8 Tent Trailers Tips.

If you love to camp but camping tents are not you, then tent trailers, also known as popup tents or tent campers might be something to consider.

Tent trailers offer a middle ground between a camping tent and an RV (recreational vehicle). Some of the newer ones can even be had with enclosed solid wall bathrooms, ceramic residential style toilets, and refrigerator/freezers. Things have come a little ways since the days when settlers slept in covered wagons, eh?

They still offer ovens, sinks, and refrigerators but they've also progressed to the point that they offer two king size beds, microwave ovens, inside and outside showers, water heaters, vanity mirrors, heaters, stereos and even air conditioning. So basically, some tent trailers now come better equipped than did my college dorm room... seriously. :-)

Tips:

1. Tent trailers like camping tents and most camping gear or hiking equipment should be fully dry before storing. If they're stored wet they can mold or mildew quickly leaving them with that funky smell and stains that can be difficult to get rid of. So have a back-up plan if you won't be able to dry yours outside before storing it. A large barn or storage shed might do the trick if there's enough room and ventilation inside.

2. Everybody has a different definition of camping. While some insist camping is only what you can carry in a backpack, others will insist that an RV is the only thing that fits their definition of camping. Neither is wrong, they just both have their own interpretation of what camping is or should be. What it comes down to though is that we all share the love of travel and the outdoors.

If you love to camp and your spouse or significant other doesn't, being flexible as to what it looks like might mean the difference between them going and enjoying the trip or not going at all. So being flexible has its definite advantages.

3. Check to make sure the tent trailers you're considering are light enough that they can be easily towed by your car or truck. It would be a real bummer to get your new trailer home only to realize the transmission, brakes and engine in your intended tow vehicle won't handle the demands or worse, find out on the road.

4. Like any camping tent you'll want to check your popup tent for leaks before you take a trip and ideally at the start of each season. Tent campers like RV's now have so many systems that it's smart to run through your checklist before you leave for your trip. Realizing something critical doesn't work, because you forgot to test it before you drove 500 miles to arrive at your destination, isn't fun.

6. Before you decide on a certain trailer see if you can lease the same model you want first for a trial run. That way you can see how you like it before you have to live with it.

7. If you can't lease or borrow one for a weekend, see if you can hook it up behind your tow vehicle if appropriate, and take it for a drive. Check how it pulls, stops and handles. Does it take crosswind well?

8. Once you're back from the test drive set it up in the parking lot just like if you were on a camping trip. Although you might not be able to try out all of the features, it will still give you an idea about how you like the layout, how well it's thought out, and what you think overall.

Pros: College dorm room comfort or better at the campground. Easier than trying to maneuver a 40 foot RV into a camp site. Possible foot in the door to bring a previously resistant spouse camping. Tent trailers can make camping more comfortable with things like toilets... What, you don't like open air pit toilets? ;-)

Cons: Tent trailers can require a little more planning regarding site lay-out and set-up. Older tent trailers, like RV's, can require ongoing maintenance.