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 Topic: CARAVAN OR FOLDING CAMPER
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27/2/2020 at 10:02am
Location: South London
Outfit: Conway Crusader (2010) (+ a few tents)
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Joined: 30/5/2014 Standard Member
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Re the caravan/FC question it's probably worth outlining your use-case a little more. How many people? Kids? When are you likely to use it? Short weekend trips or long stays? Summer/fair weather or year round? Do you have somewhere to store a caravan? Are you limited by your tow vehicle at all? (sounds like you don't have any licence restriction)
Caravans & FCs both have their advantages, but most are specific to a particular user's needs.
Personally I have a Conway Crusader FC - why?
1) I have a good sized driveway, but where I keep it a caravan would obnoxiously overshadow the neighbour's front window. No such problem with the Crusader
2) Easy tow (Citroen Grand Picasso), and will within the limits of my class B licence
3) Perfectly sized for 2 adults 2 kids, with room for guests in the awning annexes if needed
4) Still retains a bit of the feel of 'camping under canvas' that I think we'd lose with a caravan
In contrast, my sister has a caravan, why?
1) Has a handy space to keep it tucked away in her cul-du-sac without bothering anyone
2) 3 bigger kids, extra space, sometimes uses it for sleepovers
3) Has a shower, generally a bit more 'luxurious'
4) Minimal setup/pack down
Neither of us would swap for the other's unit, since both suit out particular uses.
As for what to look for when buying, plenty of good, detailed, guides out there with a bit of googling.
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27/2/2020 at 11:59am
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Compass Omega 432
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A perennial question!
We have done it all, and at present have a small 2 berth caravan but have kept our pathfinder.......why?
My preference is the FC, it’s roomy inside has all the facilities of a caravan, the beds are really comfy, has the smell of camping, huge awning, easy to tow and store, and fitted with a motor mover.
The down side is personal, I have to erect the whole thing, my hubby is 87 and has restricted movement in his shoulders, the amount of awning canvas is too much to haul around and frankly I’m gutted at having to change to a caravan.
The 2 berth is lovely, a 2005 model in the ‘old style’ layout meaning I have to make the beds up each night! The awning is lighter, it has a motor mover and is pitched within minutes. We have space to store at home so don’t incur extra costs, or have a covenant about not keeping one on the premises.
Pro caravan: great if it’s raining when you pitch up, packing to go off on a trip
Downside: towing and size (due to car limit)
Pro FC: size, ease of storage, ease of towing, space when on site
Downside: packing up in the wet, unpacking on return home - they need to dry or they will go mouldy.
I can’t bring myself to part with the FC and hope to return to it one day.
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sandra
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27/2/2020 at 8:43pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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Interesting question. we've had frame tent, small caravan, large 4 berth, large fixed bed, small 2 berth and a Dandy Designer folding caravan/camper.
Frame tent hardly got used. So much faff getting everything down out of the loft, setting it all up, couldn't keep food as no fridge etc and it always rained non stop every time.
Got small freedom caravan. Loved it. Very comfy bed, small fridge, 2 ring cooker and grill and cold water only sink. Very simple, not much to go wrong, fibre glass body and galvanised chassis so would last. Delight to tow even with a mini metro.
Got bigger car and wanted to take Mother away with us as well so got old 4 berth. Nice with inside toilet etc but double bed was 3'5" wide so really bad.
Upgraded to 3 year old 4 berth, side dinette, end wash room. Brilliant
Several years later upgraded to brand new 18 foot fixed bed van. Fixed bed was very cramped, shower and toilet in corner not good. Hated towing it as it was so long and snaky about 90% match.
Retired and sold it as didn't think we could afford it any more. Got Dandy Designer. I loved it. 2 double beds so one each, small chest 3way fridge travelled in car. Loading up was simply packing clothes wash gear etc in a holdall each which travelled in car an stored on fixed bed in camper. Food in car.
Everything camping related stayed in the dandy so just chuck food and clothes in car and hitch up dandy.
Set up was 10 minutes and everything inside. TV aerial, sun canopy etc could wait until I felt like doing it. Had a porta potti which we brought inside at night with a curtain. It lived under the underbed skirt by day.
I loved the simplicity of it but wife hated it because no shower and she is a snob who wants the best caravan on the site.
Sold dandy and got brand new small 2 berth with end washroom. Very good but all the complicated electronics etc worry me. Expensive for annual service and insurance and depreciation etc. Ugly on the drive and in the way.
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via mobile 27/2/2020 at 8:41am
