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FC come in all shapes and sizes of course just like TTs but they tend to have beds with mattresses (like tt) plus sofas (caravan stye seats) running water, cookers with limited assembly and can even have a toilet and wash basin!!  You can easily use a FC without putting up the awning area for a night or 2 (or longer in the largest models) but with a TT you only really get sleeping and limited seating in main unit so need the awning area up too.

Your best bet is to go to a show room (camping outlet) that has both and see what you prefer.  Yo don't have to buy new of course but at least you will have a better idea of what you really want

No need to peg out a folding camper unless you put the main awning up so it is quicker to set up. Trailer tent needs to be pegged out both the sleeping cabin and the awning. I would have thought you would need to use the awning always with a trailer tent as you would need somewhere to put your cooker, table etc., which is self contained in a folding camper which is why you can use without an awning.

We have owned both and found the camper easier especially if having to pack up in the rain as we just put the camper back up again on the drive and left it until it dried, No loose canvas blowing around. Also for short stays we just used a sun canopy with the folding camper. 

Trailer tents tend to be smaller trailers.  We thought that even with a folding camper wet weekends would need an awning, so we picked a quick erect trailer tent.  When we don't have the kids to worry about we'll probably look at a small folding camper, but at the moment no awning just isn't practical, so there's not enough advantage to justify the extra cost.

We've not regretted changing, the extra comfort is great!  The tt is too heavy for me without my husband, so I took the kids away in a tent at the end of September.  We had a great time, and I won't stop doing it, but it going back to a sleeping bag and thermarest wasn't exactly a highlight, and it took us longer to set up.  I do like our trailer tent!

My wife and i find the FC is better. It is fully selfcontained when set up (without awning) and can be set up in 15mins. These days they are calling the new ones "Convertible Caravans" as that is what they resemble when  set up, with the added advantage of beds being permanently up and still plenty of room for kitchen and dining area all in the trailer.

They do tend to be slightly wider than the car, but are light enough to tow with a small car and tow great.

In a TT the with integral kitchen unit, the seating area has to be climbed over to get to the beds and the layout is not so user friendly >>> at least that is our opinion :P

Andy

Thankyou all so much for your replies. They have been really helpful. We hve decided to go for a 2nd hand folding camper so we can go for more short weekend breaks without having to put up the awning or peg anything out. We are going to look at some tonight and over the weekend (if it doesn't rain!). Just got to decide which one now as there seem to be lots out there. We want one with large beds as we like our space while sleeping and one where the children can sleep underneath. We will still keep hold of our smaller tent as I think there is something special about basic camping,

Thankyou all again.

I have a TT and have just returned from a very wet holiday in france.

Had to pack up twice in the rain and ended up with wet bedding even with plastic covers etc.

We love the TT in good weather but my OH found this upsetting especially with 2 dogs.

I was told by an FC owner on our site that they dont have this problem when packing up wet because the beds slide into a tray to keep them dry.I havent noticed this on FC models i have seen so is it true?

We have a Conway Cruiser and the beds do slide in and out on a tray type platform, and as they are never outside the canvas they don't ever get wet. The only way they would get wet is if there was a leak in the canvas over the bed area.

I believe the sliding bed concept is pretty much a Conway system not used by others, especially not Pennine, but if i am wrong i am sure someone on here will point it out :)

Andy.

Quote:

I believe the sliding bed concept is pretty much a Conway system not used by others, especially not Pennine, but if i am wrong i am sure someone on here will point it out :)

Andy.

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