Now that you’ve bought your pride and joy and you and the family have climbed all over it and practised setting it up it’s time to consider your first outing. But wait, what if something goes wrong? What happens if you break down? What do I do if I’m involved in an accident whilst towing? What if we get caught in an unexpected storm? Now is the time to think about insurance for your trailer tent. You want, and indeed need, to protect your asset. What can go wrong?

Is there somewhere I can store my trailer in safety? Have I got room in my garage or on my property? What happens if it gets stolen? What about having it covered whilst on the road or on site? Do I have any liabilities? What about all the contents – battery, water and waste containers, TV, Satellite, awning, gas bottles and all the other accoutrements one collects around them!

Canvas is not as secure as a rigid walled structure so the potential for the quick smash and grab is greater and canvas damage can signal the premature end of your outing.

You may be one of these people who like to follow the sun and go abroad each year. Towing a trailer tent presents little difficulty so long as you stay within the law but you need to be aware that, even though your car is comprehensively insured, you caravan or trailer tent is only covered third party! You need to do something about this. If you have a major failure on your trailer how do you get it repaired or rescued or even how do you get it repatriated and the family safely looked after for the night(s) until you can make alternate arrangements? You need good, all-encompassing trailer tent insurance!

You need to secure your asset as completely as you can. Physical protection against theft is a requirement of all major insurance policies so you need to think of secure storage, wheel clamp, hitch lock or corner steady locks. The provision of all or some of these not only gives you peace of mind but could also attract a reduction in your premium. So too could an alarm or a tracker device for the more upmarket folding campers and trailer tents.

Without doubt, with money so hard to come by these days and more and more people deciding to forgo the package deal and go it alone, camping, caravanning or trailer tenting have become attractive affordable options. If you decide to go down this road then you do need appropriate insurance for trailer tent or folding camper if you do not want to risk heartbreak or disappointment.

One of the best fixes for this is investing in a folding caravan instead of a normal one. When considering such an investment, however, it is understandable that some might have a slew of questions. Below is the answer to many of those questions.

For those new to the entire caravanning experience, the difference between a folding caravan and a normal caravan may not be immediately apparent. In truth, a folding caravan is much like a normal caravan except for one major difference. The top of the walls of a folding caravan can be collapsed and the roof of the caravan can be lowered. This makes for a much easier storing and towing experience.

A caravan is simply a trailer that can be towed behind a car or truck and is made to be lived in. Because of this, it is essential that the caravan be large enough to stand in and big enough in which to move around. However, this can sometimes offer a bit of a problem when storing it in a small garage. With a folding caravan, you can collapse the sides and lower the roof in order to get it into a smaller garage.

Another great benefit of a folding caravan is that they offer much less wind resistance when riding down the road. A folding caravan is not much more expensive than a regular caravan is, and for those who are new to the caravanning experience, it is a great investment from the start. For those that may already have a caravan and may be considering switching to a folding caravan, it is suggested that you sell your current caravan in order to help pay for your new folding one.

It should be noted that there is no real benefit to owning a standard caravan as opposed to a folding one. Though rumor has it that folding caravans are prone to leaking and wear out quicker than a standard caravan, the rumor really holds no water. Likewise, if storage is no problem for you, then it may not be beneficial enough to make the switch from a standard caravan to a folding one. However, as stated before, if you are considering purchasing your first caravan then it would be highly recommended that you make your first one a folding caravan.

The Conway trailer tents all operate through the unfolding and setting up of the tent like structure. The bonus is that the solid flooring will keep you up off the ground. The units will still need to be pegged down like regular tents, but the spaciousness and the extra amenities will ensure a successful camping trip. Conway offers many selections of trailer tents that are fully equipped. You can purchase trailer tents new or used. Many people choose used models for added savings and to begin their camping journeys.

The Conway Classic trailer tent is great for larger groups. It has two king sized beds as well as the use of two underbeds for sleeping or storage. It comes with a sink, a two burner hop and loads of storage. It has a toilet compartment and wardrobe. The many windows offer great views and added ventilation. You can always purchase the extended awning for additional space.

The Conway Corniche trailer tent is slightly smaller. It has two double sleeping areas. It offers under storage, curtains, a smaller kitchenette and toilet.

The Conway Clipper series has four berths and can be purchased with or without the kitchenette that is great for quick use. You can use the lift off cooker and sink just about anywhere. It has storage lockers for all the things you need on your trip.

