We have a conway challenger, we attach the poles to the cabin, then open the awning up like a rolled up carpet, slide it up to the main body, zip it on, then roll it down.The front poles break , so we pull the awning over them, then lift & lock the poles, peg it down, thats it, takes, 10-15mins, if its windy we fix the guy ropes, also we keep the doors zipped up until its pegged down.
Hi I have a Fiesta that I put up on my own when OH doesn't join us til later - I always hook the roof poles on first then zip the awning on (without the panels) - put the upright poles on - it helps at this stage if you can find two small people to just hold the uprights while you fix it all together and then put the panels in. Job done -10 minutes - that's if the small people stand still!!!.
I hope you dont mind me asking, but you say you've just bought a 2004 Fiesta, did you buy it off ebay or trade in at camping shop?
We are trying to decide what to do, cant really afford a new one and don't really know what sort of price we should be paying for a camper about the same age as yours, be it a Fiesta or a Countryman ( still cant bl***y decide!!! )
Dont expect you to tell me exactly how much you paid, just want some rough ideas as to how much and where from for something not older than 2003 without being ripped off.
We were lucky. Ours was given to us by a family member who has upgraded. Hardly used and almost as new. Looking online I have seen 1998 Fiestas going for £2000 and a 2006 going for £4000 and a 2007 going for £5700.
I think Ebay is a good starting point but the cheaper (and older) they get the worst condition. Look for on stored in a garage. Will have wintered better.
We've bought 2 Pennine campers on ebay over the last 5 years. A few years back we were camping in the Forest of Dean in a dome tent which we struggled to put up due to the wind, our friends Pennine trailer was put up in 10 mins!As we couldn't afford a new one I started to watch the prices on ebay and finally purchased a 1986 Pennine Aztec old but in good cond,we sold it on ebay last year we got more for it than we paid!!!Couldn't believe, it, you have to choose the right time to buy and sell, the demand for trailer tents depends on the weather I found. We bought a Pennine Fiesta 1993/4 in April last year paid £550 the price was low no demand due to a very cold and dull spell, as soon as the weather improves more people start bidding.I've seen a 1993 for 2x as much as what we paid, you have to choose the right time. We sold the Pennine Aztec in the summer months when the demand started going back up. I would certainly buy and sell another one on ebay, always check the sellers ratings as well, make sure it is 100% and also get a tow bar as we didn't have one when we bought our first trailer!!
When the camper is assembled we zip the awning and roll it back on to the camper get the poles in place but only extend the legs halfway,roll the awning over the frame so it's more managable (you'll need at least 2 people to hold a corner pole)start to extend the legs out one at a time and hey presto it just takes practice and we aare still practising. It's easier to show than try and explain!!We used to dread putting the frame up until we saw a book on trailer tents on how to place the awning on,it's easy when you know how!
Going to start looking properly now, we've already got a tow bar as we've had a tt for the last 6 years and now we think it's time to upgrade to something that doesn't take so long to put up and peg out. The idea being to cut down on the things we take and when it's just the 2 of us, not bother with the awning.
There is only the 2 of us but since we've found the awning alot easier to put up we wouldn't be without it, the estra space is so useful especially on those wet summer days for putting the wet waterproofs after a walk/bike ride Let us know how you get on in your search for a folding camper. Can't wait to use ours, We're taking it for it's first service after easter in time for the hot weather in May and June where I have booked most of my holidays as July and Aug over the last 2 years have been a washout!!
No, I cant wait either. We've been campers for years now and I get just as exited now as I did the very first time I went.
We dont often sit in the awning part of the tt, always outside (unless its raining of course) so we thought for quick weekends away we would maybe just use the camper and perhaps a large brolly for shade to sit under for the lovely summer we ARE going to have this year. For longer stays would put the lot up.
Trying to avoid too much pegging out (backs and knees not what they were LOL)
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Topic: Pennine Fiesta Awning
