This article considers some differences between the folding camper (also called a pop-up camper or tent trailer in North America) and the touring caravan (what North Americans call a 'travel trailer').
There are pros and cons to each, so any family considering the purchase of either type of unit must consider the family's needs and then balance one set of benefits against another.
Benefits of the Folding Camper (Pop-up Tent Trailer )
North American pop-up tent trailers tend to have a hard fiberglass top, use a crank or power system to raise the roof, and offer larger size and higher level of luxury, according to information provided by the UK Camping and Caravanning Club.
However, many Euro models, such as the Dutch Opera folding camper, also offer superb style and luxury.
Australian models, as far as could be determined from Internet sources, stress rugged simplicity for off-road travel and Outback living, while still offering essentials (water, kitchen) and amenities.
Regardless of which continent the RVer is on, the folding camper or pop-top trailer provides a viable alternative to the conventional touring caravan or motorhome for a number of significant reasons:
- Ease of towing (tent trailers can be towed with a car or SUV)
- Ease of storage (can be stored in a garage or small shelter)
- They are lightweight and most can be maneuvered into place by hand
- They are significantly less expensive to purchase
- Greater fuel economy in towing.
On the other side of the picture
- The folding camper may require the beds to be unmade for travel
- The fold-out or slide-out sections must be dried out after a rain before the unit can be permanently packed up and stored.
Benefits of the Travel Trailer (Touring Caravan)
The benefits of the travel trailer or touring caravan include space and security:
- The touring caravan's insulated hard sides may provide
- greater noise protection
- improved security
- better heat management (warmer in cool weather, cooler in warm weather).
- The travel trailer offers more in many ways
- more living room
- better facilities
- more storage space
- a higher level of luxury (generally).
On the negative side for some will be:
- Relatively expensive to purchase
- Higher cost of insurance
- Greater tow weight and higher fuel costs
- Less maneuverable and perhaps harder to site.
For summer camping, the folding camper or pop-up tent trailer is an excellent and affordable recreational vehicle. A travel trailer or touring caravan will be more comfortable for camping in the cooler temperatures of early and late summer, making it more of a three-season or even four-season unit.
There is a compromise, apparently popular only in North America, which is a combination of both. The expandable or hybrid trailer is a caravan with berths for two to six that has one or more fold-out beds for extra sleeping room.
Whichever type is being considered, one good idea is to hire a sample unit for a couple of days just to see what living in each one is like. Tent trailer rentals and caravan hires are readily available.
Thomas Alan Gray - Tom has been writing for over 30 years; curiosity leads him to dig into a wide variety of topics.
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