We had a Trigano trailer tent for 12 years and it was great. We now have a Pennine Fiesta and it's even better. Its very versatile in that we can use just the main part with no pegging out if its just me, my wife and daughter.
If the other kids (Big kids) want to join us I put up the awning and extension. We also have an underbed tent so the Fiesta suits all occasions, expands and contracts to our needs. With just 2 or 3 of us it takes only about 15 mins. to put up the main unit,with no pegging out, a big gain on the trailer tent.
I find it more stable to tow probably because it's a bit heavier.
Like Alan 29 I am 6 ft 3. He is right to say that this resrticts choice to the Fiesta but we find the beds wide enough (just ) for us to sleep together.
I don't know how big your family is but I would advise buying one with an awning and skirts as these are difficult to pick up second hand.
good hunting
GLen.
Thanks gm54, we wished we could of had ours longer (however personnel reasons) when we did go camping it was fantastic and the children, me and my husband loved it, we had so much space and storage, and very large awnings, and plenty of fresh air, as it does get hot inside them so the panels were very usefull. happy camping to you all.
Hi Teresa. We bought our Conway Cruiser four years ago, best thing i ever did. Tons of room, easy to tow and store. We couldn't make our minds up at first so we took a trip up to Barrons in Durham. It is a huge place and all the folding campers are erected for you to browse. It is the best way of ensuring you get the correct one for you. Obviously you dont have to buy one there, just decide which one you like and then browse the internet for a good deal.
we have a raclet minto tt and the one thing that gets to us is the putting up time, but we love it once done, mind you we are counting down till we can start to save and get something else that is easier
In the last 40 years I have moved from tents through to early trailer tents,and later models, and in 2006 bought a Pennine Pathfinder 600tc which is the best of all to me.
It is hassle free when erecting/storing and the space inside far outweighs all the others plus the advantage of ready made beds, built in cooker, fridge, loo etc is wonderful
PS I have also stayed in friends caravans in the UK and South Africa but it was always the FC for me and my family
We think £5000 is a reasonable sum, considering it would cost £8000 + today and the equipment on top.
From our 40 years experience the fc is by far the best way of enjoying the freedom and fun of touring with the ease and economy of purchase and transport. Having had tents, motorcaravans and caravans, we know there is no better way of enjoying life than under canvas but off the earth.
Looking back we came very close to spending £100,000 on an American motorhome that had a garage in the rear. My wife got very excited about it as we were tired of having to catch buses and walk once the unit was parked. But when the dealer told her that he would not allow any of his staff to drive it 'cos it was so big and expensive she went off it.
I have got the fc out of the garage now for cleaning and to take some pics so I will post them when I work out how to.