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Subject Topic: folding campers..which one?! Post Reply Post New Topic
30/8/2008 at 10:33pm
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: tent
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Joined: 13/1/2007

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Hi, saw a Conway folding camper in caravan place near us and am very tempted.  We have a tent at moment, vango diiablo 900 (we are a family of 5) and have had a couple of wet (and cold )camps this summer.  Hubby tempted by folding camper as he says it takes nigh on 2 hours to get our tent up and put all the stuff in it (blow up airbeds etc!)  and is fed up of doing it for a wet weekends worth of camping (or even a week come to that!)

 Are any sort of folding camper better than others...we woud be looking to buy 2nd hand not new.  



30/8/2008 at 11:28pm
 Location: nottingham
 Outfit: Grand Canyon 8 Pennine Fiesta
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Joined: 18/3/2007

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Conway/pennine(same company)are the most popular. It depends what room you have to store it in the winter,You can't stuff it in the attic like your camping gear.The pennine fiesta swayed us as it fits in our expanded carport.It is a 4 berth but has an under bed which makes it 5.With an awning and annex there is plenty of room There are bigger campers .We got ours a few weeks ago off E Bay,wish we'd bought one years ago. Good hunting

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      Corpogreen esq
          dead horse
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31/8/2008 at 12:33am
 Location: york
 Outfit: Conway Cardinal 1997
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Joined: 20/9/2004

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I originally got conway challenger in 2005 found it a bit small with five in the family. Purchased off ebay a conway cruiser June this year easy to put up the beds just pull out and the canvas tent erects its self, also got built in fridge, I leave all the bedding on the mattress to save packing it away. I pull my cruiser, 1994 model, so lighter than the new ones with my Morris minor when attending Minor rallies. normal tow car 1.6 astra both tow it fine.


31/8/2008 at 7:48am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Chausson Flash 510 & Cabanon Barbados
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Joined: 09/11/2006

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We bought a Pennine Pullman 2005 a few months ago.  It has a fridge, hob etc.  We decided against the bigger one (crusader or pathfinder) because it was to heavy for us and wouldn't fit in our garage.  All the camping stuff is already in the camper and all I have to do is put clothes and food in the car.  It used to take me a day to get ready for a camping trip, packing the car sorting it all out etc.  Now a couple of hours.  When we get there it takes no time to get the main cabin up.  I do then take my time putting up the curtains etc.  We leave all the bedding in place and change the sheets ready for the next trip.  All the cupboards are packed ready to use.  We do put up the awning everytime.  We did try it without for a weekend, but didn't like it.  It is the best purchase and we have loads of room, comfy beds and so cosey.  The packing away takes a little longer as I clean the cabin and camping stuff ready for the next trip.  We tow with a 1.6 astra estate auto.  It seems to tow fine, could really do with a bigger engine for the hills though!

 



31/8/2008 at 8:42am
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: tent
View febe3's Profile View Profile   Reply to febe3 Reply   Quote febe3 Quote  
Joined: 13/1/2007

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We have a vw touran 18oo diesel so I think the towing will be ok.  We were thinking of storing it outside...presume it would be ok?  I read a few members tips and people do seem to store them outside.  Is there anything I should look for when buying 2nd hand (like in caravans where you have to be very aware of the possibliity of damp?!)


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31/8/2008 at 10:12am
 Location: cheshire
 Outfit: orange 1978 combicamp 2000
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Joined: 10/8/2008

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Hi, we had a conway challenger (old one) this was great but to put the awning on took a little time. the family have grown a little now and we sold it..
now we are the lucky owners of a lovely combi camp. it has a roof rack on the trailer for all the stuff. Then the magical bit, open it and brew up because you're in.
With an awning there should be plenty of space, I suppose it depends on the age of your children and how close then want to be to you and each other. (if you know what I mean)
This is also very light.



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you can't scare me..... I have teenagers!


31/8/2008 at 2:30pm
 Location: Doncaster Yorkshire
 Outfit: Autotrail Delaware
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Joined: 27/10/2003

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Folding campers are brilliant. We have had two Conways over the years and found them excellent, sleeping in proper beds off the floor, electric so you can have heating and lighting., built in cooker, sink and fridge. If there are 5 of you a Cruiser would do if the children are small, but it has no loo so you have to have a porta potty, a Crusader has a mini washroom/loo and more space inside without the awning, but of course is bigger to store... We had a Cruiser with the porta potty option, the unit and awning was plenty big enough for us, four adults and large dog.


31/8/2008 at 2:40pm
 Location: The Kop
 Outfit: Conway Crusader
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I love our Conway Crusader however you should be aware that in reality it can still take up to 2 hours to get set up depending on what you take with you and if you are using the awning etc.  Its all very easy but thought I would point out the possible time for set up.  We were away this weekend without the awning for the first time and just minimal requirements with us and we were set fully, hot water running etc in just under 30 mins.

 

Good luck
Bolan



31/8/2008 at 8:15pm
 Location: liverpool
 Outfit: campervan
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Joined: 17/2/2008

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We bought a 20 year old dandy folding camper this year and it is brilliant. They are a bit different than most as they have proper windows and solid front door. It takes us 10 minutes to put up, bit longer with the awning. They are expensive new (riva leisure web site) but we bought ours for £1000 from Riva. Often see bargains on ebay


01/9/2008 at 10:54am
 Location: midlands
 Outfit: tent
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Do we go for a hard top or a soft one?  whats the difference...is there any?


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01/9/2008 at 11:09am
 Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
 Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550
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Joined: 31/10/2003

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Quote: Originally posted by dandy6 on 31/8/2008We bought a 20 year old dandy folding camper this year and it is brilliant. They are a bit different than most as they have proper windows and solid front door.....

I agree. We used to have a Dandy Destiny. As the fabric is 2 layers of pvc with insulation in between, in my view, they are the only ones that are truly 4 season without any special measures. Especially look out for models fitted with the - discontinued - gas underfloor heating.

We never experienced the condensation problems that I have heard some people mention, but we did have the "inner tent".




Post last edited on 01/09/2008 11:42:26


01/9/2008 at 8:58pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: swift challencer sport 636
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Joined: 03/6/2007

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cant fault the globetrotter for weight,space and the lot. The only thing is it is what you would call basic on the inside, no wood trim etc. I loved the simplicity of the tent so it suits me fine. Depending on age of children you can get three of them in one end so dont necessarily need the awning. fits in the garage as only same width as car. They like gold dust though Sutterton Caravans got one in same as ours at the mo. If you got 5 of you you will still have to put the awning up unless you can find one with larger beds. have a good look round see what you fancy.

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Oh am loving the tin tent after campaining against it..........I was wrong.



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