Adria Caravans!!!

[Sam_374394490]

Hi Everyone

As most of you know, after a very bad experience we lost our Sprite Major 6 on Friday afternoon.

We went out yesterday and purchased an Adria 542DT. It has got plus and minus points to the major 6. The first one being is its MTPLM is 125 kg lighter, has got a fantastic end bathroom and the kids love the triple bunk layout.

The minus points are smaller fridge, not as much storage, no carpets, no tv aerial and does come very basic as standard.

We have upgraded and paid extra for a stabiliser and spare wheel, which to us were the absolute essentials.

All the minus points can be worked around.

I just wanted your opinions on what you thought of Adria in terms of build quality. The build quality and finish to us seemed alot better than the Sprite. We are happy with our choice, but before we part with our money just wanted your opinions.

Thanks guys

 

[Dustydog]

Sam

I've never had an Adria but the reviews seem pretty good.

www.reviewcentre.com/reviews-all-172470.html -

Things like carpets are easily fabricated at home.

How long is the water ingress guarantee?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[ValA.]

We had a look at Adria caravans at the NEC - and like you were very impressed. The water ingress (we were told) was six years. The build quality seems good - and the carpets can be made up by any local carpet dealer - just buy a remnant, draw out the pattern yourself, and get it 'whipped'. It can be done around here for about

 

[xtrailman]

Sam

Have you bought the van, or not? Not sure from your post.

We looked at all the european vans in 2004, no doubt things have moved on since.

But at that time, while the euro vans in the main, supported quality furniture, the price came in heavy weights.

For a touring van i dont see the point?

We also like our carpets fitted, going back to lino, seems just that going backwards. No doubt we will be in the minority, but our van never leaves these shores.

All your comments are negative in the main. Its good to shed weight, but by the time its up to your old van spec, that will all be lost.

 

[herb]

we are on our second adria i think they are very good vans

we have no carpets in ours but with the kids in and out all the time its so easy to keep clean and never had proplem with ours unlike so many people on here seem to have with other makes of caravans

 

[Soozeeg]

We're on our second new Adria, the fixed bed twin axle Adora Plus, after having had two British vans. We absolutely love it and it would have to be something pretty special for us to go back to a British van. The build quality is excellent and there's such a light and airy feel to the van (the first thing that grabbed me when I first set foot inside one). We've got a huge fridge with separate freezer in ours, but then that's because the van is bigger. As for the lack of carpets, well, we prefer it that way as the wood effect cushion floor lino looks good and, more importantly, is so easy to keep clean. Our previous Adria came with loose fitting removable carpets and we never used them - rolled them up and left them in the garage - so we turned down the offer of carpets for our present van.

And yes, the water ingress guarantee is 6 years.

As I said Sam, we wouldn't have anything else now. And our local Adria dealer who we have bought our last 2 vans from is fantastic.

 

[Parksy]

We're on our second new Adria, the fixed bed twin axle Adora Plus, after having had two British vans. We absolutely love it and it would have to be something pretty special for us to go back to a British van. The build quality is excellent and there's such a light and airy feel to the van (the first thing that grabbed me when I first set foot inside one). We've got a huge fridge with separate freezer in ours, but then that's because the van is bigger. As for the lack of carpets, well, we prefer it that way as the wood effect cushion floor lino looks good and, more importantly, is so easy to keep clean. Our previous Adria came with loose fitting removable carpets and we never used them - rolled them up and left them in the garage - so we turned down the offer of carpets for our present van.

And yes, the water ingress guarantee is 6 years.

As I said Sam, we wouldn't have anything else now. And our local Adria dealer who we have bought our last 2 vans from is fantastic.

Hi Sue

I think that Sam has bought her Adria from Broad Lanes Daventry

 

[Sam_374394490]

Sam

Have you bought the van, or not? Not sure from your post.

We looked at all the european vans in 2004, no doubt things have moved on since.

But at that time, while the euro vans in the main, supported quality furniture, the price came in heavy weights.

For a touring van i dont see the point?

We also like our carpets fitted, going back to lino, seems just that going backwards. No doubt we will be in the minority, but our van never leaves these shores.

All your comments are negative in the main. Its good to shed weight, but by the time its up to your old van spec, that will all be lost.

Thanks Ray

This is a 2009 model and they have come a long way since 2004.

We don't intend to add that much to the spec as it really doesn't need it. The Sprite came with no stabiliser, spare wheel and we got the Diamond Anniversary pack that weighed 30kg in total. So we had to take this off our user payload.

The price is excellent for what you are getting for your money, for a family sized 6 berth caravan. Its @

 

[Sam_374394490]

Hi Sue

I think that Sam has bought her Adria from Broad Lanes Daventry

Yes, we have Parksy.

Brilliant customer service.

 

[weejock]

On nearly all forums people praise their Adrias.

The only gripe they seem to have is spare parts and some have been waiting months for bits.

