Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 10:15:51 AM
How many of you can set up your camper on your own like whole set up including awning? If you do could you answer some of the following questions, not looking for sales pitches as we are not looking to buy just interested to see what people have and how set up goes.
What brand and style do you have ie soft floor camper, hard floor camper, caravan, hybrid etc.
Are you male or female and how tall are you? That might seem a personal kind of question but helps with my information because I do not have height on my side.
If you have an awning do you have walls or just the roof and do you always put the walls on? How big is your overall set up?
Cheers :D
Post by: Karl on February 05, 2017, 10:31:04 AM
I am a male and 180cm tall.
To set up the awning takes about 30 - 40 mins and I can do it on my own and I use a small step ladder to assist - you need to start at one end and do poles and ropes etc in a logical order and it can be done by one person.
Pack up time is similar but folding the canvas takes a little time but isn't too hard.
I don't have any walls etc for the awning.
Hope this helps.
Karl
Post by: silverfox1111 on February 05, 2017, 10:40:35 AM
Prob was the awning poles falling out when trying to get others poles onto vertical poles etc. Got it done but is easier with 2.
Don't think I'll tell her though.
Silverfox
Post by: duggie on February 05, 2017, 10:57:17 AM
Male
!87 cm tall
2009 Trackabout Delux soft floor
Awning every time - never removed from the main tent.
Walls when needed - after setting up the tent/awning.
I start with having the bed base/tent hinged open . After emptying out the gear I need from within the trailer.
By having the bed base/tent hinged open it makes it far easier to pull the folded up tent of the bed base and pull the floor/tent into approx position.
Close down the bed base and lock into closed position .
Rearrange the floor / tent so square and in place - enter the inside of tent and extend the tent bows to required height.
Exit the tent and peg down floor if required.
Arrange the awning poles and spreaders to correct lengths/height required.
Spread out the ground sheet ( heavy duty shade cloth ) for the floor area of the awning .
Pace out/measure and bang in the pegs required for the awning, attach ropes to pegs.
Pull the awning over from the tent roof and hang down in front of tent.
Attach the spreaders to tent and start attaching/inserting the awning poles,( I always start with the highest center pole first and I lean the bottom of pole in towards the tent ) , attach the center pole tension rope and then I do the same with each corner pole , ( I lean the corner poles in towards the tent but also at roughly 45 deg toward the center of the awning floor. )
Then stand the poles vertical and tension as required Add other poles if required .
Add the walls if needed .
Post by: ScarpsD40 on February 05, 2017, 11:06:54 AM
is Andrew in trouble?
I can set our Trackie up on my own if needed, but it's much more fun if Sue helps me
In terms of male/female - depends on the day I guess
Height - tallish except when I'm in trouble and then I'm short.
Interests - dogs and like to travel........alot
Sue and I originally looked at the Vacationer CT's (now out of business), and they based their main design on one short person set up. We've found however the height of 4wd ct's make it a challenge for Sue unless I'm there.
Hope this helps
Post by: Bird on February 05, 2017, 12:24:42 PM
Lifestyle had a video of a 1 minute setup (which I still have a copy of) on their site which is achievable, like on the video - once unhitched, legs down, travel cover removed, poles ready to go and not 1000% humidity .. that was 2 people - no awning.
To setup the tent on mine with 1 person once trailer is unhitched and legs down... without rushing.
2-3 mins - To unzip travel cover and fold back out of the way... Shit loads quicker with 2..
1-5 min - Pull tent off the trailer, open door to allow air to flow in so tent 'expands' and put corner pegs in.
3-5mins - Walk inside and put 3 poles that are stored on the bed upright and 2 on roof - you can now sleep if you like.
Then pegs and ropes depend on how long we are staying.. usually only use 4 corners, and 2 near door to prevent damage.
Awning..
With 1 person is a whole world of hurt from scratch. The 12ft tent makes the awning ****in huge. But once up, its awesome to sit under :)
But that would be the same with any trailer with large awning. But you can fold the awning over the tent when packing up (takes a while with 1 person) its actually designed to fit perfectly over the tent - this makes it piss easy to setup next time.
Setup from scratch... with 1 person - I have a gorilla 4 step ladder to get it over the highest point and make life easier..
5-10+ mins and a **** load of sweat to zip onto the tent just due to the weight of the canvas with 1..
10+ mins for poles, pegs, ropes. Same if the awning is folded over the tent - its pretty easy.
then chairs and everything else.
Caravan - Unhitch, cordless drill to wind down 2 legs = finished.. <1 minute.
