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if anyones been folloiwng my threads, i have been diagonsed with motor neuron disease, and my left arm is not really working very well.

i have a pennine fiesta at the mo, but its too small and a pain to put up.

what is people opinions on what is the easist FC to put up.  i here the conway cruiser is a good one?

John

IMO Conway cruiser, the type that the beds pull out.  Not sure if Pennine are changing these to the gas strut lift up type.  I had an old pennine pullman and then a conway cardinal clubman.  I have chronic spinal problems and found the bending down to wind up the clubman quite diffiucult, the children came in handy here. Other that that it was easy, the beds pulled out, as in the cruiser and the set up inside was easy to do.  My then 12year old and 10 year old used to do most of it themselves. 

 My friends had a cruiser and this too was easy, the beds pulled out, a few adjustments to the height of the canvas. It was a bit more of a problem putting up the awning though, on any of them.

Shirley

I vote for the Cruiser as it is easy to 'pull out' but I have not used any other type, so I can't offer a comparison.

What I do know is that I can put up the camper by myself (as wife had bad back on last trip out) in about 10 mins and the awning with very limited help from my wife in another 30 mins.

You say that the MN disease has affected your left arm, if you right arm and the rest of your body is physically fit then I can see no reason why a Cruiser type set up should be a problem. Probably the hardest part of the set up I have found is putting tension on the inner body poles, as you want the canvas as tight as you can, so you need to pull on the poles to get them fully tensioned and then the pole pips lock it in place. I have heard of these awning pole clamp ratchets, so maybe one of those would help your situation?

thanks, yes i have seen those for awnings - i still like the pennine pathfinders, but i think the trailer might be just too big

john

so do u reckon the toilet bit is hard to do then?

John

Quote: Originally posted by tourangang on 31/8/2010

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so do u reckon the toilet bit is hard to do then?

John

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had carvans and glad to see the back of them - hard to tow, hard to store, heavy to handle, not enough room, and people hate you on the road.

I know what you mean about the Fiesta - loved it but as you say too small and a pain to put up. We have just switched to a Pullman and it's great for space - but no more that a reasonable sized caravan I would say. Ours is an older model so no gas struts so it really needs two reasonably capable people to put up - you can use it without the awning especially for a weekend and if you have side skirts for storage and a sun canopy to sit under outside, you could probably manage a newer model fine (Cruiser probably easier with slide out beds - not new models though, they are fold out) Are you anywhere near Highbridge Caravans? - try ringing them to see if they will let you try one out if they have any in stock. 

I would say that none of them are particularly easy especially if you are going to need the awning - the camplet and combi camp ads would have you believe that they are the easiest but even they have their issues as some on here will testify.

Have you thought about a motorhome? 

hi ange

yes, would love a motorhome, but im waiting for my lottery numbers to come up

I think i will sell my Fiesta before next season starts, and go and see highbridge they are only 10mins away

john