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We purchased a Suncamp 400SE last year (first time campers) , & would like to know if it is possible to camp without the awning.  Also how easy is it to detach & put back on afterwards.  Also has anyone got any tips on the best way of doing this.   

Thanks

 Hi Jags ,

            we have a 400se that we have been using for two seasons . In principal you could use the main unit without the awning ,however , it would mean leaving the kitchen unit out in the elements . Also where would you put all the stuff that you carry in the trailer unit ,ie, tables chairs etc .

Also what do you mean when you say "How easy is it to put back on"? The awning for the 400se is a monster and I would never put ours away still attached to the main unit as the weight would put undue stress on the frame ,especially when wet . It is also very bulky and I find it takes up less room when folded up and stored in the bag . Hope this helps . Clive and Di

Thanks Clive & Di,

I might not have used the correct wording, I was refering to the tent part of the whole unit not the trailer part.  We were wondering if we went away for a weekend could we leave the large awning (tent) part at home then reattach when we got home.  We would just need to sleep in it & possible place the kitchen part under the trailer when we arrived, as we believe the legs slide up to make it small enough to place under the trailer.

Hope this makes more sense. JAGS     

Hi Jacqui,

We tried cabin unit on it's own and it was very difficult but we wanted it empty to bring Daughter and her stuff home from uni. We have done a European trip touring down to Austria and for that we bought a gazebo from Argos with the 3 sides and put that up for the overnight stops. All extra bits (awning, covers, extra tables etc) went under one bed (son went under other!) and table, chairs and cooker were in the gazebo. It gave us privacy and shelter and was much easier than putting up the awning for a night. Much lighter and quicker and Ok for a weekend away. Gave nearly as much space too. Obviously does not connect to the unit but we were lucky and have only been showered on when using gazebo. Not sure uite how waterproof it would be in torrential rain.  We were told to keep the awning separate and attach when main unit up

Hope this helps.

Lynne.

Hi Lynne

Thanks for the information, great help especially the idea of a gazebo.  I will let my husband know about keeping the awning separate we brought the trailer tent second hand so any other tips you could give would be great.  We also found some of the buttons hard to push into their holes when erecting to nearly full height, which caused lots of sore thumbs, any tips. 

Were quite worried about putting it up for the first time (we have erected in the garden) but the garden slopes slightly so the tent part didn't go up very straight, but my husband keeps telling that it will be ok once on a flat pitch.

Jacqui      

Spare thumbs would be useful! These buttons are hard but also they break easily. We carry lots of spares! The plastic clips connecting things to the frame also snap rapidly. We've replaced quite a few with metal ones. Easy enough but if yours is second hand they've probably been replaced already.

We've enjoyed our 400. However as the kids are going their own ways we're changing to a folding camper (hopefully) as easier to put up for folk who seem to be disintegrating fast (bad backs, bad shoulders etc). Loss of 6ft son to help erect the awning doesn't help! We want to be able to just live in the cabin unit. But the 400 is wonderful for a family - loads and loads of space.

Just enjoy! Camping season is nearly here! (Bit chilly for me yet!)

Lynne.