Post by: speewa158 on February 05, 2017, 12:46:41 PM
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 12:54:57 PM
lm Capricorn , tall , good looking can set up a CT by myself ( though not well ) My best advise is keep lineO in the car till the job is done ,, so much easier . let the dogs run free so they don't get his fleas . :cheers:
Haha and here is the problem I cannot set ours up on my own which is where the question comes from lol.
Post by: DrewXT on February 05, 2017, 02:01:30 PM
Hardest part is lining up the awning poles...
Pack down, with two of us is about 45 minutes, as we don't have a decent system yet, so I'd imagine about 80 minutes on my own...
And an arse load of sweating
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Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 03:34:28 PM
I can set up our Customline in about 30 minutes on my own including the awning...
Hardest part is lining up the awning poles...
Pack down, with two of us is about 45 minutes, as we don't have a decent system yet, so I'd imagine about 80 minutes on my own...
And an arse load of sweating
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Thanks setting up with two of us is not to bad we both have our own tasks and I have not timed it but if we didnt include chairs etc then even with the awning it is not very long with two pack up does seem to take longer maybe that is because pack up means going home
Post by: DrewXT on February 05, 2017, 03:36:03 PM
Thanks setting up with two of us is not to bad we both have our own tasks and I have not timed it but if we didnt include chairs etc then even with the awning it is not very long with two pack up does seem to take longer maybe that is because pack up means going homeFor setting up, half the battle for us is keeping the excited 4 year old twins out of the way until the tent is up...
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Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 03:46:52 PM
For setting up, half the battle for us is keeping the excited 4 year old twins out of the way until the tent is up...
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Yes at least the dogs we can just tie them to the car. If they are 4 though then not long and they can start having little jobs of their own that are helping to set up even if that is just getting ropes out and putting them around the camper ready for pegs or setting up their own chairs if they have them.
Post by: IanS on February 05, 2017, 03:49:02 PM
The awning by myself about 30 minutes, I only have the front end wall and corner section.
I take the awning off as I don't usually use it, I have found that a piece of cord about a metre long attach to the zipper makes it easier to pull along, I'm 5'8" so need a box or milk crate to stand on, I've also been told its easier if you drop the centre tent bow down to head height.
Post by: DrewXT on February 05, 2017, 03:50:22 PM
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Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 04:09:42 PM
With a rear fold hard floor, about 5 minutes to set up tent, that includes unhitching and levelling.
The awning by myself about 30 minutes, I only have the front end wall and corner section.
I take the awning off as I don't usually use it, I have found that a piece of cord about a metre long attach to the zipper makes it easier to pull along, I'm 5'8" so need a box or milk crate to stand on, I've also been told its easier if you drop the centre tent bow down to head height.
Thanks I am only 5'2" so I would struggle even more I like the idea of the hard floor but the ones I have seen not really enough inside floor space for the dogs to sleep and they are almost always with us when camping.
Post by: Bird on February 05, 2017, 04:30:29 PM
Quote from: Nay-DMAX
I cannot set ours up on my own which is where the question comes from lol.Why?
Post by: GeoffA on February 05, 2017, 04:33:43 PM
.....
I have a gorilla 4 step ladder to get it over the highest point and make life easier..
.....
....
I take the awning off as I don't usually use it, I have found that a piece of cord about a metre long attach to the zipper makes it easier to pull along, I'm 5'8" so need a box or milk crate to stand on, I've also been told its easier if you drop the centre tent bow down to head height.
The awning stays attached to the Coota, but a broom handle with a hook on the end works well on the odd occasion it needs to be removed/refitted.
:cheers:
Post by: Streetkid on February 05, 2017, 04:45:10 PM
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 04:46:02 PM
Why?
I am not tall enough or strong enough to open and close the tent off the top by myself. Have tried a few times.
Post by: ScarpsD40 on February 05, 2017, 04:54:41 PM
I am not tall enough or strong enough to open and close the tent off the top by myself. Have tried a few times.Don't sell yourself short
neither's Andrew
Post by: Foo on February 05, 2017, 04:56:58 PM
Foo
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 05:02:53 PM
Gettin rid of ours. To much pain involved with my shoulders, so it gives me the chits big time. From start to finish with two people = 30mins and two days of pain killers. >:D
Foo
Bugger are you getting something else
Post by: tedota on February 05, 2017, 05:05:19 PM
Post by: Foo on February 05, 2017, 05:06:38 PM
Foo
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 05:35:56 PM
Don't sell yourself short
But he can set it up and pack it up himself
Post by: xcvator on February 05, 2017, 07:23:22 PM
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 08:12:48 PM
What about gas struts or air rams with a small compressor ?
