Just got our first (2nd hand) trailer tent and spent our first night in it.
With no instructions per say and bearing in mind we put all the awnings up (just to see), a couple of breaks and taking it steady it did, I have to admit, take us 4 hours to put it up. Takes us 20 minutes with the tent! We must remember to put a stool in though - OH is not 7'!
But we got there and a fine specimen she is too!
We used most of our camping gear, ehu, lights etc., which worked absolutely fine. Might have to put our SIMS under or on the mattress, the bed was a bit hard and sleeping in our tent arrangement is like sleeping in our own bed.
Saturday night was really cold and we just put a fan heater in the cabin, zipped up and watched tele with a glass of wine - cosy. It was cold in the awning though and missed the sewn in groundsheet plus the fact that it was huge. Had couple of wee drams to keep warm - still no good - so bed and read.
It was cold through the night and even though our sleeping bags kept our bodies warm, our heads and noses did get cold.
It rained but dried out quickly and the good news - no leaks!
Took a while to take her back down, again we did it slowly, took measurements for certain things etc.. We have realised there are certain things we need and questions need to be asked. So where shall I start?........................................................................................................
------------- May - Dorset
July - Saundersfoot
September - S. Wales
October - S. Wales
I remember the first time we went away in our camper. We didn't have a clue what we were doing. It poured down all weekend and our pitch turned into a swamp. We loved it though and are now starting out on our third season.
We invested in a 3" memory foam mattress topper (from a well known online retailer beginning with A) and it makes the bed so comfy and gives you great insulation too. It was really cold overnight this weekend though. We sometimes take our small oil filled radiator to leave on overnight but didn't bother this trip.
You will get faster at putting it all together, although it still takes us a bit of time to get properly set up. Oh and make lists of things that you need to buy while it's fresh in your mind!
Welcome to trailer tenting! We love ours and it still takes ages to put up if we are using both awnings, but it's great that we can also just have the cabin up for an overnight stop so that's when it really comes into it's own!
Would also recommend a mattress topper, we can't leave it on to fold the TT unfortunately so it uses up a lot of space in the locker but we think it's worth it as it makes a world of difference to the comfort.
Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 11/4/2016
You will soon get to grips with it then it will go up quicker anyway whats the rush just enjoy it
Angedaws would that online retailer be Arrods
Of course, one would not shop anywhere else to purchase accessories for one's folding camper
I must admit OH had a really good nights sleep even woke at 6:00a.m. and went back to sleep! On the other hand I didn't sleep that well, I slept okay but got woken by the cold air around my head (I knew I should have put a hat on), also I did find the bed a bit hard, so the idea of another mattress seems great. We did toy with the idea of putting the other mattress on top or using our SIMS - what do you think of either the above - but we will certainly keep that one in mind.
OH is reluctant to keep heating on overnight - I do keep telling him it's fine and loads of people do it - so will point it out to him... again.
Yes, I do have pen and paper at the ready!!
Going away again in 2 weeks (it's my big birthday)so we're taking her (TT) with us. Only taking the required awnings, so lot of time saved there. The cabin we will have up in a jiffy (we think) and now we know what we're doing we will certainly cut the time in half (we think) I've made a TT list - used camping list off my UB40...sorry USB stick (always make that mistake) added some things and knocked off some..sorted (we think) - added me woolly 'ats.
Thank you for welcoming us to trailer tenting, much appreciated and all points will be taken on board. I used to lurk for a couple of years on the tent forum, but I'm brave and I've come out...in a manner of speaking!
So other mattress or SIMS or a topper?
Do we need to take anything extra?***!?!?
Thanks for the Arrods tip
------------- May - Dorset
July - Saundersfoot
September - S. Wales
October - S. Wales
I do that at Christmas time for all the bits and bobs!
Yes, I can see that it's a good idea - this is, I have to say, OH's department - I pack everything in the house and he packs the car.....and now tt - but I can see exactly where you're coming from.
------------- May - Dorset
July - Saundersfoot
September - S. Wales
October - S. Wales
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: We did it and had our first night
