We just sold our twin wheel caravan, we spend the 6 weeks holidays on Spanish camp sites and the twin wheel beast was just too big for our use family of 2 adults 1child. We are looking to buy a folding camper but have no idea of good ones / bad ones, like the look of Conways / Penines, any advice welcomed.
I am currently browsing the forum for all the advice and knowledge I can find.
I would say the Pennine Fiesta would be perfect for your family size. The awning is pretty big and you always have the option of under-bed tents if your child gets fed up with sleeping in the unit.
As you are used to a large caravan I would look at the pathfinders (latest ones called Quratz 6 or Crusaders as theses two come with toilets (cassette style like caravans) and lots of unit space but of course fold down to a much smaller area for towing. If you are moving sites every few days too you do not need to use the awning with this and yet will still have lots of room for the family without it being too big. The awning is then great as extra space and/or one large sun shade! Pennine make both now but there are plenty of older ones about in good condition too.
I would say that the large FC's are a better layout than the like of the Fiesta. You can get away with just using the main cabin and have all the facilities of a caravan, with 2 double beds permanently set up. I have a Cardinal and it has fridge, gas and electric heating, hot and cold water, 3 ring hob, grill, oven, internal loo etc. All ou could need without having to tow a tin can full of empy space.
Other options in the FC type are the Conway Cruiser and Cardinal or the Pennine equivalent. All are six berth without using the awaning, and only take 15-20mins to erect. Obvoiusly if you want the awning up as well it takes about another half hour, but if its raining you can be warm and cosy in the main part and leave the awning until another time. All that and no need to peg anything out (apart from the awning.
You can't go wrong with a good secondhand Pullman Like a small caravan. Fiesta's are ok but I didn't like the way the bed legs were on the ground. The pullman struts fit onto the trailer. Then you can if you want turn it around while fully set up.
I can pitcth mine on my own and have the kettle on in less than 30mins
Ebay is a good place to start. But buying second hand you must inspect before bidding.
You are in the same position as us - 2 adults & a child (9yrs) We too go away for the 6 weeks in Summer, Spain, Italy etc. We have a Dandy Designer. On paper a 5 berth wit 2 x double beds & dining table with 2 chairs that converts to a single. In practice we sit in the dining area in the evening when the awning isn't up. Basically folds to a 2m x 2m trailer & goes easily in the garage. Pulls with a 1.4 engine no problem. The larger Dandys are the Dimension & Destiny (with toilet). Only campers on the market that can be packed & left stored wet as they are not Canvas but PVC. Don't dismiss an old one, they last decades. Mine was built in 1995 & has been all over Europe in the 6 years we've owned it. And they are fine in the heat too, trust me!
We currently have a tent and trailer for our fortnights camps in the South of France, at the moment I quite enjoy doing all the setup, including the kithen tent, but it does take a good few hours to get everything into place, what with the EHU going into both tents etc.
But I can see that when I get older, that all this setting up is going to turn into hard work, and I thought that a caravan was the way to go in future years, as I had dismissed TT's as being almost as much a faff as a tent.
But now that I have seen that FC's tick all my box's, I have decided this is the way to go, just a case of deciding which make model to go for, so will be visiting plenty of dealers. so that when the time comes to ditch the tent setup, I will have a short list of make/models to go for.
Hi Stuart.
I have been thinking about Holtkamper, next time I am over the water, will aim to visit one of thier showrooms, plenty for sale on the Markaplats auction site, none on UK Ebay of course.
Am I right in thinking the Holtkamper is more TT than FC, as most models seem to have the kitchen either outside or in the awning.
I would definitely recommend a Pathfinder .We have owned ours for almost ten years ,and for the two of us its got everything going for it ,the ease of towing ,the space ,and all the mod cons .nothing else comes close to it ,why bother with anything less.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 26/3/2011Hi Stuart.
I have been thinking about Holtkamper, next time I am over the water, will aim to visit one of thier showrooms, plenty for sale on the Markaplats auction site, none on UK Ebay of course.
Am I right in thinking the Holtkamper is more TT than FC, as most models seem to have the kitchen either outside or in the awning.
Andy.
Definitely a trailer tent. The kitchen is moveable and goes anywhere except in the small raised areas.
The Kyte is probably the canine testicles if you can get it second hand.
It is probably worth looking in at the showroom in Bunnik, it is alongside the A12 just after Utrecht. They have reconditioned setups ( just like new but cheaper1)
Wouldn't have a loo in a 'tent' and right next to the food prep and cooking area ... so that puts the Pathfinder out of it ... anyway, with modern campsites, who needs an on board loo and shower?
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Topic: What to buy Folding Camper
