Trailer tents...talk to me...
Discussion
Me and the OH do a bit of camping...usually a couple of times a year, but we now have a baby. As babies seem to come with an inordinate amount of clobber I'm thinking of picking up a trailer tent. I like the idea that in a monsoon you're going to be off the ground, it will never be affected by wind (even a very well pitched tent can really "bow" if it suddenly blows up), the kitchen will make feeding all of us easier, and the extra space under the awning will give us loads more room for gear.
Any thoughts or experiences? I don't want a caravan as my mind has been conditioned by Clarkson and co, I don't want to look at at for the 99% of the time I won't be using it, and I want to go places where trailer tents are allowed but caravans aren't.
I'm looking at picking up something fairly cheap second hand...apart from the bleeding obvious (leaks, rips, mould, wheel bearings) is there anything else I should look for?
Any thoughts or experiences? I don't want a caravan as my mind has been conditioned by Clarkson and co, I don't want to look at at for the 99% of the time I won't be using it, and I want to go places where trailer tents are allowed but caravans aren't.
I'm looking at picking up something fairly cheap second hand...apart from the bleeding obvious (leaks, rips, mould, wheel bearings) is there anything else I should look for?
We looked at a few trailer tents. To my eyes they seem to be the worst of both worlds. We succumbed to a cheap caravan for use at Amys agility competition weekends but have kept the tent for "camping". The caravan is pretty good for being able to hook up after work, arrive, lower the legs and open the door and you're done as we keep everything in it ready to go. The tent is for a nicer camping experience in Wales etc etc.
You're welcome to come and have a gander at the caravan if you want. Heck we aren't precious over it, you can even borrow it if we aren't using it, then you could see if you like it. I think it would be quite a good option for you guys now. Just have to get over the stigma and you can buy green covers for them so you wouldn't have to look at it when you aren't using it..... Ok you might be more limited in places to go but the ease and dryness/warmth of the young family in the caravan if its raining bit might outweigh the not being able to get on some sites perhaps?
You're welcome to come and have a gander at the caravan if you want. Heck we aren't precious over it, you can even borrow it if we aren't using it, then you could see if you like it. I think it would be quite a good option for you guys now. Just have to get over the stigma and you can buy green covers for them so you wouldn't have to look at it when you aren't using it..... Ok you might be more limited in places to go but the ease and dryness/warmth of the young family in the caravan if its raining bit might outweigh the not being able to get on some sites perhaps?
Edited by chrisga on Wednesday 27th July 13:20
chrisga said:
We looked at a few trailer tents. To my eyes they seem to be the worst of both worlds. We succumbed to a cheap caravan for use at Amys agility competition weekends but have kept the tent for "camping". The caravan is pretty good for being able to hook up after work, arrive, lower the legs and open the door and you're done as we keep everything in it ready to go. The tent is for a nicer camping experience in Wales etc etc.
You're welcome to come and have a gander at the caravan if you want. Heck we aren't precious over it, you can even borrow it if we aren't using it, then you could see if you like it. I think it would be quite a good option for you guys now. Just have to get over the stigma and you can buy green covers for them so you wouldn't have to look at it when you aren't using it..... Ok you might be more limited in places to go but the ease and dryness/warmth of the young family in the caravan if its raining bit might outweigh the not being able to get on some sites perhaps?
Cheers mate. TBH as we've already booked the site and it's "no caravans" it's not really an option for now but really appreciate the offer.You're welcome to come and have a gander at the caravan if you want. Heck we aren't precious over it, you can even borrow it if we aren't using it, then you could see if you like it. I think it would be quite a good option for you guys now. Just have to get over the stigma and you can buy green covers for them so you wouldn't have to look at it when you aren't using it..... Ok you might be more limited in places to go but the ease and dryness/warmth of the young family in the caravan if its raining bit might outweigh the not being able to get on some sites perhaps?
