Just got our first trailer tent. A 2nd hand Cabanon Neptune.
We did a trial setup at the weekend and are very impressed with it. Planning our first weekend away mid-October with some friends with their caravans.
I had a general question about pitch sizes. Only from what I can tell the Neptune is almost 5 metres wide and best part of 8 metres long, with the external flaps. Can this cause a problem on some sites with pitch sizes ?
Also, hard standing v's grass. I guess it is personal preference and time of year maybe ?
Busy sorting out all the bits we need, specifically water, whether to go for an aquaroll or water folding carriers. As well as the waste from the sink.
Wow, thats some size, I thought ours was large at 6m x 4m!
We've never had a problem although at one site where they wanted the jockey wheel to be on a set spot on each pitch for fire regulations they did come and have a look at the unit when I said that it wouldn't fit that way....
Hardstanding any day of the week, they are generally pretty level and you'll get less mud/grass etc inside.
Trying to pitch a TT on slopey ground is a nightmare!
There are a couple of drawbacks; if you have a zip in groundsheet, you'll need to lay some heavy duty tarps underneath to protect the ZIG. In our Trigano Odyssee We have a heavy duty tarp, followed by a breathable groundsheet as these are thickish foam and comfy underfoot. The other drawback is pegging. By definition the hard standing is 'hard' LOL so you will need rock pegs and a proper claw hammer to bang them in with. Pegging on a hardstanding can sometimes be frustrating, but IMO worth the hassle.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
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May 18, Delftse Hout, Delft
Aug 18, Le Logis du Breuil, Royan
We've got a Trigano Galleon and with the awning, canopy and bedroom annexe it's about the same size. We tend to let the site know the size before hand and get a larger pitch.
Hard or grass will be down to preference and worth reading the reviews on the site you're going to, this will help you decide. Personally we before grass as the hassle of using rock pegs etc doesn't seem worth it, plus as mentioned above you'll need a tarp/groundsheet under your ZIG which all adds to your payload.
We also went for collapsible water carriers as an aquaroll takes up too much valuable storage space. We use a couple for clean and waste - don't mix them up tho!
Would definitely recommend a tarp under your ZIG. Gives an extra layer of protection from damage to the ZIG whether you're on grass or hardstanding - there's always the odd stone etc. Also as our ZIG is a ridiculous cream colour, it keeps it nice and clean which makes life much easier for packing away.
We got a custom made one for our Galleon awning for a reasonable price from Mudfords, it was a 200gsm medium duty and has been fine for grass pitching. You'd definitely need a heavy duty one for hardstanding.
Of course then you need a lovely tent carpet to go ontop of your ZIG
If you put your ZIG on the stoney ground of a hard standing, sooner or later a stone will cut through it.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder