I had one of these from new about 10 years ago. Loved it for the size it collapsed down to, I stored it in the garage & towed like a dream behind our Mini Countryman (white). Was very sturdy in very high winds in Cornwall, no damage at all. It has some flaws though. The underside of the mattresses get damp, I don't miss putting tin cans underneath them each morning to dry it out. Takes an age to put up, at least 1/2 hour & a lot longer if you want the awning, try doing that on a swelting hot day. The plastic clips that hold the inner tent, break or bite your fingers. No hot water, had to boil the kettle. No toilet. Had a porta portapotty in the corner by the sink at night time and it lived in the outside toilet tent in the day Plastic moon shaped washers between pole hinges broke often. The support legs for the beds have to go onto the ground instead of against the van like older or larger models, so some messing about getting them level every time. Needs level ground or its big trouble assembling everything, especially with the awning attached. I changed something, may have been the number plate. but found the screws for it directly put into the glass fibre body, with corresponding cracking going off in all directions. All they had to do was fit a plastic plug to screw into! The body flexes a lot, unlike the other models. Close the tiny door and move about the van, you can see the top (opposite the hinge side) of the door moving away from the frame. The tent fitted not so well in the corners where it was near the cooker/sink area. The heater melted the carpet & vibrated a lot, was replaced under warranty. Was fun for the 2 years I had it, but it was not a scratch on the build quality of the old Conway/Pennines.
Wow Darren thanks for that - this one was in nice condition though a drink stain was seen on the seat but otherwise it was fine. Yes think we have to remember its not a caravan and its better than a tent for me anyhow. but the old Conways were good and made by Knowsley caravans using the old Conway Caravans brand name before Knowsley became part of Conway Caravans. thanks for you comment and watching too.
the beauty of these models is you can have 2 double beds made up all the time, makes bed time a breeze, we had a challenger before we bought a small caravan, it was superb, had many trips away with it, was a 2007 model in superb condition, plenty of room especially with the large awning up, just had the basics of sink with cold water and hob and grill, no oven, heater or toilet but we managed fine, took us about 30/40 mins to setup. sold our small caravan last year but would have another folding one again, but would go for the larger one with toilet and hot water etc, the later pennine's have isabella coverings and awnings made from acryllic so wont absorb water on them like the canvas ones, so packing up damp is better till you get home. they are cheaper to own with little maintenance etc too so a good choice.
Hi Phil great to hear of your times with a Pennine - would be a good move as you say little to do apart from the essential servicing part s - if you get another let us know and thanks for commenting
Hi Andy, yeah the Countryman could be the answer for a lot of people. Particularly would be good for weekend getaways with the kids. Easy to set up with a good kitchen and bedroom space. Much better than a tent as you're up off the cold ground and, you have a blown air heater so condensation that you'd have in tents from gas heating wouldn't be a problem. Reasonable price for what you get and they last the years very well. Great diversity in your videos Andy, well done!
Thanks Kevin a market for these in fact a chap I saw on the day had a large twin axle tourer he kept on site but was looking for something easy to tow and store and was impressed with the kit and the ease of putting one up - so hope fully more people may be taking up the trailer tent and folding camper more as we go along - Cheers Kevin
I had a 2020 countryman from new and loved the set up beds- downsides- seating area has no view outside, longer to set up and difficult to set up and put down in bad weather - i moved to a freedom caravan for ease of setting up and getting sorted out before setting off but i do miss the beds!!!! Great units that can also go on sites that dont accept caravans ! But im pleased with my little caravan !
Hi Michelle - thank you for your comments and good to hear of your experience I think these are for folk who dont want a caravan nor a tent but in the middle as it were. Glad you like the Freedom and I must do a new review on one - thank you for watching
I had one of these from new about 10 years ago. Loved it for the size it collapsed down to, I stored it in the garage & towed like a dream behind our Mini Countryman (white). Was very sturdy in very high winds in Cornwall, no damage at all. It has some flaws though.
The underside of the mattresses get damp, I don't miss putting tin cans underneath them each morning to dry it out.
Takes an age to put up, at least 1/2 hour & a lot longer if you want the awning, try doing that on a swelting hot day.
The plastic clips that hold the inner tent, break or bite your fingers.
No hot water, had to boil the kettle.
No toilet. Had a porta portapotty in the corner by the sink at night time and it lived in the outside toilet tent in the day
Plastic moon shaped washers between pole hinges broke often.
The support legs for the beds have to go onto the ground instead of against the van like older or larger models, so some messing about getting them level every time.
Needs level ground or its big trouble assembling everything, especially with the awning attached.
I changed something, may have been the number plate. but found the screws for it directly put into the glass fibre body, with corresponding cracking going off in all directions. All they had to do was fit a plastic plug to screw into!
The body flexes a lot, unlike the other models. Close the tiny door and move about the van, you can see the top (opposite the hinge side) of the door moving away from the frame.
The tent fitted not so well in the corners where it was near the cooker/sink area.
The heater melted the carpet & vibrated a lot, was replaced under warranty.
Was fun for the 2 years I had it, but it was not a scratch on the build quality of the old Conway/Pennines.
Wow Darren thanks for that - this one was in nice condition though a drink stain was seen on the seat but otherwise it was fine. Yes think we have to remember its not a caravan and its better than a tent for me anyhow. but the old Conways were good and made by Knowsley caravans using the old Conway Caravans brand name before Knowsley became part of Conway Caravans. thanks for you comment and watching too.
the beauty of these models is you can have 2 double beds made up all the time, makes bed time a breeze, we had a challenger before we bought a small caravan, it was superb, had many trips away with it, was a 2007 model in superb condition, plenty of room especially with the large awning up, just had the basics of sink with cold water and hob and grill, no oven, heater or toilet but we managed fine, took us about 30/40 mins to setup. sold our small caravan last year but would have another folding one again, but would go for the larger one with toilet and hot water etc, the later pennine's have isabella coverings and awnings made from acryllic so wont absorb water on them like the canvas ones, so packing up damp is better till you get home. they are cheaper to own with little maintenance etc too so a good choice.
Hi Phil great to hear of your times with a Pennine - would be a good move as you say little to do apart from the essential servicing part s - if you get another let us know and thanks for commenting
Hi Andy, yeah the Countryman could be the answer for a lot of people. Particularly would be good for weekend getaways with the kids. Easy to set up with a good kitchen and bedroom space. Much better than a tent as you're up off the cold ground and, you have a blown air heater so condensation that you'd have in tents from gas heating wouldn't be a problem. Reasonable price for what you get and they last the years very well. Great diversity in your videos Andy, well done!
Thanks Kevin a market for these in fact a chap I saw on the day had a large twin axle tourer he kept on site but was looking for something easy to tow and store and was impressed with the kit and the ease of putting one up - so hope fully more people may be taking up the trailer tent and folding camper more as we go along - Cheers Kevin
I had a 2020 countryman from new and loved the set up beds- downsides- seating area has no view outside, longer to set up and difficult to set up and put down in bad weather - i moved to a freedom caravan for ease of setting up and getting sorted out before setting off but i do miss the beds!!!! Great units that can also go on sites that dont accept caravans ! But im pleased with my little caravan !
Hi Michelle - thank you for your comments and good to hear of your experience I think these are for folk who dont want a caravan nor a tent but in the middle as it were. Glad you like the Freedom and I must do a new review on one - thank you for watching
i think you need room at home to set these up to fully dry them after use.
I think as long as they are unfolded enough they should dry out okay that I will ask when I see the manufacturer at the show Paul.
yeah would be good to know the opinion of an expert, thanks@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk