What do you think of this?

[wincrasher]

I came across this the other day.

http://www.buylifetime.com/products/blt/pid-65048.aspx

Besides the price (yes it is expensive for what it is), any thoughts? I'm considering buying this for my sister. Her husband loves tent camping, but she never wants to go because of sleeping on the ground.

I like the concept and that you can use it for other things. You can put all your gear in there plus toys (bikes, kayak, etc).

If you were good with welding/fabrication, this would be pretty easy to make I would think. Maybe with a flat bottom and use a big Coleman tent or something.

[mary and bob]

Coleman had a similar idea back in the mid 80's, they called it a Versa trailer, it was slightly smaller. Has front & rear tailgate, optional fiberglass flip up top, stake sides, and tent canvas. I have one I bought on ebay a few years ago, only has the fiberglass [or maybe it's plastic of some kind] top. I lengthened the tongue so I can carry 3 bikes there and 2 on the rear plus cargo inside. Handy little trailer!

[48Rob]

The trailer/tent design is nice for a couple reasons;

Of course getting off the ground is a big one, but being able to sit on the edge of the bed with your legs hanging down is much more comfortable than "sitting" on a flat floor.
Not having to drive stakes and run ropes is good.
Easier to "move camp" if you get a bum spot.
The ability to haul other things is nice, but now you have to store the trailer, pay for license plates, etc.
I don't know, tough choice...
It would be perfect for some people, and more trouble than it is worth for others.
A very decent used pop up can generally be had for the same money, which gives you cushions to sleep on, a fridge or cooler, A/C, lights, storage areas, sometimes water, and other amenities.
If you have to store and license a trailer anyway...they might end up using the "luxury" camping setup more than the economy one.
You know your sister best!

Rob

[wincrasher]

We don't have to license such trailers in my state. Don't license my tear either. I suppose this could be stored outside, since there is not much to rot, but we have a big warehouse fr such things.

I considered a pop-up, but it's probably too heavy for their car. Plus, you can't really throw a bunch of junk in a pop up and take it to the dump.

[VijayGupta]

Should you decide to go this way, you can save $600 if you order from Costco (worth spending $50 for an annual membership). Plus they have an excellent help and return policy... Just sayin'

http://www.costco.com/Lifetime%C2%AE-Ca ... 52397.html

[toolman]

I came across this a while back. Maybe it is something you might consider building for them?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-Pop-Up-Trailer/

[JohnnyG]

Looks nice. Lightweight. Hi and dry. Takes too long to set up for my tastes but looks like a perfect rig for some people.

[rebapuck]

Ask your sister first.

[PKCSPT]

I keep wishing I could find one or similar used that I could buy for my daughter and her family to use. However the only time I found one didn't have the money. I think it is nice for people who like to tent camp but don't like sleeping on the ground and lightweight.

[wincrasher]

I decided to buy this for them to use. I also ordered some big plastic totes to put all the camping gear/equipment/supplies, etc. So I can see this as a quick load up and go.

It should come in two weeks. It also comes in a few big crates and you have to completely assemble it. That should be fun.

I flirted with the idea of buying a cheap harbor frieght trailer and build something similar, but I think you'd loose the utility trailer aspect that this has. So we'll see how it goes.

Heading out to a rally with my tear at the end of the month, so it may be 3 or 4 weeks before I can assemble this thing.

[Mary C]

My 2 cents, get her on line and show her the TDs show her the little camper trailers, one could be built with foam cheaply and she might like it.

Mary C.

[atahoekid]

Looks pretty nice. If I hadn't come across a teardrop before seeing this, I might have bought one. Instead, I am now the very happy owner of Road Foamie. I did send the link to a couple friends of ours who like to camp but she won't sleep on the ground and he's needing to buy a new car and a full size SUV (in which they now "camp") is out of consideration. They also visit the nursery often. They could use a trailer like this...

[Bogo]

I briefly considered making my own at one point. The hard sided only restrictions at the Soda Butte Campground due to the bear attack caused me to decide on going hard sided only. Otherwise I was thinking of mounting a proper 6 or 8 man tent onto a fold out platform on a trailer or in a pickup bed. I'd have had the sleeping areas to each side higher than the middle floor area. It would have made a very light trailer for towing. The pickup bed version would have been a 4'W x 8.5'L x 3'H box when folded up with 4' wide fold out wings for sleeping. It was also designed for removal from the bed for extended stays. It had it's own legs somewhat like a pickup camper has.

[wincrasher]

Well, I finally received this trailer and got it put together. What a project! Came completely unassembled. There is also a good bit of drilling required to secure the boards, side marker lights and the wiring harness to the frame. You do need a set of wrenches , sockets and a torque wrench. And a rubber mallet. Fit up was OK, some parts a bit difficult to line up easily, but no modifications were needed to get it together. Took me and my nephews most of the day to get it together.

Very heavy duty trailer. Springs though and not a torsion axle. I can see loading it up with 2000 lbs no problem.

The tent is very roomy and can easily sleep 4-6 people. The material appears heavier than the 150 denier stated on their website. My guess is 300-400 denier. So that is a happy surprise. It's very bright inside in full sunlight, so not a cave like some tents.

Putting up the tent part can be done by one person. It's a bit fiddly, but I did it in about 5 mins while reading the instructions. Certain poles go in certain locations, but it's kinda a no-brainer once you have done it the first time.secures nicely to the trailer, so I think it could stand up to a good wind. May need a rain fly or a tarp though.

My sister's family will have a blast with this. Too much work for my taste, looking forward to getting my Cricket.