We have just decided to take the plunge and buy a folding camper but want to do a bit of research before we part with the cash.
I have had brochures for the above two which look almost identical in size set up and cost for each similar sized model.
However I have found a website that sells the Peninne Range considerably cheaper than its Conway counterpart after discount and comes with more freebies.
So my questions are
Are these brands respectable?
Is there any/much difference between the Conway Cruiser & Pennine Pullman?
What should we look out for if buying second hand?
Do these require a MOT? I presume insurance is a must....does it cost much?
And lastly I have a Peugeot 406 2.0 HDI - I'm guessing it would have no problem pulling these?
Thanks for any advice - will read through the forum in meantime !
Pennine now make the conway ones (& have for a few years not sure how long but someone will be along to tell you I am sure) so I would assume that the quality will be the same in both. No idea on spec though but you should be able to check that.
It is definitely a respectable name & has been around for many years.
No idea on the others sorry
try here for more conway info http://www.conwayowners.org.uk/
when we were looking we found that similar priced conway's had less 'features' than the similar priced Pennine's. we also found that the most obvious visual difference between the two, was that the conway's are the the other way round to the pennine's - beds along the length of the conway, and accross the width of the pennine. not too sure about the exact models you are loking at, as we were looking a bit further down the range and settled on a pennine sterling.
i don't think insurance is compulsory, but it is certainly advisable - lots of pennies to write off if some light fingered 'person' took a fancy to it.
hope this helps
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
We pull the pathfinder which is heavier with a 406. Absolutely no problem. We debated between the two but got a better deal on the pennine. No regrets at all.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
Thanks for all your replies - yes it does seem the Pennines have more spec for the money.
Not sure whether to go for a new one or second hand but as I have seen in other posts there doesnt seem a lot in the price between new and "nearly-new".
The one dealership I have noticed in the South west is Highbridge Caravans - can anyone recommend anyone else?
Also a bit of a daft question but I assume you pay on sites as if it was a caravan rather than tent....or is there an inbetween price
hi....have just bought a pennine pathfinder...nearly new...it is like new n cost half the price of a new one we ve just packed away our conway cruiser ,it is old but did the job with no leaks ! pennine v conway is down to personal choice...the main diff being opening pennine fold , conway slide out. nearly new campers are out there keep looking...private ads are better priced, goodluck n happy camping
We bought from Highbridge and were very happy. The bargains in second hand ones are not to be had at the dealers though. If you are looking to buy new buy when one of the shows is on and ask Highbridge to match the show price. This usually means the awning and a few more bits are thrown in.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
Couldn't agree with Jan P more. We too bought our Conway Crusader from Highbridge and have no complaints whatsoever. I'd recommend these guys to anyone.
we looked at the campers at Highbridge last December - we were staying with my Uncle in devon at the time - was a good place to go to see the different models as they have a nice indoor display. but we bought ours more locally to us.
one thing i did notice though, earlier this year i was looking at Highbridge's website and they had an ex display 2005 Sterling on sale for more than a brand spanking new one! possibly Pennine had reduced the price for this years model.
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
We bought our folding camper from highbridge and found them very helpful. At the time we were buying a brand new one so they went through both the pennine and the conway showing us the differences between them when you first look at them there doesn't seem to be any difference but there is. To start with they open differently the conway beds slide the pennine use gas strutts and open out. The guy at highbridge pointed out the because the bed slides on the conway it makes the bed higher and I found this harder to get into as i'm only 5feet 1inch tall. Highbridge do have the full range of both conway and pennine on display and do have some secondhand ones for sale the prices aren't that much cheaper. As for the other questions asked you don't need an mot you are supposed to get them serviced but I suppose that would up to yourself, and as for insurance I would definately say yes because how about if you have an accident could you afford to replace it and what if other motorists are involved?
Well its confession time ( sorry Declan) we have decided to bite the bullet and go back to a caravan, hubby wants to trade ours in but I think we should sell it private... priced to sell !!! so if your interested let me know, I dont see why we should give the dealer for next to nothing.
------------- A diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing ... Pam
The only thing that puts me off a caravan is the large tow, and having to store it somewhere at cost. I guess it is more cost efficent in long run but would rather start with this and build up if we get the bug.
Ive put it on the free adds section , but its a 2005 model garaged used 3 times with extras ie bed skirts, awning bed tent, new alko stabiliser just fitted and bike rack plus ground sheet. oh and we want 7, 500.... bargain !
------------- A diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing ... Pam
I've looked at the Pennine and Conway web sites and it looks to me like when you open out the conway it's completely under cover the whole time but with the pennine the canvas looks like it's folded so not under cover.
Is this the case or have I got it wrong?
It's putting me off the Pennine a bit.
Thanks