REVIEWS | ALINER CLASSIC
CAMPING in tents for two decades was great fun. However, my wife did try talking me into purchasing a camper for the second decade. When we were planning a family trip to drive around the U. S., she pushed hard again, so I figured I would give her a laundry list that no camper could possibly meet: Sleep two adults and four children, have a shower and toilet, air conditioning, furnace, hard sides, and be able to be pulled by our Dodge Grand Caravan. I was amazed when she introduced me to A-frame campers. We have not slept in a tent since.
It is a privilege to review the Aliner Classic, one of the most popular mid-sized A-frames. As experienced A-frame owners, we have a solid basis to compare brands and improvements over the past few years.
“ COOL” is the most common word uttered when seeing an A-frame camper for the first time. We heard it again as we took the Aliner Classic on its maiden voyage to Mossyrock, Washington. The Classic is much more than a“ tent on wheels”. Plenty of headroom, numerous windows, ample venting, and modern conveniences make it a great getaway. It’ s simple to tow and easy to set up. The Classic even has handles on the front to aid in moving it by hand, which we did at the campground because the love of my life wanted it set up perpendicular to the pad.
COMFORTABLE is the feeling when you step into the trailer after it is set up. The curtains and cushions are a nice neutral color that will blend with most any bedding. The floor has a smooth surface, which makes cleaning a breeze. The 3.0 cubic foot refrigerator is as spacious as possible in a pop-up. The sink is easy to use, though we found doing the dishes at the outside shower was a superior alternative. The stove can be set up inside or outside, with LP gas connections provided at both places. We cooked outside, using a folding table we brought along for convenience. The Aliner has a mounting plate for hanging the stove on the outside, but it seemed high. An optional canopy is available to cover the entry area, though this particular model did not have it.
One bit of discomfort we experienced is the shelf on the rear wall above the bed: While it provides a place to put a book or glasses, my wife bumped it several times while sleeping because the bed is slightly smaller than a queen bed. Dan Hyland,
In less than a couple minutes, you can be inside this pop-up
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14 Autumn 2009 |