Folding Caravans - advice wanted please
Colin Bakewell
We are thinking of changing our Dandy trailer tent for a
caravan, and wonder could somebody be kind enough to give us
a little advice.
We want something which is easy to tow and have thought
about getting a folder, (Carousel, Rapido, Esterel etc)
I understand that damp can be a real problem with older
caravans, do folders suffer from damp more or less than
standard vans ?
Are they as 'draft and leak free' as a standard van ?
Do they need more maintenance ?
What, if any, are the other trade-offs ?
Any recommendations ?
(I don't have anything against the Dandy trailer tent, in
fact I couldn't praise it enough - it's just that we would
like to camp in the colder months - and the Dandy isn't
quite warm enough.)
posted by Colin Bakewell
*****************************************************
Please remove the anti-spam 'Q' if replying by E-Mail
*****************************************************
David Mack
>
>We want something which is easy to tow and have thought
>about getting a folder, (Carousel, Rapido, Esterel etc)
>
We used to have a Rapido folding caravan. Ours leaked constantly, but it
was quite an old van so perhaps it would be unfair to take that as
criticism of all such vans. It is probably reasonable to assume that as
they get older the 'fit' of the joints gets worse. Personally I would
suggest that you treat a 'complete' folder (as opposed to a pop up) more
as a hard sided tent, in so far as they are not as warm as a full van -
at least ours wasn't - as the wall is single ply and not insulated as
such. That said it towed like a dream behind our Skoda and we had some
wonderful holidays in it, once I had drilled a hole in the floor to let
the rain water out. A pop up type, which we graduated to after the
Rapido, has the distinct advantage that you can carry stuff in it en
route, and don't get wet if it's raining on site putting it up. The
'loss' of those extra few inches on top really do make a difference to
towing too. I'm going to duck now, whilst all the Rapido owners throw
tomatoes in my direction :-)
--
Dave Mack
http://www.rhiwderin.demon.co.uk
"Be it ever so humble..."
Norman Elkington
I had a Rapido Exportmatic........IMHO not for UK.Too fiddly and despite
double glazing etc.,condensation was a problem in spring and autumn due
to the thin sections.
However Rapido do make a more traditional type of folder.
I'll post additional info.Re.Folders when time permits.In the meantime ,
if original requester wants more please e-mail me direct.
My Gobur is as warm etc.
Folding Norman
Norman Elkington
Colin Bakewell wrote:
>
> We are thinking of changing our Dandy trailer tent for a
> caravan, and wonder could somebody be kind enough to give us
> a little advice.
>
> about getting a folder, (Carousel, Rapido, Esterel etc)
I think that until fairly recently , damp in folders was somewhat more of a problem in
foreign vans than English.(For English , read Gobur - Carousel Range).
IMHO Gobur are the best for our climate in UK.Damp/cold spring and autumn.
Many of the French vans may appear more modern but generally they were manufactured
using a mixture of old and new construction,sometimes with very thin wall section and
very little insulation.
The french ones tend to be lighter with thinner walls and 'high tech' hinges etc.
Gobur on the other hand are handbuilt using old fashioned methods.It does make the vans
heavier , but I have yet to come across one that leaks.All comment from now on re. my
Gobur as I haven't followed French technology recently.I did once own a Rapido
Exportmatic.IMO Not as good as your present Dandy.
As to windproofing.I did have a minor problem at the corners where the incorporated seal
(one inch square rubberised foam in compression) allowed a small amount of light and
hence draught ingress.Attention to the seal sorted this.Quite a simple task.
In fact I remove the additional seal if in France to assist cooling.
>
> I understand that damp can be a real problem with older
> caravans, do folders suffer from damp more or less than
> standard vans ?
No damp at all.One piece fibreglass roof that covers ALL joints when folded with four
inches or more overlap.
The actual 'fold' joint when erected is an inch plus of interference fit aluminium
overlap plus a foam strip along two hardwood mating faces.
I've had damp in my two previous conventional vans.I do not expect any in my Gobur.
>
> Are they as 'draft and leak free' as a standard van ?
See above
>
> Do they need more maintenance ?
A couple of squirts of silicone along the roof section guide rails in addition to normal
van maintenance.Nothing more.
>
> What, if any, are the other trade-offs ?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.Folders are ugly.
It takes about 3 minutes longer to get the kettle on and about the same additional to
fold.
Internally , although the furniture (on Goburs) is of plywood with veneer cover , it
doesn't get near the looks of a traditional van.It is much stronger though.
Gobur are heavier than conventional equivalents. eg.My 11ft 8 inch van has a Max Gross
of 950kg.750 kg unladen.Same as my mates 15ft Swift Rapide.
Gobur are costly for what you get.I think the going rate for a 12.2TD c/w fire,cassette
toilet.G/E water heater,blown air etc. spare wheel,would be in the region of UKP 12000
plus.
Basic van srarts at about UKP 9000.
Storage is a bit limited.
Toilet is on the small side.No shower.(I constructed one which I assemble if required).
One problem that I think ought to be sorted.The H&C water pipework is STILL routed under
the van.Extended use below freezing could be a problem therefore.I would be happier if
it were all inside.I will change mine eventually.
No problems of cold so far down to minus 12 overnight.
>
> Any recommendations ?
Have a look at them all.A bargain French folder may come along.
Otherwise Gobur.Tel.01263 860031
The MD Richard Moss or any of his small team will happily give advice.
Gobur also sell refurbished vans,and will forward a stock list on request.
More pluses :-
You can tow anywhere any weather conditions.Wind is not a problem.You could find though
that others don't turn up 'cos of the conditions.
With the correct car you really can tow at 80 mph eg. in France.(This from someone who
once lost a van through snaking - which is why I have a folder)
DIY is good because of the old fashioned construction.
I store mine at the rear of the garage after having pushed it through.It is 6ft 10 wide
and 4ft 6 high when folded.
BTW I do not work for the company and have no ties other than being one VERY satisfied
customer.(Maybe this comes through in my biased opinons).Buying a Gobur is a bit like
joining a familly.I really cannot see any reason why I shouldn't have the same van in
twenty years time.Try that statement on the majority of conventional vans.
>
> (I don't have anything against the Dandy trailer tent, in
> fact I couldn't praise it enough - it's just that we would
> like to camp in the colder months - and the Dandy isn't
> quite warm enough.)
>
I think that a Gobur would suffice I used to have a T/T , but if you would like more
info. E-mail me.
Folding Norman
Colin Bakewell
On Mon, 29 Sep 1997 13:36:55 -0700, Norman Elkington
<N.Elk...@lboro.ac.uk> wrote:
>David Mack wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >We want something which is easy to tow and have thought
>> >about getting a folder, (Carousel, Rapido, Esterel etc)
>> >
Many thanks, to both of you, for all the advice. We have
decided to look for a S/H Gobur. Fund shortage dictates that
this will probably not happen until after next season, so if
you see a brown Dandy with a canvas awning and a large Black
Belgian Shepherd Dog - that's us for another year.
Thanks again
Colin