You have couple of choices: Do you want a Folding Camper or a Trailer Tent. A folding camper is basically a combination of Trailer Tent and Carvan - it has a living space with cooker, kitchen, table, like a caravan, it also has fold out beds and canvas walls and roof like at trailer tent.
With a trailer tent, you can just put up the main tent, which has the sleeping area, however, you need to put up the awning to have any living area. With a folding camper, you can get away without using the awning as much
A folding camper is a lot more expensive than a Trailer Tent, so you would be looking at an older model within your budget - probably 10 years old, whereas, you could get a 2 year old trailer tent
If you are considering a trailer tent, you cold look at a quick errect tent, such as Trigano Odysee or camplet - these tents have the awning built in and can be put up and pegged out in under 30 minutes - however, you may struggle to get one in your price range (I have seen them for sale on ebay at close to £2000 though so you may be lucky)
If you look at a regular trailer tent - ebay always has plenty of older trailer tents with frame style Awning - they have been arond for years. These can be very nice, I had a Cabanon Galaxy for several years and loved it. However, they are not easy to put up - I could do it alone, however, much easier with 2 people. You will be doing very well if you get the tent and awning up in 1 hour.
New trailer tents such as Cabanon Neptune and Saturn or Sunncamp 550 have an awning using a dome tent construction. I have a Sunncamp 550 and it is a doddle to put up compared with my old Galaxy
I would really recommend getting a trailer tent with a zip in groundsheet - our Sunncamp came with a zip in groundsheet and fitted carpet, it makes the awning a much nicer living space. In the evening when it gets dark, you can come inside zip it all up, sit down, play with the kids, read, etc
You will also need a good fridge - get the best one you can afford. You will also require a box on the front of the trailer to store the fridge (and lots of other bits and pieces)
I would only consider a Trailer tent that has a built in kitchen - they are heavy, but totally indespensible - you can store all your pots and pan, cutlery, plates, chopping boards etc in the kitchen, and it is ready to go when you arive on site. we also use a big gas bottle - this would probably last 3 months (our last one lasted 4 years - camping for more than 4 weeks a year), however, if it runs out could be a challenge to refil in Europe
If you choose to get a Trailer Tent or Folding Camper - take someone who knows what to look for - it is all about the state of the canvas. Canvas that has been well looked after will last for 30+ years, canvas packed away wet will be ruined in weeks
In my view the best value Trailer tent is a Sunncamp 550 S (with a kitchen). It is a budget Trailer tent and has canvas made in China - however, it is a brilliant trailer tent and still very good quality when compared to a frame tent. You can get a nearly new tent for around £1500 or less
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Topic: Extended Family Trip - Recomendations TT
