hymer caravans
- Thread starter malcolm_5068662
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Malcolm,
I have owned a Hymer Nova 545 DB (fixed double bed) van for two years. As this is my first van, I can't give you any comparative information, but I can certainly extol the virtues of the Hymer. There's no doubt about it, it is solidly built although there is a penalty to be paid with a MIRO of 1350kg, for which reason I tow with a 4x4. It is rock solid under tow and at the maximum towing speeds allowed in the UK I have not once experienced any instability of any sort. Large lorries/coaches overtaking, or passing in the opposite direction, have little or no discernable effect. I run with the maximum permitted noseweight for the Al-Ko hitch of 100kg, which no doubt helps.
You will find that the internal layout is back-to-front in relation to UK caravans, i.e. the lounge area is at the rear in the Hymer and the bed at the front of the van. The beauty of this arrangement is that the huge locker space under the bed can be safely loaded with a decent amount of kit: for instance, I store a porch awning, folding table and two folding chairs in this space, and still keep within the noseweight limit.
The internal surfaces and cabinetry have a "quality" feel to them, and look good as well. You don't get a full-size cooker, but 3 gas rings and a separate small oven is sufficient for us. Since taking delivery, we have had zero defects with the internal systems and the only niggles have been a couple of the fly screens not returning properly. In short, it's been a great van. Annual service costs around
I have owned a Hymer Nova 545 DB (fixed double bed) van for two years. As this is my first van, I can't give you any comparative information, but I can certainly extol the virtues of the Hymer. There's no doubt about it, it is solidly built although there is a penalty to be paid with a MIRO of 1350kg, for which reason I tow with a 4x4. It is rock solid under tow and at the maximum towing speeds allowed in the UK I have not once experienced any instability of any sort. Large lorries/coaches overtaking, or passing in the opposite direction, have little or no discernable effect. I run with the maximum permitted noseweight for the Al-Ko hitch of 100kg, which no doubt helps.
You will find that the internal layout is back-to-front in relation to UK caravans, i.e. the lounge area is at the rear in the Hymer and the bed at the front of the van. The beauty of this arrangement is that the huge locker space under the bed can be safely loaded with a decent amount of kit: for instance, I store a porch awning, folding table and two folding chairs in this space, and still keep within the noseweight limit.
The internal surfaces and cabinetry have a "quality" feel to them, and look good as well. You don't get a full-size cooker, but 3 gas rings and a separate small oven is sufficient for us. Since taking delivery, we have had zero defects with the internal systems and the only niggles have been a couple of the fly screens not returning properly. In short, it's been a great van. Annual service costs around
- Jun 6, 2005
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Malcolm,
I have owned a Hymer Nova 545 DB (fixed double bed) van for two years. As this is my first van, I can't give you any comparative information, but I can certainly extol the virtues of the Hymer. There's no doubt about it, it is solidly built although there is a penalty to be paid with a MIRO of 1350kg, for which reason I tow with a 4x4. It is rock solid under tow and at the maximum towing speeds allowed in the UK I have not once experienced any instability of any sort. Large lorries/coaches overtaking, or passing in the opposite direction, have little or no discernable effect. I run with the maximum permitted noseweight for the Al-Ko hitch of 100kg, which no doubt helps.
You will find that the internal layout is back-to-front in relation to UK caravans, i.e. the lounge area is at the rear in the Hymer and the bed at the front of the van. The beauty of this arrangement is that the huge locker space under the bed can be safely loaded with a decent amount of kit: for instance, I store a porch awning, folding table and two folding chairs in this space, and still keep within the noseweight limit.
The internal surfaces and cabinetry have a "quality" feel to them, and look good as well. You don't get a full-size cooker, but 3 gas rings and a separate small oven is sufficient for us. Since taking delivery, we have had zero defects with the internal systems and the only niggles have been a couple of the fly screens not returning properly. In short, it's been a great van. Annual service costs around
Hello Malcolm. Apologies for the delay in replying, but the summary page for this forum shows my name as the last respondent so I have been unaware of your comment. Just spotted it by chance this morning.Hello Mike, does your caravan suffer much from stone chips etc on the front panel? as I notice the front panel is not made of a plastic or glass fire which would normally protect to a degree. Many thanks for your previous comments which I found very helpfull. I am looking at buying a 2003 hymer nova 530TB
We have acquired some minor stone chip markings on the lower front panel, plus a few small indentations. I don't have mud flaps on my car so fitting these (on my "To Do" list) might be a good means of protection. That said, the stone chip markings are only noticeable on close inspection and they don't detract from the appearance of the caravan. Also, the grey decal band around the bottom does seem to offer some protection.
We very nearly bought a Nova 530TB ourselves, but in the end preferred the 545 layout. Either caravan is designed for comfort and practicality, and built to last. Best wishes for your purchase and happy caravanning.
Mike (Cambridge)
- Apr 17, 2006
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Hi Malcolm,
Had all sorts of makes over the years and this time I have gone for the Hymer. What a piece of kit this is. Also they give 6yr warranty on the Body work.Like Mikes comments the quality speaks for itself and its about time that british manufactures took a leaf out of their book.Have a look around and see how many used examples are for sale.That should answer all questions!Happy Caravaning.
Had all sorts of makes over the years and this time I have gone for the Hymer. What a piece of kit this is. Also they give 6yr warranty on the Body work.Like Mikes comments the quality speaks for itself and its about time that british manufactures took a leaf out of their book.Have a look around and see how many used examples are for sale.That should answer all questions!Happy Caravaning.
