Have got the French holiday bug and want to try camping using a trailer tent but because we are camping virgins it is all a bit bewildering. Can anyone offer some advice on which trailer tents are the best? I like the Sunncamp 400se and the Cabanon Galaxy (think that is the model) but they are all begining to look the same to me. Would be grateful for any advice from owners or if anyone knows where I can find good owner reviews I would be most grateful.
Both Conway and Cabanon (new models) have the same canvas (Cabanon) and are made by Pennine Leisure and are both top notch. Cabanon are renowned for making excellent frame tents.
I have to say I personally prefer the Conways; they have thoughtfully added a tap to the sink units on their kitchens!
In the end, as in all things camping, it is down to personal preference so best to get down to your local camping retailer and have a gander, then decide whether to go for new or used (and there are always lots to be had, though they do tend to go for higher prices and get snapped up more at this time of year).
if anyone knows where I can find good owner reviews I would be most grateful.
Dino.
Forgot to mention, if you use the 'search' icon at the top of this page and enter some details of the tents you are interested in, there are plenty of reviews and comments to keep you going.
Welcome to the site, by the way, and many happy years of camping to you!
It's ok searching when you have an idea what to search for.
quite a few like the idea of trailer tents but there are so many and so many more over the years from different makers. I can search for conway and it may come up with a bewildering amount of models over 10 years - no help at all really.
What we really want to know is what models have to offer - kitchens/beds/awnings and if we post a price limit what we're likely to get for our Dosh and how old.
They're more like caravans really in that respect as you'd never look at a ten year old tent but would a conway.
Why not post a few more details of what you think might be your ideal trailer tent, then it will give folks on here more to go on in respect of suggestions (and I'm sure there will be lots forthcoming, not just my humble opinion).
What are you looking to spend? How many people will be using it? Is a kitchen unit important to you? How about a fridge box? Wind-down or drop-down corner steadies (most have drop-down, but later Conways were fitted with wind-down and it has long been an optional extra on some others, I believe).
Most trailer tents have two double beds, which fold out from the trailer leaving a central well. Most have storage facilities (lockers) either side of the central well which are accessed via the top or, on some later models, the front. Some have an additional locker towards the back of the cabin, or drawers.
Do you want roof liners? Potential for an integral porch? Side annexe? (As per on caravan awnings, some - the Cabanon Saturn and new Conway Festival have facilities for side window panels to be zipped out and replaced with either a tall annexe or bedroom annexe and inner, similar also to the Cabanon Aruba frame tent). Is it important to you that the panels can zip out of the awning, to give a sun canopy effect? Or, do you want one which has an awning with potential for front sun canopy (either plain, or deluxe - with front 'legs' to cover the canopy frame?
You are right, there are a myriad of trailer tents out there, but they are all essentially the same. Yet, some have different features and that is entirely personal choice at the end of the day. If you enter 'trailer tent' in the search option on here I'm sure you will find bags of advice from very many different people, who will all express differing opinions.
Well I didn't know I was looking until I started talking to a couple in Devon whit week!
They literally spent (were spending) the WHOLE spring and summer (prob autumn too) camping in their trailer tent.
I was in awe of the thing having NEVER seen the inside of one before! Theirs was not an expensive one either.
Honestly - I really have no idea what you would get for say £800-£1000 or maybe less.
Maybe you should think about what size awning you would like on a TT (since the trailer bodies tend to be about the same, generally speaking)? Sounds as if you were impressed by the size of the one you saw, so if you want something similar then checking awning sizes of differing models might at least be a starting point? Just a thought!
You could do a local search on sites such as http://uk.freeads.net/ or http://www.adtrader.co.uk/, as well as checking on the for sale ads on this site? Try putting in just 'trailer tent' and see what that brings up? There are usually pics or, if the write-up sounds reasonable (not too many owners, preferably not re-proofed, owned for a long time etc) you could then do a search on here to read reviews?
