Snowy Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Don't get me wrong, I love our huge vango tent and love camping! But we have to take out holidays at set times and sometimes can only manage several short breaks rather than one or two longer ones. The tent takes so long to put up (well ok, only 1 1/2 hours, but it's longer by the time the beds are up and supplies unloaded) and it's not ideal if the weather is that bit colder. Plus we now have two mad dogs to take along with us and I worry about them bouncing about in a tent! So we are thinking about going for a trailer tent. I'm thinking easier and quicker to put up for short breaks, also maybe warmer at night if we camp in spring or autumn. So has anyone got one, and would you recommend it over a conventional tent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 My brother has one, he bought it 2nd hand and they really love it. They took it to France last year for their summer holiday. My SIL showed me the kitchen bit and it looked pretty good. I have no idea who its made by, I could ask if you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 We had a trailer tent when we were little. Mum and dad kitted it out like a home from home - we had carpet on the floor, proper quilts instead of sleeping bags and tons of board games. we always ate off proper plates and stuff. We had some brilliant holidays in it - it always seemed warmer than a normal tent - but that could be the set up that we had. Everything was put in the trailer - we werent bundled up in the car - just pillows if the journey was long. I thought it was great - but thats from a childs perspective from about 25 years ago ( ) i imagine things are a lot different now Hope this was somewhere near useful Cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 We bought a Trigano Chantilly last year which we took to the South of France last summer. Ours has two king sized beds and a pod under each of the beds that can be used for sleeping as well (we use it for storage).The kitchen is great and we have added extras such as a small oven and grill etc, we also have a porta loo ( i hate running around in the dark in the middle of the night!) The living area is huge in ours and I think we actually fit 15 people in it last year when we went to Bala for the August BH. I think once you have put the tent up a couple of times and you have got used to it, it takes no time at all. We are taking ours to Frejus this summer.One thing I will be buying though is a fan!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 3, 2010 Author Share Posted April 3, 2010 Thanks all! My bestest friend has one (a conway) so we just need to sort out the towbar and can borrow hers for a trial I was talking to her today about it being faster to erect, and she reminded me that on her first outing with it, we got our huge vango diablo 900 tent up in a third of the time it took her to put up the trailer tent Cathy your memories of holidays as a child are very valid as that is exactly what I want to create for my children - lots of happy memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Cathy your memories of holidays as a child are very valid as that is exactly what I want to create for my children - lots of happy memories! I think that's great Snowy. Just how it should be. Nothing better than children running around out in the fresh air, getting all muddy & having a whale of a time. I think a trial in the trailer tent would be a good idea. To be honest they have never really appealed to me (too much like camping I suppose!). You don't fancy a little caravan then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 3, 2010 Author Share Posted April 3, 2010 I do fancy a caravan Chelsea - but OH refuses to tow one Big Wuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 Snowy he needs an Eriba caravan then if he's worried about towing one I aspire to own one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 Oh wow, just googled them, I can see why! But I still don't think he would tow one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 A Pop up caravan is what you need or a very lightweight normal one..Lunar are very lightweight but quality vans. Trailer tents look brilliant & we had some members in our club in one..a family of 5 ( 2 adults, 3 very young kids). It survived really well in very strongwinds & torrential rain...I'd say go for it! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 A Pop up caravan is what you need or a very lightweight normal one..Lunar are very lightweight but quality vans.Trailer tents look brilliant & we had some members in our club in one..a family of 5 ( 2 adults, 3 very young kids). It survived really well in very strongwinds & torrential rain...I'd say go for it! Emma.x Yes I was looking at those today Would need a second mortgage for one of those though I have my eye on a few on pre-loved and ebay. Just need to get a tow bar fitted on the car first. Very nice mobile chap coming to do it next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 14, 2010 Author Share Posted April 14, 2010 Oh my goodness, have just won a trailer tent on ebay! I was nearly hyperventilating in the last few minutes!! I think we got a bargain - I know it needs a couple of parts replacing, but the tent poles, trailer and awning look immaculate. Hopefully going to collect it this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Congratulations - how exciting. My brother's was 2nd hand but pretty much perfect. I think they just had to re-waterproof it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 How Fabulous! OH has one and we had a great holiday last year - considering we weren't together at the time it meant we had our own bedrooms - with a double bed each!! This year will be a bit different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 How exciting, I used to camp in one with a friend and it was so much fun and great as some beds were off the ground. Would love to see some photos when you get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 15, 2010 Author Share Posted April 15, 2010 It's this one: Well not this one, but it's the same as this one! A year 2000 Conway Classic. I got it for £460 - I know the trailer needs some minor repairs but everything else seems OK. It is a bit of a worry buying blind, but it was too far away for us to visit before bidding ended. Fingers crossed for me when we collect on Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 That looks really spacious. No wonder my brother has to book into a camping park to reweather proof his Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 WOW - that looks HUGE - I think my last house had less space. Enjoy!! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Looks fantastic! Well done, here's hoping for decent camping weather this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 wow - that look amazing it HUUUUUUUGGGGGGGEEEEE enjoy cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 That looks just like the one we have - there's loads of space inside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Cor Snowy - that looks fantastic - Very happy days are ahead of you now! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Wow that's huuggee!! Think we could do with one of those, we've got nowhere to store it though. I've always liked the look of those folding campers. Think we need an extension on our tent when we next use it, as there will be one extra. Hope you don't get any nasty surprises when you collect it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Blimey Snowy, that's not a tent...its a palace! How does it all fit into the trailer?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 18, 2010 Author Share Posted April 18, 2010 Well we have just got back from collecting it - and I am delighted! It does need some minor cosmetic work to the kitchen and new brake lights, but apart from that it is perfect! What a bargain! Can't wait to try it out now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
