Buying from Germany

[Roger_374245644]

I have a towcar: Merc E-class 320 cdi estate and I am very keen to buy a Hymer Nova 580 caravan direct from Germany. The layout is end bathroom, two single fixed beds, kitchen area, dining/lounge area, all on a single axle. I would appreciate communicating with anyone who has bought a Hymer caravan, direct from Germany.

Rog

 

[stuart_5107319]

Hi Roger

I bought direct from the main Hymer dealer in Belgium - Campirama

www.campirama.be

The whole process was simple, the dealer fantastic, couldn't have been more helpful. I also saved a chunk of money.

Give them a call & ask for Sebastian - Let me know if you need any more info

 

[Roger_374245644]

Thanks Stuart,

I'll look into this lead and keep you up to date.

Roger

 

[Lutz]

I live in Germany and there's a Hymer dealer only 15 minutes away from where I live so could also make some enquiries if you like.

However, I note that you are looking into buying an Eriba 580 (Hymer caravans are marketed as Eribas in Germany, Hymers are only the motorhome brand there). I hope you are aware that because this model is 2.5m wide, it will be illegal to tow it in the UK with your Merc E (assuming it is UK registered).

 

[Roger_374245644]

Hi Lutz,

Thanks for your advice. But when I access several caravan dealers in both Germany and Belgium, they all show that the Hymer Eriba Nova 580 is 230 cm wide.

However, I would greatly appeciate you looking at these sites, if you have time, to varify my assumtions as I intend to visit them before I pay any deposit.

www.duerrwang.de

www.campirama.be

www.hymer-reisemobile-nutz.de

Regards, Roger

 

[Lutz]

I apologise, Roger. When I read Hymer 580 I automatically assumed it would be more than 2.3m wide as the 560 already is. But, by some quirk, the 580, although nominally larger, is still 2.3m.

I had a look at the dealers' sites that you mentioned. Duerrwang is relatively convenient to get to from the UK as they are not so far south. However, the 580 that they've got on offer, although a new 2007 model, has minor hailstone damage, hence the price of only 19980_ (or about

 

[Lutz]

I apologise, Roger. When I read Hymer 580 I automatically assumed it would be more than 2.3m wide as the 560 already is. But, by some quirk, the 580, although nominally larger, is still 2.3m.

I had a look at the dealers' sites that you mentioned. Duerrwang is relatively convenient to get to from the UK as they are not so far south. However, the 580 that they've got on offer, although a new 2007 model, has minor hailstone damage, hence the price of only 19980_ (or about

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Lutz

Hope all is well

As you own a German van I wonder if you could tell me if the awning rail on your van is noticeably less prominent than on a Bailey.

The reason for the question is that I recently bought the Omnistor 2000 canopy/awning which is supposed to be hooked into the awning rail from above.

On my Bailey it was not possible to insert it into the rail because of the rail profile?

Also if it had gone into the rail it would then have been 2cm or so from the van side instead of snug against it.

Omnistor via the trader advise contacting Bailey to see why their awning rail won't accomodate the Omnistor !!!

 

[Lutz]

I'm not sure whether I understand you correctly but my awning rail is attached vertically to the side panel and only has an opening to the side, not from above. However, right next to the awning rail but horizontally on the roof there is a full length moulding and an Omnistor could be hung from above on that.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Lutz

The Omnistor has a "J" section molding that is meant to fit into the caravan awning channel along the top but has to be inserted at an angle of 45deg to the van side.

I will post a link

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Lutz

The Omnistor has a "J" section molding that is meant to fit into the caravan awning channel along the top but has to be inserted at an angle of 45deg to the van side.

I will post a link

http://www.roseandcompany.co.uk/awnings5Omnistor2000.htm

 

[cris_408518]

Sorry to butt in John.

The Omnistor is designed to go into an awning extrusion with a round profile as clearly shown on their web site, they sell a "P" profile for fitting the awning to if needed and brackets for fitting to van and roof profiles.

Many caravan Awning profiles no longer have a round profile partly bacause the flatter profiles reduce friction between the Awnings beading and the rail.

Most Caravan Awning rails are made from a "soft" alluminium that is easy to bend to the shapes of the van.

Hanging the Omnistor from such a rail is not ideal in my opinion and I have a lot of years experience of Omnistor products.

I feel that the Omnistor web site may be a little misleading as the product is not suitable for all Caravans due to different profiles being used by manufacturers.

This type of awning is a glorified sun shade and should be used with great care and only in fine weather.

The parts are quite expensive to replace and I would advise any user never to leave such an awning unattended as I can guarantee that it will more than likely be a costly mistake if you leave it up at night or take a day out when the wind gets up or there is heavy rain.

I'm sorry but the problem you have is with Omnistor not with Bailey's Awning Rail!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

cris

Thank you so much for your comments which mirror my own thoughts exactly.

I have made up some brackets of my own that bolt through the van side and the canopy looks well on the van.

If the P section rail is used under the existing rail it would need to be so low on the van side to enable fitting without the top of the box touching the protrusion of the existing rail during insertion that it would foul the door when opened.

Its easy to mount the canopy on a show stand but Omnistor claim to be amazed that it will not fit the Bailey rail.

Even if it would fit into the rail it would then be about 2cm off fitting snug against the van side.

The brackets are not availabe ex stock(5 weeks) and as you say the brochure etc is misleading as you are lead to believe its all going to be simple.If you buy a canopy you expect to be able to fit it without waiting etc.

The fit I have is great and I am pleased with the result.

