Forward fold or rear fold ??? That is the question

[vee8ss]

Hi there guys and girls still trying to decide on a camper. I have just myself and my two kids (8 and 6) to accommodate and need a easy setup for over nighter's. I can't decide between forward fold or the rear fold campers. What's everyone's pros and cons and what works for you :-) cheers
Michael

[evolution]

Hi Michael,

Its a tough choice for sure. However having a good look over both and getting a feel for how you would use it may help allot.
If you are looking at a traditional rear fold vs a traditional forward fold then the rear although "longer" (some can be faster) to set up than a forward fold you would have more flexibility over room for your children when they grow.
If you look at something like the Modcon Quattro (Forward fold and a shameless plug  ) where you can have sleeping for 2 adults and 2 children left made up, that would probably be faster to set up for overnighters.

It really is all subjective and what suits one person may not suit another. I really do think comparing both side by side would help allot for you.
Where are you located? if not too far from my shop you are welcome to have a look at both styles and set both up.

Cheers
Nick

[tracker]

Hi there guys and girls still trying to decide on a camper. I have just myself and my two kids (8 and 6) to accommodate and need a easy setup for over nighter's. I can't decide between forward fold or the rear fold campers. What's everyone's pros and cons and what works for you :-) cheers
Michael

   G'Day Michael,
                        We originally had an Ecomate rear fold ordered but changed our mind to a FF Ecomate Traveller which are Modcom any ways and were very impressed with the CT. and because there are just wifey and i the Traveler suits us with the lounge area ect. and having a look at the Modcon Quattro i feel that if i still had kids the Quattro would be perfect. I'm supposing the lay out of the ct is not that much different to mine. Set up time is quick as well as pack up. We recently did a 4 week trip to the Cape and travelled with another rear fold CT....I'll leave the brand name out.....and on set up and pack up we were always ready before our friends ....And like Nick has already stated .....i'ts really what suits your wife and family needs. I really would suggest you look at the rear fold set up ... but that is just my 2 bob's worth......

                     Cheers Tracker........Good luck with your choice..

[Fathom]

We have a FF..
But I don't think there is a "right answer" to your question.
It is probably more dependent on how you want to camp. Where you want the kids to sleep. Etc

Speed to set up is probably size and model dependent for both.  And (I think) more associated with the extras we take. Rather than the canvas part of the trailer tent set up.
Then how easy is the awning...
Most likely... Your kids will be able to camp longer in a RF, as generally speaking they have more floor space. - you could put bunks or mattresses on there.. ( still be in the way a bit)

The FF's can have kids sleep inside but not as comfortably- the lounge area will become a double bed.
FF don't need extra space- where you park it- is where it fits.
Although both types have larger family options now. So if you want your kids in with you that may be a better choice.
Look at lots. While similar. They all have small differences that can effect how you camp.
Hope that helps.
 


If pigs could fly... Imagine how good their wings would taste.

[oldmate]

I think the difference between them is going to be not much at all. That advantage that a FF will have is when looking for a spot to camp, you don't need an extra 2m behind the actual trailer to set up, as it folds over its own footprint.  Apart from that it really will just depend on personal preference.

[PenUltimate Destinations]

I'd be thinking long term as well. How long are the kids really going to want / need to be in with you. We've just transitioned our kids (8 and 5) into swags. Outside, but under us, and they love it. Might open your options a little...


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[edz]

G.Day and welcome Vee8ss, Have a look at these guys blog they have similar aged kids and a forward fold, might give you a better insight ..
http://guthriefamilyadventures.blogspot.com.au/2013_11_01_archive.html

[wilson79]

It is a tough decision, We have a forward fold and have 2 boys aged 4 & 3. We love our trailer and just completed 4 weeks up to the cape including the OTL. while it suits us now I know as the kids get older the double bed will get to small. I will then have to make or design some sort of folding bunk set up. we never use the lounge are in our trailer as a lounge and it is made as a permanent bed. we love the fact that for overnighters we literally open the trailer in less than a minute and we can sleep, no beds to make at all.

