I wonder whether anyone can offer some helpful tips to a newby who is just about to purchase a 2001 Pennine Pathfinder.......
The FC appears (in pictures) to be in very good condition and the seller seems genuine. I am going to see it next week and if good will tow it 120 miles home (wish me luck as I have never towed before)!!
Is there anything I should be aware of that needs checking apart from canvas, oven, water heater, electrics etc? I have read on some threads that damp in the walls and floors can be a problem?
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 28/2/2015And, if you are towing it home, you will need caravan towing mirrors.
That does depend on the car. You have to have towing mirrors, by law, if the camper is wider than your car. The Pathfinder is 212cm wide, so, if your car is less than that, you will need them, otherwise, you won't. (That's not to say they aren't a good idea, just not a legal requirement). A number plate wouldn't go amiss though, as these are often forgotten.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
Thanks for the help......bigs thanks to Blue Sky Pennine for the buyers guide, this is massively useful. I will contact the seller today and ensure that gas and electric are at source to ensure I can test everything. Feel nervous about checking for damp just incase I miss it but I assume if it's bad I will spot it!!
Johnnyfuggles......yes it has the original awning plus the piece that hides the wheel and prevents drafts coming into the awning from underneath the van (skirt I believe). It doesn't come with the gas bottle, water container/waste or hook up lead as the seller has bought a caravan and needs it although my understanding (which I will check) is this will all be present so I can carry out all the necessary checks.
LobeyDosser........hadn't crossed my mind to get mirror extensions. Will check dimensions of my car to see whether I need them. My journey home is M5, M4 and M3 so need to be safe........assume a nice steady 55mph should keep me out of trouble?
The main thing about the Pathfinder is to enjoy it.
You can tow a Pathfinder far easier than a caravan, yet enjoy all the comforts of a van.
We have towed our Pathfinder through many narrow and twisty roads in both Scotland and Donegal to places we would not dare tow a van.
Hi. We've just bought our first folding caravan - a Pennine Pathfinder, and would appreciate any advice or tips!!
We've bought it from Burcrofts at Billing Aquadrome, so will get some support from them, but installation diagrams and instructions Im not sure they'll gives us.
Tips and tricks will also be helpful - will we need to buy anything extra? Towing? Battery? Water containers? Leads etc etc etc
It has an awning and skirts, but that's about it as far as we know anyway.
Hi , the ref
Good choice I have one and love it. Had a lot of help from here plus done a few slight upgrades, would have done more but work and weather seem to stop this at the mo.
Let me know what you need to know etc.
------------- Up there for thinking, down there for dancing. 😎
Regarding towing mirrors, I collected my Q6 from the dealer a year ago, with an Astra, much narrower than the camper so bought mirrors - massive enhancement. Now, I have a New Jaguar XF Sportbrake which is about the same width as the camper. There is no doubt, the extension mirrors are still a massive safety enhancement. I can't see cars close behind me in the car mirrors which I can with the extension mirrors. The Jag is a wide and long car but I wouldn't tow my Pathfinder without the extension mirrors.
They aren't expensive but may save an accident. I'd strongly recommend them no matter how wide your car.
------------- Very experienced camper over 50 years, all types including organising and instructing camper groups
As above with a Pathfinder I would definitely get towing mirrors - you almost certainly WILL need them to remain legal if towing with anything other than a large 4x4 (even then may need them)
The ref we bought ours a few years ago now, from Burcroft and they were great on handover showing us through how to open and close and bow bits worked - they will put time aside for this
Check whether the camper has 7 pin electrics still (as it would orginally) or if you need 13 pin on the car. If FC and car are different you can but a converter
MrT007 how did you get on with the draught excluder did it do the job, I am looking to follow suit if it stopped the draughts, that seller no longer does the excluder but have found more on eBay that says the brush will stop draughts in a gap up to three quarters of an inch but without getting the camper out etc don't know if it is big enough to cover the gap, would that be the same as yours. Keith
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 02/3/2015
The ref we bought ours a few years ago now, from Burcroft and they were great on handover showing us through how to open and close and bow bits worked - they will put time aside for this
Check whether the camper has 7 pin electrics still (as it would orginally) or if you need 13 pin on the car. If FC and car are different you can but a converter
Thanks for the tips - I'll ask abouty the electrics though I'm pretty sure the lady said it has 13 pin but will make the call and ask the question. We'll be towing with a ford kuga, so should be ok but will check the mirrors situation
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Topic: Help with Pennine Pathfinder
