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We love our FC - we've spent well  over 200 nights away in it over the past six years in the UK and mainland Europe. No complaints at all about the unit, (once we finally figured the best way to put the awning up!) but now it's showing a couple of signs of aging and I'm posting them here in case any other Pennine owners might like to check for the same effects.

First - I've found what appears to be a fatigue crack in the main cabin central cross pole just where the pole is pierced to take an awning connector. It's gone about 4/5 of the way through and clearly on the verge of failure. A break in use would take all the tension out of the canvas and be bad news, so this pole has to be replaced before we use the unit again.

Second - A spongy area indicating wet rot, covering about a square foot has developed in the trailer wall lining, behind the cupboard located below the sink, in the area where the electric pump connection is fitted. This doesn't stop the trailer being used, but clearly needs attention to stop it spreading. I'm told by Pennine that possibly the whole side of the trailer needs to be replaced, which would be an expensive job. There may be other options involving just the front part, but we'll have to see what can be done this autumn.

I find it interesting that the canvas, which I thought would be the weak point of a folding camper, remains in excellent condition, despite being exposed to weather conditions ranging from 14 unbroken days of blazing sun in southern France, to a series of thunderstorms in Northern Italy which gave it a thorough 'torture test'. In the end, it's the trailer hardware which seems to be breaking down first.

Ian

Hi

Sorry to hear about the problems with your Sterling. We have a Fiesta with patches of  the dreaded mushy walls syndrome. This is more common than you would think with Pennines as they used OSB for the walls when an exterior ply would have been far more suitable (but would have cost a little bit more). This type of board turns to mush when damp similar to chipboard. Anyone buying a used pennine should check all around the walls of soft patches, I wish I had .

Some members on here have adviced repairing the patch with infils but I'm still considering replacing the sides completely. I suppose it all depends how long you want to keep for.

Pieface

I am a recent Feista owner so may sound a bit dense.

When you say check around the walls what exactly do you mean ? Check inside or outside ?

thanks

Alan.

The problem would show up inside the trailer. It's either caused by external damage to the aluminium skin, or (more likely in my view) by faulty/breakdown of sealing around fittings. Water gets in and softens the wood lining and it will eventually rot. In our case I suspect the insert for the electric whale pump, but there are other likely places such as the venting arrangemants for the fridge, the battery compartement, or around the door frame. A similar problem is not unknown in caravans and there are many discussions on the Caravan Forums about it.

If you're buying second hand, ask to be allowed to poke about in all the cupboards and lockers and press gently with your thumb against the lining. If it's spongy, it will eventually need an expensive repair. If the external aluminium skin is broken anywhere, the problem is eventually going to show up on the inside, so check the outside for damage as well.

Ian

This points to the fact that the pennine/conway family have suspect build.  I meant putting in pretty accessories in the shape of cupboards/ovens/cushions etc matters very little if they have use materials for the body of the trailer that are substandard.