Hello
I’m a single mum with some mobility difficulties and physical limitations (fatigue, lower back pain, wobbly legs). I have used static caravans numerous times and camped in caravans and motor homes as a child with grandparents, so I really don’t know the realities. I’m thinking about a folding camper. I’m in the early thinking about it stage, have been reading lots about it. I would need a toilet and wash room. With a young child and me having some physical limitations we would be making full use of the toilet, using it just for wee’s is not an option. So will emptying it be physically demanding? I can pull a trolley fine. I can lift as long as I don’t have to carry something. Is being able to do this enough? When we return from our travels, tired and have to be up early for work and school on Monday Is there lots of stuff which needs to be done?
I have a decent sized driveway to store it. Haven’t towed before. I used a trailer tent years ago (it was very old and bars were rusty) but I know I couldn’t manage to put that up now. None of us have unlimited funds, I need to makes sure that if I do it I spend wisely.
I love the idea of getting the kids out and about, seeing more of the country, and not having to spend £600 for a week in a chalet in August, roughing it a bit (but not much). I’m a resourceful person who isn’t afraid of having a go. Just not sure if I’ve considered the realities of a folding camper. I think a caravan is too expensive and difficult to tow, a trailer tent is too much like a tent (not keen). I have three children (although the eldest probably won’t join us) and a large (but skinny) dog to house in it.
Any tips and things to consider would be much appreciated.
Thanks
In all honesty with your physical limitations I think you would struggle with the whole thing.
As you say you would be using the toilet all the time and this means a lot of emptying. You could drag it, not all have wheels, to the empty point but then you would need to lift it up to empty, and it will be fairly heavy.
As for coming home, you don't have to do anything initially but if the canvas is wet you really need to open and partially put up to let the canvas dry this is to prevent mould and mildew forming.
If you have a dealer near you, or even a good drive away, I would go and ask to see one being put up then have a go yourself and see how you get on.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
take a look at conway cardinals, some of the newer models had toilets fitted in them.
to put it up is just a case of winding a handle which is very easy, and then you pull out a drawer at each end for your beds, again so easy my 7 yr old could do it when we had ours, you then just lift up the kitchen unit which is hindged and put the door in place and your done.
the toilet emptying is easily sorted by not leaving it too long, to get too full, so if you did it say every 2 days and put on a trolley thats then sorted.
you can pick up a decent cardinal for around £750 - £1500
Thanks for responding. I’m going to spend some time viewing some at exhibitions and shops. I’m going to rent a touring caravan for a few days. Definitely going to spend more time learning and testing the idea out. I tend to be impulsive so it’s a battle not to just rush into something I can’t manage 🙄.
As I say if you can find a place with one to let you try putting it up all the better.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Personally I think there's a good deal of heavy lifting involved. First of all I often need to pull (or push) the trailer into position, even pulling it ever-so-slighly so it attaches to the car takes a lot of sweaty effort. When i'm on-sight same again....a few times I've pitched on a slope so need to re-hook up the car. Unless you get the position Spot On, you'll need to drag the trailer in place*. I have 2 teens (16&17 yo girls) and they really help.
Then faffing around putting it up....it's a lot of work.
Sometimes I set up the campsite while the girls are at school and i take my time, really work hard to get it right first time so avoid the issues*. so setting up alone/without help is possible. I know for sure in my first year of camping I made constant mistakes setting up.
it's a good idea to test it out if you can. I'm impulsive too so totally get that niggle.... :-)
Also to note i did get a motor mover but sometimes it's easier to just drag the trailer half a metre rather than faff around engaging the MM into place.
I'm aware I might be doing lots of things wrong. I hope all this hard work resonates with other folding caravan owners and it's not just me.... hahahah
I don't want to be negative but I don't think a Folding Camper or, as you say. a Trailer Tent is the sensible way to go.
Perhaps a small caravan with an Airbeam Awning or a small trailer and an Airbeam Tent may be better for you.
Do plenty of looking. some dealers will be very obliging and some may not. It may be worth looking around local camp sites for ideas, but a lot of sites are not allowing visitors at the moment, so that may not happen.
I hope you find something to suit you, don't give up!!
Good luck!
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Topic: The reality? Camper with mobility issues
