Trailer Tent and Folding Camper FAQ's

1. Are trailer tents and folding campers easy to erect?
2. What about the awning, how easy are they to set-up?
3. Can my car tow a trailer tent or folding camper?
4. How heavy are trailer tents and folding campers?
5. Do I need brakes?
6. What if my trailer tent or folding camper is wet when I take it down?
7. Do I need to dry the canvas?
8. Do trailer tents come supplied with electrics?
9. Where can I get insurance?
10. How much are trailer tents and folding campers?
11. Do you offer finance?
    

1. ARE TRAILER TENTS AND FOLDING CAMPERS EASY TO ERECT?
In general yes although we would always recommend you ask for a demonstration before you buy, what is acceptable and easy to manage for one may not be so acceptable for another. Manufacturers design the cabin section to be easy to manage, which is great for weekend or overnight stops. Some cabin designs require 2-people to erect others can easily be erected by one person.

2. WHAT ABOUT THE AWNING, HOW EASY ARE THEY TO SET-UP?
This depends on the overall awning size, weather conditions at the time of erection, ground conditions (hard or soft), design and experience. With a little practice, an awning of about 3m in length without a kitchen extension, could be set-up in around 15-minutes (excluding pegging out). Some larger more complex awnings can take up to 60-minutes to erect but if the intention is to stay put for a week or more 1-hour is not an excessive amount of time.

The fastest erecting awning we sell is the Camp-let, which can be set up in around 60-seconds. This lightning speed is achieved by the awnings unique connection to the cabin set-up process. Other models to consider for minimum set-up include the TransCamper and the Trigano Modular 1. Many manufacturers produce two awnings, one smaller awning ideal for weekend breaks and touring holidays and one larger awning that can either be used in conjunction with the smaller awning, to function as one large living area or independently, ideal for family holidays.

If you buy a trailer tent or folding camper from Camperlands the awnings will be erected for you during the product demonstration the day you collect.

3. CAN MY CAR TOW A TRAILER TENT OR FOLDING CAMPER?
As most trailer tents actually weigh very little it's most likely that your particular motor vehicle will be able to tow most trailer tents quite safely, but there are some things to bare in mind. There are two important weights to consider, firstly the trailers MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) previously known as Gross Laden Weight and secondly, the vehicle manufacturers recommended towing limit, which should be inside the vehicle manufacturers handbook (check with your local car dealer if unsure) and on the VIN plate. We would endorse The Caravan Club's recommendations that you should not tow a trailer tent or folding camper where the gross weight exceeds 85% of the towing vehicles Kerb Weight. The Kerb Weight is defined as, the weight of the vehicle plus a full tank of petrol, the weight of a driver of 68 kg and a 7 kg allowance for luggage. If the trailer is unbraked the gross weight of the trailer is lower still and should not exceed 50% of the Kerb Weight.

Towing vehicle maximum noseweight's vary so it's best to check with the maximum weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer and the towbar manufacturer. By law the noseweight has to be a minimum of 4% of the trailer's weight or at least 25kg, whichever is the higher. The Caravan Club suggest a noseweight of 7% of the trailer's weight, however given that trailer tents are much lighter than a caravan, we would suggest the higher figure of 9 to 10%. The important thing here is not to exceed the recommended noseweight set by the vehicle and towbar manufacturers.

4. HOW HEAVY ARE TRAILER TENTS AND FOLDING CAMPERS?

5. DO I NEED BRAKES?
Brakes increase your towing weight capacity and make towing safer. Brakes are also handy when manual maneuvering of the trailer becomes necessary. Most trailer tents are unbraked, probably to keep costs down, although they are usually offered as an optional extra. Folding campers however are generally fitted with brakes as standard because their higher gross weight.

NOTE: trailer manuals covering towing laws, servicing and maintenance are available from Camperlands and other good trailer stockist.

6. WHAT IF MY TRAILER TENT OR FOLDING CAMPER IS WET WHEN I TAKE IT DOWN?
To avoid bedding and cushions getting wet you simply put plastic sheets over the beds before you close them down. Some models have PVC pull over sheets fitted as standard, other designs cleverly protect the beds automatically during the folding process.

7. DO I NEED TO DRY THE CANVAS?
You wouldn't put your washing away wet into your wardrobe and cupboards and nor should you do the same with the canvas. The canvas should be dried out as soon as possible preferably within 24 to 48-hours. Like any tent or caravan awning a trailer tent or folding camper canvas is equally susceptible to mildew and rot, although acrylic (term that describes a man made fibre) unlike cotton fabrics has greater resistance to moisture. We would advise erecting the trailer tent or folding camper with a few pegs in to prevent shrinkage (particularly if new). A canvas that is left even slightly damp, will soon develop irreversible mildew and rot damage.

8. DO TRAILER TENTS AND FOLDING CAMPERS COME SUPPLIED WITH ELECTRICS?
Folding camper generally have a 12v and 230v system installed, trailer tents on the other hand do not. Mobile mains kits provide a safe and simple solution as they are self contained supply units that do not require any additional wiring. They conveniently hook or hang from the frame work out of reach of the younger members of the family and so are ideal for trailer tents or indeed tents.

Just because trailer tents are supplied by the manufacturers without electrics doesn't mean internal electrics cannot be fitted. Our on-site workshop frequently installs 12v electrical systems, which typically includes installment of a leisure battery with battery box, fused circuitry with 4 fitted internal sockets for 179.99. We also fit water pumps into kitchen units for 69.99. Portable fridges can also be safely transported inside the trailer tents front storage box.

9. WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
There are several insurers around who offer tailored cover trailer tents and other camping equipment, please telephone 0161 902 3020 for more information.

10. HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO PAY FOR A TRAILER TENT OR FOLDING CAMPER?
This depends upon the model and the year of manufacture. For the price of a 2-week family package holiday you can kit yourself out with a brand new trailer tent, which if looked after could last for as long as 25-years. Prices start from around £2000 and go up to about £4000. Second hand trailer tents can start from as little as £500 and go up to £2000 for a good quality, well looked after model. New folding campers start from around £4000 with luxury models reaching as much as £8000. Used campers can start from as low as £800 and reach as much as £6000 for a top end well looked after model.

11. DO YOU OFFER FINANCE?
We can arrange finance for any new or used model of trailer tent or folding camper. Please telephone 0161 902 3024 or visit our store for further information.