Oh my STARS is this it? is this the camping product i have DREAMT of? A WHEEL-FREE TRAILER THAT LEAVES NO TRAIL and requires no tow-bar? is this a work of genius or WOT?

[AitchTwoOh]

www.tail-crate.com/index.php

oh and yes sides aren't rigid unless it's on the car, boo. but i believe i heard a light-bulb go off in the chap's head when i asked about it so watch that space. excellent!!

as for the lid, Adrian, how about a limited edition with the MN logo on it?

i'm a wee bit serious about the colourways, tbh. not print, but definitely not eddie bloody stobart green... think what you are like with your jazzy orange icey-tek, slubs.

SURELY a lid that folds in half to open up could ALSO fold the other way to become a support when it is off the car?

so the lid would fit inside the 'box' like a false wall?

i think a folding strengthener for the floor of the unit would work too

You do know that the first time you use it you'll forget it's there and back the car up to a wall, crushing the box and contents

Good Afternoon everyone,

First of all, thank you everybody for your interest in Tail-Crate - It is genuinely appreciated feedback. Hopefully I can be of help to you all and answer as many of your questions as I can!

To address what I can see as this main issues that have been raised - Price and a top cover.

Regarding price - Unfortunately It was just a misprint on behalf of Camping Magazine - we didn't get the chance to proof read the editorial, which is a shame.

Tail-Crate is produced in Britain which gives us great control over production and quality, and we feel that £125 is great value for money, when you consider the price of top boxes and trailers.

The top cover will be available next week, as it is not an essential requirement for all usages of Tail-Crate . it is supplied as an extra.

Any other issues that anyone needs clarifying I will be really happy to help.

lol, gawd i hope not. maybe they should sell a dashboard gonk holding a sign saying 'DON'T FORGET THE TAIL-BOX THING!'?

there is a floor strengthener, apparently, or at least it mentions a corrugated floor on the site, auntiemon, but yes, that kind of thing. i love a bit of dual function.

so guess who just phoned me back? the INVENTOR, chap called Scott. hahah, apparently they literally have only just launched the product this month in Camping mag (where i saw it), hence the not-having-lid-quite-sorted etc. he seems really nice, four kids, has a roof box already but still not enough room for camping crud. he was on the mobile but we got cut off, i told him about the thread and he said he'll have a peek later on. let's Dragons' Den his ass...

oh.

This is great, might just solve our problems! I do worry though about overloading the car - is that even possible, if we are packed to the gunnels, roof box and this thing... anyone know?

tsk... Adrian, a lid is an essential in this country, i think it really is.

How do we tell Mumsnet Swears By about this thread?

I think this is exactly the sort of thread that's perfect.

[innocent]

So Camping just plucked £89.99 out of the air

I think with the lid included it would be much more attractive. Add the crate + lid + postage and it's very pricey.

Hello Adrian and Scott.

I concur with Aitch about a lid. It's crying out for a lid that you can do something else with, like transform into a natty low camping table or a stove windbreak. We like things that turn into other things.

And about making an orange one. but NO patterns

Other thing have you tested it going on/off a ferry? I ask because those back box jobbies apparently go scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaape along the ramp as you mount the ferry. A scraped bottom would be bad.

If however you don't want to create a transformer lid, you MUST have some sort of hinge or prop that prevents the lid from slamming down in a mild gust of wind, crushing your child's fingers despite you telling them 17 times to stay away from the box, and necessitating a trip to a&e before you've even unloaded the car.

omg YES to low table. that would be excellent.

hi Adrian, I am seriously interested in one for our camping gear.
A lid would make all the difference. how much would one be with a lid as well?

The main problem for me is: We have a hatchback, and keep the dogs in the boot. Obviously, they need walk/wee/water stops on the way. How would you open the boot with this strapped on, without taking everything out first? I take it the answer is 'you wouldn't' ?

i really like the idea, we have a ford galaxy and the car is so tall and i am a shortie that i cant get things in the roofbox (even standing on the seats ) it would be great for the bbq, kids outside toys and camping chairs when we go camping. i wouldnt put anything worth and real money in there as even with a locked lid it could still be cut with a knife. i am just not 100% convinced with the fixings and i dont think it will fit a ford galaxy new shape as halfords told us we are not supposed to fit rear cycle carriers on our boot.

Love it, we have been thinking we'd have to cancel our camping trip because we just can't fit everything in and don't have a tow bar. I'm going to send link to DH and suspect a purchase will be made tonight.

Thanks Aitch

Hi Everyboby, I'm Scott, the inventor of Tail-Crate.

I just wanted to say hello and let you all know how chuffed I am that most of you seem to really like Tail-Crate. As you have probably realised, Tail-Crate has just been launched, and I have to say the reaction has been great. Please feel free to ask if you have any general questions, and I will try to post answers, either on the website or mumsnet, as soon as possible.

Thanks again :)

Do we get a discount please?

oh hello Scott.
I love tail-crate, it's a great idea (and i say this as someone with a giant volvo with a towbar).

Is there a list of makes/models that it will fit and whether or not you'll need a lightboard/extra number plate?

I definitely think that you should offer Mumsnetters an exclusive 20% off and we'll all promise to link your site on Facebook etc.

In fact, if you give me a free trail-crate I will ensure that your site comes up number 1 on google for the search-term of your choice

Tailgate,

I love the idea of it, really, really do. But I am so scared that it would fall off halfway down the M5 and I'd arrive in Cornwall with no clothes, no sleepingbags, etc.

And the most important question has to be - can you fit a 5m Bell Tent in it (packed up obviously).