 

[Soozeeg]

Yes, we have Parksy.

Brilliant customer service.

Good choice, Sam - so did we!! Been there today in fact to see all the guys........they're all lovely, great customer service, our favourite dealers! Big smiley icon thingy

 

[Soozeeg]

On nearly all forums people praise their Adrias.

The only gripe they seem to have is spare parts and some have been waiting months for bits.

Hi John ;-)

I've recently been told by our lovely Adria dealer that the issue of delays with parts is not so great now, parts are much more readily available and far fewer delays apparently!

 

[cara89]

It was good to read the postings although we collected our Adria 542DT yesterday so maybe I was covering my eyes slightly in case the replies had a lot of negative points! However, we are very enthusiastic about it. We looked at loads of vans and came back to this one, because it suits our need right now. It feels very light and airy and I have had today to potter around in it and make it feel like ours! We hadnt prioritised a shower room but its great having the space. The bunks are sobig and sturdy as although our kids are young it looks like they will be tall.My husband is a joiner and very practical and he has looked at a lot of things and is happy.lets hope all is well for 1st trip very soon!

 

[Sam_374394490]

Thank you Caroline.

I hope you have lots of fun times in your new caravan x

 

[ANDREW_374368566]

Hi

Adrias are basically sound tourers, good value but new price increases now make this less so. Also as most imported tourers it wont be as easy to sell used like a Sprite. Design wise outside they are not as good looking and interior build no better thsn UK van. Hard to get parts, few dealers and harder to sell used-I think stick to UK maker but if its your bag then buy it

Andrew

 

[IonaCaravan]

We bought an Adria Altea 542 in 2007. We looked at loads and it was far superior in quality than the usual vans such as Bailey etc. Ours has two adult size bunks at the back and the space for privacy here is ideal for out now 14 year old daughter. With two growing children this has been the perfect choice in terms of both layout and quality.

 

[Damian]

If you have any of th eAdria range, particularly the Adora, which has a silver unit housing the voltmeter, volt test switch and pump switch and pump run LED be very careful withthe switches, they are quite fragile.

If you do have the misfortune to have a switch break at pivot pins, then the unit comes as complete unit, pre wired and costs

 

[seth1]

Hello Sam,

Regarding Adrias,we bought a brand new one, a 502dk november 08,didnt realise they were bringing a new one out in 09.But makes no difference as were more than happy with this one.Great van,lots of room,bunks are very wide as you say.Only gripe is parts back up,were still awaiting an interia part from last november time.Very surprised to here no carpets or spare wheel,as ours came with both.

 

[cara89]

Thanks for opening this topic, Sam.It was good to hear about/from other Adria owners.I am very excited about 1st trip away on Friday to Thurston Manor, Dunbar - an hour away from us in Scotland, good for weekend.John fitted a carpet and tried out the heating last night and got very comfy and cosy. ! Hope everyone well

x Caroline

 

[WilliamLX]

I seriously considered Adria rather than the Bailey I ended up buying but was swayed against it by the inconvenience of the nearest dealer being anything but near to where I live. Also while many aspects of this makes seem to be well built, certain details like a very very flimsy fold out table between the front seats rather than a sturdy cabinet with drawers etc as is standard in virtually all UK caravans, let them down badly. The lack of carpets is no biggy, the carpets for our Ranger have never been on the floor as it is much easier to mop the floor than clean a carpet. All in all if the dealer had been significantly closer it would have been an Adria that I would have bought based on price and weight.

 

[cara89]

I agree, i would rather get rid of the flimsy , fold out table. Actually, we could order a cushion direct from manufacturer (

 

[Parksy]

The old saying goes 'Why spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar' and it goes back to the grand days of sailing ships when the caulking between the wooden planks of the hull were sealed with tar to make the ship seaworthy.

I don't know why I know that because I live in the midlands which is about as far away from the sea as it's possible to get.

I'm an honorary commander in the Dudley Navy though and live a half mile from a port. (Dudley Port, where they used to load coalboats on the Birmingham Canal)

 

[Soozeeg]

The old saying goes 'Why spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar' and it goes back to the grand days of sailing ships when the caulking between the wooden planks of the hull were sealed with tar to make the ship seaworthy.

I don't know why I know that because I live in the midlands which is about as far away from the sea as it's possible to get.

I'm an honorary commander in the Dudley Navy though and live a half mile from a port. (Dudley Port, where they used to load coalboats on the Birmingham Canal)

I'd have thought you would have wanted to keep off the subject of canals Steve, in case someone reminded you of what happens when you cycle along the towpath..........teehee!! (sorry honey, couldn't resist!! x)

 

[Sam_374394490]

I agree, i would rather get rid of the flimsy , fold out table. Actually, we could order a cushion direct from manufacturer (

 

[cara89]

I agree, i would rather get rid of the flimsy , fold out table. Actually, we could order a cushion direct from manufacturer (