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We were pitched on a site recently. Next to us was a couple with a twin axle caravan and a big 4x4 to tow it. Opposite was a family with a motorcaravan. Over the 2 days we were there we noticed they were discretely inspecting our camper and car. As we prepared to leave the site the caravan owner came over, introduced himself and then spent 30 minutes quizing us about our folding camper and how it compares with caravans. The motorcaravanner sat and listened.

Having previously owned tents, motorcaravans and caravans I could understand his curiosity.The motor caravans were almost ok on the road if your ambition is to be a truck driver. The road holding on them was fine though they were big and needed a lot of fuel and concentration. The problems started when the engine stopped. Once parked and levelled we were without transport to get into local towns and make excursions. We did try taking bikes and contemplated towing a car or carrying a scooter but after struggling via buses and getting stuck in carparks several times we changed to the caravans. 

When we were driving our Land Rover Discovery and twin axle caravan we were oblivious to the fact we could have been towing something with a quarter of the weight and a lot more space as we have now. We sold the Disco and Caravan because it used to terrify my wife when it snaked and swayed. It was also nearly impossible to manouvre off the tow ball. We had tried 2 other caravans previously and they had similar vices.

Now we have a Pennine Pullman. It has a king sized bed that is off the ground, hot water and a kitchen sink. We dont have to shuffle cushions around to make beds up. It is a dream to tow and shift and the rain does'nt rattle on the roof.

During the 5 years we were confined to hotels and cottages, we mused often of the pleasures of camping. Several times we bought motorcaravan and caravan magazines as the urge for camping grew stronger.

Eventually we visited a dealer to buy a £40K motorcaravan and 4 weeks later drove out of his gate with a camper in tow.

We have yet to find any drawbacks or negative points.

Glad to hear Edward that you prefer the camper .We recently got our camper at Easter having previously owned one approx 18 yrs ago.I thought about a caravan only for the fact that iwe could use all year round but then again i realised that i would rather not be away from home when its freezing and pouring with rain .

My elder brother is in the process of buying a new van and asked us "why the camper"?After briefly explaining to him about all the benefits and the only downside regarding packing down when wet ,he went away with the thought that a folder ,maybe what he is looking for too.

So i think when we come to upgrade in a year or two i will prob get a Pathfinder instead of a caravan just for the added toilet /sink/oven /hot water etc.

Best of all is seeing the look on our childrens faces when they get home from school on a Friday afternoon to see that our car has an extension with a blue cover and "YES" we are going camping for the weekend again ,money well spent..

...............Alan.............

We moved to a folder after having a nasty crash towing a caravan -  feel much more secure towing the FC - it never snakes or swings in the wind. We have a Pullman and the only downside is camping in the colder months as it is not insulated - I would like to replace it with the new Riva Destiny which removes the canvas problem, is insulated and has a toilet compartment

As you say the FC provides a topic of conversation on sites as well!

Do you think they are getting more common - a few years ago I rarely saw one but when were in Aberystwyth last weekend there were 3 on our site and we saw a lot on the roads?

Don't see the relevance of the insulated roof especially after seeing comments re condensation.  The Pathfinder has toilet compartment Oven and hot water - plus electicity for the blow heater!

Re seeing them more frequently, we pulled onto an Aire on a motorway in France last year parking next to 2 other Pennines of various vintages!  What are the chances??

Interesting thread.

We seem to have gone the same way as most of you. Little tent, frame tent, caravan and motorhome. We got the motorhome, little Toyota Devon pop up last year after an enforced break from camping and although its very nice and has got us back to camping ways, we are looking at folding campers now. As I see it, not too much of a problem to store, it will just fit into the garage, and having a car on site will give us our mobility back. I didn't realise just how well appointed the folders were until I started to look at the Conway range. Be interesting to see what happens now!

Nice to see so many positive comments.

Chers,

We started with a 9 man dome tent, then a large frame tent and were comsidering a TT.  Then saw the FCs and were smitten.  Now we have one we have no regrets whatsoever.

The rest of the family are tin tenters (up to 4 at last count) and we have been divided between awnings on sites that wouldn't accept tents.  I can truthfully say our FC wins hands down.

• better to tow
• easier to store
• less bed making
• more comfortable beds without the lumps and bumps of separate cushions
• easier to heat
• the awning is quicker to put up because we leave the main body of it zipped to the unit
• more storage (under the beds with skirts)
• better social life!  (With other campers coming over to have a look!)

I could go on and on and on and on....which I do according to hubby!

And to top it all we've only had it a week!!!!!