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After looking into buying a caravan we're now looking at a folding camper. It's easier to store and tow! Is there anything we need to look out for? eg damp etc?

Hi

if you are looking at an older Pennine check that the interior walls of the trailer are not soft in places as damp can creep behind the aluminuim sides and turn the wood to mush. If it has a fridge check it works on all 3 power sources ie Gas, 12volt & 230volt as they can be expensive to replace.

pieface

Have you thought of a Dandy??  I have just looked at mine having put it away completely sodden 2 months ago and it is absolutely fine!  I have sat in it on a hot day, it is insulated and it is cool... on a cold day it is insulated and it is snug.  People told me there was condensation.. all I can say is that have started not too bother with the inner linings as have had no problems with condensation.  The producers of these units give a customer service second to none even if you do not buy your Dandy from them.

Yes there are negatives... don't like the old fashioned awnings.. but the modern ones they supply now look good. 

A dandy is a pretty tough number so the trailer is going to give out generally before the tent bit.. so you check the chassis for rust and other trailer type things.  If you go for the more conventional option with canvas you need to watch out for the condition of the canvas, ie rot, mildew and fading etc.

Just an idea.....

(Another newbie here)

Tentpegjenny, in my search for a trailer tent/ folding camper, I've seen quite a few Dandy's on eBay and the Adtrader's webite over the last few weeks. Bearing in mind the age of some of them, they certainly seem to last well.

I know there is somebody in the club that is selling a 1970's one in a rather nice green that is still going strong.....

If I was going canvas, I would consider the following combicamp (only drawback is they are expensive new and only one dealer in uk), camplet (camperlands) brilliant design, the raclet quickstop is worth a look as although not such a nice layout it is cheaper. Did have an old combi and the reason it did not suit me was canvas difficult to dry, storage on the old ones limited and the standard version of trailer is unbraked.  I like a braked unit.

I am afraid Conway/Pennine do not light me up although plenty of fans on here.  If I wanted that polished caravan inside look I would look at the Trigano collection cheaper.  Having said that think the Conway cardinal which is now discontinued is a good idea although there is an American hardtop wind up camper, Flaggstaff, that looks great, although drawback with these is that I think they do not fit brakes.

You will notice that I have paid no attention to the 'convention of what is a trailer tent and what is a folding camper routine'. Technically the camplet is a trailer tent according to the dealers as you have to peg the awning... but is so ridiculously easy to put up compared to a lot of the folding campers that it probably ticks the boxes for most people.

Good luck you will find the unit that suits you....Can I just say though remember dealers have other agendas even good ones as they have profit margins to look at.... People who own a particular unit generally find it difficult to give objective advice because it is a bit embarressing to admit to yourself negatives about your pride and joy.  I try to be objective but of course I am also biased.  What I did was buy secondhand so that if I made a mistake then I could quickly move on without losing a lot of money.  All I can say my dream at the moment is in say about 5 years time to purchase a new Dandy with my own specifications as Dandy will do bespoke editions.