The Conway Camarque has front and side doors. It also has the deluxe kitchenette, toilette and several wardrobes. A much larger unit, it has the sun canopy for extra living space while you camp.

All of the Conway trailer tents have the unique design that if you wish to stop en route and enjoy a snack or meal, the kitchenette is easily accessible without having to unfold the unit. The trailer tents are easy to tow and when not in use, easy to store. You can purchase a large selection of accessories to enhance the experience. A trailer cover is a must as you tow or store the trailer tent.

Conway trailer tents provide a great way to experience traveling. They are great for people that are on a budget. You can find many used ones that are very affordable. Always check that the used models are in good working condition and that there are no major issues. You can read customer reviews about all the models of Conway trailer tents and find the right one for you and your family. The set up is easy, often only needing two people and is quick. Check out available models on line or at the nearest dealer to you.

The Trigano Galleon Trailer Tent, a new model for 2009, is designed as a four berth option that looks great and is very easy to setup.  It uses a newgeneration frame that is very light but still sturdy and has two sizes of awning, 2.4m or 3.15m.  Optional extras include a kitchen unit that can be fixed to the rear of the trailer, under bed tents to increase berth size, a tow bar storage box, jockey Wheel, spare wheel, camping table, sun canopy, luggage rack, and storage brackets.  The unit features are 2 double beds 140 x 190, water proof and rot proof cotton canvas and a galvanised steel chassis on the trailer.  The unladen weight of the trailer comes in at 350kg, 650kg when laden, wheel size is 500 x 10 and it can be fitted with brakes as an optional extra.  The colour scheme is a wonderful blue, tan and burgundy combination with prices starting around £3000 for the basic model.

The Trigano Odyssee Trailer Tent weighs in at 365kg unladen and 650 kgs laden, with 135 x 13 wheels and brakes as standard.  It has been in the model range for over 10 years and is a firm favourite due to its assemblytechnique, where the awning uses the same frame of the cabin and opens up in one movement, eliminating the need for carrying and setting up a separate awning.  The 2009 version comes in a green and crème colour scheme, includes an internal ground sheet awning and has a 383 x162 x 105 PVC trailer with a galvanised chassis.  Further to this, the Odyssee comes with two slatted based 140 x 210 beds for extra comfort.  The notable optional extras that come with this Trigano trailer tent are that it can be supplied with an under bed tent or an awning bedroom annex.  This unit costs approximately £4500.

The Trigano Chantilly Trailer Tent offers 24m² of space making it truly family sized. It has two slated based beds measuring 153 x 200 for extracomfort, an integrated wardrobe and a separate annex for the kitchen unit.  Optional extras include a tall annex and under bed tent for extra capacity.  The colour scheme is blue, tan and burgundy with a 383x140x120 PVC trailer that includes a galvanised chassis.  The trailer has brakes incorporated as standard and a choice of wheels; either 500 x 10 or 135 x 13.  This is available for approximately £4000 new.

The Trigano Vendrome Trailer Tent is the largest in the collection, offering 26m² of space, enough for all the family and more!  It offers the same equipment as the Chantilly model and comes in the same colour scheme.  It comes with too queen size beds, 175 x 200 and 153 x 200. Prices are about £5000 new.

Trailer Tent Wheels

Trailer tents should have wheels at least 10 inches in diameter but some older models where only fitted with 8 inch wheels.  Complicating this further, the tyre rating should be a minimum of four ply to be legally towed but in the past only two ply rating tyres where used.  It is important that these two issues are addressed, especially in cases of prolonged road use, as they lower rating tyres are not designed for motorway or other high speed driving, but a limit of 40 mph.  If you find yourself with either of these problems, you should change the tyres / wheels immediately.  Try to make sure that you always carry a spare, either underneath the trailer tent or in the back of the car.  Remember that trailer tent tyres are not generally compatible with your cars tyres and the vehicle rescue services will rarely carry such wheels.

Trailer Tent Brakes

The important consideration of whether your trailer tent has brakes largely depends on what type of car will be towing it.  If you are driving a relatively small care then it is imperative that your trailer tent has its own brakes.  From a legal point of view it is obligatory that it must have brakes fitted if its loaded weight is more than 750kgs or half the kerb weight of the car, whichever is lower.  Generally, heavier models have them fitted as standard, increasing the price and they are nearly always an optional extra for smaller models but when offered a choice it is always wise to have a self braked trailer tent for added safety.

Trailer Tent Jockey Wheels and Corner Legs

Jockey wheels add mobility to your trailer tent that a prop cannot offer.  Jockey wheels are not used when the unit is in transit, but only for positioning and support when manoeuvring into position at the campsite. Even so, the wheel and tyre should be in good condition to be used effectively.

