Conference trucks::caravans_uk

  Phil,

  We have an '88 Cruiser and 2K for a good condition '88 is about the
  right price especially if it is complete with the awning. I've seen
  them nearer 3K for 88/89 models. The condition of ours is excellent
  and we certainly expect many more years of use from it. 

  The one problem we have had with it is the canvas which has spent just
  too many days in the sun and we will be picking up a new canvas &
  awning this Saturday. Buying a new canvas has been rather painful and
  the list price is #980 for the cabin alone. Attached is the last of
  several letters I had printed in the Conway Owners Club magazine which
  explains the fun we had have getting hold of a new canvas. In the end
  Duncans sorted us out for #1580 for a new cabin canvas and awning. The
  list would be #1800 for the two.

  So my advise is that an '88 Cruiser at 2k sounds like a good buy as
  long as the canvas is good. Get them to set in up, climb on top and
  jump up and down on the roof. ;-).

  Either that or offer Keith 2k and see if he bits!! Whatever year you
  get I can not recommend the Cruiser highly enough. We spent 39 nights
  in ours last year and loved every minute of it. I would also recommend
  joining the Conway Owners Club. They arrange the lowest insurance
  (though Hill House Hamond) and the regular rallies are really great
  fun. For your first trip why not come and join us in Jedburgh for the
  Easter weekend.

  Rgds, Steve.

  PS. Have read note 13


  Well it's on the '97 price list! 
  --------------------------------

  In the December Contours you may remember that I dropped a line about
  getting a new canvas and awning for our '88 Cruiser. Well it's been a
  long painful story but finally we have one. Briefly the story goes
  something like this;

  December 96: Talk to Duncans Caravans in Wishaw (who have been helpful
  if bemused throughout), who upon checking the '97 price list find that
  the maroon canvas and awning is still listed and will order us a set.
  Price less than #1300 for the two.

  "Hurrah!" we say, the price is reasonable and we will have the
  smartest maroon Cruiser in the country. "Let us know when they are in
  and we will pop up with the money to collect."
 
  Reply from Conway; No they are not available anymore, shouldn't be on
  the price list for '97 but can supply 89 to 92 onward Green/Beige,
  price around #1500 for the two, available from stock any time you
  want. "Oh well" we say, another couple of hundred but I guess the unit
  will look smarter anyway. With Christmas fast approaching we leave it
  to the start of '97 to order, i.e. when the '97 price list starts. 

  January 97: Visit Duncans spend a pleasant time looking at new Conways
  and order a set of Green/Beige canvas and awning.

  Reply from Conway: No they are not available anymore, the only canvas
  available is the blue for 96 models onwards which would not fit ours
  or any other cruiser made before '96. Conway suggest a company who
  maybe could make one from scratch. @#$%! %%^&*$&! @$#$*+^%%^%! say I,
  and the wife (unusually) is lost for words.  Rational thinking slowly
  returns and the fact that no Cruiser before '96 can now be fitted with
  a new canvas seems more unbelievable by the minute. "Duncans please
  try Conway again!"

  Reply number 2 from Conway; Oh yes we have 3 canvases in stores
  although our stock balance says nil. These are the Green/Grey 94/95
  model, price around #1800 for the two, available from stock any time
  you want. Blibble, Blibble says I, another #600 exclaims the Bank
  Manager and the wife is looking at the Pennine brochure again.

  Moral of the story number 1; Just because Conway have a part on their
  new price list does not mean that they have any or will be prepared to
  supply any.
 
  Moral of the story number 2; Take care of your cabin canvas or Conway
  will charge you a grand for what in essence is a small family tent
  without poles, curtains, pegs or bedrooms!

  Sorry if any of the above has offended anyone but we have had a very
  frustrating time which started with us simply trying to buy something
  from the newly issued '97 price list. A simple operation you might
  think but I have had to make around a dozen long phone calls and have
  had to challenge and have clarified information given, over and over
  again to get the facts. I thought camping was supposed to relieve
  stress!

