German Vans - Hymer, Geist, Eriba, Burstner

[Chaps]

Having done some surfing this weekend, we're now considering stretching our budget to buy a German caravan as they seem to have the largest bunks for our almost teenage sons and we understand that leaks are less likely. Very interested in Geist vans which seem a bit cheaper and have the door on the English side. Like the look of Hymer as well (In-laws swear by their Hymer Motorhome) but wonder how owners have found having the door on the 'wrong' side in terms of awnings, pitch layout etc. We know we're going to have to look carefully at MTPLM's but as we're buying a new(ish) car as well we can take this into account if necessary.

Cheers!

 

[ValA.]

We've got a 'wrong side' door, and its never been a problem. We usually caravan in France anyway, and of course the door is then on the 'right' side. In England we sometimes have to pitch 'off-centre' so that we've room to put the awning on the 'wrong' side, but it's never a problem.

We have a Swift Speedbird, which is basically the fixed bed model, like the Challenger, but built for the Dutch market, and sold there as the Toscane - and we LOVE it. However, it's now 7 years old and still looks lovely, but we're thinking about a replacement in the next year or two. We're going to the Dusseldorf Caravan Show in August, at the start of our next holiday, to eye up possible contenders. We visited the Rai Caravan Show in Holland a few years ago, and saw the Toscane there - then found Barrons had some for sale in England. We've looked at Hymers, and Burstners, but the models on sale here are 'anglicised', usually having an oven added, weigh more and are quite a bit more expensive than those available on the continent.

 

[Lutz]

Geist is only a German-owned company, not a true German manufacturer. Geist caravans are not sold on the Continent.

 

[allen1]

I believe Giest is built by LMC (lord munsterland caravans)several years ago I was going to buy a burstner in germany,the supplier offered to fit 3 pin plugs free of charge and the van was nearley

 

[Claire_5039866]

We have a Burstner 530tk and we love it. Our previous vans were a Corona 505 and an Avondale Dart. These were ok but the build quality on the Burstner is so much better - everything in the van feels solid adn we've never had anything come loose (unlike both our previous vans) even when we pulled to Italy and then to Croatia.

 

[Lutz]

German manufacturers profit from lower production costs due to higher volumes which common platforms allow. The caravans of the Hymer Group, for example, which includes Eriba, B

 

[Barry_5132760]

In fact the percentage of donor parts from Mondeo to X Type is

actually no more than 20% and of this most are bits you don't see

like wiper mechanisms and air conditioning systems.The most

significant carry-overs are suspension,brakes and basic engine

block.But so much work has been done on each of these components by

Jaguar that it hardly seems fair or accurate to describe an X-Type as

a Mondeo under a different outer skin. For example the Macpherson strut front suspension has been so comprehensively redesigned to maximise ride

refinement and eliminate torque steer that it would be barely

recognisable to a Ford engineer.The Mondeo uses single tube Macpherson struts and the X type engineers redisigned these into a better twin tube strut. The rear suspension is from the Mondeo estate not the saloon as it uses a more compact version of the multi-link setup which allows for a lower boot floor and

greater ride refinement.'

Barry

 

[allen1]

Hi lutz

Ithink the same could be said of the Swift group and the explorer brand with there vans all looking the same but for the names and some times there colours

 

[Tony A.]

Claire,

I have an LMC bought from Continental Caravans, Crosshands, S/Wales, I think Geist are a lot ,more expensive than LMC,IT`s worth a phone call to find out.

Tony A.

 

[Chaps]

Thanks to all for comments - help is very much appreciated. I think we'll look at all the brands mentioned and will definately add LMC to the list. Cheers!

 

[CarolineSimon]

Hi Claire,

We have a Burstner 540TK and it's fantastic.

Fixed bed & fixed bunks so everyone is happy.

We bought it in UK as a UK spec van although door is still "wrong side" it hasn't caused us any bother.

I doubt we will ever buy a UK van again until they sharpen up their act with build quality.

Caroline

 

[jennifer_374227268]

hi, would anyone know anything about hobby caravans, we have friends who are thinking a buying a 690 Uk model, its a very large caravan but they have fell in love with it, thought i would just check out if anyone has had any trouble with a caravan like this before they buy it.

Many regards Jenny

 

[Guest]

Hobby caravans are excellent, however there are 2 concerns regarding them which may, or may not make you decide againbst them. Some of the models are built to the European woidth of 2.5 meters and so at the current time are illegal in the UK. Of course of you live abroad and buy one you can bring it to the UK as a tourist.

The second issue is that they are popular with the travelling community, some of whom don't actually travel that much and some sites will ban them just in case you are hell bent on causing trouble.

However, these comments are being very unfair on the van which is a good quality unit and have many happy owners.

