hobby 720 umf 2007

Dec 21, 2009
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I am considering buying a hobby 720 umf, 2007 registration for £7000.00.

The Hobby is 8 metres long, has fixed bed and continental electrics

I drive land rover discovery td5 series 2 automatic.

This would be my first venture into caravaning, The hobby looks in excellent condition, plenty of kit but has no awning.

Has anyone any feedback on this caravan to its suitability for towing and caravaning in general
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Yes, can confirm that a 720 is too wide to be towed legally in the UK with a LR Discovery.
 

Damian

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Mar 14, 2005
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Ken, whilst the 720 would make a great permanently sited van, as has been said, as it is 2.5mtrs wide you need a vehicle with a GVW of 3501kg or more to legally tow it in the UK.

As none of the "normal" cars, 4x4's or light vans have this weight you are in the realms of Commercial Vehicles, with the added extra licence entitlement etc etc.

You may also find getting any kind of insurance for the van hard, as they targets for theft on a bigger scale than most UK built vans.

You will also find that many commercial site will not accept twin axle Hobby, Fendt, Roma and other continental vans as they are associated with the "travelling" fraternity, rightly or wrongly.

To be legal on UK roads with the vehicle you have, you must stick to vans of a max 2.3 mtrs wide, and with the Hobby range that means any of their vans up to the 540 series.
 
Dec 21, 2009
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Ken, whilst the 720 would make a great permanently sited van, as has been said, as it is 2.5mtrs wide you need a vehicle with a GVW of 3501kg or more to legally tow it in the UK.

As none of the "normal" cars, 4x4's or light vans have this weight you are in the realms of Commercial Vehicles, with the added extra licence entitlement etc etc.

You may also find getting any kind of insurance for the van hard, as they targets for theft on a bigger scale than most UK built vans.

You will also find that many commercial site will not accept twin axle Hobby, Fendt, Roma and other continental vans as they are associated with the "travelling" fraternity, rightly or wrongly.

To be legal on UK roads with the vehicle you have, you must stick to vans of a max 2.3 mtrs wide, and with the Hobby range that means any of their vans up to the 540 series.
Thank you very much for your prompt feedback.

I was somewhat surprised with the comments on width resrictions as this had not been commented on by the seller and dealer murray caravans of falkirk had tried to sell me a similar but older 720.

what van type and price would you recommend

Ken Kennedy
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
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To answer your queries in the comments box Ken

You own a Land Rover TD5 so you will be ok on weight whichever caravan you chose within the legal limits as described earlier.

Your starting point need to be your budget then how many berths you are looking for.

Then decide what layout suits you best, fixed bed or not fixed bed, do you need a large washroom and shower?

Take some time to do some research to make an informed choice and save yourself money and possible problems later on.

We are more than happy to answer your questions on this forum so don't be too hasty to part with your cash ;0)

Have a look round this website via our homepage where you will find information about towing laws and acaravan buyers sitewhere many good used caravans are offered for sale so you can check the layouts.

There are some general tips for buyershere
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Mention has been made that all Hobby models up to and including the 540 series are 2.3m wide and therefore legal to tow with a 'normal' car in the UK. Note that, for 2010, Hobby have introduced a new model, the 545KMF, and this is 2.5m wide.
 
Nov 17, 2005
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Ken,

All you need to do to get round the 2.5mtr rule is put a tarmacing sticker on your car, not bother with seat belts, car tax, insurance and have a Jack Russell on your lap, you'll never be stopped by the police (far too much paper work) however, I think you'll need a new Range Rover to convince them completely, in other words, if they can get away with it, why can't you, the van sounds like a great buy, and if it has all the paperwork then get it.

Regards,

Jeff.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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From experience, 2.5m wide caravans (where legal) are no great fun to tow off motorways and main roads, but then that's something everyone must decide for themselves.
 
Mar 2, 2006
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Hi Ken,

We have a 2007 ukfe, seasonally sited; if you are considering a van of this size, I would suggest you use it seasonally too! We love our van and it suits our lifestyle entirely as we wanted to site seasonally for a coupke of years until our kids are a little older, then tour again. Having toured with uk vans and moved my van it is not something i would like to move more than once a year at most!They are a good "tug", however, as Lutz suggests, are better on motorways and a roads.The landrover will tow it, probably very well, however this will not be legally. The dealer may have misinformed you if he has told you this is a legal outfit with a LR as a towcar.I also agree with jeff's reply!!

Good points-they make a relatively cheaper alternative to a static (around half price of static seasonal fees) are well equipped, comfortable and well made,they are also reasonably cheap second hand

bad points- difficult (but not impossible) to insure, towing law, many sites refuse to accept,they also appeal to the light fingered (dont all caravans?)

As I said, we are very happy with our van which suits us for the timebeing and for what we want out of 'vanning, however for touring I'd get a smaller one (would still buy German though!)

see hobby owners club site:

http://s4.zetaboards.com/Hobby_Owners_Club/index/
 
Nov 28, 2009
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Be aware that the 720 is actually illegal " twice " ( it's too wide AND it's too long )...The other part of the law states that the length of the body not including the gas bottle locker must not exceed 7 metres otherwise the MAM of the tow vehicle must exceed 3500kgs
 
Jul 28, 2008
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Jeff,

The 'A' frame is not included in the 7m length. As far as I'm aware there aren't any UK 'vans over 7m long and/or 2.3m wide, unless you'd care to name them?
 
Nov 17, 2005
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You mean to tell me Nigel, that we have the smallest ones in Europe!! is this what we fought two world wars for???
 
Jul 28, 2008
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Jeff,

Of course! We also have to maintain the rest of Europe financially, and sell off all the family silverware. Good isn't it? Mind you, I'm surprised that Brussels hasn't dictated that we change.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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But they aren't too big. UK length and width regulations are the same as for the rest of Europe, with the exception of vehicles under 3500kg, which is totally illogical, as what has weight to do with width or length?
 

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