  Best Rgds, Steve Pike


    Thanks for the info everyone, I will certainly bear all you have said in
    mind when looking for a camper. I have just visited the outdoor leisure
    show at the NEC in Birmingham and seen all the latest campers from Conway,
    Pennine etc. I also had a chat with a couple of distributers who said they
    had sold a number of campers at the show and would have some trade ins
    coming in soon, so I've left my name with them incase. One guy said he 
    sold a new Pullman camper to someone and somebody else heard the 
    conversation on the stand and bought the trade in from them unseen.
    
    I did like the look of the Pennine models, the Pullman looks very
    similar to the Crusier. I got to talk to the MD. of Pennine and he told
    me that they started to manufacture the folding camper first and Conway
    copied them. He also warned me about the Dandy camper, this being, his
    words " The Reliant Robin" of the camper world and that condensation is
    a problem with the Dandy as the material used is PVC and not canvas
    which does not breathe. Anyway I will let you all know how I get on in the
    coming months. Sorry Keith, 3500 pounds is out of my range, I've already 
    upped by limit to 3000 tops, good luck anyway I'm sure you will have no
    trouble selling.
    
    regards
    
    Phil
    

  I agree that the Penine Pullman is very similar to the Cruiser when
  erected, But and it is a big but, the Penine is a real pig to put up.
  On the Cruiser the beds simply slide out on rails,  the canvas is fully
  attached with the exception of the sections alone the sides of the
  beds which are simply hooked on and the support bars are slotted in. The unit
  (without awning) can literally be put up in 5 minutes and it does not
  matter if it is pouring with rain as the canvas is always attached.

  With the Penine the beds are hinged onto the end of the trailer and
  you need to left the beds up and over the trailer (like most trailer
  tents) and the canvas is only attached on the ends of the beds. Whilst
  erecting and taking down the inside of the unit is exposed to the
  elements until the canvas is fixed down at the sides. We watched last
  summer a couple take around 40 minutes to put their unit down in a
  strong breeze and in the end they basically throw the cover on, no
  doubt to sort it out when they got home. 

  Good luck with your choice.

  Rgds, Steve.


    Thanks for that inside info, will let you know how things go
    
    regards
    
    Phil

  Phil,

  Any news? Have you joined the exalted ranks of the Conway Owners, or
  have you sunk to the depths of a Penine? ;-)

  The weather was finally good enough to fit our new canvas over the
  weekend. Everything fitted perfectly and the unit certainly looks very
  smart. I took the opportunity whilst the canvas was off to give the
  trailer a good scrub with detergent and the thing looks like new. If
  the gales don't come back we will be of the weekend to try it all out
  for real. YIPPEE! The summer start here!

  Rgds, Steve. 


    I have been looking at exchange and mart etc over the past couple of
    weeks and this week there were three advertised,but all over my limit.
    I looked at the East Anglia free ads. on Friday and saw a Conway Cruiser
    advertised for 3000 pounds. I gave the guy a call on Friday night and
    went to look at it Saturday. I cannot believe my luck only forty five
    miles from my home.
    1990 model, new awning 18 months ago (origionally had a sun canopy), 
    understorage tent, toilet tent, fully wired for 240/12v, fridge, cooker
    sink etc. garage stored, gas bottle storage compartment and in excellent 
    condition.
    I offered 2800 and he has accepted my offer as he wants to buy a
    caravan. So i've left a hundred pounds deposit and am taking delivery
    this Sunday coming. I don't even have a tow bar yet. He told me he had
    had an offer of 2700 pounds unseen over the phone, on the Friday night.
    
    They even gave me a demo of putting it up and down including the
    awning. I will let you all know how our first trip goes, i'm sure first
    time putting it up will be fun....
    
    Phil
                      

Phil,

Congratulations! If you would like the details of the local Conway Owners Club
rep send me a mail.

Rgds, Steve 


    Thanks steve, I have already sent off for membership. Hope to be going
    away for a long weekend soon.
    
    regards
    phil