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BUYING A  SEPTEMBER 2009 CRUSADER PLATINUM, ANY REVIEWS OR OWNER COMMENTS WOULD BE HELPFULL...

We've just bought 2010 one, not been able to use it yet, but had a few dummy runs at putting it up on the drive and we love it. The beds are really comfy. We are really pleased at the quality, but I suppose only time will tell. Never had a folding camper before just a caravan, then tent. 

We live on the village green, so I suggested perhaps we could put it up on there and pretend we were away, as my mum is ill at the moment so can't book anything up. He told me I was bonkers.

Hope you enjoy your new toy.

Hi

We have a 2010 countryman platinum it has hot water oh what luxury and is made with the new type material we are going to put some pics on here when we've worked out how to do it

Jackie

Thank you both for speedy replys, cant wait to get it on saturday but did read a few people having quality issues with the new isabella fabric and got a bit worried...I mean its a lot of money to lay out and i just wanted re assuring!!!!

Looking forward to many happy holidays and long week ends away in it with the family...Isle of wight next year maybe!!

I have a crusader 2010 bought new last year, had a few problems with the isabella cabin, stitching coming undone, bedroom windows not closing properly and the holders for the windows poles not being sewn up but stapled.  It got sent back to isabella over the winter and all is now fine.  Went away in it last weekend and everything is perfect!  Excellent folding camper.

One major thing to watch is the waste water pipes, DON'T use them as they come in equal lengths as any upward bend in the pipe from the kitchen sink will cause the water to back flow and flood.  Casey's adjusted ours so the waste pipe from the kitchen sink pretty much goes straight down from the outlet into the waste container.

I too have the 2009 crusader. its great, had no issues with mine what so ever.

its great to tow, took mine down to the Loire region last year. Going to the Ardeche this year.Easy to put up, believe me you can put it up on your own including the awning if you need to.

Make sure the awning is included in the package, underbed skirts give you extra storage. a simple cheap universal awning annex can be added to give extra sleeping area, (if like me your teenage son does not want to sleep in the camper).

the coment by Connorsdad is a good one, the sink drainage has always been a weak one, another weak point is the wardrobe runner, look after your crusader, spares are stupid money.

I have converted my wardrobe by putting draws in it, much better use of the space.the plastic type  from B&Q

it looks fantastic when put up with the awning.Be careful though, you wont get too much peace as passing people always want to come and have a look inside.

Thank You for the advice mickeyfinagin and connorsdad,

the unit im buying comes with the awning with pole upgrade, annex extension with sleeping pod,side skirts,and various other things. I really cant wait to pick it up tomorrow and look forward to the first use, feel like a kid at christmas!!!

do you know if an inner tent could be put under bed covered by skirt?? and would  a sun canopy  be a good addition?

im not sure about the inner tent, definatley not at the front where the hitch is. I believe one of the other units (not crusader or pathfinder) used to do under bed inner tent, you wont get a pup tent  under there.

Do you have the proper conway isabella annex,not seen one on the new crusader.The ones i have seen on older versions are huge, would love one but far to expensive.

Just on another note, when putting up the awning, be very careful with the plastic ends on the poles ( the white bits with 2 flats on them) these gett damaged very easily. You can get them off ebay for around £2.50, aot cheaper than pennine themselves.

link- scroll down to bottom of page to bayonet campion to see what i mean.

http://www.penroseoutdoors.co.uk/acatalog/Folding_Camper_Accessories.html

You are not bonkers to put the unit up on the green, its a great idea.  when i purchased my unit, the dealer ran through it with me, we did a trial run putting the unit up/down. When i got home i still had to have another go, did the whole lot on my own including awning.

Its better to do it at your own leasure, rather than going to a camp site, not knowing what to do and then have everybody have there 2hrs of comedy for free.

a link to pennine groupes assembly guide to help. its for the pathfinder which is the same as the crusader .

http://www.thepenninegroup.co.uk/about-campers/watch-an-assembly-video/pathfinder-assembly-sequence.html

feel free to keep on asking, we all learn from others, we all make mistakes and learn by them

Again with the sun canopy, the older units used to have an extra sun canopt that you could add to the awning. the later units did not.

You maybe able to rig something up, or just not put the side of the awning on.

dont forget to watch your weight limit, its all to easy to get loads of things and overload the unit.

YES ITS THE MATCHING ISABELLA ANNEX, IF YOU GO ON THE PENNINE WEBSITE THERE IS A PIC OF IT UNDER THE ACCESSORIES TAB.

I WILL PUT SOME PICS UP ON HERE OF MINE JUST AS SOON AS IVE GOT MYSELF AWAY FOR A QUICK TRIAL!!!!

 IM JUST HOPING I CAN GET THE THING UP A BIT QUICKER THAN THE OLD TRAILER TENT!!!!!!

Not been on here for a while as i've been busy getting out and about in the crusader!!!

what a bit of kit, so so so so happy with it after doing 5 trips to various parts of the country and another 2 planned for the next month.Managed to get pretty good at the set up, the awning with the extension added really does give a lot of space and we stayed in the cotwolds for a week with 4 adults and 4 children in it and it didnt feel over crowded, just got back from a 2 week stay in Newquay Cornwall and i have nothing but praise for this thing!!! wish i had got into this a long time ago!!

One question for you all though...rather than putting the full awning up if im doing a 2 night stay anywhere i would like to be able to put up a small porch awning. Does anyone know if the caravan ones can be made to fit? i only want a small one to take off shoes in if the weather is not to good...Save getting my carpet dirty!!!!

Thanks in advance for any help

yes caravan porch awnings can be made to fit.  The main thing you need is a porch that has poles that do not touch the camper, (single loops ones of which there are several) and a zip to attach to the porch instead of the beading, that matches the zip you currently have on your awning.  Steer on this forum makes new ones, adapting brand new porch awnings and adding the zip or you can get hold of your own and add the zip yourself or get someone to do it.   

I bought a secondhand outdoor revolution techlite porch and had TVS at Bolton add the zip for me.  This sets up in around ten mins and has enough room to sleep two dogs, store table and chairs at night and give a dry entrance to the camper.  The techlite has been the most common used adpation for this so far but other awnings work too.  Someone has even adapted a tradition awning well too.

have a look at this thread and this one

Hi there

We are selling our 2009 crusader platinum. We have had 2 great years but with 5 kids getting older we have decided on a static caravan (sad I know). Its by far the best folding camper if thats what you want, the beds are big and the acrylic material dries very quickly. The finish is very good and without awning will go up in 20 minutes. Heating is a real bonus. We are selling for £7250