Our nearest store is 50-60 miles away which is very unfair! I think I am going to take the plunge and order one. I am unsure about whether or not to get the bedroom pod/groundsheet/tarp that goes with it. We really only need it as a day tent for the camper but then you never know.... Son has cub camp soon and he could sleep in it with mates but then I don't want it trampled by a herd of wild Cub Scouts.
I think that it is being discontinued so feel the need to make a quick purchase although I wonder if it's being replaced with anything exciting?
Do you always use it instead of your awning or just when you go for weekends? I hate our 2 awnings and would love there to be something as quick and as easy to get up as the camper itself.
We sold our tent (Montana 6) on Ebay and bought an old Conway Cruiser earlier this year. We have had very few nights away, but I am struggling with it. Yes it's quick to put up, yes the beds are left up all day, but there never seems to be room for anything.
My wife is convinced a smaller table would make a big difference. We don't need it to fit in place for a bed and we don't need so much room to eat for four of us. Something about three quarters the length and two-thirds the width would work.
The problem is the decision, as with many of the decisions we make, was a compromise. You then need to weigh up the pros and cons. Our car is now too small to tow a caravan. For health reasons a tent was becoming very hard work, particularly for 1-2 nights. The cruiser is easy, quick and as I mentioned earlier it is a boost that the beds do not have to be dismantled and rebuilt every day. However the floor area is all contained within the size of the folded down camper. When the table is up it seems to dominate the whole area and we keep having to shift it. I also like to take my time in the morning, but my wife always wants to pack the table away and get everyone dressed before I have finished my cup of tea.
We have camped and caravanned for many years - with a caravan we were managing about 60 nights a year, but this is our first venture with a folding camper. With time it may well improve!
If the table is the problem just dont take it and get a small plastic folding one that you can easily store on one of the beds when not needed. We don't really use the big table inside but save for awning and outside use. WE store in the spare bed pod (when just us two) or under the skirt if weather is bad. Just as much room as a small caravan really and the beds are already done and out of the way.
Hi Septic,
Perhaps the pop up tent could be an answer for you too? You must have been spoilt for space in your old Montana - the Cruiser is a lot smaller but then you have the luxuries of comfort instead. Although space was cramped during our wet weekend, I was glad to be in the camper rather than our old Hartford tent. Still, we did need some more space. I am ordering the pop up!
We used to take the table out but I now actually prefer it in so that the kids can play on it and eat more easily on it. It is a bit big though and we have to have it pushed right over to one side to get the adult thighs past it.
Hi Septic, We have the Pathfinder and have got the camper table, which fits into the space between benches to make up the third bed, We also have an awning table again from Pennine that we usually use for eating it is just the size you are after. Not seen these come up on fleabay very often though, you may have more luck contacting someone who breaks and recondidions campers, seen these advertised on FC sites. hope you get one.
Benski, have a look on the Decathlon site ;http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/ Log into a store, our nearest is Stockport and we got the Queshua base seconds for £59.99 plus £5.99 p&p. arrived in 2 days and plenty big enough for a tabler and 4 chairs.
Thanks,
I am defo buying the Base Seconds to go with the camper. But, do I need the tarp as well? I wonder if it could serve as a pathway between the two. Does anyone know if they actually attach to the tent?
I have a 93 Conway Cruiser and my BIL who is a narrow boat builder as made us a shelf that fits above the sink / seat and also it as a light on the underside. Very very useful.
He also built us a small drop down table, so we don't use the one in the main cruiser. We put this in the porch awning,
I bought a small porch awning, and use the fig 8 strips. It is fantastic, it's so easy to put up and taken dow in seconds.
you could easily attach a tarp between the two for a small covered passage. One of the cheap stores are doing cheap tarps from Thursday but can't remember if it was Lidl, Netto or Aldi but it is on line in their special offers leaflets.
Doglotdog, have you actually used the base seconds yourself?
Andcow. I have only used the sconds base with my tent so far, for cooking and sitting in. fabulous piece of kit. Got all of the clutter out of the main tent and stood up to wind and rain with no worries. Am trying to get round SWMBO to get another with the bedroom pod as well, they are so easy to put up and take down, We did actually have an audience on packing up, good job i had had a few practices at home first