We have been looking at hard top folding campers like the conway tardis.
We was wondering why they stopped making the hard top type. Is there a fault in them and what do others recommend, hard top or canvas?
We would like to get one but still unsure which to look for. We would like to spend around 2000 to 3000 as we have never purchased one before and not sure if we would like towing or not.
At present we have a 4 birth tent and would really like to move up to some home comforts!
Look forward to hearing your comments.
Regards,
john + maz
------------- For sale Never Used Large 6 berth tent.
According to the pennine website, they stopped making them to focus on thier canvas top folding campers, guessing that means they didn't sell many and wasn't worht making them anymore.
Exact wording below, taken from April 2008 news section on website;
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Hard-Top project discontinued
We have recently received several enquiries, requesting an update on the Cardinal Clubman hard-top project. We are sorry to inform you that we have recently concluded that it is no longer feasible for us to manufacture this model on both cost and logisitical grounds. We would like to apologise for any confusion which this may have caused, over time but we believe that this will enable us to focus our efforts on better development of our current camper range. Assuring you of our best attention at all times. Pennine Group Sales Department
Quote: Originally posted by s66614a on 16/8/2008
Exact wording below, taken from April 2008 news section on website;
* * Exhibitions * Subscribe to our newsletter
News archive
Hard-Top project discontinued We have recently received several enquiries, requesting an update on the Cardinal Clubman hard-top project. We are sorry to inform you that we have recently concluded that it is no longer feasible for us to manufacture this model on both cost and logisitical grounds. We would like to apologise for any confusion which this may have caused, over time but we believe that this will enable us to focus our efforts on better development of our current camper range. Assuring you of our best attention at all times. Pennine Group Sales Department
s66614a,
Thanks for your quick reply to my post. Do you own one or do you have The canvas top style?
I have neither, just looking at the moment which is how I knew about the hardtop, as I wondered why you couldn't get them anymore.
I still can't decide on caravan or folding camper, would really like a shower in it, and not having to dry the caravan is a big bonus, going to go to NEC show in October before I decide.
The rights to Conway were purchased by Pennine a while ago which is probably while they don't make them anymore. And also the reason conway and pennine campers are all the same apart from colour.
2002/2003 was the the last hardtops made by Conway the Cardinal Clubman , it can only be cost ,or the patent on hardtop mechanism that prevents manafacture , as i do think there would be a market for them ,if the price was right
Yes and 2002 was when Pennine acquired Conway, whether Pennine could be said to manufacturer hardtops or if they just sold of existing stock is the question.
Was the lift mechanism patented? If so it would transfer to Pennine you'd think.
The cable lift seems identical to a Starcraft I used to have, so I'm not sure what the patent would relate to?
I guess the economies of scale are why Pennine won't manufacture again, that and they charge the same price as low end caravans already so they could only possibly sell to the most committed hardtop afficianados.
------------- A wise man learns from his own mistakes - a genius learns from the mistakes of others
The cable lift system came from Jayco - in fact the first Conway hardtops were also labelled Jayco. Jayco still use it but I don't think that's the problem. I doubt it was patented, as it is used widely in the USA.
Conway allegedly made a loss on each Clubman/Cardinal towards the end of production, so it was probably an easy cost saving target when Pennine took over. Any that were part way through manufacture were completed but that was all. Since that time, I think they have progressively taken cost out of the remaining Conway units, so that even the sliding bed system has now disappeared. Pennine say that owners wanted the strut system but I've yet to meet an owner who would give up his sliding system for a foldover system, or a hardtop owner who would want one either!
It was high production costs that put the prototype hardtop Cardinal replacement out of the running. Rumour was they would have had to charge as much as a top of the range caravan for it and they didn't think potential buyers would pay that much.
Ditto importing from USA - the changes needed to make them legal here added too much to the cost, plus the USA ones are getting ever bigger and heavier (bit like UK caravans) and just wouldn't be legal here no matter what they did to them.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Hi there I owned a Conway Cardinal Clubman for several years only sold it as my boys dont want to come on hols anymore so we rattled around in it. (too much space) having said that we loved it and never had any probs with it so easy to put up and take down and to tow. I wish I had never sold it and would recommend to any one.
I just bought a 1990 Conway Cardinal Clubman because of the wind up system and the pull out beds (not getting any younger!) Taking it out to Denn Farm in Bridgnorth this weekend and can';t wait!
Quote: Originally posted by Moonseeker on 20/8/2008
We've just acquired a rather ancient hard topped Starcraft hardtopped folding camper, and I willing confess to the fact that I love wind up system.
The Starcraft are great, I had one for a while, the pvc roof on the bedroom means they can be left up all summer and the canvas - what weight is that? Anyone who goes on about ten cate has never seen a Starcraft.
------------- A wise man learns from his own mistakes - a genius learns from the mistakes of others
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Topic: Hard top folding campers
