French expanding trailer

[logcabin]

Here's an interesting new expanding camping trailer:
http://www.goodshomedesign.com/beaue...nding-trailer/

[Padgett]

Interesting design but a little hard to fit in a standard camping space unless turned sideways. Still a lot of frontal areas.

Have not yet seen anything to improve on the modular TM design, just wish they had spent the R&D on a power opening system.

[LoveToCamp]

Well, that is an interesting concept! Found another site that gives a few more pictures.

Padgett, the side-expansion would not be a problem if you were boondocking

But, boondocking (granted, I tuck into places where it would not fit, but my point is to stay away from campgrounds if I can) could be a problem. The water capacities are small, and I don't know where you would fit a solar panel, unless it is a flexible panel.

I would love to look at one in-person, but it says 3 years until it hits our shores. I love it when people get creative with an old concept. This could spark more companies to imitate, if they can figure out the campsite challenge.

[BrucePerens]

Obviously nothing can be mounted on the walls of any but the innermost section. So, all of those benches and tables get stuffed into the kitchen before folding it.

It's going to be very difficult to beat Trailmanor's geometry.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by BrucePerens

It's going to be very difficult to beat Trailmanor's geometry.

Including the height. At 8.5 feet, it is going to overstuff most US garages.

Interesting concept, though. Dave (ShrimpBurrito), you spent a lot of time in London. Do you think it will catch on in Europe?

Bill

[oldstick]

Originally Posted by Padgett

Have not yet seen anything to improve on the modular TM design, just wish they had spent the R&D on a power opening system.

That, or possibly just a standard RV type flush toilet and tank as well...

[LoveToCamp]

Personally, I prefer the cassette toilet we have. I am glad I don't have to find a dump station after I have been boondocking for a weekend, or a week. Cassette lasts us a week (just the two of us), and by the time we get home, there are no solids left. Simple to dump in the toilet and rinse to clear water. I believe it is an option on all models, now. Doesn't do anyone much good for existing trailers, but at least there has been an improvement.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by Bill

Including the height. At 8.5 feet, it is going to overstuff most US garages.

Interesting concept, though. Dave (ShrimpBurrito), you spent a lot of time in London. Do you think it will catch on in Europe?

Bill

Possibly. Much of Western Europe is more dense population wise, and thus there is limited space for storage. As I was reminded repeatedly during my stay there, everything is bigger in the U.S. So it would seem as though something like this would be an obvious fit.

On the other hand, there have been lots of folding campers over the years....TM, Hilo, Chalet, A-Liner, and numerous canvas pop-ups.....and the only thing I saw over there were traditional stick-built trailers. Nothing fancy design wise. But there were definitely good sized ones, in the 20-25 foot range anyway, and they were pulled by what I would think would be way undersized vehicles. I understand diesels, which are way more popular there, have more torque, but it's the stopping and maneuvering part that baffles me.

I sensed there were far fewer campers there than in the States, or at least in the UK. I saw far more of them in New Zealand, and even in The Netherlands.

I'm wondering if TM has ever considered finding a European dealer for some of the smaller TM models. They would have to make some changes for overseas sales, a 220v converter and different AC outlets being obvious, but I doubt they would be difficult. Marking light requirements appeared to be the same (I owned a Prius over there that was indistinguishable from those sold in the U.S. except for having a steering wheel on the right).

Dave

[Padgett]

I only have Top Gear's comments to go by (in one segment they built their own campers, another one was transformed into an airship.

The general opinion was that most are pulled by smallish cars with two liter diesels and that they are considered slowly moving roadblocks.

Aerodynamics is not an issue because they do not go very fast. The rule of thumb seems to be that a trailer should not exceed 80% of the vehicles rating (MTPLM - Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass). At least in the UK they seem pretty strict about this.

There might be some market for the narrower 2417s but would take setting up a complete marketting and service structure "over there".

Amd then there are certification,import duties & VAT.

[oldstick]

Yep, my military co-workers that have resided in Germany say it is a huge hassle to drive even a half-ton pickup due to all the extremely tight parking situations.