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Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and relatively new to folding campers!

We have a conway cruiser, about 20yrs old but in good condition. When we bought it, it had just been fitted with a brand new canvas and awning so it's like having a new fc and has got loads of years service to come. (Even though we are looking to upgrade to a caravan next year! Sorry, but I've caravanned all my life with my parents and the fc is a stepping stone into the camping/caravanning world for me and my hubby)

We had a week away in it last year and thoroghly enjoyed the whole experience! We were really lucky that we went away on probably the only week it didn't rain last year so after rain on the first night which helped to fully seal the canvas, we brought home a dry fc and after drying the dew off the awning on my washing line (from folding it away on dewy grass), all is still well with the canvas.

But we are due to go camping again this saturday and I'm a bit worried about bringing it home again if it's wet. We keep our fc on our drive as we've no garage, but my main concern is how can I dry it thoroughly before storing for the winter if we have to bring it home wet and the rain carries on for several days when we are home.

We can't put the unit up in our back garden as we can't get it into the garden and I don't want to leave it up overnight on the front in case of "light fingers" What do you all do? And how long generally does it take to dry, or how long do you dry it for?

I can at a push bring the awning into the house to dry but it will be draped all over the kitchen and living room on clothes maidens

I have suggested to my hubby that we remove the canvas off the fc and dry it in the house with the awning (if I can find any room) but he thinks that we might not be able to get it back on the frame properly again! We are novices to all this, but are learning fast, but this is really my only worry! My mum has suggested that if it's dry on the day before we leave to pack up the awning then we only need to dry the unit if it rains which is a brill idea, but still not sure how we can dry the main canvas.

Oh and just thought I struggle to put up the unit on my own when hubby is at work as the beds slide out from the camper on rails rather than fold out if you know what I mean, and I haven't got the strength to put it up myself! So if we have a dry day and he's already left for work, I won't be able to open the camper to dry it!

Sorry I've waffled on a bit but it's preying on my mind so any help greatfully appreciated!

It has to be dry, no question. But with a decent breeze and warmish, it will be bone dry in 4-5 hours, and that`s from really wet.

So if you get the awning off dry...and yes, it`s really worth doing the day before if you`re doubtful about the weather...then you`ll really only need to put the main unit up for a sunny morning/afternoon. So if you can get the cabin erected out front somewhere you can keep an eye on it, you`re sorted. Good chance to give it a clean and sort out the fridge and kitchen, take down any curtains etc for the winter etc. If you`re pottering in and out the house to it, then you`ll be able to keep an eye on it.

As to the weather...well, you`ll have to cross your fingers. If you pack up wet and the rain keeps on for several days, it`s still worth opening it up for an hour or so on a dry evening when your Hubby is home just to keep the dreaded mildew from setting in.

Untill last week, we have used our big 6 birth tent for camping. Now we have our newly aquired f/c that we have tried out already, and the weather was fine. We took down the awning the night before - no problem. it was nice and dry. If it had of rained, we would have treated it like our tent, and had the hot air blower on it for as long as poss before  dismantling it.It worked wonders for us, even though it obviously wasnt very dry, but a lot drier than if we hadnt of done that.  Do you think this a good idea?

We always dry our camper out as soon as the weather is fit. We once got so wet that we brought everything into the house to dry except the canvas, another thing we do wich has seemed to help us is to put a oil filled radiator inside on full heat whilst drying it.

It`s a pain drying it but if you look after your camper it will last for years.