Sorry for delay on more pics, will get some better ones soon. The trip to get the trailer went well: three days of driving. On the way home the wind was HORRIBLE (closed I-40 due to dust storms), but the trailer made little difference to my Tahoe's handling. Lost the roof vent somewhere in NM, and of course it's an odd European size, can get one but will cost $95. Will probably just enlarge to standard 14" square.
Took it out for the Memorial Day weekend, Thurs-Mon. Pulled it up a mountain and camped at 9,200', with a snow bank in front of our spot. Temps from 40s-60s, but slept very warm without using heater. Yes, the trailer is insulated; the upper walls are a composite of aluminum/foam/plywood, the lower body walls using fiberglass instead of aluminum. The floor is ply/foam/ply. The roof is fiberglass/foam/fiberglass. The wndows are double-layer plastic (lexan?), like a thermal window (as was the roof vent).
The ladder is used to place the chain that the air chairs hang from. The awning poles were later adjusted to be level. There were three of us in the trailer: me, the wife, and our 13 year old daughter. A bit crowded, but not bad. Better for two...
I would reconfigure the interior, remove the mini kitchen and other items, and try to maximize the storage space. Wife not so sure about that. Maybe later...
It tows very well, and it's great to be able to see over it. The design is not the best for dirt/off road, as the tongue is mounted under the frame, hanging 6" under it. The spare is mounted under the frame, too, reducing rear clearance.
The brake system is cable operated, and works fine. It is an "over run" type; when you slow down, the hitch's inner tube moves forward as the trailer pushes forward, tightening the cable and activating the brakes. There is also a parking brake, very handy.
I am considering mounting the tongue to the front of the frame, instead of under it, but will have to look it over very closely to make sure it's strong enough that way. Would also like to change out the AL-KO torsion axle for a TorqueFlex, to get more clearance and to have electric brakes (and easier-to-obtain repair parts). Change from 13" to 15" wheels, too.
But, overall, I really like it! It is very easy to put up and down, is quieter, warmer, and darker (with curtains closed) than a tent trailer, has 6' 2" headroom open and is only 4' high (from ground) when closed. It's easy to move when unhitched, since it only weighs about 1,400 lbs.
Talked to a fellow in Indiana who had one for sale on Craigslist for $1,900, no takers; he then put it on eBay and sold if for $3,200! Person who bought it was in TX...
Esterel's were imported to the US for a couple of years, so there are some around, and they are "Americanized" with DOT regulation lighting, and 110 volt instead of 220 volt circuits.
