As this is my first folding camper 2007 Conway Countryman so I am spending the next few months finding out what I need to buy, so far I have on my list levellers, EHU splitter because I want a separate feed into the awning, not sure if an ordinary portable TV aerial will work everywhere ?
I have also been researching campsites we prefer small sites because my husband only has 2 % sight and if site is small less people for him to walk into or for people to think he is being rude by not saying hello he often does not acknowledge people because he is not aware of them, we also like quieter site so his guide dog can have some freedom.
I have noticed some sites specify they have pitches for trailer tents which I presume I can use but if site only says tent, caravan, camper van which should I book ?
Any other tips or info you think would help a novice would be much appreciated
As for what to book re pitches, if in doubt always phone and see what is available.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Hi Jane.. Congrats on buying an fc.. I also have the same model.. U will get great enjoyment... As u can maybe see from my previous posting I am only learning also and have got great tips from this forum... Any tips are always my own opinion so I'd love to hear better ones so I can improve also... On booking campsites I always ring as from what I have found the set up for the countryman awning a grass pitch is better.. I only put up the awning usually if I'm away for 3 nights minimum... A hard pitch then is fine I feel just for the trailer as I have purchased a ten man dining tent from decathlon which takes less than ten mins to put up and can be put by the trailer door... Hope this tip helps... If I think of more I will post but definitely ask questions... As this is how we all learn!!!... Happy camping..
Thanks for responding to my post, I was wondering if it would be quicker for short trips to get a pop up instead of putting up the awning as we always travel with 2 large Labrador’s it would be a little cramped not to have some outside space, we have had a trial run at putting up the camper where it is stored inside but not had chance to put awning up so not sure how long it could take. Do you have a photo or link to the dining tent you have ?
Second item on your 'to get' list, the EHU splitter! They're banned on all CAMC and CCC sites, and many other sites too, so it may be of little use to you. Any electrical supply into awning is usually expected to be via your main unit, NOT taken from the EHU Bollard.
A great many campsites are in pretty marginal TV reception areas, so an ordinary 'domestic' aerial integrated into a portable TV is likely to struggle! Most caravans/MHs/campers have specialist aerials with signal boosters, and even they can struggle! The other thing is 'elevation' of the aerial to give better 'line of sight' to the transmitter, caravans etc. have them roof mounted which gives maybe 2m extra elevation over what you'd have with your set mounted one, plus they have unattenuated signals as in free air, you'll have a weaker signal because of attenuation from walls, fixtures/fittings in your unit. Older caravans which never had them roof mounted at manufacture, folding campers etc. are often seen with a TV aerial mounted atop a long pole affixed to the A-frame.
If you seek smaller sites, you may like to consider CAMC CL sites which are only 5 pitches, you can only access these sites if a member of the club. CCC have a similar CS scheme, which have a max of 5 'caravan' pitches, but can have an additional 10 tent pitches. There are a lot less CCC CS sites than CAMC CL sites though. Many people join the clubs purely for access to these smaller sites. A great many of these sites are situated on farms, which is not to everyone's liking, but a lot of us find them to be in lovely locations and prefer them to large sites.
The list of items you may wish to acquire is perhaps near endless, so difficult to advise, things I find invaluable even with the 'vast expanse' of a 4 berth caravan, is 'collapsible' washing up bowl/dish drainer/bucket etc., the 'solid' ones take up SO MUCH space, the collapsible ones tuck away nicely.
Perhaps even more important with your hubby's poor eyesight is REALLY good door steps! AND the dogs may not be impressed with some either! Firstly avoid ones with tubular legs that end with 'bungs' for feet, they sink into soft ground and become uneven. Best are perhaps the moulded plastic ones with broad feet that don't sink in, wide and deep treads with good grip texture, and no open riser for either hubby or dogs to put foot through the gap.
Not sure what the awning options are on a FC, but if a standard roof rail, then may be worth looking at this style of awning, they are quick and easy to erect and remove with only a single 'hooped' pole, quite light to carry and small when packed, and mine certainly is, seem to be quite robust in windy weather or heavy rain! https://sunncamp.co.uk/products/swift-deluxe-260-sc
Hope that's a start, and happy camping to you both.
Great advice Monty.... As u said there are loads of bits and pieces... I keep adding!!!... I will upload the photo of the tent Jane.. We face it onto the door as it opens on 3 sides.... I use a firestick for the TV I don't know is that an option for u.... I make out a list every time I head away u be surprised what u need and forget....
Thank you everyone for the great information, I have spent hours researching things folding campers which is where I discovered the EHU splitter maybe it was on an American site so that’s one thing less I will need to get 🤣🤣
Because we were tent campers I already have the collapsing bowl, bucket, dish draining rack, sieve / colander and kettle and on a trip to Italy bought a set of stacking saucepans with short handles each side so was pleased with how much I was able to fit into the cupboards.
We may just not take a TV if signal is too difficult to achieve we are lucky our usual campsite on a farm is not only perfect for us but close to home and portable aerial workd perfectly as it is in direct line of a local mast.
When we upgraded from pole to a 6 man airbeam tent we joined Camping And Caravaning Club but because our trailer and a lot of car were taken up with camping gear and the 2 dogs it took us so long to set up tent that we didn’t venture far from our local site but because we now have the camper want to be more adventurous and hopefully find more small as you said mainly farm sites.
Thank you for advice on steps that I had not even thought about some did come with camper I will need to replace in due course.
Monty thank you for adding link it reminded me I have already got similar item that might work with camper 🤞 it is an Outdoor Revolution Airedale side porch pole and sleeve awning.
Now praying for an early spring so we can get going.
sorry to say this but your airedale porch wont fit, its not got enough height esp in the center of it where it would go over the roof , most other makes of awning will have the same issue, simply put they arent tall enough for a folding camper
FC have a zip on awning, so the standard caravan ones won't fit without some adaptation. I believe it is possible to get the zips to convert them though, and I'm pretty sure I have seen one of the Suncamp Swift ones used that way. It's something we're thinking about, because setting up the full awning for a weekend seems like overkill, but we need somewhere for wet and muddy stuff!
Ours is newer, but we have an external power outlet for the awning. I don't know how long that's been a thing, but it's worth checking for.
Not sure what a fire stick is 🫣 but I can use my she as an excuse 🤣🤣 love my gadgets just not always up to date with them I will have to investigate. For me it’s not always the things you forget it’s the things you buy even when you don’t need them afraid I am a glamper rather than a camper 😁
We definitely cannot manage without somewhere because of the 2 large Labrador’s but they love camping when they see us loading the car and trailer the old boy jumps in the boot and refuses to get out which is not helpful as we usually load up the night before we go 🤣🤣
I'm based in Ireland.... Firestick em... Shouldn't be used!! If that makes sense read between the lines ha.... Just googled and ordered ehu splitter... Will be great addition..... Must measure and make curtains for the kitchen and bedroom areas inside plus will make some for the awning as well... I don't use the kitchen must just use my gas hob but I guess that's all weather permitting but I just love cooking outdoors.. Breakfast will be cooked on the bbq tomo morning
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Pitchs
via mobile 12/10/2024 at 12:03am
