Help me convince DH to buy a folding camper after he has vowed never to go camping again!

[chicaguapa]

We started camping last year and got rained out in Swanage. It was pretty miserable tbh, everything was damp and DH spent ages pegging everything out so it was secure. He still moans about how it didn't feel like a holiday/ no time to sit down and relax/ took too long to put the tent up.

DC loved it and don't remember the rain. I'd really like to try camping again, especially as DH is a teacher so we have a nice summer holiday to fill. What reasons can you give why we should buy a FC and how it will be better than camping in a tent? Hopefully there'll be some.

Thanks.

You don't have to sleep on the floor...
depending on the type you get there is lots of space and you can stand up
If you get a decent one they have a kitchen unit making cooking easy.
A folding camper usually has the kitchen inside the living bit so if the weather is not so good you can get the main unit up quick and the kettle on before tackling the awning and the unpacking..
With an awning you can leave soggy stuff well away from beds..
Dh and i can get our trailer tent (ancient held together with duct tape...go for something better!) in under an hour including awning...
Lots of handy storage space under the sleeping areas so freeing up living space
You can pack loads of stuff up inside the camper leaving more space in your car.

Second you don't have to sleep on the floor, so you're much warmer to begin with.

If it's tipping down you can just put up the main unit and leave the awning till later. It's set up for electric if you want electric, but you can also use gas. Mine has a sink, drainer, three gas rings and a grill.
Mine doesn't have a toilet, but you can buy one with the toilet/washbasin, but it's much longer and heavier. We just used to have a toilet in the awning for night-times, but don't bother now DC older.
You can leave the beds made up during the day so don't have to make them every night. You can travel with the beds already made up.
You can store quite a lot of stuff in the camper while travelling.
Fairly easy to put up (10-15 mins for the main unit). If we're going for a weekend we don't normally bother with the awning (family of 5).
Has a cosy sofa to sit on.
You can store things under the end skirts so keeping the main unit tidy.
Can you tell I love our FC?

Thanks! I'm really keen on getting one and like the look of the Conway Crusader with oven. I'm suggesting to DH that we buy one for the season and see how we get on. If we he doesn't like it, we can sell it and get most of our money back. The trouble is if we buy a cheap one for around £2k (the best way to convince DH) we probably won't get much for it if we decide to sell it. But if we spend a bit more, ie £3-5k, I feel it might hold its value better. Would you say that's right? Maybe I have it the wrong way round?

Tbh what we both really want is a VW California Campervan but at £35k for a lovely 2nd hand one, I think the FC is a pretty good compromise and offers more inside space too.

Interesting to read this as just bought a FC, rather impulsively last weekend, after deciding our tent was too small for family camping. we got a Pennine Fiesta - it is nearly 20 years old but only cost us 200 quid. We figured we'd get that money back ok if we hated it. It needs a bit of cleaning up but it seems sound and in working order.
We liked to space, the cooking arrangements, the fact you can sleep off the floor and leave the beds up and made all day (the sleeping compartments can be screened off if you want) and easier to tow and a lot cheaper than a caravan.
Aiming to use it in the Lakes over Easter so hoping for nice weather - though at least we have a lot more space now if it does rain. HTH.

It all helps. Thanks. The beds being up all day is a really good plus as it gives me somewhere to have a sneaky nap during the day DC somewhere to go and have a bit of quiet time. I've shown DH the replies and he's gone away to think about it. Tbh I think he's more bothered about the chintzy fabric on the ones I've shown him on ebay! I thought blokes weren't supposed to be bothered about that kind of thing?

If you can afford £3-5k, then spend that as, if your DH is anything like mine, if the FC is a bit old and tired looking, that won't get him on your side! Also, it will hold its value. The Crusaders are lovely. We've got a Pullman which is one size down - doesn't have oven or toilet. Actually, my DB has now got a caravan (which tbh I always wanted) but my DD said she much prefers the FC, plus it's easier to store than a caravan. When you camp in good weather, the side wall rolls right up and so the whole camper sort of becomes one with the awning. I love it.

You certainly won't be falling over one another if you have the awning up and with the Crusader you'll be fine without the awning for a weekend.

Have a look on the Pennine website. It shows you the newest ones and how they're put up.

You're right about the bedrooms. Even though there's only a curtain separating them from the main body of the FC, you really do feel you can take yourself away from everyone else for a few minutes if you want to.

I think I'm wearing him down. I wouldn't say he's keen but he might give in and give it a go. Going to look at some news ones (for interest only- don't have £10k spare!) which will show them at their best, no chintzy fabric! My mum's handy with a sewing machine, so could always recover if he really can't cope with the florals.

I think the Pullman is the same as the Cruiser, which might be more realistic for us, price-wise. There's a 1998 Cruiser down the road from us on eBay for £1500, which might be a good starting point. It's the one with black & white Lino in the kitchen area, if you fancy a peek.