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Hello all,

We have been looking at hard top folding campers like the conway tardis.

 We was wondering why they stopped making the hard top type. Is there a fault in them and what do others recommend, hard top or canvas?

We would like to get one but still unsure which to look for. We would like to spend around 2000 to 3000 as we have never purchased one before and not sure if we would like towing or not.

 At present we have a 4 birth tent and would really like to move up to some home comforts!

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Regards,

john + maz

Quote: Originally posted by s66614a on 16/8/2008

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Exact wording below, taken from April 2008 news section on website;

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Hard-Top project discontinued
We have recently received several enquiries, requesting an update on the Cardinal Clubman hard-top project. We are sorry to inform you that we have recently concluded that it is no longer feasible for us to manufacture this model on both cost and logisitical grounds. We would like to apologise for any confusion which this may have caused, over time but we believe that this will enable us to focus our efforts on better development of our current camper range. Assuring you of our best attention at all times. Pennine Group Sales Department

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s66614a,

Thanks for your quick reply to my post. Do you own one or do you have The canvas top style?

Regards,

john+maz

Hardtops are the best by far.

2000-3000 is a good budget, much more than you'd need for a tardis, which is an old model worth £750 or less.

Pennine have never made them, although Conway did.

If you look at the US of A nearly all the camping trailers have hard tops, whereas here none do.

Best to try conwayowners.org for specific advice, especially if you decide to buy one.

Hi Winhill and s66614a,

Thank you both for your advice and s66614a good luck with your purchase!

Regards,

John+maz

Yes and 2002 was when Pennine acquired Conway, whether Pennine could be said to manufacturer hardtops or if they just sold of existing stock is the question.

Was the lift mechanism patented? If so it would transfer to Pennine you'd think.

The cable lift seems identical to a Starcraft I used to have, so I'm not sure what the patent would relate to?

I guess the economies of scale are why Pennine won't manufacture again, that and they charge the same price as low end caravans already so they could only possibly sell to the most committed hardtop afficianados.

It was high production costs that put the prototype hardtop Cardinal replacement out of the running. Rumour was they would have had to charge as much as a top of the range caravan for it and they didn't think potential buyers would pay that much.

Ditto importing from USA - the changes needed to make them legal here added too much to the cost, plus the USA ones are getting ever bigger and heavier (bit like UK caravans) and just wouldn't be legal here no matter what they did to them.

Hi there I owned a Conway Cardinal Clubman for several years only sold it as my boys dont want to come on hols anymore so we rattled around in it. (too much space) having said that we loved it and never had any probs with it so easy to put up and take down and to tow.  I wish I had never sold it and would recommend to any one.

Hope this helps Lyn

We've just acquired a rather ancient hard topped Starcraft hardtopped folding camper, and I willing confess to the fact that I love wind up system. 

Quote: Originally posted by Moonseeker on 20/8/2008

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We've just acquired a rather ancient hard topped Starcraft hardtopped folding camper, and I willing confess to the fact that I love wind up system. 

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