We'd decided to give up camping and put our Countryman up for sale in March but because of the virus we didn't sell and still have it. When shielding ends we're yearning to have another couple of trips.
It's a 1997 model and we love it. My husband has problems with his back and mobility because of his cancer but does his best to help set up. I was wondering if a newer model would be easier for me to set up more or less on my own but with his help. I'm thinking gas struts on the beds will make the beds lighter to lift over and the awning with zip out panels will make it lighter too.
Am I right in thinking this or would we be wasting our money - I really love using the camper and it would be great to be able to carry on camping!
I can see your line of thinking, the struts would help.
But it really comes down to what you think your own abilities are, it would be terrible if you laid out the money and after a couple of trips decided it would be to much for you and your husband.
Do you have a dealer who sells them fairly near, in fact it might be worth a lengthy drive, if so ask them to let you try opening and closing it to see how you get on. Even if this means an overnight stay I think it would be worth it.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I started off with a Countryman - loved it, but then 'upgraded' to a Pathfinder (2017 model)
I camp with my two teenage girls and I'm always the only adult as my husband doesn't do camping. My girlies help, but I've often set up alone (while they were at school and they join me later in the evening).
Compared to the Countryman the Pathfinder is a breeze to put up (gas struts have been on both my models). Once the beds are flipped out you're almost done. I always found the roof bar and the kitchen a real faff with the CM model.
It is wider, longer and heavier, but the toilet was the main reason we traded it in, it was quite important for my teens to have more privacy.
Hope you find the right route. Gas struts definitely help, but the layout of the PF is overall easier to put up I've found.
Thank you both. We have a dealer fairly close by but I think he sells on a commission base and doesn't always have many FC's in. Will keep a watch on their website.
I've heard that the Pathfinder is easy to set up and it's good to hear from someone who has experienced both campers. The only problem is the entrance to our garage is about the same width as the Pathfinder.
I've got my eye on a Pennine Sterling which I think has the gas struts and a motor mover. The layout would mean we might not need the awning all the time.
We went through the same situation, except my problem was open heart surgery - I couldn't lift the bed boards! Living close to the Pennine factory, I phoned to enquire about fitting gas struts to my 2005 Countryman. The answer was an emphatic 'NO, it can't be done without major work' (but said nicely), so at their suggestion we initially went down the road of converting our old cotton canvas cabin to the new Isabella acrylic (much lighter).
Before this happened however, Nick at Pennine offered us a newer (2012) Countryman with the acrylic cabin fitted, plus it had the gas struts as well. We agreed a trade-in price for our old model, tried the new one out (VERY MUCH lighter and easy to lift), so went for it. Now waiting to go off in it, but hanging on a little longer yet - places too busy and I still feel a little 'vulnerable'.
Hope all that is some help.
P.S. With just the two of us, we're unlikely to be using the awning except on a 'long stay'.
Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm glad to hear you're still going to camp. I contacted Pennine for a trade in price on our 1997 but they said it was too old. Good idea about changing to Acrylic, wouldn't fit our model unfortunately.
We have a buyer for our Countryman. We decided we were paying out empty money to store it in our rented garage as we wouldn't be able to get out in it this year. The monthly garage payment will be going into a savings account along with the money we get for the camper.
Then next year we'll know for sure whether we miss the camper or will have found another way to holiday...I'm thinking along the same lines as you - gas struts and not using the awning. My husband can't make up his mind about what he really wants.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Countryman
via mobile 03/7/2020 at 8:46am