They tend to go for quite a lot on ebay at this time of year, but it is worth checking out just to look at the photos; if you look at the following page you will see a '92 Canterbury, with loads of extras and including 1m mid-way extension (which contributes to that huge awning) and deluxe (ie with legs) sun canopy, presently on at £800 (good TTs which have been well looked after do hold their money well). It is worth having a look at the interior pics as well, to see if you would like something similar.
Anyway, sorry if I've not been much help. I'm sure someone else will be along soon and will have lots more suggestions for you.
the conway owners site is a good starting place and shows pics too - I am a bit biased but prefer the quick-up bit of the combi camps as I'm on my own with the kids most of the time as there's no pegging of the main unit, we use a sun canopy with sides most of the time but have a free standing awning/day tent too wich is 3m x 3m for right beside/adjoining it if need be, all the kitchen suff is stored in a huge box at the front of the trailer including cooker/gas etc.....there's a lot of choice out there and it can get confusing too Have fun!!
Quote: Originally posted by Liddenham on 23/6/2006
Hello again,
Maybe you should think about what size awning you would like on a TT (since the trailer bodies tend to be about the same, generally speaking)? Sounds as if you were impressed by the size of the one you saw, so if you want something similar then checking awning sizes of differing models might at least be a starting point? Just a thought!
You could do a local search on sites such as http://uk.freeads.net/ or http://www.adtrader.co.uk/, as well as checking on the for sale ads on this site? Try putting in just 'trailer tent' and see what that brings up? There are usually pics or, if the write-up sounds reasonable (not too many owners, preferably not re-proofed, owned for a long time etc) you could then do a search on here to read reviews?
They tend to go for quite a lot on ebay at this time of year, but it is worth checking out just to look at the photos; if you look at the following page you will see a '92 Canterbury, with loads of extras and including 1m mid-way extension (which contributes to that huge awning) and deluxe (ie with legs) sun canopy, presently on at £800 (good TTs which have been well looked after do hold their money well). It is worth having a look at the interior pics as well, to see if you would like something similar.
Anyway, sorry if I've not been much help. I'm sure someone else will be along soon and will have lots more suggestions for you.
My God that one is huge!!
I actually went to speak to them on their last night on site when they didn't have the awning up so I never got to see that properly. I was impressed by the kitchen and the double bed/settee. I guess looking at some it's pretty much a standard layout.
We have a 1990 Coway Classic Trailer Tent and it is like new.As previous posts have said, Pennine TT & FC's are excellent.
When buying, look out for weight of the TT or FC. We found that our classic, while being a large unit when erected, had only a very light kerb weight so was easier to tow
If you can I would suggest looking at a folding camper before making your mind up on a trailer tent. Thats our next move after staying in a friends Pennine folding camper.
hi just read your message i have a jamet montana trailer tent for sale it is in excellent condition,3 yrs old,silverblue colour,full linings,penagon shaped awning large 8 berth,its kept garaged,£1,800 ono if you are interested or want any answers please feel free to ask thanx claire 910 this trailer tent cost me £3000 new it also has a front storage box
i think the problem os further confused as manufactureres change model names over the years and the Tt is essentially the same. like our herald which was i beleive called jade.
We got a real deal on a Sunncamp 400se. Nearly two years old and never used, the previous owner could not erect the bed section. We love it, as it is spacious. The kitchen although only two rings a grill and sink is great. The rings are very efficient, cooks as fast as at home. We get all the stuff we on every trip in the foot well or storage boxes. Have used it with and without EHU. We were camping first timers and have been away in it five times so far with two more trips planned and I am sure several more unplanned weekends. The awning can be arranged in several ways making it versatile. I do not know if others can do the same or not.
We spoke to a couple last week who are trying to buy one second hand; they are having real problems getting one in their price range so they must be popular. Hope this is helpful.
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Topic: Which trailer tent?
Have fun!!
We love it, as it is spacious. The kitchen although only two rings a grill and sink is great. The rings are very efficient, cooks as fast as at home. We get all the stuff we on every trip in the foot well or storage boxes. Have used it with and without EHU. We were camping first timers and have been away in it five times so far with two more trips planned and I am sure several more unplanned weekends. The awning can be arranged in several ways making it versatile. I do not know if others can do the same or not.
