Hi, whats the advantage of a folding camper over a trailer tent? I have a TT which needs replacing and was wondering if a folding camper might be a more civilised way of spending my summer holidays. I like the space of the TT but get fed up with the palavar putting it all up and down etc.I dont want to lug around a caravan around. Could a folding camper be the answer?
Short answer - Yes.
Slightly longer answer - FCs quicker to put up (our Dandy Dart takes about 10 minutes) and the main unit doesn't need pegging though if you need to use the awning that can be quite a lot of work. Generally speaking FCs have more equipment and facilities with kitchen etc in the main body so a very good halfway house between TT and caravan. Only thing to look out for is that FCs tend to be heavier than TTs so make sure you have the towing capacity.
Having owned both i have to agree with the above .A folding camper base is much like a small caravan, with cupboards, wardrobe,sink, cooker,fridge ect all built in.You can also use just the main unit for short breaks ,which means no pegging down.Like the previuos say they are quite alot heavier than TTs. It all depends on your towcar.The 4 berths ,and the older 6 berth cruisers at around 750 kg max (loaded) While the larger pathfinder,crusader size (with built in toilet) at around 1000kg max.
We've owned both and found the FC much more luxurious, very rarely do we use our awning like we had to on the TT. (only the two of us.)
Our TT's cooker was heavy to unhook from trailer, fiddle with the right legs lengths, took two persons to lug around in and out of the awning , then getting it level. the FC's cooker is already in place and can be loaded at home along with the on board fridge, if you are lucky to have one onboard. Also washing up facilities with hot and cold ruinning water, bliss.
TT was easier to push on our gravel drive and hitch to car, but our FC needed motor movers fitted as we couldn't push or manoeuver it around on the gravel unless we had three persons to help.
Thanks for all your replies much appreciated. My car will pull upto 1300kg so we should be fine. I think we will investigate the FC idea further.Any models or makes we should avoid?
I have a Raclet Tamaris which is the same as Trigano 575 TC. It is great value, very comfortable, the toilet compartment can become en-suite and tows a dream. It is over 2 m wide so needs wide garage but overwinters well under a winter cover. The only downside, due to its chassis construction, is the movers cannot be fitted to it. On a level pitch very manouverable but on an incline needs at least two fit people.
Hope this helps.
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