Not sure I dont know alot about that sort of thing. Is that what BrettB did with his was it for opening the initial tent part?
Post by: SEADOO on February 05, 2017, 08:24:01 PM
I'm 44 and 180cm.
It does require the wife and I to seto up the tent with the front awning attached and set up.
It'll take around 10mins for the tent, another for the front awning.
Then I like to send the wife and kids away and spend the rest setting up by myself.
Post by: NewieCamper on February 05, 2017, 08:42:57 PM
Pack up is similar. I have done it plenty of times while my wife keeps the kids busy elsewhere. Takes about an hour to fully pack up solo or 20 min with proper help, as opposed to someone trying to help but getting in the way. I do prefer to pack up solo though if time permits.
Having said all that, it will be up for sale soon. Caravan is so much more pleasant to pack up when wet.
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 05, 2017, 09:03:45 PM
Our 12ft Austrack soft floor is pretty easy to set up. I'm 180cm and agile enough to do it alone, although a little help from the nearest bod is handy for keeping the awning poles near vertical while running out the ropes.
Pack up is similar. I have done it plenty of times while my wife keeps the kids busy elsewhere. Takes about an hour to fully pack up solo or 20 min with proper help, as opposed to someone trying to help but getting in the way. I do prefer to pack up solo though if time permits.
Having said all that, it will be up for sale soon. Caravan is so much more pleasant to pack up when wet.
Our tent is 9ft Austrack but not on austrack trailer but I just cannot get it open and closed off and on the trailer it is too heavy and too high for me. Once it is open I can peg it and do the poles and awning if I had to would just take awhile but I cannot get it to that stage anyway.
Post by: xcvator on February 05, 2017, 09:12:53 PM
Not sure I dont know alot about that sort of thing. Is that what BrettB did with his was it for opening the initial tent part?Yes and he set up the Tanami for me the same way, made it easy and quick
Post by: Sixtys Guy on February 05, 2017, 09:20:02 PM
Post by: nab on February 05, 2017, 11:00:34 PM
I can set it up solo no problems including awning but no way my missus can. She can do most things except pulling out the bed ends and pulling the canvas down. It sits around her head height and she doesn't have the upper body strength/leverage to do it. Also we have an innerspring mattress that weighs a lot compared to the foam one so she also works hard to get the bed supports in. But other than that she could set it up herself.
If we had a standard on road model I reckon the missus would be able to do it (although slowly...).
Awning can be put up by one person (much easier with 2 though) but packing it away would be a right pain in the arse by yourself. The rest of the camper is easy to do solo. No walls at all. Awning issue could be sorted with the Fiamma style though.
Post by: chester ver2.0 on February 06, 2017, 07:52:45 AM
I am 5,11 the only bit i struggle with is getting the poles under the bed ends as you have to support it with your shoulder and if you lean the wrong way you push the bed end partially back in
Post by: LB on February 06, 2017, 08:59:24 AM
Post by: JCOJ on February 06, 2017, 11:04:50 AM
By myself from turning the car off to being fully set up including the awning would be under 10mins, with the family helping about 6 minutes. The longest thing for me is getting the van level with a spirit level with my OCD!!
Post by: GUEY on February 06, 2017, 02:00:28 PM
Male 171cm. Is that short or compact? I do take a ladder ;)
Set up on my own easy. Had plenty of practice as the wife is usually off talking to someone "more important"
Pack up I can handle pretty easy on my own bar the main awning. Easier with two to roll it up.
Post by: AUSA on February 06, 2017, 06:01:28 PM
Me -175cms
Camper open and ready for cooking/sleeping - 3 minutes by myself
Quick awning up and pegged - 5 mins by myself
Full awning if staying longer than 3 days - 30 mins two people (so many poles haha)
Post by: Raym on February 06, 2017, 10:49:00 PM
Our tent is 9ft Austrack but not on austrack trailer but I just cannot get it open and closed off and on the trailer it is too heavy and too high for me. Once it is open I can peg it and do the poles and awning if I had to would just take awhile but I cannot get it to that stage anyway.
I no longer use the Camper, I am setting up the ute for solo touring. However mine is also a home built trailer with an Austrack 9ft. Always set up & packed down by myself. Base is hinged & on struts and tilts to side tent folds off. To fold tent of just lift the base and unfolding is easy then pull base back down and finish setting up. Awning always stays attached. Used a small ladder to set up awning. Only used one end wall on occasion as a wind barrier.