I appreciate what you are saying about canopies as I have had the Caravanstore and latterly the Zip for a 6 year period----and yes I soon had it on the roof and learnt the hard way !!

I am now wondering what the position is regarding van width regs as it sticks out about 1in more than the door stop and the van is already max width.

Many thanks for confirming my appraisal of the situation!!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

cris

Thank you so much for your comments which mirror my own thoughts exactly.

I have made up some brackets of my own that bolt through the van side and the canopy looks well on the van.

If the P section rail is used under the existing rail it would need to be so low on the van side to enable fitting without the top of the box touching the protrusion of the existing rail during insertion that it would foul the door when opened.

Its easy to mount the canopy on a show stand but Omnistor claim to be amazed that it will not fit the Bailey rail.

Even if it would fit into the rail it would then be about 2cm off fitting snug against the van side.

The brackets are not availabe ex stock(5 weeks) and as you say the brochure etc is misleading as you are lead to believe its all going to be simple.If you buy a canopy you expect to be able to fit it without waiting etc.

The fit I have is great and I am pleased with the result.

I appreciate what you are saying about canopies as I have had the Caravanstore and latterly the Zip for a 6 year period----and yes I soon had it on the roof and learnt the hard way !!

I am now wondering what the position is regarding van width regs as it sticks out about 1in more than the door stop and the van is already max width.

Many thanks for confirming my appraisal of the situation!!

Sorry if this is off thread

 

[Lutz]

I think Cris has already answered your question better than I can.

As for your question regarding overall width, I hardly think that anyone is going to actually check the exact width where the Oministor is mounted even if it does exceed 2.3m locally by an inch or so in that area. I wouldn't take it too seriously even if it may mean that going by the word of the law, you may not strictly be complying.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I think Cris has already answered your question better than I can.

As for your question regarding overall width, I hardly think that anyone is going to actually check the exact width where the Oministor is mounted even if it does exceed 2.3m locally by an inch or so in that area. I wouldn't take it too seriously even if it may mean that going by the word of the law, you may not strictly be complying.

Thanks Lutz --my thoughts too

 

[cris_408518]

John

Over many years we have fitted various bits and bobs to variety of vehicles that then end up slightly over width and some lorries have fold back doors with hinge joints that make them over width.

We've never had a problem with parts that take up only a small percentage of the complete side of the vehicle, I also know of numerous commercial vehicles with large roller blind awnings that prrotrude several inches over maximum width. The blinds are technicaly removable as they are held by grub screws to brackets so they do not pose a problem when the vehicles are inspected although they are often left in place.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

John

Over many years we have fitted various bits and bobs to variety of vehicles that then end up slightly over width and some lorries have fold back doors with hinge joints that make them over width.

We've never had a problem with parts that take up only a small percentage of the complete side of the vehicle, I also know of numerous commercial vehicles with large roller blind awnings that prrotrude several inches over maximum width. The blinds are technicaly removable as they are held by grub screws to brackets so they do not pose a problem when the vehicles are inspected although they are often left in place.

Thanks again Cris ,I originally thought that it stuck out further until I realised that the wheel arches and the door stop were sticking out almost as far.

Bailey were of the same opinion as you and didn't like any canopies that used the awning rail.

 

[cris_408518]

John

Over many years we have fitted various bits and bobs to variety of vehicles that then end up slightly over width and some lorries have fold back doors with hinge joints that make them over width.

We've never had a problem with parts that take up only a small percentage of the complete side of the vehicle, I also know of numerous commercial vehicles with large roller blind awnings that prrotrude several inches over maximum width. The blinds are technicaly removable as they are held by grub screws to brackets so they do not pose a problem when the vehicles are inspected although they are often left in place.

I used to know the guy who supplied Baileys awning extrusion, and I'm pretty sure that will be down to the "maleable/soft" nature of the product.

We've fitted similar Awnings to vehicle Glass using Alluminium or Steel plates that the brackets are then attached to. The plates are fixed with Sikaflex 221 and it's worked fine by adding extra brackets to spread the load.

 

[Roger_374245644]

Hi Lutz,

Thank you for looking into those Eriba dealers in Germany. I have been onto the Moser website and am interested in their Eriba 580. As it is only 15 minutes away from you, I wonder if you would be interested in popping in some time to see what condition it's in, what colour scheme the upholstery is and whether it would be accetable to you.

My e-mail for direct access to me is: rogerreuss@btinternet.com

Best Regards

Roger

 

[Robin_374301829]

I was informed at a CC site recently that Knaus caravans are upto 1/3 cheaper in Germany than in the UK? Is this true or even possible? And if so is possible to get a Starclass from Germany, when it is a 'UK Speced' van for this country? AND if this is possible why hasn't everyone wanting a Bailey Champagne/Arizona or similar design booked a trip to Aachen to get their hands on one all ready?

Mayb eI have answered my own question all ready and it is another case of something being to true to be good.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Robin,

Quote "Knaus caravans are upto 1/3 cheaper in Germany than in the UK? Is this true or even possible?"

It's a difficult question to answer; our preference is for the Eriba Touring caravans, and in that case there was / is a significant price difference between the UK and Holland or Germany - one owner on the Eriba forum reported saving

 

[Lutz]

The dealers appear to be franchised for their local markets only. In order to avoid possible contract violation regarding unfair competition with the UK concessionaire, they will not sell new caravans for export. Mind you there is nothing to prevent them from owning the caravan on paper for just one day before selling it as "used". This does, however, prevent them from ordering a caravan to UK spec.

Roger is going through the process at the moment. He is over here in Germany taking delivery of his Nova 580 and I am sure he will have something to report when he gets back.