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Folding Caravans


nowtelse2do

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Not personally but I assume you are talking about the Gobur type of van. They are very popular with those that wish to have a van that will fold so low you can see over the top when looking rearwards, plus is lighter, to a degree. They also are seemingly quick to erect on site and have the advantage of solid walls and roof, unlike trailer tents. The thing that puts me off is that you need to be careful what you carry as all th wall cupboards fold down to the floor and the wardrobe will also drop down. Plus they are quite expensive as they are more complicated to build.

 

One halfway house so to speak, we did look at was the Trigano type of pop top van where the roof lifts up. Hymer also do such vans, but are expensive as with anything Hymer. Eventually we just went with a normal van.

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Hi Dave. Thanks for the feedback. I sold the M/home after Easter last year so have started looking for a 2 berth caravan when I came across these folding one's. We saw a Gobur and a Esterel and have seen a demo erecting them which seems pretty quick and straightforward, but they do seem expensive for what they are.....late 1990's at £3,000 plus. I've looked at 2berth caravans 2002-2006 for £2,000 - £3,995.

 

What appeals to me is I can fit it in my garage, so no storage fees, it would be lower than my car so should be a lot easier on the mpg and another thought came to me after I posted, I have a TR6 and get invited to some shows and Rallies that are long weekend camping events, so the TR should be well capable to handle one of these (after some reinforcement to back of chassis)

 

Dave

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A friend has an Esteral folding caravan. Quiet small, and has been said, every thing folds down, so cupboards have to be empty. They put an awing on the side, to keep the porta potti in!!

So no facilities , would need to camp on a proper site. This was an upgrade from a folding trailer tent. The only advantage is easy to tow and store. Ok for short trips maybe.

Very expensive for what they are, better to get a small caravan, at least you have basic facilities.

PJay

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Hi Pauline.

 

We only use site's so wc and showers not needed and the Rally events have toilets and showers although a bit basic and at the most 3 nights stay on them. We use to have a AutoSleeper Duetto and have spent upto 4 weeks in that, the Esterel we saw was very close space wise, in fact it had 2 side settes so maybe better for lounging in.

 

Cheers Dave.

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May I suggest again to have a look at the Trigano range as these will fit a garage if it is long enough. The roof is solid, no cupboards to lift up so everything stays where it is, and they are light. The other thing that attracted me against something like the Hymer is the side panels of the roof are solid, not canvas, so no wind blowing in and warmer. The main reason I did not go further was 2 things. Firstly the roof does have a lip at the sides and I did occasionally bang my head when getting up and secondly the loo, yes they dohave one, has a bit to fit at the top when you raise the roof. I did suggest to the Boss that we could dispense with this and just chat over the top. That went down like a lead balloon, and no more Pop top.

 

Why not have a look at the Eriba Hymer range as the smaller ones also fit a garage, and they are very well built, but again the side panels are canvas.

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Hi Dave - yes we had an elderly Sterckman folding caravan exactly as in the top pictures in this link.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sterckeman+folding+caravan&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=hX_SUq6uBPOS7Abl8YC4CA&sqi=2&ved=0CEkQsAQ&biw=1249&bih=616

 

It was incredibly well built and designed. After years of camping it was a luxury to have a real bed and a two seater eating area at the other end.

 

We sold it after a couple of years and went for a proper c'van with loo shower etc. Then went mad and bought a huge TA with fixed bed etc.

 

That said - I would have one again tomorrow such was its ease of use - for simply touring and short breaks I would say these folding type caravans are superb. And with todays fuel costs a lightweight car is all you need.

 

There is a place near us that specialises in them

 

http://www.campersandleisure.co.uk

 

Worth a look

 

 

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nowtelse2do - 2014-01-10 7:18 PM

 

Hi Dave.

 

Had a look at a Trigano today, it won't fit through the garage door which is 6'. The van was 6' 7" (200cm)

 

Hoping to see an Eriba Van sometime this weekend but I think that is the same height, will see..

 

Dave

 

Sorry about that, most garage doors are 7 ft wide with 8 ft being internal width. Suspect you may find Goburs etc are the same width unless you get the narrow version. Don't forget most use a transverse bed layout so need 6ft unless you are nmidgets.

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nowtelse2do - 2014-01-10 7:18 PM

 

Hi Dave.

 

Had a look at a Trigano today, it won't fit through the garage door which is 6'. The van was 6' 7" (200cm)

 

Hoping to see an Eriba Van sometime this weekend but I think that is the same height, will see..

 

Dave

In which case, I think the only model that will go through will be the Eriba Puck. No longer made, but plenty around used. It is a pop-top, not a folder, and is a strict two berth with just sofa/bed, wardrobe, and small kitchen area with two burner hob. About 750kg MAM. For comfort, you'll need either an awning or a sun canopy, because the inside can get a bit claustrophobic in wet weather.

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Thanks for all the replies, help & suggestions. Eve has solved the problem, she made me get a 2 berth caravan :-S. So that takes the onus off me and if it's wrong, then it's her fault :-D.

 

Went checking out the Eriba's on Sunday and like Brian said the Eriba was too tall to get through the garage door, I'm not to keen on the Puck (care needed with that :D) must be like living in an eggshell.

 

So we had a mooch further into deepest Yorkshire after seeing a 2006 Cristall Somoa 400/2 on ebay. Well it was a little belter and she fell in love with it, door is on the off side but it's like brand new, not a mark inside but need's a good polish outside.

 

So having a towbar fitted on Wednesday pm and picking it up hopefully on Thursday.

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

Dave

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Not so sure about there being plenty around. They are very popular and many owners keep them a long time. They are extremely well built but i admit I am not a fan of the canvas roof panels. Most do have an awning and they also have the ability to attach the inside table to the outside of the van for al fresco eating. I am always amazed at the size of the owners, they are usually 6 footers and one does wonder how they fit inside, but they love 'em to bits.

 

If you find a good 'un, like it, then grab it. It will hold its value.

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Guest pelmetman
nowtelse2do - 2014-01-13 5:32 PM

 

 

So having a towbar fitted on Wednesday pm and picking it up hopefully on Thursday.

 

 

Oh dear *-).................not only is the old b*gger a Lancastrian :D................ he's a tugger to (lol)...........

 

Maybe you should you change your forum monica to.................. "Now,i,is,a,tugger2" ;-)

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