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Original poster

Anyone got a trailer tent?

24 replies

KevinFoley · 26/07/2013 19:47

Have been put off a normal tent because of the time pegging out and all the packing. fancy a camp-let, anyone got one or can recommend any trailer tent? Thanks.

OP posts:
Mum2Fergus · 26/07/2013 20:18

Watching with interest Smile I've been looking into a Camplet for ages now...only thing holding me back is not having one to view, relying on Internet/YouTube. In Scotland so not convenient to view at Camperlands.

CMOTDibbler · 26/07/2013 20:22

We have just got one second hand on ebay, have only put it up on the drive so far, but can't wait for our first trip!

Mum2Fergus · 26/07/2013 20:40

Ooh Dibbler...jealous.com!

CMOTDibbler · 26/07/2013 20:42

DH has wanted one for 15 years, so he finally got his wish! I came home from a work trip away to find it on the drive..

To be fair, he can't actually stand up from the ground anymore, and I can only use one arm, so tents were getting to be a bit of an issue.

Mum2Fergus · 26/07/2013 20:44

So how did you get on putting it up in the drive? Is it as spacious as the adverts make out?!

CMOTDibbler · 26/07/2013 20:53

Really, really, really easy. Legs down, one side flipped out, other side flipped out, zip front cover on, done. DH didn't need any help.

On ours, bedrooms are a good double each, nice seating area inside. Ours does have a poled awning, but we haven't put that up yet

macciemoo · 26/07/2013 20:54

We have a camplet, have had it for 3 years now, we love it but whether it would suit you or not depends on why you want one, anything you want to know, just ask?

Mum2Fergus · 26/07/2013 20:59

Ooh, double jealous now!! It would be for 2 adults and DS who is 3...is there plenty of space without need for an extension? Do you use a separate groundsheet?

macciemoo · 26/07/2013 21:01

Oh and you should know that camplets are a bit different to most other trailer tents, they go up easier but are generally smaller inside. My husband can put ours up by himself, I probably could manage it but haven't had to try yet, but there still is pegging etc so although the actual time from tent down to tent up is quicker, the overall time to being set up on site is actually similar to other tents, well in our experience anyway, but it does feel easier I think.

macciemoo · 26/07/2013 21:04

Oops cross posted. We have a separate bucket groundsheet which works well. Ours kids are 7 and 9 and share the second bedroom very happily. Sleeping off the ground is lovely and it feels like a very well made tent, we're off to France for 2 weeks in ours later in the year. Have a look for the camplet group on Facebook, you'll get an idea of the good and bad bits from there as we share ideas etc

NorbertDentressangle · 26/07/2013 21:11

haha - I was reading this thread with interest as I was recently impressed with a friends vintage Dandy so have got it in the back of my mind that I'd like one....anyway I googled Camplet as I'd never heard of them, only to come across this picture which amused me !

Mum2Fergus · 26/07/2013 21:20

Haha!! Brilliant pic!! Grin

Original poster
KevinFoley · 26/07/2013 22:09

Do they have a zipped in groundsheet? And are they nice and airy and cotton rather than plastic-y?

When you say small how small do you mean? And how difficult is it to pack away?

What is buying from camperlands like? We live in London and it's near Manchester so want to make sure it's worth the visit.

THANKS!!

OP posts:
macciemoo · 26/07/2013 22:34

No zipped in groundsheet in ours as its 3 yrs old, not sure if the newest ones do or not but to be honest it doesn't need it, the bedrooms are off the ground anyway. Also i wouldn't be so keen on using the gas in it with a zipped in groundsheet, and it is great to have the cooker there and ready for morning coffee! Very nice and airy as its canvas, also have noticed internal temp better than friends synthetic tents, so it stays cooler longer in the mornings and warmer in the evenings etc. buying from camper lands was fine, we are in Cambridgeshire so miles away too. We got the brochures sent through first, then went to look, then actually bought it by phone after we'd had a think about it. They then kept it for us for a couple of months before we went over to collect. They also did a deal where we got some accessories cheap as compensation for having to travel to get it.

DIddled · 26/07/2013 22:37

I live near Camperlands - we bought a tent and a load of stuff from them a few years ago- they are ever so helpful. Worth the trip.

macciemoo · 26/07/2013 22:41

When I say small, the tent bit ( excluding bedrooms) isn't massive, but there is an annex you can get for extra space, and we manage fine in it as a family of 4. Just if you're used to an eight man tent, the living space will seem smaller but remember you can sit on the ends of the beds so that saves space inside. Packing away is easy , you just have to get a feel for how much you can pack inside, Then it's quite impressive as (after packing away everything inside which takes the same whatever tent you have) p, you just have to take 3 poles out, remove the pegs and fold it back. It goes from being up, to being packed away in a few minutes ( as long as you haven't piled too much inside!) you really need to see one to see if it would work for you.

Original poster
KevinFoley · 26/07/2013 23:10

Thanks macciemoo really helpful, can I ask which model you bought? Are they quite different in person? Looking at the site I can't tell the difference between the different ones...

OP posts:
macciemoo · 27/07/2013 08:54

Ours is the concorde, at the time we also looked at the royal which has the apex roof, which is good as you can get a massive extension for the front of it, but it is a lot more expensive and the extension and annex are more expensive too so in the end we went for the Concorde with the side annex and we now also have a sun canopy for the front.. The new ones have a better kitchen layout than the old ones, ours has the sink within the kitchen which reduces the storage space and there's hardly any work top, on the newer ones the sink hangs off the end which I think would be better, but either way its great as all our pots and cutlery etc just stay in it ready to use. Also we leave the table and other gear in the trailer all the time. Remember if you get one with a luggage rack you can carry stuff on top of it too, we do that and take 2 bikes and our chairs and BBQ on top. The other thing to think about is where you'll store it as the trailers are quite big ( think king size bed size, ours takes up most of the garage although you can keep things on top of it.

Original poster
KevinFoley · 27/07/2013 10:57

That's great, thank you. We've got a big garage and don't keep the car in it so should be ok. thanks for your help!

OP posts:
Mum2Fergus · 27/07/2013 16:38

Some great advice/ideas here folks...on the storage of Camplet itself...does anyone have /use the bracket that lets you store it on its side?! Also, what size cars are you using for towing?!

macciemoo · 27/07/2013 20:31

We bought the side storage racket but have never used it, far too much hassle and it looks quite tricky to turn it over without bashing it.

macciemoo · 27/07/2013 20:39

And we have a vauxhall vectra but there is someone on the Facebook group who tows it with a trike"

Theas18 · 27/07/2013 20:44

We've got a dandy. I love it, though it's small. The kids sleep in a pup tent (a decathlon pop up 3 man tent, nive and roomy for 3teens)

jennifer1973 · 28/07/2013 14:15

we had a conway trailer tent brought it off ebay sold it last year got a caravan now we enjoyed our holidays in the trailer tent and was easy to put up

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