Edited by chrisga on Wednesday 27th July 13:20
I totally hear what you are saying in terms of just hook up and go, and I also realise that if I'm towing a TT I lose my ability to tow a load carrying trailer or put bikes on the tow bar...however I do have a full length roof rack for the 110 which can go on if needed. I guess all of these are a compromise but I don't think a 'van is right for us just yet.
Ultimately, I'd quite like to do a proper conversion job on the Defender and add a pop top or roof tent. That way you don't need to tow anything...but of course then you have to take your bed apart when you use the vehicle during the day!
Like yourself, i wanted to upgrade from tenting and bought a conway challenger. It is simply brilliant despite the 'shouldve bought a caravan' brigade.
So much more comfortable, easy to erect, spacious. Get one with an awning which will double the living space and a little heater and coolbox - its all you need.
So much more comfortable, easy to erect, spacious. Get one with an awning which will double the living space and a little heater and coolbox - its all you need.
Same question I'll need to answer once we outgrow our VW T5 camper. I've moaned about space in it so ended up buying a rather large awning which solves that problem for the short term. We can still sleep in the van and just use the tent as living space.
I like the look of the Opus trailer tents but they're so expensive I'm not sure they're worth it. I think there's a gap in the market for something more affordable which isn't as dated as some of the Conway or Pennine options.
I like the look of the Opus trailer tents but they're so expensive I'm not sure they're worth it. I think there's a gap in the market for something more affordable which isn't as dated as some of the Conway or Pennine options.
No recent experience although spent most of my childhood holidays in a variety of trailer tents, but some are affected by wind. One that my parents' could only be used on very flat land and I have vivid memories of spending a night on a bumpy Scottish coastal camp site in a gale where I was wondering if I would still be there the following morning 
Being off the ground is a big improvement from a tent. They usually fold/unfold easily and of course are easier to store. Coming from a tent you'll be used to carrying everything in the car (food/clothes/bedding etc) so won't be much of a change in that respect.
A caravan wins out on the fact that you don't need to pack/unpack/pack everything - most of your stuff can stay in the caravan for the vast majority of the time. Even with an awning you can easily be set up in 15-20 minutes and the same in reverse. You also have the availability of hot water and so on. The downside is storage of the thing and of course they are heavier to tow.
I wouldn't let people like Clarkson put you off a caravan, millions of people (me included!) grew up caravanning and is seems that there are more than ever on the roads these days.
However, for the moment you can always go trailer tent and step up later on or even go to a motorhome maybe.
Whatever you buy damp/mildew/mold is going to be the main issue so check carefully.
A caravan wins out on the fact that you don't need to pack/unpack/pack everything - most of your stuff can stay in the caravan for the vast majority of the time. Even with an awning you can easily be set up in 15-20 minutes and the same in reverse. You also have the availability of hot water and so on. The downside is storage of the thing and of course they are heavier to tow.
I wouldn't let people like Clarkson put you off a caravan, millions of people (me included!) grew up caravanning and is seems that there are more than ever on the roads these days.
However, for the moment you can always go trailer tent and step up later on or even go to a motorhome maybe.
Whatever you buy damp/mildew/mold is going to be the main issue so check carefully.
We recently upgraded from a tent to a Pennine Pathfinder and wish we had done so sooner. It is so much better than a tent having proper beds, a kitchen and a toilet. Also all the stuff we take is packed in the unit so all we have to put in the car is clothes and food. This means a a car without a roof box and much more space inside. We have also discovered that as it folds up it is still a trailer on the French autoroute so no extra charge! Off to Normandy next week and can't wait.
Look at the UKCampsite website. It has a trailer tent section in the forums and always has lots of members selling trailer tents. Always get the seller to put it up with you to see how easy or difficult it will be. Opus was mentioned earlier, I looked at them and they appear to be style over substance and went for a Pennine instead as the storage and kitchen equipment is better.