Corner legs or steady’s are used when the trailer is in place and give it extra stability when people are inside.  If purchasing second hand, make sure that the jockey wheel and corner legs are in good condition, free of rust and full of movement.  They need to be able to lower and raise because if they cannot be raised they will cause a hazard when driving.

General accessories that are needed can be as simple as waste carriers, camping chairs, crockery, water bottles and gas to things such as sleeping bags, wellies, a camping lantern, pegs for the awning and mallets for banging them in. To make sure everything fits in, it is preferable to choose a trailer tent that has lots of storage space. There is an art to packing a trailer tent so that when you get to your destination you don’t need to unpack everything just to get to the awning or pegs. When packing, you should bear in mind the weight limits imposed on you and if needs be go down to a local weigh bridge when fully loaded to make sure the weight limits are not violated.

Trailer Tent Kitchen Units

Some makes and models have a kitchen unit as an optional extra whilst more expensive brands and models will have them included. If you think you will need to use the kitchen unit en route then it is wise to pick one that has an easy access door unit so that you don’t have to unpack too much when on the road or at a service station. The kitchens can either be carried to the rear of the trailer, inside the trailer or often on the tow bar area. Where it is carried will affect the nose weight dramatically and if it not part of the main unit then remember to add the weight when working out what you can carry. This is not just true for the kitchen unit but also applicable to any gas bottles that are stored on it or on the tow bar. It is always wise to disconnect these whilst in transit or manually moving the unit for safeties sake.

Trailer Tent Covers

It is wise to try and get a cover that will protect your soft furnished items such as beds, mattresses and sleeping bags from the elements when setting up or dismantling a trailer tent as not all models offer this protection from the elements.

A used trailer tent can still be an expensive purchase so make sure you check it out properly before spending your hard earned cash. Here are a few tips on what to look out for when purchasing a second hand trailer tent:

1. If you have limited experience with trailer tents or indeed any camping equipment take along a friend or colleague who has more experience so that they can assist you in checking out the quality of the item you are looking to purchase. Feel free to take a friend just for moral support as well!

2. Make sure you have a good look at the bodywork of the main unit and check for things like damp spots, rust or major damage. Check items such as hinges and poles to make sure they are in good working order.

3. Don’t be afraid to hook up your car to the trailer and check electrical items such as indicators and road lamps, and 12 volt items such as water pimps and interior lights. Try and obtain an electrical safety certificate also when in negotiations.

4. Check the wind up roof mechanisms to see if they all still work effectively. These are difficult and expensive to fix so they are definitely worth checking. Make sure the correct winding handle is included in the purchase.

5. Check the tyres for signs of fatigue and safety issues. Make sure they don’t have bulges, cracks or any splitting. If you feel inclined, take the wheels off for a more thorough investigation and check the wheel bearings for wear and tear.

6. Look at the kitchen unit to see if the oven is in good working order or whether it needs to be serviced. Don’t be afraid to connect the burners up to a gas source to make sure that you know how to use them and that they work properly.

7. Investigate to see whether the canvas or awning parts are in good order. Look for areas of mildew or mould, especially close to metal components such as the main unit’s bodywork or frames. Check all the zips to make sure that they work correctly and that item’s are not too frayed or split. Check the window areas for damage and look for water stains that may indicate leaks.

When looking at a second hand trailer tent unit, be aware that because of their construction, many things can potentially go wrong with older models. The more care and attention taken when viewing it can lead to fewer problems in the future. Buy with confidence!

Arguably, price is the most important consideration. This generally decides for you whether you would like a new or second hand model but other factors need to be addressed. The main thing is to stick to a budget and then see what is available. Expect to pay £1500 for a very simple, two berth trailer tent from new up to £8000 for a large eight berth model.

What are your storage facilities like? Are they safe and convenient to get too? Most trailer tent models can be stored on their side with the use of wheels and storage brackets. Try to make sure these are included in the price but if not, just make sure you don’t forget them!

Think about how many people you would like to sleep (otherwise known as berth). For extra comfort always get one bigger than you think you need, as having 2 muddy kids with the parents can be a bit of a squash in a four berth when you are all getting cleaned up after a long walk! This can often be the difference in having a wonderfully relaxing time or a cramped time with stroppy kids! A way to get around the ‘berth’ issue is to choose a trailer tent that has additional sleeping compartments below the main bedroom areas.

