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 Topic: Conway Countryman v Trigano Alpha
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25/9/2015 at 9:40am
Location: Redditch
Outfit: Changes almost daily!!
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OK. Well. You really haven't given us a great deal to go on, as they are, indeed, very different in that, as you say; one is a folding camper, and the other a trailer tent, and we don't really know what you are looking for in a unit, or any of your criteria. Also, one is quite a bit more expensive than the other, when new, so bound to offer a lot more in the way of facilities. That said, we can still compare the units on a general basis.
First off, I'm assuming you are looking at buying new, as both are current models.
The Trigano Alpha is a Combi-Camp style trailer tent, with hard top trailer roof, which opens out to form the floor of the unit. In its basic format, it is only a 2 berth unit, although that can be extended with optional annexes, making it a direct competitor to the Combi-Camp Country.
The Conway Countryman is totally different, being a 4 berth folding camper, with all that that implies.
Main Comparisons:
Ordinarily, the first thing I would say, when comparing a FC with a TT is that the FCs are a lot quicker to set up. Not so, here, as, without awning, the Alpha is, actually, quicker to set up than the Countryman. How much of an advantage that is will largely depend on the weather, as, without awning, the countryman is far more usable on a day to day basis.
The Alpha has a very impressive kitchen for a TT, with sink, cool box style fridge and hob, as well as a decent bit of storage, but it doesn't come close to the larger 3 way fridge of the Countryman, which, also boasts hot water, and loads more cupboard space.
The Alpha has a decent double bed, with slatted base, and a nice kitchen, but that's it. The Countryman has two fixed double beds, two settees, on board heating / hot water, lighting, 12V /240V, loads of storage etc etc. From an equipment perspective, there really is no comparison, but, then, it isn't a fair comparison, anyway, as the Countryman is 2 grand more expensive.
When folded, the Countryman is actually a foot shorter than the Alpha, but it is 6 inches wider, if you have any narrow gaps to get it through. Also, when driving, the Countryman is almost a foot higher, so the Alpha is a little easier to see over when towing.
The Alpha, with kitchen, retails at around £8,000, the Countryman; just over £10,000 and, from an entirely personal perspective, it's worth the extra.
What really makes the decision for me is the UK weather. I have been away three times this year, and it has rained on every single day I have been away. Not a problem in my FC, but, in an Alpha, I would have needed to set the main awning area up, in order to be able to use the kitchen unit, which isn't always ideal.
Trigano used to make FCs, but, like all other European manufacturers, they no longer do. Conway used to make loads of TTs, but now they (or, at least Pennine, who now make them) no longer do. This is because the Europeans get the weather, and, hence, tend to camp outside their unit a lot more, with external kitchens etc, so they don't need FC's. In the UK, though, we can't rely on the weather, and, hence, UK manufacturers tend to focus on FCs, instead.
If you are going to go down the TT route, the Alpha is an excellent example, and very quick to set up, but, bearing in mind the weather this year, I would tend to go for the comfort, equipment levels and heating / hot water of the Countryman, for the sake of an extra couple of grand, but, at the end of the day, it's all about personal preferences.
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The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
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25/9/2015 at 1:10pm
Location: Redditch
Outfit: Changes almost daily!!
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Joined: 11/8/2014 Platinum Member
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Sounds like your main options are the Conway Countryman and Pennine Fiesta then. There's a thread on the differences further down the group. Fiesta may be worth a look, if you prefer the convenience of a toilet. If there will, mostly, be just the two of you, then the issues of different height settees wont. be such an issue for you, nor will having to make up the second bed, and it will give you a little more internal space (although a lot less kitchen space). The awnings are a pole system, but the newer ones use acrylic canvas and light weight fibre glass poles which does make it a lot easier. The frame assembles and hooks on to poles on the camper, and the canvas just zips on to the main cabin, then zip in the side panels, peg it down and you're done. Of course, the gereat thing with these is that you don't have to use it. I've been away three times this year, and only used it once, for a longer break, when there were 12 of us, so we used it as a comunal area for all of us, when it was peeing down outside (which was every day). 
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The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
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