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Topic: Raclet Solena Missing Poles

CyberCynth

30/4/2023 at 4:07pm
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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Hi all, I have just bought a Raclet Solena - a bit of an oldie; she has a few warts but I think will be very useable. The trailer itself is in good condition. One of my main concerns is that she has no corner poles.

When I saw the tent set up, just before purchase, I noticed the lack of poles straight away. However the sellers, who had only used the tent once, said they'd camped in it without the poles without any problems. It certainly didn't look as though it lacked tension.

My other main concern is that there are no clips to attach the canvas to the trailer; the owners had just been pegging the elastics to the ground. However as my desire to get a Solena was the lack of any pegging required just to get the main unit set up, I was a bit disappointed to find I'd have to peg the tent down. The owners said they'd bought some new clips but claimed that they kept breaking, so just reverted to the pegging method. A couple of other minor issues but I can live with those for now!

If anyone else has a Solena can they give me any guidance on these issues, please?

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

Paulstewart

10/5/2023 at 8:38pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Raclet Solena

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We have a Solena and did managed to break one of the clips that attaches the canopy to the roof rack. I got some spare from Camperlands in Manchester. Here is the https://www.camperlands.co.uk/open-hook-inner-tent-clip.html
which I can confirm works just fine. Hope this helps.

CyberCynth

10/5/2023 at 9:15pm
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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Hi, thanks for that, what sort of elastics are you using? At the moment there are fairly thick elastics between canvas and clip. However, on the YouTube videos I've seen, the elastics are more like thin shockcord.

The previous owners said they stopped trying to use clips to attach the canvas to the roof rack as the clips kept breaking. I wondered whether that was because they were using a much thicker elastic, therefore perhaps putting the clip under too much tension? I don't know - just guessing as I don't know much about this strap-on system.

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

Paulstewart

11/5/2023 at 9:15am
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Raclet Solena

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The elastic that the clips are attached by is round sectioned with cotton covering. It's not very thick, maybe 5mm diameter. I don't have any pics to hand but we are opening ours up this weekend so I'll try and get an image to post here for you. It does sound as though you may be correct though.

Paulstewart

14/5/2023 at 8:19pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Raclet Solena

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Here's a pic of the canopy hold down bungee and clip. Hope it helps.

CyberCynth

15/5/2023 at 7:28am
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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Thanks very much for that. As I thought, the elastic shockcord is much thinner than the rubbers that are on the base of the canvas at the moment.

I have been looking on ebay all weekend trying to source some lens covers for the trailer lights. There is a company in South Wales that sells the complete lamp but not just the plastic lens. The salesperson replied to my query by saying that Raclet are not making any more of the older trailer lights now, so whatever stock is left, will be the last you will be able to get. Gulp. Quickly orders a lamp!

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

CyberCynth

23/5/2023 at 9:23am
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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Well I now have 4 corner poles for my old Solena so that's one problem solved.

New light unit for the trailer - tick.

Curtains - will have to make my own, still on the 'to do' list.

Inner tent for the sleeping area. Not sure why this unit hasn't got one... but for some reason, when I viewed the tent prior to purchase, it didn't dawn on me that there wasn't one! Do I really need one? There seems to be an argument for having one, to prevent getting damp from condensation. I have got a spare, from my frame tent camping era. Will that fit?

Can't find a pre-owned sun canopy and don't want to spend money on a new one. I'm wondering whether I could take my gazebo and push it up against the door of the Solena. (It doesn't have an awning)

Any ideas or comments on the above would be most welcome!

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

Paulstewart

27/5/2023 at 4:40pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Raclet Solena

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Just returned from our first camp of the season. There is a really good Facebook group for Raclet trailer tents that has a load of helpful members that should be able to advise you. Assuming you are on Facebook, a simple search for Raclet trailer tents should find it.

navver

27/5/2023 at 9:37pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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An inner tent usually gives privacy and also more insulation so keeps it cool in sunshine and warm at night.

CyberCynth

27/5/2023 at 10:38pm
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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Paulstewart, thanks, hope you enjoyed your first camp of '23!
I don't do Facebook though I realise I probably miss quite a lot of good stuff by not joining.
Navver, thanks for the comment about inner tents. I still haven't had time/opportunity to set up the Solena again, to experiment with the Kampa inner tent I have. Hoping I might find time tomorrow afternoon to 'play house'!

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

CyberCynth

13/6/2023 at 3:30pm
Location: North Somerset
Outfit: Freedom Microlite

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I have finally got round to ordering the C clips you recommended Paulstewart, plus some shockcord for attaching the canvas to the clips. Thanks for the link to Camperlands: I had not managed to find this sort of C clip anywhere else!

Have fitted my Kampa inner tent to the Solena, it's a bit big and baggy at the bottom and small at the top but, hey ho, I shall be sleeping in it, not having social events therein!

Got my curtains made, so I just need to change the lens on the lights now, and I'll be good to go! Oh, except for the small matter of a flat tyre on the nearside wheel. Now it's in its deflated state I can see the cracks in the sidewall.... Yikes. I daresay the offside one will be the same.

I have just been out to do some 'faffing' in the tent; it's the first time today it has been opened up. The temperature inside was 38 degrees!

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Life without dogs? I don't think so!

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