So come on tell me how come there are never any 'nearly new' folding caravans for sale? I only see brand new ones (usually at the nec show) or really old ones on Ebay.
Is it becauce they are not very popular? Do they leak? They are pretty expensive too I spose?!
Keep looking "nealy new fc" come up on ebay got a 2010 pennine pathfinder 3 months ago with awning and other bits and bobs. Good luck with your hunting and hope you get a good deal like we did.
We have just bought an old rapido confortmatic cheaply on ebay. The idea being, if we like it we can upgrade to a newer, larger one, if not we haven't spent a fortune. Have a look at the folding caravan club websites ie; rapido, esterel, gobur. We have already joined the rapido owners club. We went for a folding caravan rather than a camper as when erected it is solid rather than canvas. Try preloved as well, there are a few on there. If looked after they don't leak at all. Prices range from a few hundred to a few thousand, like anything else, but they are a lot cheaper than a trad caravan. Esterel cost more to buy but seem to have more mod cons and the roof actually forms the lid of the trailer. These are just some of the things I found out when researching.
Good luck!
The problem that we found with our folding caravan was that our circumstances only had to change ever so slightly and our unit became impossible to use.
Now whether these circumstances be the growth of the family or failing health or whatever, there is just no room to expand or convert. Oh and yes, if you buy them new, they lose their value fast. We lost £7,000 in 3 years.
Fortunately we found a beautiful 3 year old FC on the Preloved website that came with many extras and this does have the room to adapt to any foreseeable future needs. The money we did get for the folding caravan, paid for our FC and that has not lost any value in the two years that we have now owned it.
A bit more research on our part and, in 2007 we would have gone straight to the Folding Camper market in the first place, bought one new and still saved ourselves a packet.
If you are "set in your ways" then the folding caravan is a good buy, but if you are looking for something long term and which you can trade in in the future for something different later on, then we would suggest the FC market.
We sold our folding caravan to UKCS Members and we are still in touch with them. They are now getting the use from it that we once envisaged getting from it.
We have friends with a Gobur 2 berth with a toilet. They love it but have no family so no need for room for kids or grandchildren in future. They bought from Gobur, lots of people trade in for new models apparently. It seems well built etc. But you do need room in the car for transporting aquaroll and wastemaster etc. Not much room when folded due to cupboards etc on floor. We went for a folding camper for similar reasons to Lobey, seems more flexible space wise.
When I say our family "grew" it was by another Bichon Frise.
However, sleeping in the Sprintaway was tight anyway with 2 adults and one Bichon. The second one just broke the camels back.
Now we have the FC and and have a double bed each. Well, I should say that Mrs Lobey has the King Sized Double and Lobey, Mull and Coll have the other (smaller) double. If nothing else, its cosy.
While we have spent almost a month away in the Sprintaway, we did fin it a bit constrictive although it did allow us to tour the Outer Hebrides where the wind can turn to full on gales rather quickly, it did us proud from that point of view. But because, being retired, we can go on long tours, we do prefer the room afforded to us by using a 6 berth FC for the two (+2 dogs) of us.
We would need a 3 berth, they seem few and far between. The only ones see are really old. I liked the new ones at the nec show, but would not be spending 15k on one!
I'd love another caravan, but it means a bigger car to tow with, expensive insurance and fuel to tow it. Already tried a folding camper, sold it due to the wet canvas thing, so wondering if a folding caravan is an option. I'm sure one day I will find something I'm happy with
I'm even looking at the new bigger camp-lets, and we sold one of those not long ago. Seems they have listened to customer feedback and made improvements, good on them!
I love my old Export 32+ years old & still going strong, it's got everything I need. Two double beds can be made up either side if you wish or double bed one side & double bunks the other so can potentially sleep up to 6. It's also got a seperate toilet area & kichen inside too. You can also fit an awning on both sides of it if you need more room. Shame they not made anymore as the last models were made in 1990.
"........So come on tell me how come there are never any 'nearly new' folding caravans for sale? I only see brand new ones (usually at the nec show) or really old ones on Ebay........"
To the best of my knowledge, Gobur are the only current manufacturers of 'folding caravans'
It took us nearly two years to find a 'nearly new' example of a Gobur. They are well built, do not leak and tow very easily.(and also comparitvely expensive)
Yes people do hold on to them. Gobur run a very personal operation, the two main bosses work on the factory floor every day and virtually know every customer by name. As a result, when people do come to sell on, they are very loyal to Gobur, so they very often let the Gobur factory refurbish them to an almost new condition and then Gobur sell them on from their factory in Melton Constable.
However, I think the main answer to your original question is that, given they are hand built to order, and the factory can only handle one or two at a time, there are physically very few of them about. Look around any busy site, how many do you see?
Pennine too,slightly different in that they have a fixed (oddly shaped ) bed. They seem to go up the same way,and look like an office inside! Saw them at the NEC along with the Goburs,which I preferred. Neither are cheap,are they?
I had a Gobur Carousel but unfortunately I lost a wheel on it at speed and it was a write off.
I now have a Conway Cruiser and will be taking it to Devon at the end of next month.
If anyone is interested I some spares for a Gobur
I have a full awning to fit the 12ft models with steel frame and tall bedroom annexe that fits on either side.
Also a Reich caravan mover which was on the Gobur but would fit any single axle caravan.not folding campers as I have had Rhyno movers fitted to the Conway.
Regards
John
We have a 4 berth Rapido Orline, and love it. I think the reason that there aren't many nearly new around is that people keep hold of them when they get them. TBH there are not many older types either.
Ours is an 87 model and looked terrible when we bought it, the guy who sold it to us didn't seemed to have cleaned it for quite a long time, but after a clean up with the wife's steam cleaner it came up great. We intend to paint the inside, not becuase it needs it, but to make it brighter. Also we are going to take out the carpet and fit vinyl flooring.. easier to keep clean with 2 small dogs running around, especially in the cooler/wetter months later in the year.
We tend to set up one of the seating areas as a permanent bed once we arrive on site, and with the awning there is plenty of space inside and out. Having had FC's in the past, I would not now get rid of my Rapido... unless it was for a newer one. It's much quicker to set up than an FC.. only takes 10 mins to getting the kettle on, obviously a bit longer for the awning. You don't need any great strenght to set them up either, my wife is 5ft 2 and 56 and can put it up by herself.
We would definitely recommend Folding camper, but then we are prejudiced.
Please,Please, has anyone got a Awning for the gobur 10/2s withe annex call me on 01843 835860 we Love are little gobur we have a awning but can not fit a Annex
my friend is selling a trigano lifestyle limited folding camper and altho not nearly new, (you wouldnt think so) its immaculate - because they tend not too be used that much they tend to hold their newness, and the couple who have it had looked after it, serviced it reguarly, they are only selling this as they have now purchased a brand new one
get in touch if interested
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Topic: Folding caravans
