This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' type questions...... What would be a good trailer tent/folding camper to buy for 2 adults and 2 kids? I am bewildered by the choice available. I like the raclet quickstop as it appears to be able to be erected quickly. Is this the case such as when just doing an over nighter? I would like an entry level model, but one with a kitchen. Any advice on what to look for etc would be greatly appreciated. I would be towing it with a 2L Laguna, so don't want too heavy a choice.
Have a look at the Dandy site http://www.rivaleisureltd.co.uk/index.html There are loads of these about from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Basically the designs haven't changed that much. By the way how old are the kids?
Hi again, thanks for the quick replies. The Conwy camper looks like being more than I need. It is certainly a fine looking piece of kit but it appears to be too big when folded for me to store and I would be buying secondhand. The Riva looks more like what I'm after. Something that folds up to a small size and could be stored on it's side. The kids are aged 6 months and 30 months. Small at the moment but they will grow and I can't afford to be changing kit.
Yes the choice is overwhelming, we are in a similar postion haveing two kids 4 and 9 years old.
The quickstop looks like being a very good unit, bucks camping have a 2004 part-ex for £2500.00.
Another good possibility for you is the raclet jasmin/santale, being the next step-up from the quickstop with slatted beds.
To be honest we are struggling to find a reasonably priced good secound hand unit. They are all either nearly the same price as new or old and knackered sounding. But there odes appear to be a shortage of decent units in kent, hope you have more luck with this.
Also with christmas upon us the market for secoundhand units has gone very quiet, so we will keep trying into the new year.
If you find anyhting let us know and we will do the same
Welcome to the site. While I appreciate your need for entry level kit, - I think for ease of overnight stopping and cooking in unit you would have to be looking at a folding camper - of whatever make. The trailer tents mostly have kitchens - but to be erected in the awning - not in unit. Be careful not to buy one that says 4 berth - which I am certain would be fine for now with little children - but they have a habit of growing and if my memory serves me well, once moblie they need more space than the average teenager! The more space you have the less likely it is that murder comes to mind........ Try and ensure that whatever you buy has an awning included - vital!
As for the price, once bought, you will find the unit retains much of it's cost, good news for the owners if not for prospective buyers. So in addition to the above suggested sites may I add the Pennine owners site, have a look at Barrons (prices are high but they may give you an idea). You don't say where you are located but there are many UKC members all over the country and they will all be able to recommend retaillers.
Good luck - whatever you plump for you'll love it.
Would suggest a look at the Conway Owners Club website too, they have pre-owned units advertised, plus they have PDF files with all the brochures for Conway trailer tents and folding campers showing the layouts, dimensions, weights and specifications, click HERE to find it.
I wouldn't worry too much about the size and weight for towing, your Laguna will be up to towing most on the market, except maybe the very heavy American imports which are larger than you are considering anyway. We used to have an H reg Renault 21, 1.7 litre petrol, and towed a 1970s 4 berth caravan the length and breadth of Britain with it.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Have a look at this group and in the photos as the older style of big Dandy (Dandy 6) was what we started with before our kids were born and we've only just changed it. They're 8 & 6 now and we fit a greyhound in it as well. You can expect to pay up to £2000 for a really good one with awning.
yes i can recommend the raclet quickstop we have not long sold ours, it takes just a short time to put up and is very good. it also tows really nice as well, what ever your choice i wish you well.
we are going for a pathfinder, be sure to check them out too, although cost is higher the extra comfort is well worth it, and the awning doesnt really have to be put up.
We have had 2 Conway units which held their value well, but when due to personal circumstances at the time we came to sell our nearly new - used 4 nights only - Combi-camp Koala, we had to sell at a considerable loss. We dropped the price and sold privately in the end, to a very nice family, but nevertheless those 4 nights ( 2 week-ends) turned out to be the most expensive holiday ever. So re-sale price does vary according to make - none of our local dealers were interested.
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Topic: too many choices....
Try and ensure that whatever you buy has an awning included - vital!
Hope you soon find a unit to suit you 
So re-sale price does vary according to make - none of our local dealers were interested.
