Hello, My husband and I are thinking about getting a trailer tent. We are total beginners, please forgive our ignorance. We are looking for some advice and answer to some questions.
1 Rain – Living in the North of Eng., what happens when you are putting tents away and it is raining? I’ve read Dandy tents are made from PVC, so can be put away wet – is there any other companies that do this or have a different ‘better’ type of material. Is it just the case that you just have to put it up to dry the next fine day?
2 Winter storage – We have a long drive, and garden at the front of the house, but we do not have a garage. What do you recommend?
3 Security? We have a hitch lock and wheel clamp from previous caravan is there any other measures we would need?
4 Good / bad makes – what makes do you recommend is there any you would stay away from? We are thinking we are probably going to go for a 2nd hand one – partly due to expense and partly due to the fact there does not seem to be any dealers near to us ( South Shields) What checks should we be doing, any particular things to look out for?
5 Easy to assemble? Ideally we would like something that is easy to put up ?
Any advice is really appreciated.
Many thanks looking forward to getting some answers.
Lots to choose from. We have a Pennine pathfinder and I can assure you being in our late 60's, we find it very easy to set up so I can highly recommend it. At the mo we are in the south of France and we have travelled here many times since we bought our unit in 2011. It really is a dream to tow and once up there is plenty of space. It has two double beds either end and the secret of a long and happy marriage is to have two separate beds. Me one end and the co the other end. Total bliss. As I said, lots to choose from but I love my Pathfinder
Just got back into camping ourselves with a Pennine Sterling.
I would say that whatever material the "canvas" is the unit needs to be opened up asap and allowed to dry, I know that newer Pennines have Acrylic canvas rather than Cotton so I would imagine the case is the same with the Dandy insofar as older models may be also be Cotton.
Have a good look round a few different models that are within your budget, you tube is a good source for demos on how units go up, I know as I must have watched them all a dozen times!.
Consider how the unit opens and whether or not you could open it up once you get it home, if you have a long narrow drive you may be better off considering something that opens up front to back rather than side to side.
Winter storage covers are available if your worried about having to rely on the units "everday" cover/seals etc, and you could also consider putting one or two small dehumidifiers inside too.
If you're wanting an easy to erect trailer tent you want to be looking at a Camplet or Combi-Camp. Both have hard tops so you don't have to worry about storing outside during the good old British weather!
When it comes to drying out there is only the Dandy Camper that's made of PVC, both cotton canvas and acrylic need putting up asap, doesn't matter if it's still raining when you put it up, it is surprising how quickly it dries though, given a bit of sun and wind.
Things to check for is for mould and mildew, easiest to walk away from any that have it. Make sure you get shown how to erect the trailer tent and make sure all the poles etc are present.
Maybe need to clarify whether you really mean a Trailer Tent .... as opposed to a Folding Camper.
They are different concepts, though sharing some similarities.
Are you clear about this?
Do you only want ref to TT's?
Your answer to this will help those who provide views and advice.
AND
Welcome to ukcampsite!
Hi
Thank you for the replies so far. TBH Im not entirely sure if we want a folding camper or a trailer tent. We will have a budget of about £2000 ( not much ). Thought if people gave me some ideas I could then go an research further.
Sorry for any confusion
No problem ... no confusion.
With that sort of budget, I think you could certainly target a Folding Camper ...
You just need to focus in on a model.
How many might you want to sleep?
But, make sure you view (fully) any intended purchase ... often opening up and thoroughly examining will show you the condition, ndhow much work (or not) might be needed.
You can look on this site for any FC's or TT's for sale, but also on e-bay and Gumtree as well as, for instance, the Pennine Owners Club site.
Good luck with the search ...
We love our Pennine, and would recommend ...
The dandy can definitely be put away wet and left like it. The wet outside is always kept separate from the interior upholstery etc and there is good air space inside. They tend to tow tail down and by the time you get home it's dry inside as the water simply runs out the back. The PVC just will not absorb or hide any water unlike canvas etc.
Have a look here at different models but you will buy cheaper privately form less than £500 up. Don't be afraid of the age as they last for years. Riva Leisure still stock parts and will do repairs etc.
OK. First off, I would agree with the general consensus that, with that sort of budget, you are looking at a folding camper, rather than a trailer tent, if nothing else, because it satisfies point 5 about being easy to put up. On the 'easy to put up' front, if you did go the trailer tent route, then Combi-Camp and Camplet are worth a look, but the space and equipment levels in a folding camper will always be higher.
Dandys, again, are folding campers, not trailer tents, and are the only campers made (or were, as they ceased production a few years ago) from PVC, so the only ones that can be packed away wet for any period of time. Traditional cotton canvas models need to be opened up within 48 hours, to avoid mold or mildew, and acrylic canvases, on average, twice as long. The important thing is, though, not to wait for that 'next fine day' as the damage can happen before that comes along. Better to open it out, again, ASAP, even if the weather is wet. as long as the air can get to the canvas, it will be fine, even if it takes a week to dry out. The problem is only caused by the airless confines of a folded camper.
For Winter storage, some people recommend removing all soft furnishings, and, even, the canvas, whereas others leave everything in. I think the key factors are to get a decent Winter cover, which, actually, protects from UV damage etc in the Summer as well, and then not to over Winter it on the grass, which can retain moisture, and cause issues under the camper. Make sure water isn't allowed to pool on it either. Tilting the camper, using the jockey wheel, or a beach ball etc under the cover will both help to avoid this.
Your security measure sound fine. I also make sure I park in front of the camper, when not in storage, as an additional security measure. More important than extra security is a decent insurance policy. On that sort of value, it should cost you no more than £60, all in.
Most makes are pretty decent, and all have their pros and cons, which are mostly down to personal preference. Just as one example, the Dandys are great for their wet pack up facility, but tend to be a lot more basic, and lower spec, equipment wise, than their competitors. Doesn't make them better or worse, just different. If you want to know what to look for, I have a four page used folding camper buyers guide, here, to help out with that. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to provide any direct links to my site on here, but I presume it would be OK for me to email it to you, if that helps at all.
Loads more I could cover, but, hopefully, that answers your main questions. anything else you need to know, feel free to ask.
Post last edited on 29/05/2015 00:51:34
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
£2000 will easily get you a decent Folding Camper, we paid £2300 for a 2004 model with loads of extras, there was so much we were surprised not to find any food in the cupboards too
I've posted a new topic but perhaps someone can answer here- we are going to view one this afternoon. Just wondered do you normally get any gas servicing records or certificates.
If you're lucky the seller may have kept a record/paperwork of services ... but, possibly not!
Not MOT'ed ... but you should get it serviced annually ... unless you are able to do it yourself?
Brakes, wheels, hitch and chasis are the most important .... then the gas and water set up ... especially the gas, is worth a professional check up and getting written/printed record of it being done.
We bought our pennine fiesta off ebay,complete bargain,2007,for £2100, had him for 18 months and sold for 2000, look for any repairs to struts,they can get damaged when folding.We had to repair ours.He was used a lot and we never had to put him away wet, really lucky considering we went to Northumberland most times.Stored outside with a Kampa cover.
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: total beginners, lots of questions? help?
