For ages I had been pondering which type of camping unit to try next (variety is the spice of life!) and thought a Raclet Solena should be on my wannado list, as it looked easier than many other trailer tents/folding campers to set up - and no pegging! (Of the main unit, anyway)
I had watched lots of YouTube videos, especially the one which I think is Raclet's own promotional video, of a young lady apparently setting up one of these units with consummate ease. Ha ha! What it doesn't show is of the same young lady packing up the Solena she effortlessly set up on her own.
It should really have occurred to me that the reverse procedure would be harder work, because you have to lift the lid of the trailer up from ground level. Crumbs. That's much harder!
My previous unit, a Pennine Aztec folding camper was a lovely bit of kit - I really liked it, but I found the bed boards far too heavy to open out/close up on my own. I only used it once and then reluctantly sold it on, deciding to stick out for a Solena, as all the gumph I'd been reading/viewing assured me that it could be managed by a solo camper...
Having a very independent nature I hate having to ask other people to help me do stuff, on campsites. So I'm left wondering whether I have made yet another naff choice of unit..
Tell me, peoples, am I the only idiot that keeps spending money buying units inappropriate for their situation??? (Single female camper, in mid 70s, who is not as strong as she thinks she is!)
Answers on the back of a £10 note please....
Seriously... comments welcome.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
You are correct about the Solena lid being heavy to pick up from the ground. We use a couple of lengths of broom handle with rubber stoppers on their ends and use these to prop the 'lid' open on the way up and down in a sort of intermediate position. It really helps us and I can do it on my own when pitching alone. We are both in our sixties.
That's an idea I'd been fostering Paul, it might also be useful for pausing to clip/unclip the elastics at the bottom of the canvas to the lid rack. By the way, having just bought 12 new clips from Camperlands for this purpose, one of them has already broken. I don't know why I didn't think to order some extras. Back to t'internet...
Marg6: Thanks for that suggestion, I'll give it some thought, though I wouldn't want to add to the load of stuff I'd be carrying already, with such a heavy item, perhaps I'll take up navver's suggestion! - Ha ha! Chance'd be a fine thing....
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
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Topic: Packing Up a Raclet Solena
