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Hi.

Our old tent is getting a bit cramped and we are now thinking of a trailer tent (2nd hand hopefully) To probably add to conflicting advice, but this time from a reliable site, could anyone reccomend a make and model to suite 2 adults and 4 kids under 10?

Hope you can help.

Niall

Most trailer tents sleep four in the upper cabin...2 x double or kingsize beds. Then you can add an undertent beneath one or both bedboards. Depending on the size of the undertent it can either hold two children/one adult in comfort, or two adults in extreme cosyness. In my limited experience it`s not the size of the upper bedboard that dictates the size of the undertent...its where the legs are attached to the bedboard. In my old Conway TT the legs are attached about a foot in from the edge, so the undertent ends up about three feet wide. But I have access to both underbed areas and two original underbed tents (these are often not both included with either second hand or new TTs, so check, otherwise singles are £24 from Argos)) thus I have a genuine 6-8 berth.

Of course, you can always sleep another person in the well of the cabin on an airbed if you only have the main unit up. And you can sleep plenty of folk out in the awning, with or without an interior pod in place. (They sell these in the Argos catalogue.) Very modern TTs can also have a bedroom annexe that zips into one of the side panels.

There`s lots of really good deals out there at the moment on second hand TTs. You can get a reliable old faithful in sound but used condition for three or four hundred pounds to see if you like it, then upgrade if desired. Of the older TT`s, Conways tend to hold their value better than lesser known makes. After about 1995, Raclet, Conway and Cabanon are the makes to go for. SunnCamps are just beginning to appear on the second-hand market.

You might find this web page useful, btw...it has scans of all the Conway catalogues back to Year One.

http://www.conwayowners.org.uk/units.htm

For that number of bodies I'd suggest a Sunncamp 400 or 500. They are massive awning wise and you need space for those damp days and to put chairs, tables etc. We slept 2 adults each side and another in an underbed pod ( a six foot boy). As mentioned more can sleep in the awning and you can add inners for privacy, mosqito prevention etc. But for 2 adults and 4 kids this would last you until they grow up and don't want to come with you anymore. That's why ours has just gone and we've 'downsized' to an FC as we don't need the awning that size for 2. However, DH would dearly love to have that much space again.

Good hunting. We found the Sunncamp to be of good quality especially for the money. Go as new as you can. Most people don't go away that much so they are usually in good nick. It's the caravanners who tend to be out all year practically making the most of their investment!!

our raclet herald has underbed tent, and as it's got a good size awning too. overall length is 6.7m.
try the raclet owners website too:

http://racletowners.proboards3.com/

Hi Niall,

we've just ventured into the world of FC and have got a 2005 Pennine Pathfinder, this is actually marketed as a 6 berth without the awning. There are two full size double beds at either end and then the seatin area converts to a double big enough for two also. Having said that it would be really cramped at bed time when you were all trying to get ready for bed at the same time. They are a bit more pricier but it does have the benefit of it's own washroom and toilet. Worth a look round for some of the older models though if your budget is fixed as they are very well made and will last a lifetime.

Happy Hunting.

Brian.

Hi

I have a Raclet T T. Good family size trailer tent

We have a Conway Royale,easily holds our family of 5 ,we only have 1 underbed tent ,so with 2 would sleep more,plenty room in the awning 

Great outfit would recommend and are ostenon ebay or in the free ads

Good luck with whateve ryou choose

Hi Folks.

Thanks very much for all the advice. We will look about but it looks like a toss up between the SunnCamp 350 or 400 and a Conway Mirage or similar largish TT.

Hoping We find a deal

Thanks

Niall

Hi Niall

We are selling our Cabanon Galaxy, which is the same shape as the Sunncamp but (whisper this) better quality, in my opinion. We're thinking of downsizing, but we take 3 teenage kids with us and there is masses of room. We have the underbed tents, which are brilliant.We've also got a bike/roof rack, dead handy for whatever doesn't fit in the car and side storage bars so it can be kept on its side in the garage. I love this tent & its really easy to erect but large & the beds are really comfortable.I notice you're quite local so if you're at all interested let me know. I want it to go to a good home. 

If it is cheap secondhand reasonable quality you are after then I concur with Lazydaisy. Sunncamp fits the bill. we have the 400se bought last year, from the preloved site, at £1500 secondhand with extras, used once. In my opinion fantastic value for such a huge accomodation.

Bags.

Hi, we are selling our Sunncamp 400se , brought brand new last June for £2100 and only used twice. We are selling for £1650 if you are interested. I can email you some pics, we are in Staffordshire.

Thanks - paula