Laser

1982 - 1987

The Conway Laser was the second hard top model to be introduced by Conway, some three years after the Tardis, in 1985. Its production run was even shorter, as both ceased production in 1987, and, in 1988, they were replaced by the Cardinal and Cardinal Clubman models.

The Laser is unique amongst the Conway models, and, indeed, amongst all other mainstream folding campers in the UK, insofar as it is available in both a four berth and six berth configuration. In itself, this is not unique, however, the way it achieves this is. The Laser 4 has a slide out bed at only one end, over the tow hitch. In all other ways, it is identical to the Laser 6. We are aware of no other folding camper model in the UK with this asymetrical design.

Like the earlier Tardis, the Laser was produced in colaboration with American company, Jayco. The American models were not totally suited to the UK market place, for a number of reasons, the main ones being that their onboard electrics were designed for use on a 110V system, their rear lights were not street legal, and many of the US imports don't have over run brakes fitted (a legal requirement for all trailers over 750kg, in the UK).

Conway imported the body and main components from Jayco, and then mounted them on the UK legal Al-Ko chassis. They also imported the Jayco models and converted them for the UK market.

The Laser is a four / six berth, hard top folding camper, with a wind up roof and slide out bed(s), making it, along with its other Conway hard top sibilngs, one of the easiest folding campers to set up, especially for one person (see vidow below). All models featured a very traditional six berth layout, with kitchen at one end, door and cupboards opposite and lateral dinette at the other end. Because the Laser was only produced for around 3 years, there were no significant changes to layout, as there were for the Tardis.

The Laser remains a popular model, even though availabilty is extremely limited, however, as they are, now, mostly 30 years old, or more, most will tend to sell for between £600 and £800. An exceptional example, with original awning can be expected to sell for between £1,000 and £1,200.

A number of Conway Brochures that include the laser have been identified below, along with a copy of the original setup instructions, plus a five minute, owner filmed, video walkthrough of a Laser being setup at the bottom of this page. The video shows just how quickly this model can be set up and ready to go, from scratch.

It also gives a good guide as to the internal look and layout of the Laser. Whilst trim did vary, for the vast majority of both the Tardis and Laser models, the interior was mostly green with the pin stripe pattern to the cushions etc, shown in the video.