My husband has fragile bones (Osteopenia) and Myeloma, he is not allowed to do any heavy lifting. We have a 1997 Conway Countryman at the moment which has lift over beds, which we do together but he usually bears most of the weight. I've had a quick search on here and found that unless you can DIY it can cost a lot to have gas struts fitted.
Would a Conway Cruiser with the pull out beds be any easier? Would have to be similar age as we don't have the funds for a newer model while hubby is signed off work.It appeals as it seems to have better living space and we wouldn't need to use the awning all the time.
I've been looking at Camp-lets with the "pram hood" set up. They look pretty good but how to keep the dog contained at night time with no solid door to the unit- she is too old to crate train.
Opinion is very divided, on this, but, in my personal experience, the slide out beds, on models like the Cruiser, are far worse, than the lift over beds. This is, primarily, due to the fact that, when you pull out the beds, the Connaumatic system, also, raises the roof poles / canvas. In my experience, this can make the beds very awkward to pull out, as you are, also, taking the weight of the canvas, as well (although they are better when pushing the back, as gravity is, at least, working in your favour).
There are techniques to getting it up, such as billowing some air under the canvas, before you slide the beds, and this does help, but I doubt it is something you would want to be faffing around with if mobility, or any other health issues are a factor.
To achieve what you are looking to do, I would, probably, be looking at one of the hard top Conway models, like the Laser, Tardis, Cardinal or Clubman. With these, the roof winds up, which is relatively easy to do, then the beds just slide out, but, because they aren't pulling the roof up with them, they are a lot easier to do. The trailer part is, also, enclosed, so ideal for keeping the dog contained, as well.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
Thank you, that's exactly the information I needed. We viewed a secondhand Cruiser and I noticed the owner did have quite a job to get it set up but I thought it was because it had not been opened for a long time.
I have looked at the Cardinal online and did see one in the flesh many years ago and was impressed by the space and the seating area so will keep a lookout for one locally.
with the cruiser pulling the beds out is alot easier if there are 2 to do it.working togever one lifts the frame weight while the other pulls the bed out. once you have one out the other end is alot easier.
for the the big advantage is the wet setup. as with the canvas fully attached there's no way for the insides to get wet.
Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 29/1/2017
You could look into buying the gas struts, and have them fitted by a family member or friend, or maybe even a car repair garage may be able to help
Not that easy, unfortunately. There is a company that does it for Dandys, and I've been trying to find a company that will do it for other units for a couple of years. Apparently it's far harder to get it balanced correctly than you would think. Even Pennine, themselves won't touch it. It's just too problematic. You wouldn't have thought it was that tricky, but no one I've spoken to wants to know.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
Thanks all. I will keep both in mind if I can find one locally at a price we can afford. Sounds like gas struts is not an easy option. I read that taking the mattresses off makes a difference to lifting the bed boards so we could try that. We enjoy camping in our Countryman but I would like a bit more space inside the unit.
We had a similar problem a couple of years ago, by husband broke his shoulder and wrist and has limited movement in the arm which meant that erecting the pennine sterling (2000) was entirely upto me.
I could erect the bed ends but it was a struggle.
We researched having gas struts fitted. We went to highbridge caravans, and they showed us why it won't work, the trailer edge is straight and gives no leeway for the struts between the bed boards and trailer sides. He showed us the pathfinder which has a raised edge either end which enables the struts to lie correctly when the FC is closed down.
It's not easy to explain, but immediately understandable when you see it!
We took the plunge and bought the pathfinder (2007) have no regrets at all, I can easily erect the whole thing it's so easy. And much larger than the sterling so we needn't use the awning. Even the awning is easier to put up than the sterling it has lighter poles.
Thanks for that Sandra, it was your post about speaking to Highbridge that I found when I searched. I am interested to hear that you can erect the Pathfinder on your own, it looks huge! Looks like I have more options.
It is much bigger than the sterling, and has more 'things' inside to put up,
i.e the washroom/toilet compartment, the cooker/sink has to be lifted on and the wardrobe slides and stands.
The beds are larger and the mattresses are sprung, the awning is larger.
We bought the pennine air porch awning as well, only used it once, its great but just as easy to erect the main awning.
Its hard to find the 'perfect' outfit. We have had tents, caravans and FC's.All have pro's and con's.
This will do for the time being, but I can see us retiring from the FC within a couple of seasons. My hubby will be 84 this year, and although fit and healthy in everyway and loves camping, which we have done for 45yrs, it will be me that will have to decide as I tow, erect the FC and generally enable us to continue camping. I'm mid 60's.
Hi Homebird,
I was just confirming that erecting the Pathfinder on your own isn't a matter of strength. It's just rather awkward sometimes when swopping sides and rolling up the cover etc....takes a lot longer that's all. However I have foolishly strained myself a few times when trying to push the camper into position (I'm a healthy 61yr old) so if I ever got the chance for a motor mover I'd jump at the chance!
Thank you. I've not considered a Pathfinder before. It all sounds very doable but perhaps I should persevere with the Countryman. The awning is heavy though as we don't have removable panels and its too high for me even standing on a step so that's where our biggest problem will be. Doesn't feel right without it though. As we mostly camp on club rallies I expect if we asked for help we'd get it.
The secondhand market should get busy in a month or two so I will keep a lookout for Pathfinders etc and ask to try one out.
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Topic: Countryman or Cruiser or...