If the Quattro was around when we got our we would have certainly had a good look at it, that is for sure..

[gutters]

G'day Vee8ss, as edz has mentioned check out our blog and our camper thread (links below if you are interested)

We have the original Modcon Quattro and absolutely love it, when we are touring or staying overnight we can be set up and ready to jump into bed in under 5 mins. And as oldmate has mentioned if you can park it somewhere you can camp there too.

The kids beds are great as they can remain set up all the time and the are the same length as a queen so are suitable for taller kids if they still want to sleep in the camper as they get older.

[vee8ss]

Thanks for all the replys.... All good points...
Sp I've been looking around and the biggest thing now turning me off hard floors both forward fold and rear fold is the tare weights, I just can believe how much so he of them tare off at 1200-1600kgs un loaded. Seems a bit obsessive. Those of you that own them what are they like to drag up the beach or coming down a steep incline in 4L 1st gear???

And as for the wife's opinion.... There is no wife just me and the two kids to satisfy :-)

[Alan Loy]

The other querie that I have had is the length of some of these units.  Perhaps some experienced owners could speak about how they perform in off road situations.

[oldmate]

Thanks for all the replys.... All good points...
Sp I've been looking around and the biggest thing now turning me off hard floors both forward fold and rear fold is the tare weights, I just can believe how much so he of them tare off at 1200-1600kgs un loaded. Seems a bit obsessive.

That is what always turned me off the hard floors also.
This may be a solution for you.

http://www.ultimateoffroadcampers.com.au

It's what I own, as well as a few others on here.  My tare is 700kg. Quick set up, heaps of room in the king size bed for the 3 of you if needed.
Want anymore info let me know. 

[Fathom]

The other querie that I have had is the length of some of these units.  Perhaps some experienced owners could speak about how they perform in off road situations.

I drag mine up the beach regularly.
No issues. No issues either steep declines etc.

It doesn't have the departure angle etc that my 4wd does, so I have to be more careful picking a line. But generally speaking it will go where I drag it.
I think you will find that will be the case with most campers.


If pigs could fly... Imagine how good their wings would taste.

[vee8ss]

Yeah and ultimate looks the goods but unfortunately the budget doesn't stretch to owning something worth more than a brand new dual cab :-/ I'd love to build my own forward fold  but haven't really seen anyone on here do it so unsure if how involved it is to do etc

[wilson79]

The other querie that I have had is the length of some of these units.  Perhaps some experienced owners could speak about how they perform in off road situations.

Dragged mine to the cape doing the Old telegraph track, handled all the tight corners and squeezing between trees with no problem..

[Steffo1]

or coming down a steep incline in 4L 1st gear???

That's why I put electric, cabin controlled brakes on my soft floor even though it didn't require them legally & loaded it's up around 900+ kg.
I'm trying to sell it & a few tyre kickers have been bemused by the fact that I did it but the brakes can hold the weight of the trailer off the tug especially the 'Cruiser ute which is a bit light in the arse.
Steve

[edz]

What about picking up a cheapy one of these and beefing up the frame a bit / still light and wont kill the budget http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38741.0 or http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41445.msg684507#msg684507
A more  light weight version of a F- Fold type  by Vanglass, go to gallery and click off road campers http://vanglass.homestead.com/
Or build your own forward fold type , mount a modified roof topper onto a high sided custom trailer with two fold down beds on the inside of the tub of the trailer  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367

[Redcherokee]

For those with kids, I love the idea of the side folding campers, such as the Camprite or Eagle Cheyenne.

http://www.eaglecampertrailers.com.au/camper-trailers/cheyenne-camper/

Was chatting to the Eagle guy at a show recently, and he finds they are popular with families (you can put bunks on either or both sides, giving you space for up to four kids) and with fruit pickers, who put camping wardrobe/cupboards along one bunk space to make it a very comfortable transportable home.

