YOU need space when you camp with kids – somewhere for teenagers to call their own, or for you to create a toddlers’ play area safely away from the kitchen. However, fuel prices and taxation mean smaller cars with less room to pack bulky camping gear. If you want that big tent then the answer lies in a camping trailer – or even a trailer tent.

A major problem with the trailer tent is the time taken to pull the unwieldy frame and canvas into some sort of order. Well, not any more. The Camp-let Concorde tested last month may tempt family campers but, before you part with the money, check out this Trigano – especially if you need living space.

When I visited Camperlands to review the Concorde I also took the opportunity to pitch this brand-new pre-production Olympe. And, boy, was I impressed. With minimum product knowledge, we managed to get this beast up in ten minutes. This implies the experienced will get close to the five minutes quoted by the manufacturer. OK, you will still have to peg the tent out, but your family will be under cover and your partner will be able to assemble the kitchen unit ready for that well-earned cup of tea.

Two people are needed to pull the Olympe’s frame and canvas into position. It is not about strength but angles and weight – smaller people may struggle a bit. The frame uses clip-on and telescopic poles to tension the canvas. It is simplicity itself – just pull the poles out until the sprung buttons are revealed and engage. Once you learn the right order to do things you will soon have the tent pitched and pegged out.

The tent is light and airy, part due to the large windows and the huge headroom. The three rear windows are made from vinyl and have vinyl bellows so that they can be opened in a variety of ways to make full use of the backing mesh panels. Two of the three rear windows back onto the sleeping compartments – these have zip windows in the rear walls for privacy and to cut out drafts.

One of the sidewalls has a large vinyl window – the complete panel can be removed to take an optional zip-in room for sleeping or storage. This versatility is matched by a front wall, which can be unzipped or rolled up in numerous ways. Doors, ventilation, sun porch – all can be created or enhanced with a little imagination. Or you can just sit back with everything closed and still enjoy the views from the three large front windows. All windows have internal drop-down curtains.

The other sidewall has a vinyl window vented to take away steam and cooking smells. The weight of the clip-off kitchen unit makes it very stable. It has a battery operated water pump, a two-burner gas hob and grill, metal shelves and drawers. The lid acts as a splatter guard. The whole awning features a zip in groundsheet, a great bonus offering perfect protection against humidity and insects. It's very solid and easy to clean.

The trailer body houses the dining room and sleeping compartments. The benches each hide three lockers and there is a rear locker plus two drawers. Like those in the kitchen these have metal sides and ply bases. The dining room appears big enough to sit six adults and two kids – like the living area it’s huge. And the panoramic window supplies plenty of light.

The beds are a delight. They have proper slats and are very comfortable. But, like the dining room, you will need caravan steps to get up to them.

Camping says A neat braked trailer, a sturdy lift-off kitchen unit, a massive fast-pitch tent with the Trigano quality that will see it last for years – what more do you want? Even the jockey wheel and spare come as standard. The Olympe’s price tag may put you off but once you have inspected the unit you will see what a bargain this tent is.
Full marks to Trigano – that quick-pitch frame overcomes a big hurdle in the camper’s mind when looking at large trailer tents.

FACTFILE

Price Without kitchen £4,860; With kitchen £5,400
Folded 383cm x 162cm x 105cm
Erected 530cm x 485cm (Living area 530cm x 250cm)
Bed size one 235cm x 130cm
Weight 450kg (unladen); 650kg maximum
Materials PVC trailer body; galvanised chassis; cotton tent fabric

CONTACT

Trigano. Web www.trigano-trailertents.com

Our thanks to Camperlands. Tel 0161 998 8523. Web www.camperlands.co.uk


This review was published in the March 2009 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.

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