Hello. Proper newbie here.

Veldom replied on 05/09/2021 07:33

Posted on 05/09/2021 07:33

Hello all. 

September is an exciting month for me and my Mrs. I did a tow course yesterday. That was fun. Going to be under 3500kg so I'm not getting my b+e at this point. But tuition on towing, particularly reversing and how to hitch seemed important. 

 

We're going down the folding camper route. Viewing a pathfinder on Tuesday as it happens. They're local and have kindly offered to tow it to me if we buy. As the car doesn't get its tow bar until the 16th. 

Thinking of doing a bit of a shake down weekend once able, so possibly October at a local site (West Midlands) before putting the camper to bed until next spring. 

 

Are there many other folding camper owners here I wonder?

 

 

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 05/09/2021 09:28

Posted on 05/09/2021 09:28

Greetings Veldom, all the folding campers I’ve met have been light enough to to be pushed by a single person. If it’s a super heavy one then which ever way you turn the steering wheel the trailer will be pushed in the opposite direction. Slow & easy are the watch words. Enjoy👍🏻😊

PS-check out trailer tents further down the list👍🏻

Veldom replied on 05/09/2021 09:59

Posted on 05/09/2021 09:28 by Rocky 2 buckets

Greetings Veldom, all the folding campers I’ve met have been light enough to to be pushed by a single person. If it’s a super heavy one then which ever way you turn the steering wheel the trailer will be pushed in the opposite direction. Slow & easy are the watch words. Enjoy👍🏻😊

PS-check out trailer tents further down the list👍🏻

Posted on 05/09/2021 09:59

Max weight of the one I'm buying is 1000kg. And at home it would have to be pushed up quite a steep drive. So reversing it on will possibly be the best way.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 05/09/2021 10:03

Posted on 05/09/2021 09:59 by Veldom

Max weight of the one I'm buying is 1000kg. And at home it would have to be pushed up quite a steep drive. So reversing it on will possibly be the best way.

Posted on 05/09/2021 10:03

Thanks, that makes sense👍🏻. In that case-get to a quiet area & practice. If your TT is narrow & short it ain’t gonna be an easy ask getting it up a steep drive

Tinwheeler replied on 05/09/2021 10:07

Posted on 05/09/2021 10:07

There's always a motor mover if push comes to shove. Err, pardon the pun.

Welcome, Veldom. I expect you've found the trailer tent section on the forum👍

JVB66 replied on 05/09/2021 10:14

Posted on 05/09/2021 10:14

Welcome to the club and CT

 Rather than buying a motor mover,  have you thought of having a front tow hook fitted to your tow car ?we have had them on several of our tow vehicles,

The company is Watling Engineers ,they normally have an advert in the clubs monthly magazine

Veldom replied on 05/09/2021 14:21

Posted on 05/09/2021 10:03 by Rocky 2 buckets

Thanks, that makes sense👍🏻. In that case-get to a quiet area & practice. If your TT is narrow & short it ain’t gonna be an easy ask getting it up a steep drive

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:21

4.88m long and 2.12m wide  

Veldom replied on 05/09/2021 14:24

Posted on 05/09/2021 10:07 by Tinwheeler

There's always a motor mover if push comes to shove. Err, pardon the pun.

Welcome, Veldom. I expect you've found the trailer tent section on the forum👍

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:24

Not got that much payload weight to play with so not sure I want to use some up with a motor mover. Though I have seen some fitted to other folding campers. So it's an option. 

 

Have had a quick nose in the trailer tent section thanks. Though I feel a bit in a no man's land. Sure I've got a canvas roof and sides. But the pathfinder sleeps six, has a Thetford toilet, hob, oven & fridge. It's not a caravan but it's more than a tent on wheels if that makes sense..

Tinwheeler replied on 05/09/2021 14:35

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:24 by Veldom

Not got that much payload weight to play with so not sure I want to use some up with a motor mover. Though I have seen some fitted to other folding campers. So it's an option. 

 

Have had a quick nose in the trailer tent section thanks. Though I feel a bit in a no man's land. Sure I've got a canvas roof and sides. But the pathfinder sleeps six, has a Thetford toilet, hob, oven & fridge. It's not a caravan but it's more than a tent on wheels if that makes sense..

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:35

I think the usual definition is that if it’s got canvas walls etc, it’s a trailer tent but, if it’s got hard walls, it’s a folding caravan. What's in a name? I like the term 'folding camper'👍🏻

I do have some concerns about the reversing of it up your drive but I’m sure there will be a solution, such as a winch, if it proves to be an issue.

Enjoy your trips and it’s a good idea to have your first one close to home.

 

Veldom replied on 05/09/2021 14:57

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:35 by Tinwheeler

I think the usual definition is that if it’s got canvas walls etc, it’s a trailer tent but, if it’s got hard walls, it’s a folding caravan. What's in a name? I like the term 'folding camper'👍🏻

I do have some concerns about the reversing of it up your drive but I’m sure there will be a solution, such as a winch, if it proves to be an issue.

Enjoy your trips and it’s a good idea to have your first one close to home.

 

Posted on 05/09/2021 14:57

I don't have driveway concerns if I can reverse it on. Being a novice to reversing something that bends might make that interesting though! That said I'm used to reversing an 18t rigid into ridiculously tight spaces. Think I'll be OK so long as I remember to turn the steering wheel the opposite way to get the folding camper moving. I'll post pictures!

Am getting some quotes in for storage sites which might well be the solution in the long term.

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