[Tojocamper]

I would choose the Camprite over the Eagle. The Eagle has a lot of extra poles especially in the awning and would take a while to set up. The Camprite only has a few poles taking only 5mins to set up and has a proven track record of being built tough and will go anywhere.   

http://www.campritecampers.com.au

Happy decision making,

Mrs Tojo

[tk421]

Thanks for all the replys.... All good points...
Sp I've been looking around and the biggest thing now turning me off hard floors both forward fold and rear fold is the tare weights, I just can believe how much so he of them tare off at 1200-1600kgs un loaded. Seems a bit obsessive. Those of you that own them what are they like to drag up the beach or coming down a steep incline in 4L 1st gear???

And as for the wife's opinion.... There is no wife just me and the two kids to satisfy :-)

Rear fold soft floor? - same advantages as a hardfloor but lighter. Ours is 700kg tare - Though they are hard to come buy.

The drawbar length and the weight forward of the axle is what puts me off the FF Campers.

We have 3 kids (2,6,8) - we can fit all of us in the camper if we wanted, though we usually take the Oztent and put the eldest two in that, but will soon be transitioning them into swags. Even with the oztent and annexe up, it still has the same footprint as a caravan so will fit in most caravan parks. Its 7m all up (5m camper and 2m oztent).
 
The advantage for us is the awning is great as it runs the length of the camper, and quick set up for overnight stays (without awning) is literally 5 minutes to do the tent (unzip, pull tent out, tighten two poles, smack 4 pegs). Plus another 5 mins to unroll the kids dune mats. The oztent adds another 10 minutes.

Not the greatest pic of our standard set ups but you get the idea:
 

[oldmate]

Yeah and ultimate looks the goods but unfortunately the budget doesn't stretch to owning something worth more than a brand new dual cab :-/ I'd love to build my own forward fold  but haven't really seen anyone on here do it so unsure if how involved it is to do etc

2nd hand market could be an option?

[oldmate]

The other querie that I have had is the length of some of these units.  Perhaps some experienced owners could speak about how they perform in off road situations.

Every 2nd trailer up the cape was a rear fold or forward fold of some manufacturer. I think hey go fine.

[tracker]

Hi there guys and girls still trying to decide on a camper. I have just myself and my two kids (8 and 6) to accommodate and need a easy setup for over nighter's. I can't decide between forward fold or the rear fold campers. What's everyone's pros and cons and what works for you :-) cheers
Michael

                You possibly could be even a little bit more confused now    ....


                                    Cheers Tracker.

[stevem]

We have just purchased a FF... only picked it up last Friday and havent had a chance to use it. Setup is quick and easy compared to our old soft floor.

Weather FF or RF is for you is a really personal choice, and for me came down to 6 of one and half a dozen of the other scenerio.

Our kids are 17 and 15 and we are setting the internal area up as one big bed. Once the kids stop coming with us we'll convert it back to the lounge area.

Downside to FF and RF is storage space for gear. RF you can put boxes ontop of the front toolboxes, FF you can too, but need to take them off to flip the lid.
RF don't have much intenal storage except under the bed, whereas FF have a fair bit of internal storage, but it all needs to be moved out when you are setup.

Only reason we went FF was the wifie is ptrified of snakes and feels more comfortable in FF so the old happy wife happy life secenrio kicked in.

[feisty]

Thanks for all the replys.... All good points...
Sp I've been looking around and the biggest thing now turning me off hard floors both forward fold and rear fold is the tare weights, I just can believe how much so he of them tare off at 1200-1600kgs un loaded. Seems a bit obsessive. Those of you that own them what are they like to drag up the beach or coming down a steep incline in 4L 1st gear???

And as for the wife's opinion.... There is no wife just me and the two kids to satisfy :-)

There are a few that weigh a lot less than 1200 to 1400 kg. The prospector comes in at 640 and is pretty well optioned for an aussie made hard floor camper with quality canvas

 http://ajthomas.com.au/pioneer-prospector/