This question crops up time and time again, because many folding camper owners are unsure whether their unit is classed as a tent, a caravan, or something other when booking with campsites. In my experience, a lot of campsites don’t even know what a folding camper is, which makes the situation difficult. So, what is a folding camper classed as?
What is a folding camper classed as? A folding camper can be classed as both a caravan and a tent depending on the circumstance. Folding campers are accepted at any site, in my experience, because of this.
So, what does this actually mean? How can a folding camper be classed as a caravan and a tent? I’m going to explain all that you need to know throughout this blog post so it won’t be a source of confusion anymore!
Circumstances In Which A Folding Camper Is Classed As A Caravan
There are many sites in the UK that will only accept caravans and motorhones. This is likely because the site is made up of hard standing pitches. So does that rule out folding campers? Not really, providing you’re just using the main unit and not using an awning to expand the space available to you.
If you’re wanting to stop at a site that only accepts motorhomes and caravans, your folding camper can be classed as a caravan. You’ll be able to use your folding camper at these sites, as the main unit is non-pegging.
The problem you have when it comes to using caravan and motorhome locations is a lack of folding camper knowledge. First things first, never decide your folding camper as ‘similar to a trailer tent’ when speaking to a campsite. That’s a big no-no, as the site will presume your folding camper pegs into the ground and ultimately say you cannot use the site. It’s probably best to describe your folding camper as a folding caravan. That removes any confusion and will be a good enough answer for most sites.
During my research for this blog post, I’ve seen some folding camper owners talking about sites that have a prejudice against anything canvas. Obviously, this includes folding campers. Personally, I’ve used my folding camper on many sites that only accept caravans and I’ve never had a problem. An erected folding camper has a similar footprint to a small caravan and can utilise an EHU in the same way. While I’ve never come across a site rejecting folding campers just because, it doesn’t mean there aren’t sites out there doing that.
It’s worth keeping in mind that The Caravan and Motorhome Club accept folding campers. In fact, folding camper owners can use any of the thousands of sites available to members of The Caravan and Motorhome Club. If The Caravan and Motorhome Club accepts folding campers and welcomes them onto any of their sites, this gives you a good indication of how widely accepted folding campers are due to their versatility.
Circumstances In Which A Folding Camper Is Classed As A Tent
As I mentioned before, folding campers are incredibly versatile. While they can be classed as caravans, they can also be classed as trailer tents. You really can’t lose with a folding camper, because a camper is flexible enough to fit in on both tent-only sites and caravan-only sites.
If you want to stop on a campsite that’s aimed at tents and trailer tents only, your folding camper can be classed as a trailer tent. Trailer tents and folding campers tend to look very similar from the outside, unless you know what to look for. No one’s going to dispute that you’re using a folding camper and not a trailer tent!
If you are a member of the Caravanning and Camping Club, you may be aware that they advise folding camper owners to book as either a caravan or a trailer tent. In fairness, folding campers fit in well alongside trailer tents. They have a similar footprint, even if you choose to put the awning up.
When it comes to what a folding camper is classed as, it really just comes to what you can get away with. There’s no definitive answer because what your folding camper is classed as will differ based on your individual circumstances. If you have any concerns about what your folding camper should be booked as, simply contacting the site and explaining your unit in as much detail is the best way to go. If I’m stopping at a site that allows trailer tents and caravans, I usually just go for whichever’s cheapest to book for my trip. I know many others do the same too, so don’t be afraid to try it yourself!
Remember, if you want to book a stay with your folding camper on a caravan only site, put emphasis on the fact that the main unit is non-pegging. If you do this, you’ll normally get away with stopping at any site that doesn’t have rules against canvas units. If you’re part of The Caravan and Motorhome Club or The Caravanning and Camping Club, you don’t have to worry either way. All their sites will accept folding campers unless it is explicitly stated otherwise.
