camplet trailer tent (TT) and had tents before that. The main point about the TT as opposed to the tent for us is the quality of the canvas: on the TT it is vastly superior - it is better in all weathers and more hard wearing (we have 5 kids and they damaged ordinary tents without trying)- the gas struts mean that it doesn't have to be lightweight. Secondly, you are sleeping off the floor in proper beds. Thirdly, it has a built in kitchen which we use as soon as we pull the awning over!
As for set up time: whatever you have you get better and then quicker at doing it: there is no point purchasing something and then looking over your shoulder and thinking 'their's is better': for one, everyone you see on site is at different stages on the curve of experience with their particular product and all products are always a compromise! I'd have liked a FC or caravan but they're too small for us! The question is: 'What are your requirements?' and then have a look at the products and see what is the nearest match for them. The issue of set up time is important but there are different set times: on an overnight stop towards the end of a holiday we get it down to 30 minutes for the basic TT - that's if there's fabulous weather with no wind - i don't even peg it! But on a site for a week set up time is either 2 hours because I put out an extension awning (and get things 'just so')or spread over two days because I'm too tired after driving all day and arriving late on - so the extension goes on the following day. And again set up is different in the rain because I just do the basics and then wait for it to stop or if it doesn't peg out from the inside. Over time you get better at all these scenarios but there will never be one 'set up time'
Enjoy looking at TTs and FCs and think about set up as part of the holiday!
Quote: Originally posted by MrT007 on 03/6/2013
Can it really be done in 15mins
I reckon it takes me a good 45mins and I opt for a beer [8)]
Yup! I've done it on my own in twenty minutes (timed) ... but with three of us using a 'Crtical Path Analysis' ... fifteen is a doddle.
Of course, you have the toilet section to put up, which will add time ... we don't!
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 03/6/2013Our Pennine Pullman takes fifteen minutes to open up and be ready to brew a cuppa.However, if you add the awning plus whatever gear you take to put in it, you could add another hour ... it just depends on what total size you want.
Or 2 hours if you include removing all the bikes!
Oh, come now!
The three bikes ... two off a Maxx Raxx in approx two mins each ... and one of the rear of the camper in two mins ... both fittings stay in situ and don't have to be demounted.
Once, when a water source was some dostance to the camper, fitter a hook and towed an Aquaroll with the bike for refills!
I'm going to time myself next time, may not end up looking like a FC.
I get stumped everytime on what bed is first to pull over, even though I know it's the rear. Then my biggest annoying part is the poles that got to the uprights.
------------- Up there for thinking, down there for dancing. 😎
You're quite right Dandy's are quick to put up, once you've got the hang of it the main unit can be up in about 10-15 minutes. Like everyone else has said putting up the awning as well takes about another 1-1.5 hours which is why if we're only away for a couple of nights we just put up our day/toilet tent which takes abput another 10 mins instead of the full awning.
We've had our fiesta now for a year and I have to agree the major time saving from our Vango tigris is packing all the kit from home & back. Clothes & food in the boot, hitch up the trailer and off.
We have found that pitching up time is solely dependant on how much extra stuff we want for comfort/convenience. Our two weeks in Somerset took longer to set up home than when we do a couple of days. So basically it's less effort for more comfort.
Quote: Originally posted by MrT007 on 04/6/2013
I'm going to time myself next time, may not end up looking like a FC.
I get stumped everytime on what bed is first to pull over, even though I know it's the rear. Then my biggest annoying part is the poles that got to the uprights.
Our Pullman has a big label on the bed flaps telling you which to open/close first .... stick a bit of colour coding tape on them to help you remember.
Oh ... by the way ... stopped at an Aire, in transit, last year.
So ... just the simplest opening up to get into bed ... nothing else unpacked or moved ... my daughter timed it from unhitching to me being in bed .... eight minutes ...
Then I remembered I hadn't washed!
Our Combi Camp takes less than five minutes to erect the cabin & attached annex (3 pegs only). If breaking a long journey by staying one night only, the cabin & annex would be amply spacious, although the kitchen unit would be outside. To erect & peg out the awning takes another fifteen minutes.
However, that basic setup is never enough is it? When we've spent just twenty minutes erecting the cabin, annex & awning up, I spend goodness knows how much longer kitting it out, like carrying two chests of plastic drawers from car to annex, box of shoes, toilet, heater, carpet, EHU & lights etc., table & chairs for the awning, curtains, ground sheet and carpet for the awning, plus any other fancy bits I want to put in there At least the bed is already made up at home before we go away, so if really tired, we could get our heads down fairly soon after arriving on site.
From start to finish I'd say 21/2 hours. That includes tv aerial, curtains in awning and camper, gas connected, aquaroll filled, beds made up, carpet and groundsheet down, inflatable furniture for awning, pegged down etc etc etc but we really do have a complete home from home so it's worth it :) And then a beer, or two ;)
Although just the main unit for an overnight stay wouldn't take half an hour but then all our other kit would be outside!
------------- Wish we'd discovered camping years ago!
We go on holiday with friend who own a large Outwell Tent
We were fully set-up approx 30 minutes before our friends this year (with the old Cabanon Galaxy there was little in it). Packing up we were fully paked about 1 hour faster
This all includes unloading bikes, setting up tent and awning, setting up furniture inside and kitchen, getting the beds sorted and setting up 2 small tents for sons
The tent and awning are actually the quick bit - I would say it takes 45 minutes to set up - its all the rest that takes the time
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Folding Campers, Trailer Tents quick?
At least the bed is already made up at home before we go away, so if really tired, we could get our heads down fairly soon after arriving on site.