Ray
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 07, 2017, 08:25:42 AM
I no longer use the Camper, I am setting up the ute for solo touring. However mine is also a home built trailer with an Austrack 9ft. Always set up & packed down by myself. Base is hinged & on struts and tilts to side tent folds off. To fold tent of just lift the base and unfolding is easy then pull base back down and finish setting up. Awning always stays attached. Used a small ladder to set up awning. Only used one end wall on occasion as a wind barrier.
Ray
Thanks Ray had not thought of that option as I also cannot close the lid part myself but without the tent sitting on it perhaps I could. Our trailer is off road so the height is also an issue for me. Our awning and storm cover stay on all the time and we often use both side walls if needed for shade. Always pretty much use the kitchen side wall.
When there is the two of us my partner gets the trailer level then we open the top take out what we need from in the trailer and close it. Take cover off remove what is stored under there and I help him unfold the tent, he then goes about pegging the floor and doing the internal pole set up. Whilst he does this I lay out the poles for the awning set our chairs up and the ozpig if time. Once the tent is up I set up the dog beds and we get the kitchen opened up. Together set up is quite good and we have a routine, he can set up on his own but as mentioned I cannot. Thanks for the tip
Post by: Bird on February 07, 2017, 08:32:22 AM
Thanks Ray had not thought of that option as I also cannot close the lid part myself but without the tent sitting on it perhaps I could. Our trailer is off road so the height is also an issue for me. Our awning and storm cover stay on all the time and we often use both side walls if needed for shade. Always pretty much use the kitchen side wall.Sell it and buy a semi offroad van. plenty of room in annexe for dogs or even floor..
When there is the two of us my partner gets the trailer level then we open the top take out what we need from in the trailer and close it. Take cover off remove what is stored under there and I help him unfold the tent, he then goes about pegging the floor and doing the internal pole set up. Whilst he does this I lay out the poles for the awning set our chairs up and the ozpig if time. Once the tent is up I set up the dog beds and we get the kitchen opened up. Together set up is quite good and we have a routine, he can set up on his own but as mentioned I cannot. Thanks for the tip
Post by: Nay-DMAX on February 07, 2017, 10:04:02 AM
Sell it and buy a semi offroad van. plenty of room in annexe for dogs or even floor..
Dont have the money to swap over at the moment other things on the list. I dont want the dogs out in the awning and most of the van floors I have seen are not that big and they are not small dogs. We will keep our options in mind for the future. Normally it is no issue as we both set up but when he was feeling unwell would have been good if I could do more of it myself or all.
Post by: petrolburner on February 07, 2017, 10:59:03 AM
My kids are only 2 and 4 so I usually set it up by myself while my wife occupies the kids.
It can take longer to ensure we have a good spot picked out and the trailer levelled and uncoupled as it takes to pop the tent.
Once the trailer is level and chocked it takes me about 2 minutes to remove the RTT cover and unload the roof, then it takes approximately 5 minutes to have the RTT popped up and fully setup.
The awning does not need to be setup unless you need it, but on my own it would take between 5 and 10 minutes depending if I want to put up the walls or not.
All up after unhitching on my own I can have tent, awning and kitchen setup within 30minutes, pack up is a similar timeframe, it takes longer to pack away clothes and dishes than it does to pack away the camper.
Post by: Rumpig on February 07, 2017, 06:24:45 PM
Post by: LB on February 08, 2017, 09:47:52 AM
KK hard floor...I'm 178cm tall and takes 5 minutes to set the camper up on my own without the awning. The Kwok awning takes me maybe 15 minutes to put up on my own, though I do use a small 2 step ladder to help zip it on in the high spot at the centre, and also use it to chuck the 2 centre poles in...both jobs can be done without the ladder, but it's heaps easier and quicker to use the ladder. I don't put any walls on the awning. Come pack up time....I can pack it up on my own, but it's easier and quicker if the misses is on the opposite side of the camper to shove the canvas in as I fold it closed.
This would be exactly the same if my better half was doing it though our kwik awning stays on so maybe a little less time there.
Post by: Brisbane Puff on February 08, 2017, 12:32:19 PM
If I do it myself then add another 10-15 minutes to juggle with pinning the outer awning frame down so I can extend the support arms.
So all up with two = 20 minutes from start.
Post by: loanrangie on February 08, 2017, 12:43:15 PM
That's with awning not attached but that takes another 5-10mins to add with all the poles.