 

[Diane1]

In fact the percentage of donor parts from Mondeo to X Type is

actually no more than 20% and of this most are bits you don't see

like wiper mechanisms and air conditioning systems.The most

significant carry-overs are suspension,brakes and basic engine

block.But so much work has been done on each of these components by

Jaguar that it hardly seems fair or accurate to describe an X-Type as

a Mondeo under a different outer skin. For example the Macpherson strut front suspension has been so comprehensively redesigned to maximise ride

refinement and eliminate torque steer that it would be barely

recognisable to a Ford engineer.The Mondeo uses single tube Macpherson struts and the X type engineers redisigned these into a better twin tube strut. The rear suspension is from the Mondeo estate not the saloon as it uses a more compact version of the multi-link setup which allows for a lower boot floor and

greater ride refinement.'

Barry

The jag is built on the mondie chasis. The model when it comes down to it is probably what some might sight the entry level Jag and a big mistake for jaguar. You can put all the bits you like on it, it is still a mondie underneath.As is the Octvia and the Passat.

 

[ValA.]

Hobby caravans are becoming increasingly popular for 'seasonal' use - ie tow to site and leave it. There's a site we use in Abersoch where a whole row of seasonal pitches are now Hobby. I think it's because they stand up well to British weather, are solid as a rock, and the furniture and fittings are also rock-solid. The site owner, on another Abersoch site, lives in the season in his Hobby.

There us to be a Hobby dealer in Ambergate in Derbyshire - not sure if they're still there.

 

[Alan Partridge]

The jag is built on the mondie chasis. The model when it comes down to it is probably what some might sight the entry level Jag and a big mistake for jaguar. You can put all the bits you like on it, it is still a mondie underneath.As is the Octvia and the Passat.

These cars do not have a "chassis"; as has been said these cars, though designed on the same platform, have many differences in body, trim, suspension and options. Any resemblance to a Mondeo is entirely to the Jaguar's credit - the Mondeo is acknowledged to be a very good car.

The Octavia and the Passat are completely different cars; I believe the Octavia is part of the Golf family.

 

[Roger_374245644]

Hi Clare,

I have recenlty returned from Germany, where I bought a new Hymer Eriba 580. It has fairly spacious end bathroom, twin fixed beds, kitchen area with fair amount of worktop space and an end "U" shaped lounge area, which converts into double bed, all on a single axle. With its green hue cupboard doors and hidden ambient lighting, it's a beautiful looking caravan, very comfortable and roomy.

Its lenght is 650 cm, width 230cm, 1,700kg in weight and cost me

 

[Alex_374296729]

Being in mind Lowdhams reputation, is there any feedback on Collins Leisureworld near Reading?

Thank you

 

[Chaps]

Hi Clare,

I have recenlty returned from Germany, where I bought a new Hymer Eriba 580. It has fairly spacious end bathroom, twin fixed beds, kitchen area with fair amount of worktop space and an end "U" shaped lounge area, which converts into double bed, all on a single axle. With its green hue cupboard doors and hidden ambient lighting, it's a beautiful looking caravan, very comfortable and roomy.

Its lenght is 650 cm, width 230cm, 1,700kg in weight and cost me

 

[Chaps]

Forgot to mention in my original post that we need a 5 or even 6 Berth caravan - 2 adults, 11 year old twins and a nearly 4 year old. We're not having any more kids but may take along our nephew on occasion. One of our twins is already 5' 2" tall so we really need to look at beds that are suitable for adults for him.

 

[Roger_374245644]

Thanks Roger. I wish we could stretch to buying a Hymer as my parents-in-law swear by them (they have a motorhome). They look wonderful and I love the designer touches to their interiors. I suppose we've got to decide whether a second hand Hymer would be better than a new Geist. Enjoy your new caravan!

Hi Clare,

Regarding the very impressive Geist, the main problem I found with it's end bathroom was the distance between sink and door. When standing at the hand basin with the door closed, my derriare kept trying to open the door. Apart from that, I found it to be very acceptable.

Roger

 

[Chaps]

We've taken the plunge and ordered a Geist AK495 - the large fixed bunks finally swayed our choice. It's new but last year's model and we reckon we've got a pretty good deal. We'll be collecting it in September but have got to sort out a towcar before then. To say I'm giddy is the understatement of the year! Thanks to all who have offered advice on my various posts on the forum - it has all been heeded and was most useful. We'll let you know how we get on.

 

[Geist]

Geist is only a German-owned company, not a true German manufacturer. Geist caravans are not sold on the Continent.⇦br/>

Geist are built entirely by LMC in Germany - they are, in fact, an LMC Dominant with a revised floor plan and some items, like the gas hot water system and oven, added to make the van appealing to UK consumers.

LMC make good vans - but the UK importers, 'Geist' are extremely poor (as I know from bitter experience)

They are dismissive about warranty issues, do not respond to communications, do not return telephone calls - and will (in my experience) wriggle like a fish on a hook to avoid their warranty liabiility.

Whether this extremely unhelpful attitude is related to the fact that Geist was founded by former executives of a large UK caravan manufacturer is a matter for conjecture.

As a Geist owner, my advice would be to stay as far away from the brand as possible - at least until their after-sales service improves.

 

[Lutz]

Thanks for putting me right on that one, Geist. So, if I understand you correctly, Geist is actually a British company which contracts LMC in Germany to build caravans to their specification, but based on LMC designs.

 

[Alex_374296729]

Where did you purchase your van?

Good deal/ service?