But they fall foul of both the fast and light requirements! If there is a slower tent to go up than a Conway, I have yet to see it, and whilst there are some pretty light ones out there they have a nasty tendency to come with a kitchen you could use as a siege weapon.
Don't get me wrong, they're great machines, but being quick to put up was never going to be a strong point!
I have no experience of other tt's so can't really comment on them. In defence of conways I can have the corniche, including the awning, up, pegged, beds made and the kettle on within an hour of arriving on site. Granted the kitchen is a bit cumbersome but I think the main benefit if buying secondhand is that they're cheap and plentiful. Also, I tracked down the original literature for the corniche and it made a point of saying it could be towed by a mini! Yes they're a bit dated and there are probably technically better tt's on the market but as Charlie says "they're great machines".
"But they fall foul of both the fast and light requirements! If there is a slower tent to go up than a Conway,"
Got to agree there. I've used a friends Conway several times and tbh I find it quicker and easier to erect our 6 berth frame tent.
Thanks for all the replies so far. I've had a look at a few but what I really want/need is something that I can literally unclip the lid, fold it over and climb in with the option of adding an awning if we are staying more than one night.
A 'no peg' setup would be an advantage for use at shows but the maximum weight must be no more than 405kg. There would be no problem power wise towing something heavier - it's just that the 'law' doesn't think this is a good idea... hmm
It doesn't have to be anything luxurious (since the 'kids' left home we've been using my trusty 2 man cotswold mountain tent!) but we now have two (toddler going on 14) grandchildren who live with us [:). We have a dome type tent and a frame tent as well but they take too long to erect, especially in the rain!
So, am I looking for the impossible? I've had a look at the inesca lover. It looks very good but it's only two berth. Is there any scope for modifying this to sleep 2 plus 2?
how about a camplet comcorde as you can put a side awning on which will sleep two , the camplet can be put up in ten mins including pegging out oh and myself have bought one to go touring in when kids leave home as it is so easy to put up
If you want to be up and sleeping in minutes then there is simply no choice. It has to be a Combi-Camp. You may find the earlier models are lighter, for example the 400 has a removable kitchen.
Nearly as fast, and going up by the same, pegless, fast principle are the Raclets Allegra and Solena. However, these are both defo 2 berth only.
Next in line for speed are the Camp-Let, Trigano Odyssee, Inesca Lover and Comanche offerings - they need pegging but they unfold quickly.
Second last are the Trigano, Raclet and Jamet standard offerings
Last are Conway/Sunncamp/Cabanon
BUT! Speed is not everything by any means. I would rather camp in a looked after Sunncamp or Conway any day of the week than a damp or mildewed anything else. Hundreds of people rely on Conways made in the early 80s still (some people are even younger than their TTs!) and find them brilliant.
just sold a raclet minto great litle thing did not want to sell not practical as i take my granchildren away now put it up and pegged out on my own in 20 To 30 minnits