Raclet Folding Camper Setup

You can tell from the video that there are quite a few parts to keep track of for the Raclet Folding Camper. Although one man is assembling the folding camper, you’ve got to think of whether this will be practical for you. Will you have ample opportunity to practice the assembly prior to taking the Racelet on the road? What will it be like for you to attempt to assemble this folding camper in the dark after a long day on the road? Will you end up setting it up holding lanterns and flashlights while the children are asleep in the car? Will you just give up in frustration and sleep your first night in the car too?

Please give your comments for our Raclet Folding Camper review. Not having owned one myself, I’m just going on this video. Do you own or are you looking to buy a Raclet folding camper? What are your thoughts as it relates to set-up, cost, longevity and ease of use? Your comments and concerns are appreciated!

Here are a few tips for taking down and storing your folding camper.  Notice in the following video that the owners continually use a long handled broom to sweep the canvas prior to folding it.  This will really help your camper stay clean.  If you ever have to fold down and travel in the rain or snow with your folding camper, be aware that the moisture is trapped and could mildew.  Set up your camper in the sunshine as soon as possible to dry and clean it.

Click Here for Folding Campers, Tent Trailers, and PopUps on eBay Australia!

Folding Camper Setup as seen in this folding camper video with a few random tips thrown in for good measure!

• Park your folding camper tent trailer in a level spot – check for ant hills before you park!  Do not camp on or near ant hills, particularily the red ant type.  (This is one of those chalk it up to bad luck experience tips.)  You might also check for poison oak, poison ivy, muddy spots, etc.  We’ve tried all of the above and don’t recommend it!
• Grab your tent pegs and a tent post hammer.
• Remove the protective tarps from the trailer and unfasten the tie down straps.
• Place your large ground cloth or tarp next to the folding camper.
• Lower the trailer legs, keeping the ground cloth steady, and place the legs down in a position to hold one edge of the tarp in place. 
• Fold out the tent.  This variety of folding tent camper has the poles already in place when unfolded.  Just step inside (after checking the bottoms of your shoes please) and adjust the poles.
• Stretch the tent into place.  Ground cover still in place and doing the job? 
• Pound in the tent stakes.
• Roll up the window flaps.  Voila!  Your home on wheels is ready!  Takes five minutes to set up, even in the wind!
• Now a few neat and tidy tips to keep things in good order!  Does the ground cloth extend at least two feet in front of the front tent entrance flap?  If not, you can use an old shower curtain as an extra floor mat in front of the tent.  Keep a folding camp chair right by the front door.  When you go into the tent, take a moment to sit down and remove your shoes!  Keep a tub right inside the front door for shoes and anything muddy, so nothing muddy touches the tent!

Folding Camper – Tent Trailer take down and storage tips

• It’s almost as simple to fold up the tent trailer as it was to set it up. 
• Before you begin, you’ll want to make sure the tent is clean and tidy. 
• A small bowl of clean soapy water and a soft rag or some paper towels come in handy to spot check the exterior of the tent.  Did you set up under trees?  Check for bird messes and pine tree pitch!  Gently spot clean the tent where needed, and towel dry. 
• Use your long handled broom to sweep out the tent.  Clean out the corners with your whisk broom and dust pan.  Dirt stored with the tent really ages the tent a lot faster than necessary, so take the few minutes needed to clean the inside thoroughly.  Plus, who wants spiders breeding in the tent while stored?
• Use your long handled broom to sweep the dust and leaves from the exterior of the tent. 
• It’s best to fold up after the sun is up and the dew is dried off the tent.  If you must pack up when the tent is wet, especially if you’re beating a hasty retreat in the rain or snow, be sure to set up the folding tent camper in a dry location as soon as possible, same day if possible, to air out and dry the tent.  You really don’t want to tolerate a situation where mold could grow!
• Sweep and clean your ground cloth.  When you fold it in half, again sweep the top, which was the bottom last time you swept!  Keep folding in half and sweeping, all this cleaning really pays off. 
• If the bottom of the ground cloth is wet, and if you have the time, you can drape it over the picnic table or your car to fully expose it to the air to dry.  You’ll be glad you did!  You don’t want to unfold a moldy groundcloth the next time you set up your folding camper tent trailer!
• While you’re at it, if weather and time permits, stretch your open sleeping bags over chairs or a clothes line.  The airing out will keep things fresh, and give the evenings perspiration a chance to evaporate prior to packing up.

Do you have any favorite tips for setting up or taking down a folding camper tent trailer?  Please leave a comment and join in!

Looking to purchase a tent trailer?  eBay is a good place to check!

 Click Here for Folding Campers, Tent Trailers, and PopUps on eBay US!

Click Here for Folding Campers, Tent Trailers, and PopUps on eBay Australia!

And here’s a link to a video of a family taking down and getting a pop up folding camper ready for storage:  Take down folding camper video.

There is a wide variety of folding campers available for purchase today. One important consideration in the purchase selection considerations of a folding camper is the setup. Here’s a folding camper setup video for Fleetwood folding campers, using a hand crank to raise the solid Fleetwood folding camper roof, and a hand crank to level the folding camper once set up. This demonstration of the setup involves one adult for all the installation requirements of the folding camper. The video clearly shows the benefits of the crank system for the folding camper! (Also well known as a “pop-up camper” or “popup camper trailer.”)

Directions for Fleetwood Folding Camping Trailer Setup

1. After choosing a level site for the folding camper, park and secure the folding camper by placing the wheel chocks (chock blocks) against the tires.
2. Swing down and lock the folding camper dolly jack.
3. Disengage the folding camper coupler, disengage the wiring and safety chains.
4. Drive the tow vehicle away from the folding camper.
5. Use the folding camper dolly jack to level the folding camping trailer from front to rear.
6. Release the top latches of the roof of the folding camper from all four corners.
7. Insert the folding camper crank handle into the lift mechanism and begin cranking.  Pause as desired, the folding camper top will stay in place.
8. The top of the folding camper will stop automatically while fully raised.
9. Remove the crank handle.
10. Lower the corner jacks of the folding camper to stabilize the camping trailer.
11. Pull out each folding camper bed, and then engage the support legs under each bed.
12. Open the entry door of the folding camper to engage the step and  enter the folding camper.
13. Raise the folding camper galley (kitchen assembly) into position.
14. Lower the folding camper screen door into position.
15. Complete the folding camper bed installation by engaging the front and rear tent supports.  (poles)
16. Fold out the legs of the dining area table to set it up.  (Keep this table indoors in case of rain, it’s not waterproof.)
17. Press the door seals into place, keep a bug free environment.
18. Attach the drinking water hose to a fresh water supply.
19. Connect the power cord to a 110V source.  (Check the cord plug, it’s a 3 prong plug.)

The Fleetwood folding camper with hand crank assembly is quickly and easily set up, and also quickly and easily folded down for travel and storage.

Looking for a folding camper to buy?  Have a folding camper to sell?  Check current eBay listings for folding campers:  Folding Campers for Sale