Hello everyone, I'm a newbie to this site, who needs help/reassurance! To date I've only had a VW 1988 Camper van (still have), but due to running cost's etc, both myself and soon to be wife decided that we needed a change (anybody want to buy a camper?) So with this in mind, we recently attended the Earls Court Show, where we saw row after row of lovely caravans, all just waiting for me to get the cheque book out. But, hold on a minute, my car is only a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2, so towing a caravan is out of the question. Resigned to my fate, I purchased a hot dog and sat down to eat it, that's when I saw the Dandy Dart! The hot dog stall was opposite the Riva Dandy stand (fate!). We rushed over, asked for a demonstration, sat in it, asked all manner of questions (not the right ones it appears), and before we knew it, we were both sitting on the train going home, owners of a new Dandy Dart! Arriving home, we got out of the Taxi, only to see sitting in our drive ..... our trusty Vauxhall Corsa 1.2. Oh dear! the chicken's came home to roost! So, can anybody now put our minds at rest? can our Corsa tow the Dart? Or do I need to get (I don't know how) a new car? I've read about the 85% rule etc, but in reality has anybody tryed to tow with a Corsa or similar? Thank you, Impulsive Chris and his soon to be wife (depending on the outcome of my question)
I don't know the weights of the Dart and the Corsa, but my first folding camper was a Conway Challenger (similar size to Dandy, but canvas, not plastic) - I towed it with no problems with an old Talbot Samba (950 engine!). Dandy (or Riva, as they are called now) will be pleased to tell you the weight of your new trailer (my parents have a Destiny and they say Dandy/Riva's customer service is really good), and if you don't have your car's handbook (which will tell you the weights, and may list the maximum towing weight), ask at a Vauxhall dealer for the figures you need.
Have fun with your new trailer - there is nothing quite like folding camper camping - my partner and I are getting a Pennine Pathfinder (which was also visible from that hot-dog stand at Earls Court - we had a break there too!!) and I can't wait to get camping again.
Perhap's you can help with another question? It's taken ages to get my partner, to take up the outdoor life, in her own words..... too many creepy crawlies, too cold, and no where to plug the hair dryer! However, that all changed when I purchased the camper. But since the weekend there's been a set back! Both myself, my partner, my little boy and our Jack russell, spent the weekend in a top notch (or so I thought) hired caravan at a Camber Sands holiday park (we had gone to see the Rye Bonfire display). Well to say that it was cold was an understatement, so cold in fact, that on Saturday night we all shared the same bed to keep warm, we were all fully clothed, wearing fleece hats, shivering under three duvet's, and when I say we were all in the bed, I mean it! even the dog had crawled under the top duvet to keep warm. Well as you can imagine, my partner was not too happy with the set up, come to think of it, I don't think that the dog was either! and now she is worrying (my partner) that the Dandy will be freezing as well, the old pre camper days, ideas are creeping back, reassurance is again required. I ,however, have also heard that the Dandy may have a condensation problem, is this a myth or if not can anything be done about it? Thankyou for any help, the Ice cube family
that's reassurring, perhaps my wedding is still on! However, though it is a new Dandy, I don't recall any mention of underfloor heating, I will have to check this one out. Thank you again, I hope to be back on line again tomorrow, but that all depends on the football (England, Spain).
I can tell you for definite that ANY folding camper is warmer than a caravan - especially those big static things! And a Dandy is fully insulated so is even warmer. My parents use theirs all year round and have never been cold. If it gets a bit chilly, put an extra layer under you - cold comes up from underneath just as much as it gets you from above! Your fiancee can relax - you will be plenty warm enough in your Dart
Since many folding campers have only a single layer of canvas, I could not accept that they must be warmer than a caravan by definition. I know the Dandy is PVC and insulated, but the walls of most caravans are much more so.
I would also bring to your attention that on all Dandy models the roof simply folds over the side walls, you can slide your hand in from the outside with ease, and if you can do that so can the cold air - bearing in mind there are no inner tents this can make for some interesting nights in breezy conditions. I will accept that the current crop of Riva Dandys are very much improved - and I nearly bought one at the show. But warmer than a caravan, not likely.
My parents know and camp with quite a few caravan owners - their Dandy is just as easy to warm up and keep warm, and it gets less condensation than a caravan. I cannot think of any occasion when my Conway Challenger or Cruiser (as I used to have - for a total of 7 years) was less comfortable or more difficult to warm up and keep warm than my friends' caravans. I suppose we all have our own opinions, but mine, formed from many years of camping, is that canvas can be at least as warm as a caravan. Personally, I feel that canvas (or Dandies) get less 'clammy' feeling when it is chilly as they don't suffer the same with condensation. For this reason, they feel more comfortable - to me anyway.
The real point of my post above was to reassure Chris and his fiancee that they will not be cold just because they have chosen a Dandy rather than a caravan and that one bad experience does not mean all their forays into the great outdoors will be uncomfortable.
Thank you everybody for all your comments/knowledge, it's most appreciated, this is the first time that I have ever taken part in an online forum, and I must say how friendly and helpful (whether or not the comments are positive or negitive) everybody has been. Plus, the weddings still on! Speak to you all soon.
Our Conway Cruiser is plenty warm, I will say that when you first stroll in from the cold night air after a day out, the camper is cold, BUT a quick blast from the heater and a tipple of something warming 9not necessary, but a good excuse) and soon you are warmer than a warm thing. As for once you are in bed, I find myself often sleeping on top of the quilt as I get so warm.
Well done on your purchase of a Dandy I don't htink you'll be disappointed. You should be fine towing your Dart with your Corsa. I know people who travel the country towing their Dart with a Seat Arosa! I've even met a chap who tows with a Reliant Robin. Don't worry about being cold either. You are heating a smaller space than a caravan so you'll soon be toasty. If you use a gas heater leave the kitchen window open a crack and you'll be fine. If you use a small fan heater (with a hook up) you'll be fine as well. Your experience of ther cold caravan was probably due to it not being used for a while and getting a bit damp inside. They seem to take ages to dry out and don't feel warm till they are properly dry. If you want any more hints or tips I'll put a couple of links at the bottom that you can try
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: Dandy Dart
