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Quote: Originally posted by sallen165 on 20/11/2011

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hi i am thinking of selling my 1993 conway cruiser and getting a 4 berth caravan .. is worth doing

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Can't say if it is worth doing exactly for you. but we've had Caravan, folding camper and Gobur folding caravan. Curently have caravan and have never been more comfortable.

Very briefly, to me, the advantages and disadvantages of each seem to be:

Folding camper: Very easy and economical to tow; incredible amount of space for size of trailer; easy to store; fair amount of setting up; limited internal storage space; limited in terms of 4 seaason use; no chance of a couple of hours kip in the services.

Gobur Folding 'van: as above but setting up less but good for 4 season use; comparitively very expensive.

Caravan: Much more wind resistance when towing; as a rough guide take your solo fuel consumption and halve it for towing; more modern 'vans extremely well fitted and comfortable.

Hope this helps.

As others have said I don't think one is better than the other, it just depends what suits your needs. We have a 1 year old boy and plan for another in the near future. When we had the same decision to make this year this we went for a caravan based on the following:

More internal storage space (we don't travel light with a toddler!), full size shower (ideal for CL sites), heating and hot water can be run on gas or electric, easier to set up, bigger fridge / freezer, warmer than a FC and a longer season (a factor with a 1 yr old).

The price wasn't any difference as we were looking for a van or crusader around 3 years old with an awning and our ranger was nearly the same price as the crusader or used Quartz 6. Insurance was again very similar so not a factor for us.

The "downsides" for us is that we have to pay £30 a month for storage but this might not be a problem for you if you could store it at home. MPG is worse when towing but when you think about it we are going away for 5 seperate holidays next year so will only be making 10 journeys (there and back) towing so this really isn't a massive issue. I knew fuel economy was worse but when you work out how much more it will cost for 10 trips it really isn't a lot and is far outweighed IMO buy the benefits of a van.

As we had also considered a new Quartz 6 I am glad we didn't go for one as I have seen a number of posts on here about problems with the new fabrics.

I still love the FC concept but just don't think it would work for us as a family at the moment. If it was just the two of us then I might have gone for the FC......(but the OH wouldn't give up her shower now)