- Apr 3, 2005
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Hi Malcolm, we think a Hymer is the sort of caravan you 'aspire' too. We have been caravanning for about 6 years and always promised ourselves 'one day we will have a Hymer'.
We picked our brand new Hymer nova 570 up about 4 weeks ago, she is absolutely fantastic! the build quality is second to none, we will definately not be going back to a british made van!
I think it is also important to point out the level of service from Lowdham leisure world is also excellent, nothing is too much trouble and i would highly recommend them!
Hope this is of help, Andrew.
We picked our brand new Hymer nova 570 up about 4 weeks ago, she is absolutely fantastic! the build quality is second to none, we will definately not be going back to a british made van!
I think it is also important to point out the level of service from Lowdham leisure world is also excellent, nothing is too much trouble and i would highly recommend them!
Hope this is of help, Andrew.
Hi Malcom,
Can only fully endorse the comment's about the fantastic build quality of the Hymer range.
However Mike's a little off the mark about layout's. Hymer do a number of layout's with the lounge area at the front and also they do 3 models with a 4 burner full size cooker.
We have been caravaning about 27 years and have always brought British.Our present van is a Avondale and although OK it
has needed quite a lot of warranty work carried out on it,
But as a caravan service engineer told me Avondale are no worse or better than any British van.Come on British Caravan manufactures remember the motorbike and car industry??.
We went to the NEC this year looking for a new van and were torn between a Adria/Hymer needless to say the Hymer came out way on top.
Lowdham's rep was very good and no way pushy, told us to look at the Adria's and make our own minds up.We have ordered a 570 GS and have been promised a delivery date in June.
Hope this helps.
Regards Nidge
Can only fully endorse the comment's about the fantastic build quality of the Hymer range.
However Mike's a little off the mark about layout's. Hymer do a number of layout's with the lounge area at the front and also they do 3 models with a 4 burner full size cooker.
We have been caravaning about 27 years and have always brought British.Our present van is a Avondale and although OK it
has needed quite a lot of warranty work carried out on it,
But as a caravan service engineer told me Avondale are no worse or better than any British van.Come on British Caravan manufactures remember the motorbike and car industry??.
We went to the NEC this year looking for a new van and were torn between a Adria/Hymer needless to say the Hymer came out way on top.
Lowdham's rep was very good and no way pushy, told us to look at the Adria's and make our own minds up.We have ordered a 570 GS and have been promised a delivery date in June.
Hope this helps.
Regards Nidge
- May 1, 2006
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What's the best website to view them on? I was on one website and it was bloody awful to navigate on. Did you buy yours abroad or in this country?Hi Malcolm,
Had all sorts of makes over the years and this time I have gone for the Hymer. What a piece of kit this is. Also they give 6yr warranty on the Body work.Like Mikes comments the quality speaks for itself and its about time that british manufactures took a leaf out of their book.Have a look around and see how many used examples are for sale.That should answer all questions!Happy Caravaning.
- Apr 17, 2006
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Lowdhams Liesure World at Huddersfield, got the full rangeWhat's the best website to view them on? I was on one website and it was bloody awful to navigate on. Did you buy yours abroad or in this country?
We are summer and winter caravanners with 2 kids and a dog. We have had an Avondale and an Eldis. After water started coming in through the window of the Eldis (brand new) we bought a Hymer(For 5 times we went away the caravan went straight back to the dealers en route home). Anyway try as we might we can not break this Hymer.Helga - as we call her - is a typical Teutonic bird. Nothing has fallen off, broken or not worked. We now are on our second Hymer - a Nova and never would I go back to a British van. They are badly made, gaudy and are not up to any more than 2 weeks in Knaresborough a year. Our Helga ferried us around Ireland for 3 weeks last year no problem. There are more and more people caravanning. It is not just for the rich and privaledged. But we all work hard for our money and when I spend a few thousand pounds on a van I expect it to work. The Hymer is the only one that has delivered. Speak to anyone who has a German van - not one would return to a GB van. Cheers and do the right thing.
We have a Dethleffs Camper 470DL 2 berth, which is made by the Hymer group. Superb build quality compared to British vans, and we have had a lot of different makes over the last 20 years. Our caravan is 7'6" wide, over 15' long internally, and weighs in at 1150kg MIRO. This includes 2 full 13kg gas bottles, electric cable and a couple of other things which escape me. Fully laden we are allowed 1300kg - so lighter than Hymer, but still good quality. Geist are also made by the Hymer Group.
Hi Ann,We are going to look at the Hymer range next week. The only problem I can foresee is the fact that entrance door is on the opposite side to the UK specifications. Or have they revised the bodyshell in recent years?
Looking through the Hymer 06 brochure, the feeling and the living models the door is on the wrong side,some of the nova range are the same but 4 models are on the UK side.
Hope this helps
Nidge
Ann, you may have sound reason for wanting the door on the UK side but I can tell you from experience it makes no difference. I've had 'vans with door on the "wrong side" including my present 'van and a lot of our camping neighbours haven't even noticed until I've pointed it out. If you go away with friends who have a British 'van you can have your doors or awnings facing each other too.
Hi Ann,Thanks Nidge
Don't suppose you know which models are produced to UK shell specification. We are limited to a 20' van for storage purposes.
Ann
Sorry for delay ! just got back off hols.
The only one in the brochure with UK door is the Nova 390 which is a 2 berth and the overall body length is 19'-2".
The rest are well over your 20' limit.
Regards Nidge
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