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Just joined the site tonight.  We are not royal but my wife and I are now 55 and 57 respectively and have not been camping since the children were small.  We now have young granchildren who we would like to introduce to the outdoor life.  The problem you've probably guessed is that we are out of touch and to be truthful my wife is slightly reluctant after all the years of comfortable hotels.  However, we both like the idea of giving it a try and found ourselves favouring folding campers.  We visited a local stockist and had our feelings confirmed.  We don't want to spend a large amount of money without trying it first and unfortunately I have yet to find a company that offers this service, in fact it was whilst doing the searching that I found this site. Can anyone offer a solution to our problem?

Although we wold take the granchildren with us occassionaly the camper would be for our use mainly.  Any suggestions as to a suitable trailer?

We were looking recently, oh welcome by the way.

Just bought a Penine Sovereign which sleeps 6 althought there are 4 of us.  We wanted the extra space and bought one with a cassette toilet.

We too wanted to hire first and found nothing so we went for it.

The ones that are for four people the Fiesta and I think Aztec looked great for a couple who take grandchildren sometimes.

We used to camp, then went to cottages and laterly hotels, however the cost was spirralling and everyone else seemed to be having a great time on their camp sites. We discovered this site, everyone was so welcoming and helpful so we took their advise.  Going on our first meet at the end of september.

Someone who knows what they are talking about will come along soon but I thought i'd let you know our tale and welcome you along anyway.

Good luck

Bernie

Hi Colin,

welcome to ukcs!

My hubby and I too were like yourself and your wife and had had a break from camping for quite some time, although the interim years were filled with camping in France in ready-erected so that isn't strictly true!

We fancied something for weekends away and were more inclined for a bit more comfort. Our children are now grown up and don't come with us but we do take my father-in-law occasionally.

Our budget was small and we were very lucky to drop on a second-hand camper that had been babied by its previous owners. We have the pennine aztec (which is no longer made) and we love it to bits. I think this is the smallest camper they have made but we find it ideal for the two or three of us. We have an awning too.

If I were to buy newer (and I am always looking lol) I would tend towards the Fiesta. It is slightly bigger and includes a 3-way fridge. This weekend there was a couple at a site who were just having their 'maiden' voyage in the Fiesta and were loving it already!! If you get it with awning and then maybe the underbed tent you would be sorted for when you take the grandkids, although even without either of these if you only have two young grandkids they would easily fit in the second double bed.

We haven't had one regret (except maybe not buying one sooner!!) since buying ours and I am sure once you have decided and bought you will feel the same!

Good luck in your search

Hi Baldie

Welcome back to camping !!

We have a 4 berth Dandy Dart folding camper - easy to put up (and take down) VERY comfortable and cosy !! Highly recommended it - check out this website www.rivaleisure.co.uk and then look at the free adverts section of this site to see if there are any 2nd hand Dandys.

Good luck

Mandy moo xx

Whilst we are still in the season, have a look at the dealer displays, to see which features / styles you like best. It may also be worth looking around a local camping site to see who uses what and everyone on sites I have found very approachable. Talk to them to see what they like or don't like about there own units.

It's a very braod subject with everyone having there own favourite. Everyone knows I'm Combi Camp mad. But they do everything I need out of a TT. They don't have the internal kitchen so they don't suit everyone.

When I was originally looking for a TT, I looked at all the glossy's, from there I shortlisted three. However when I went to look at my shortlist in the flesh, i threw it away and started again, as they were just too big for my needs.

Regarding hiring one, I don't know of anyone who does hire them out.

Try this link for help with choosing a unit.

www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/pdf/9004trai.pdf

Like you we have gone back to camping as now have a grandchild. We bought a pennine sterling but I kept getting backache so upgraded to a pathfinder. This is like a hotel all modcons and comfort for us whilst giving my gandchild the freedom. It seems the older we get the more comfort we want!

David

Thanks for the replies.  As we guessed hiring is not an option so we now will start the research and hope to be up and running by next year.  Look out though as I expect we will re-appear with more questons to test your knowledge.  Thanks once again.

Colin

have you done a search for folding camper hire .a friend did and found this site.

http://kmcamping.tripod.com

this is the link they used . hope this helps.

keiron.