Look at the UKCampsite website. It has a trailer tent section in the forums and always has lots of members selling trailer tents. Always get the seller to put it up with you to see how easy or difficult it will be. Opus was mentioned earlier, I looked at them and they appear to be style over substance and went for a Pennine instead as the storage and kitchen equipment is better.
Edited by RosscoPCole on Sunday 7th August 08:16
We used to go camping in a tent for many years (throughout Europe in mainly two seater convertibles). When our kids arrived we realised this was no longer an option.
I did consider caravans and trailer tents, but eventually took the plunge with a 1981 VW T25 camper. We have now owned it for 4 years and use it frequently - whether for camping holidays, cycling excursions, day trips, it gets used every other weekend throughout the year. I like the fact it is a completely different driving experience and a 'classic'. Hopefully we have not lost any money as they seem to be rising in price at the moment despite fitting new twin carbs and various interior 'upgrades'. The versatility is handy. When on longer camping trips we take a large tent too (awning!) to provide some useful extra space.
I would see a trailer tent as a compromise. Set-up times will be just as long, we wouldn't use as frequently, towing strikes me as handicapping a decent car.....
Mike
I did consider caravans and trailer tents, but eventually took the plunge with a 1981 VW T25 camper. We have now owned it for 4 years and use it frequently - whether for camping holidays, cycling excursions, day trips, it gets used every other weekend throughout the year. I like the fact it is a completely different driving experience and a 'classic'. Hopefully we have not lost any money as they seem to be rising in price at the moment despite fitting new twin carbs and various interior 'upgrades'. The versatility is handy. When on longer camping trips we take a large tent too (awning!) to provide some useful extra space.
I would see a trailer tent as a compromise. Set-up times will be just as long, we wouldn't use as frequently, towing strikes me as handicapping a decent car.....
Mike
Get a folding camper over the more basic trailer tent. We have hot water, heater, fridge, gas hob and grill, sink with pumped water, full electrics. We had a Conway cruiser when our kids were younger did the south of france three times in it. Bought a Conway Countryman new last year stored in our garage when not in use.
I've got a secret love for trailer tents - I'd actually quite like one.
There are some great ones available. Look here: http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/trailer-tent...
Would love a Holtkamper Kyte XL - but loads of money. However, there are some good looking options between £5k and £8k.
This looks good: http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/trailer-tent...
There are some great ones available. Look here: http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/trailer-tent...
Would love a Holtkamper Kyte XL - but loads of money. However, there are some good looking options between £5k and £8k.
This looks good: http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/trailer-tent...
We went from a caravan to a trailer tent and have no regrets. We bought a cabanon stratos. Easy to tow, stored in the garage at home so it's not costing storage or outside going green and rotten.
After some practice it's fully set up in about 40 minutes. Has only 3 poles and on the front is a strap you ratchet down tight last job. This makes it very solid so you get very little wind noise or movement. On the front is a large lockable storage box for all your camping kit so it saves car space for luggage. We've been lucky this year with weather so all good but the big down side is noise! Zero sound proofing compared to a caravan so you hear every footstep, comversation and other campers zipping up tents at all hours!
After some practice it's fully set up in about 40 minutes. Has only 3 poles and on the front is a strap you ratchet down tight last job. This makes it very solid so you get very little wind noise or movement. On the front is a large lockable storage box for all your camping kit so it saves car space for luggage. We've been lucky this year with weather so all good but the big down side is noise! Zero sound proofing compared to a caravan so you hear every footstep, comversation and other campers zipping up tents at all hours!
We had a Holtkamper trailer tent,I thought it was ace,much better than the dodgy Conway thing my parents had when I was a boy in the 80s. Easy to tow,in the case of the one we had you could attach a bike rack to it as you would on a roof rack and as it had a quality chassis you could put about 400kg of gear in it too. Used it once and sold it as the Mrs hated camping!
It was the same as the one in the video link below.
https://youtu.be/00OAD8QJXAw
It was the same as the one in the video link below.
https://youtu.be/00OAD8QJXAw
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