We are taking a trailer tent to Spain in sept and was wondering if anyone has done this and what they did about ovenite stops on route did you use campsites or just b&b or something else.many thanks
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We used to camp in a large tent and would often take a small two person tent to use en route. This worked well and I quite enjoyed it. We have also used the cheap hotels you get everywhere in France - F1 and b&b etc. I can’t remember the cost of the hotels. Tbh I preferred the small tent option staying in municipal campsites but on occasions where it was raining, it was easy to book into one of these cheap hotels.
Only you know how long it takes to set up your trailer tent, but my guess is that it’s too long a job for overnight stops.
You can cut out one overnight stop on your journey to Spain if you cross from Portsmouth to St Malo rather than from Dover to Calais, though in your circumstances, rather than pay for hotels across France I would go the whole hog and take a ferry directly from Portsmouth to Spain.
Don't have a trailer tent, but had couple of friends who had them (only kept one season, declared too much faff to set up/break down! - both bought caravans!), so some insight into worth of a single night's pitching, but we've got a large 6 berth steel poled tunnel tent, which is no instant up/down job either, so share the same problem. Also for us it's usually breaking the journey from UK to France or vice versa on the longer western Channel crossings.
We bite the bullet and pay for a cheap hotel for single overnight stops. It gives us time to relax more, to eat properly, even a decent restaurant meal, rather than something grabbed 'just to keep us going', and it means a decent shower and quick and easy get away in the morning to either catch an early ferry or sight see during the day before moseying along for a leisurely overnight ferry.
We've tried various combinations over the years, even the 1-2 man tents just for the night, but have settled on the cheap hotel as the best option. It just seems to allow us to be more relaxed, less tired out, and fit for both a longish day and a lot of travelling. We like to do our trips on a tight budget, so not a money no object extravagance, but we feel it's money well spent for the hard work and hassle it saves us (all those times we've broken camp in wind and rain!!!! - AND then having to re-erect a sodden tent the next day! - AND all the gear that was used getting damp too!), and we usually actually manage to find time to enjoy our overnight stop location.
I'd urge a little research and planning, some of the budget hotels are in less than attractive places like commercial/industrial areas where there is nothing open in the eves. in the immediate area (like restaurants etc.), so a drive (not so easy with a trailer!) or a walk through a deserted estate is your only option. We've found places that are an acceptable compromises with a little research effort, rather than relying solely on hotel adverts. We have kind of perfected it, so that we can have a bit of a slap up meal, as a end of holiday treat before returning home on the ferry usually.
That's what's worked for us, but everyone has different ideas of what suits and what's an acceptable expenditure. Worth a little thought IMHO.
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Nothing much to add to this as we’ve always had caravans/Moho, except that I’ve used Campanile hotels on work trips a fair bit and they have great value restaurants with tasty food if you need a stop off where you can also get a meal. I have heard of security worries for a trailer tent in hotel car parks, but I’m sure others can advise of precautions.
We used cheap hotels when towing trailer tent/folding camper in France for overnight stops for all the reasons in previous posts. Never had any issue with security in hotel car parks, they are mostly gated,
What make of trailer tent do you have, and how much time do you have.? How easy is it to get the unit set up? Are you time restrained or, like us, retired.
We had a Holtkamper and could have the sleeping area set up in 11 minutes, in bed in 15! Even used a supermarket carpark
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We have done this type of journey many times (luckily living only 10 mins from Tunnel and 20 mins from Dover we can be on the road early in Calais and get a good few miles under our belts before looking to stop, making the next days travel less onerous)
We have an Isabella Camplet Dream and can get it up swiftly for an overnight with out all the bells and whistles. However I do agree regarding weather your heart sinks when you wake up to rain and you know next time you open up it will be damp. We got caught out once when the campsite didnt open its gates until 9 a.m so lost a couple of hours travelling time.
I agree there are lots of places to stay en route if you just want food and a bed, and especially in September you wont need to book ahead you can just decide when you have had enough.
I also agree how lovely to have a hotel on the way home, a real treat. In that vein we often look to book a Logis, very french, usually great food and pretty reasonable too.
I terms of security we leave the trailer hitched and locked as well as the wheel lock, and have always (touch wood) found secure parking.
Unless you're heading to Costa Brava, I would also recommend going direct to Spain on the the ferry. It is more expensive, but when you consider fuel costs and overnights its not that much more, also you get to spend longer at your destination than driving.
Thanks for all your replies I should have said we also have a dog with us so not to keen on to long a ferry crossing haven’t got the tent yet so not sure about putting up times yet I will just do more research and see what I feel better doing
Hmm, cart before horse? Do come back to this thread when you have bought your TT because people who have the same model might then advise how long it takes to put it up. And you will have investigated ferry prices knowing the length your outfit with the trailer, which might decide your route. And the dog may have to sleep in the car if the hotel doesn’t allow pets (based on UK hotels, maybe European ones are different).
Good luck finding your ideal TT - plenty of advice on UKCS about choosing the right one for you.
When we had a Pennine Pullman we did the trip to Spain several times, and have used a variety of methods:
1. Eurotunnel and drive ... overnighting at campsites and/or aires. Just using minimal set up for overnighting ... about 5 mins to open enough to access beds.
2. Using Formule 1 cheap hotel stops and parking within their locked parking areas. This became the favourite methid ... F1 stops now cost between 30 and 50 euros a night for a 3/4 bed room ... still good value.
3. Ferry to Santander (or Bilbao), also did the Girona Ferry from St Nazarre ... linked to ferry from Cork (Ireland). The Santander/Bilbao route is almost a mini-cruise, and very relaxing compared to a long drive ... though considerably more expensive. Good on deck dog kennels, and also some 'dog friendly' cabins on Britanny Ferries.
So ... all told ... there are plenty of variations ... if no rush, I'd find campsites (municipals are cheap) and for a one nighter, you don't need to find a fab site that ticks umpteen boxes. We never stopped more than once on the way down or back, finding two days of driving plenty to get through France (slightly depends on time of ferry arrival from UK).
Have fun!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Taking trailer tent to spain
via mobile 26/3/2023 at 12:02pm
