Can anyone give me some advice on the clubman. I'm thinking of buying one and was wondering how easy is it to put together, move about when its off the trailer and anything else either good points or bad points as i dont have much experience with folding campers. We've only used the Raclet Solena which im finding far too small. Thanks
The Clubman is relatively easy to put up, simply wind the handle and the roof goes up - push in a few poles around the beds, and stretch the canvas under the beds. Internally there's just the wardrobe, sink etc into place, plug in the electrics, and fill the water container.
I can put up the awning single handed in about 20 minutes.
Putting it down is so easy our 3 year old can wind it down!
When buying second-hand (even from a dealer), check the cord that winds the roof up - make sure it looks in good condition as it's a nuisance to replace.
Thanks both for replying... another question... i have a rather steep driveway.. as the unit is quite big do you think it be impossible it wheel it down.. im no good at reversing or would i need to find a field to store it on? Ive only looked around the unit im thinking of buying not pushed or pulled it yet...
They are a fair weight. Manhandling it down a steep drive won't be easy, but there are ways to help. If you're careful, and practice on a not-so-steep slope, you can use the handbrake to control the descent, as long as you push the trailer down backwards - handbrake up just a few notches will help to control its descent. You might be able to rig up some sort of winch system - I think there is a winch that fits to your tow-ball, so you could then use it to control the descent. Another (not cheap, but in my opinion worth every penny) option is to have some sort of caravan mover fitted to the trailer - basically a motor for each wheel which is remote controlled. We had one on our Pennine Pathfinder (and now have one on the caravan) and it was (is) the best £900 we ever spent.
They are pretty heavy, especially when loaded with your gear. I struggled to move mine around much on a flat driveway on my own, but then I am a weak woman. With help from my teenagers we could move it easily. But surely the problem would be in getting it up the drive, as much as getting it down?
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I think ive come up with a solution now... whether it will work i dont know but ive decided to go ahead and buy the clubman... Are there 2 different types of clubman?? the unit i want to buy has a washroom but there are a few added on a few sites forsale which dont have the washroom but a toilet tent???? is there 2 types of conway clubmans then?
sorry for all the questions but i really have no idea the camper im about to buy
the Clubman was the last model update in the hard top range from Conway. They started out as the Tardis (6 berth) & Laser(4 berth) in about 1982, then in 1988/89 (the 4 berth got dropped from the range) and the Tardis got updated and became the Cardinal and the higher spec'ed Cardinal Clubman. They then dropped the Cardinal name when they updated again in 1999 having just the Clubman.
I think the toilet compartment was added to the Cardinal Clubman from 1998
Have you looked at the http://www.conwayowners.org.uk/index.htm website? If you click on the Conway Models link, you can download the brochure for your model year camper
Thanks everyone for your tips and advice.. ive gone ahead and bought the 99 clubman today.. cant wait to pick it up! The salesman told us all about the models today we on the desperate lookout for a second unit now, same 99 version... anyone know of one for sale???