Cristall Moorea 450TF

[gordon_374330937]

Hi

Anyone know this model, here seems to be more than MTPLW.Depending on the ALKO chassis, I have seen it listed as 1300KG+100KG, or 1500KG.

Gordon

 

[forestgump]

is it on a alko chassis

 

[gordon_374330937]

Yes alko chassis

 

[Guest]

The Cristal Moorea 450TF is fixed bed van. It was the upmarket model of 3 ranges produced by Cristall, these being Sprinter (budget) Samoa (mid range) and Moorea (top end). All had the same layout. The weight increased with the degree of luxury and the Moorea 450TF was listed at 1400 kg MTPLM. There is an ALKO plate in the middle of the axle which will tell you the maximum weiight allowed for the particular van. However, in 2004 the identification changed from 450 TF to 460 TF. No other change though. The MIRO is given as 1075 kg excluding the standard 90 kg for gas etc. Also in 2006 models had the layout reversed so the fixed bed was at the front 'a la' latest continental practice. The model changed from a 'TF' to a 'FB' designation.

The Moorea also has Alufibre walls which made it slightly heavier and 'go faster' bits such as roof rails and alloy wheels.

They are good strong vans and were sold by the hundreds under the Beyerland name.

 

[gordon_374330937]

Thanks for the information. I have purhased a 2006 450TF with the fixed bed at the back of the caravan. I am led to understand that in 2006 some vans were imported to the uk and the final fit (not sure exactly what, but def the soft furnishings)were completed in the UK.Pleased with the van very soild and most of what we want fitted.No roof mounted aerial but it appears the way to go for the digital tv signal is satellite so considering a Camos crank-up on the roof.Still not sre on the MTMPL issue as the Cristall website www.cristall.co.uk statea a MTMPL of 1300G + additional 100KG if req, but I think the caravan plate states 1500KG.

Gordon

 

[ValA.]

For a very short time there was a Cristall dealership which had set up, on the cheap, in an old caravan 'warehouse' near us (West Yorkshire) - and the caravans they sold were upgraded to British Spec. Howevever, I didn'think this included fire-resistant upholstery - so check yours carefully. We have three or four on the storage site near us, but I'm not sure what models these are. I think our neighbour has a Moorea but when we're up there tomorrow I'll have a look. His is a nice van, though!

I think Moorland Leisure in the potteries may also have sold Cristall caravans, too. Possibly you could ask them for definition about the weight of yours.

 

[Guest]

Gordon,

If your axle plate shows 1500 kg then that is the maximum weight you can use. What happened was that the vans were made with certain ALKO chassis but some were 'downgraded' on the van plate for certain markets. I know when I bought my first Sprinter the brochure stated 1100 kg, but the van plate was 1200 kg. Checking with Morrland revealed the reasoning why, and I was legally able to use the higher weight. I have the 2006 brochure which shows the maximum weight of the 450 TF as 1500 kg. I had been looking at an older brochure which showed 1400 kg. I have the lower grade Samoa 450TF model and this has a maximum wieght of 1300 kg. What made me look at the Samoa was the lower MTPLM, but still the high payload.

As Val has mentioned Moorland Leisure were the main importers, but stopped when Tirus went bust in 2006. They can obviously give advice and may have some parts, but they do not really handle them anymore. However, all is not lost. Tirus made may different barnds of vans and many of the parts were interchangeable. Lunar also sold the Chateau models for a while, and plan to do so again, and these also shared many components with Cristall. However, if you really need something particular you are probably best to head for Holland and find a Beyerland spares dealer.

If the van was supplied by a dealer in the UK then the upholstery will have been changed to UK specification materials. The vans were usually shipped 'sans upholstery' and a UK Company supplied appropriate cushions and logo'd covers. You should even have a mattress and duvet covers all with Cristall logos. We like the mattress cover but my wife baulked at the duvet cover. Yes, the upholstery is high quality and good thick cushions.

The fitting of an aerial was an option, which not many took. As you mention the wiring is all in place in the high level cupboard, behind a panel. and you can fit what ever you like.

If there is a weakness then have alook under the van at your shower tray. You may find like me the drain hole is too large and the plastic tray is unsupported at that point, and like me you may put a big size 10 in the wrong spot, and crack it.

The other weak point is the bottom cupboard in the kitchen unit, as it has a side opening door, not like the 2 drawers above. The hinges can be weakened with travelling and you may have to refit them.

Apart from that it is a great van and we have had ours for 4 years now and travelled all over Europe.

 

[gordon_374330937]

Thanks fo all the info!

No sign of mattress or duvet covers, however both the sat and aerial cables are connected from external connector thro to tv cupboard but no aerial. Anyway we are going the sat route and installing a Camos crank up on the roof. Pleased with the Alufibre construction and the van feels very warm and easy to tow.only Had 2 weekends in the van so far but plan to have a week away in Dec to see how it fairs with colder weather.

 

[Guest]

I am glad you are pleased with your van.

I hope the previous owners also left you the scatter cushions, magazine rack and the documentation. This mostly comprises the manuals for the equipment so are easy to get elsewhere, but there should also be a Cristall Owners Manual. Again, a lot of what is in it, is general stuff. There should also be a thin narrow cushion. It took us several years to figure out what to do with it, and even the dealer did not know. We assumed it was for the dinette bed makeup, but could not see where it fitted in. My latest guess is it fits between the fixed bed mattress and the washrrom wall and fills the gap that is there to allow the bed to lift up.

The other 'oddball' are the 2 lights above the hob. These are 12 volt but do not work with the other 12 volt lights when the battery is connected. They only work when the mains is connected. I spent time changing bulbs until I figured out the problem. The reason for the oddity is that behind the switch is a transformer which takes power from the mains cable adjacent.

If there is any other information you wish, and I can help, please let me know.

 

[gordon_374330937]

Thanks again or the info. Yes very pleased tows like a dream and the local dealer has given us 3 yrs full warranty, not bad for a 2nd hand van. They used to be Cristall dealers and know this van very well.I am probably going to add a zig type caravan panel/switch and wire it so I can choose to take power of the car battery and be able to monitor the car and caravan battery voltages, as one site we stay on in France for 2+ weeks does not have electric hook ups and its far easier to keep the car battery charged by days out than running the caravan leisure battery down. Yes you have to use a bit of commom sense and make sure you do not discharge your car battery too much.

Any Cristall anomolies I come across will drop a note on this forum

 

[forestgump]

bicester caravans had a few crystals to sell dont know if they were dealers or just got a job lot

 

[anthonyfurse]

hi i am sorry for just latching on to you but you seem to have knowledge of cristall vans and we have just got one and are up to speed on all of it except we cannot work out where the waste water system empties can you help plesae