Hi, I have been having a browse around the forum getting waylaid and looking at alsorts of new things, always seems to happen on here, its so addictive.
It might be a daft question, but what is the difference between a trailer tent and a folding camper. I like the idea of sleeping off the ground
This post has been posted before, you can use your search to find it.......maybe ? We have a Pennine Pathfinder 1999 and the FC's just open up by lifting the sides or ends over on hinges then pushing the poles up onto locking pins.and the kitchen and fittings are already inside. TT's don't normally have appliances inside but on a moveable unit that fits on the end of the trailer. Hope someone can explain this better if you cannot find the other posts
The main difference is that trailer tents have to have the trailer canvas pegged down on the folding camper it doesn't. So to put up the main cabin takes only 5 minutes from switching the car engine off!. however if you put up an awning both units require these to be pegged.
Just to confuse you even further, we have a trailer tent whose main cabin goes up in 2 mins and has two pegs for the awning. It also has a fitted kitchen and is lighter than most trailer tents.
There can also be a difference in terms of kitchen units. Some trailer tents have a built in kitchen unit the same as a folding camper, others have a unit that attaches on the back of the trailer, this has to be lifted off and carried into position which is rather a challenge if you are a solo camper!
My folding camper is wider to tow than my TT was and takes about a tenth of the time to put up!
If you look at the prices of new units, folding campers are much more expensive because they generally have a more luxurious finish and are generally more suited to being used without an additional awning being attached.
As with all things in camping its a matter of personal choice whether you consider all the fancy trappings essential or superfluous. A good basic trailer tent with add on awnings can be huge and very suitable for straightforward family camping whereas if you're a couple who can be bothered setting up on-board washrooms and will actually use an oven on holiday, then a top of the range folding camper may float your boat!
trailer tents have canvas sides,
flip top trailer tents have a solid base using the trailer as a bed and sometimes the roof as a floor,
folding camper vans are like the bottom half of a caravan.