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.
There are a number of brochures
in the Paperwork section and 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.