If you have never owned a Trailer Tent before or indeed even if you have, get the dealer to allow you to erect and dismantle the Trailer Tent in their showroom prior to buying it. This way you will be able to use their expertise in ironing out any problems with the erection and ensure that you can cope with it when away on that first all important holiday. A demonstration at the dealership should not stop you from making sure you get an instruction manual with it as well and studying it hard before you take the trailer tent on its maiden voyage. If there are any problems then any reputable dealer will be happy to offer after sales help to remedy them and give any additional pointers that are needed. Try to also bear in mind how far the dealer is away from you so that any servicing or repairs needed are within easy reach and that additional products and spares can be easily sourced.

When looking to buy a trailer tent, the manufacturers that you need to be aware of are: Conway, Camp-Let, Dandy, Sunncamp, Raclet, Cabanon, Trigano, Pennine, Comanche and Jamet.

The Trailer Tent

The name Trailer tent is given to those trailers that have external walls that are unfolded from the main trailer body and then pegged out into the ground around the main base unit. The walls and roof are all made from a fabric such as canvas and when fully erected look very similar to a big frame style tent. They are generally only obvious as being Trailer Tents because of a visible towing hitch that can be seen through the side of the canvas tenting. Trailer Tents are long seen as the more traditional way of camping out of the two and are often cheaper as they require more time to set up and are often more complicated than a Folding Camper.

The Folding Camper

Folding Campers for the most part have a fabric roof and fabric walls over the sleeping compartment areas and either a hard top or fabric roof over the living area. The way in which they are designed means that the sleeping area cantilevers off the main trailer body and has additional supporting struts. This means that the sleeping areas are fully off the ground and there is no need to peg out, saving setting up time and allowing them to be pitched on hard standing areas. They are generally more expensive than trailer tents because of this convenience factor and they weigh considerably more due to the stiffer structure of the unit. If regular use i.e. most weekends is your plan, then a folding camper is definitely a simpler and quicker setup than a Trailer Tent.

Folding Campers should not be confused with a Folding Caravan even though they are very similar in appearance during transportation. Folding Caravans have both solid walls and a solid roof and are generally more expensive than a Folding Camper.

Trailer Tent Awnings

Awnings are can be used with both Trailer Tents and Folding Campers and are generally supplied with a trailer tent and optional with a Folding Camper. Awnings provide the user with a much larger living space, similar to that of a 4 man tent, which can be all important when holidaying with all the family. The disadvantages of extra weight and work to erect are quickly dissolved with the extra space on extended holidays. If the Trailer Tent is being used primarily for weekend trips then the advantages of having an awning are probably outweighed by the time it takes to erect.

1. Is your current vehicle big enough to tow a trailer tent?

2. Do you have a place to store it when it is not in use?

3. Should you purchase a brand new trailer tent or will a second hand one do a good enough job?

These decisions should not be taken lightly as a camper trailer, folding camper or trailer tent are expensive items and can cost anywhere from £1500 to £8000.

People buy a trailer tent or a folding camper for a number of different reasons. They could be used to camping in a family tent but got sick of sleeping on the ground or their equipment was getting too bulky so a trailer tent becomes the natural next step. They could be ex caravanners who need something that is easier to store, easier to tow and is more manoeuvrable than a standard caravan.

There are a number of benefits of choosing a trailer tent over the other forms of camping:

• Off ground sleeping quarters.

• Easy storage; can be stored in a garage on its side for maximum space saving.

• Easy towing; less wind resistance and better rear visibility than a normal caravan.

• Comfortable off ground lounging areas.

• All equipment can be stored in the trailer when not in use so no need for constant packing and unpacking.

Due to objectivity, there are a number of disadvantages to trailer tents too:

• Towing speed is limited to 50mph and 60mph on single track and dual carriageways and motorways respectively.

• Trailer tents take longer to set up than a caravan or RV.

• Motorway use is limited to the two inside lanes due to towing laws.

• It is more expensive to use a ferry or channel tunnel when going to the continent due to longer overall vehicle lengths.

Try hiring a Trailer Tent before you buy!

It is always worth considering hiring a trailer tent for a holiday before committing to buying one out right due to the price. Not everyone will like a trailer tent due to its nature so it is best to see over a main holiday whether you will enjoy the trailer tent lifestyle. This will also allow you to meet dealers and gauge what model would be best for you through their experience. They can lead you through all the items that are needed to optimise your experience and also show you the ropes on how to set up and disassemble the trailer tent after or before transporting it.