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We're a family of four with two teenage boys and would like to get a trailer tent.  We've been camping for years with Kyam tents and love it, but now would like to sleep off the floor!  Please help, don't know what to look for, what to buy and should I buy secondhand?

thanks Loobylou

Hi loobelou ,Welcome to the forum  ,I would post this in the trailer tent secion here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=10 

many topics on this subject....

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=10&TopicID=55427&PagePosition=1

actually there have been a few threads but they've been deleted off the server to save space (usually monthly thing)

condition of the canvas, rips, damp etc electrics, tyres
We bought a used TT in october last year and can't wait to try it out. We viewed it semi erected (bedroom) but looked over the rest of the canvas and struck a deal.
We got a 1997 raclet herald, complete with fridge box, spare wheel, 1.5metre extension and side storage bars (won't be using those though)

set an initial budget and see what you can find - i can send you a few piccies if you want to see ours...

thanks - just realised that I used the wrong section to post my query into - sorry. I'll repeat this question in the right forum.  I was wondering which is the best make to go for - in terms of reliability, ease of use, and saleability in later years.

cheers

Loobylou

Hi Looblou,

It depends really on what sort of camping you do. If you go away for a lot of weekends with a few longer holidys then a folding camper (FC) seems to be best but if you need loads of space or tend to use it for long stays then go for a trailer tent (TT).

A FC has a main unit that can be pitched easily and contains the kitchen and often doesn't need pegging out. This is ideal if you make an overnight stop or are away for a weekend. For a longer stay an awning can be used to increase the living area. Conway, Pennine and Dandy seem to be the big 3 but other makes are about as well.

A TT is often a larger unit but there is a lot of pegging to be done (unless it's a Combi-camp). The kitchen, if it has one, is usually used in the awning - so you have to put it up to cook in! If you need a lot of space or tend to be in one place for a while they are great. There are small TTs without kitchens built in as well. Conway, Pennine, Raclet, Trigano, Camplet, and Sunncamp are the ones that spring to mind but I'm sure there are others.

I'd always buy secondhand to start with as you can often get lots of tips from the people you buy from and it's not so much as a shock to the pocket if you decide you didn't get it right. The  section has a list of most of the manufacturers about at the moment but look for the owners clubs for a really good idea of what the units are like to live with. Everyone has there own favorite, mine is Dandy.

Julian

Try these out  - I got one and although i havent slept in it, as I bought it at the end of the season...Im impressed

http://www.conwycampersdirect.com/index.htm

I can't believe it, we went out yesterday to do a bit of research and came away with a Cabanon trailer tent!   We bought it secondhand from a camping shop - apparently the owner had used it once only but wanted to trade up to a folding camper.  Its in immaculate condition.  I can't wait to try it out now.  We need to get a tow bar fitted to the car so we haven't even got it home yet.  Now ....mmmm.... accessories??!!

Loobylou

Well done cabanon are good tts which model is it

 phil

Quote: Originally posted by Loobylou on 15/1/2006

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I can't believe it, we went out yesterday to do a bit of research and came away with a Cabanon trailer tent!   We bought it secondhand from a camping shop - apparently the owner had used it once only but wanted to trade up to a folding camper.  Its in immaculate condition.  I can't wait to try it out now.  We need to get a tow bar fitted to the car so we haven't even got it home yet.  Now ....mmmm.... accessories??!!

Loobylou

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See you in the equipment pages then! Well done it sounds like a bit of a bargain.

Julian

Its the Cabanon Mistral - we've got the extra 1 metre extension which makes the accommodation really flexible.  It's quite funny - I had to ask what it meant by deluxe kitchen (I was expecting granite work surfaces, mixer taps, hot & cold water, you know the thing!). 

Loobylou