Knaus starclass 565

[borderbilly]

Going to look at one of these. Anybody have one? Anything in particular too look out for, apart from the obvious?

 

[otherclive]

Always liked that makers caravans. We looked at some pre owned but could never reconcile the matching of car and caravan, and did not want to change the car. They were nicely made and the interior fit and finish above British vans. Insides could be considered too dark for some peoples tastes but we liked them. Not so many frivolities as in British vans……..less to go wrong though. Just carry out any normal pre purchase diligence.

Knaus Starclass 565 - Practical Caravan

Find out about the four-berth Starclass 565 touring caravan from German manufacturer Knaus, with Practical Caravan's review. The tourer is Knaus's most UK-friendly range

www.practicalcaravan.com

 

[borderbilly]

I have a sportage 2.0l diesel so should be OK for tugging

 

[JTQ]

User payload is "challenging", might to be best you have an agreed understanding with your better half, prior to investing.

 

[Mel]

Looks like a really nice van. Too heavy for us though.
Mel

 

[birdman101]

Going to look at one of these. Anybody have one? Anything in particular too look out for, apart from the obvious?

What year is it,if built onBPW chassis also use IDC control which I have read of people having problems but no spares obtainable.

 

[borderbilly]

What year is it,if built onBPW chassis also use IDC control which I have read of people having problems but no spares obtainable.

2019

 

[birdman101]

2019

If you a Google search says 2017 to 2020
A few months ago there was an owner looking for control unit from caravan breakers for a 2017 caravan, as could not get parts,that had posted on Facebook

 

[JTQ]

Should it both have that issue and it bugs you enough to fund as solution, there is a generic stability system, or had been.
Can't remember with out searching who made it but think it was German.

Edit: it was LEAS
The other option worth a phone call to Al-kO technical support is to explore if either their ATC series 1 or 2 ATC is adaptable. I think I recall they took over the BPW business some years back so might well have met this issue before.

 

[otherclive]

According to PC Knaus changed to Alko chassis and ATC in 2018. Other sources support that date of changeover. There’s a 2019 Knaus 565 for sale in NE that states Alko/ATC. So Border Billy may be okay, but the date registers (2019) may not be the date manufactured so that would need checking, mk1 eyeball perhaps.

Knaus StarClass 480 - Practical Caravan

Enjoy high build quality in this UK-focused end-washroom two-berth, but does the Knaus StarClass 480 do enough to justify its weight and price? Read on!

www.practicalcaravan.com

 

[birdman101]

According to PC Knaus changed to Alko chassis and ATC in 2018. Other sources support that date of changeover. There’s a 2019 Knaus 565 for sale in NE that states Alko/ATC. So Border Billy may be okay, but the date registers (2019) may not be the date manufactured so that would need checking, mk1 eyeball perhaps.

Yes agree the date of registration may not match the production year as there are several Knaus Dealers still got brand new 2023 and 2024 models for sale,as I have noticed non UK brands tend to stand on Dealers forecourts longer before being sold.

 

[JTQ]

Perhaps our combined 14 posts didn’t help🤪🤪🙀

I have noticed non UK brands tend to stand on Dealers forecourts longer before being sold.

Yes and that has we found reflected in the second hand value and reticence to accept them as part exchange, dealers have for these otherwise really excellent brands. Great for buyers who want to buy SH and then keep.

From a build quality view point I do find this hard to understand, we Brits do seem to place far more value on everything but the build quality in caravan purchasing. So our manufacturers leave that build quality issue unaddressed, focusing on what motivates most UK buyers.

We did look at the Knaus Starclass caravans back in turn of the centenary when they were still Knaus and had a Hampshire importer. Though very impressed with the build quality then we both preferred the Hymer Nova of the era even though these were not locally supported.

 

[borderbilly]

Went and viewed van, nice,but I felt it was dark inside, so I did not commit to buy it.

 

[JTQ]

From a build quality view point I do find this hard to understand, we Brits do seem to place far more value on everything but the build quality in caravan purchasing

Went and viewed van, nice,but I felt it was dark inside, so I did not commit to buy it.

Might be prudent to dwell on that decision

But take good note of what your partner thought as this probably is the most important single factor.

 

[Dustydog]

Looking at Clive’s attachment is this statement true:

Fridge is a bit small, narrow second bed with Convenience Pack

It’s the bed size that may need more investigation?

 

[otherclive]

Looking at Clive’s attachment is this statement true:

Fridge is a bit small, narrow second bed with Convenience Pack

It’s the bed size that may need more investigation?

My attachment was to illustrate that Knaus changed to Alko in 2018, but BB was looking at a different caravan a 565 of which a 2019 one is for sale in NE.

 

[Dustydog]

My attachment was to illustrate that Knaus changed to Alko in 2018, but BB was looking at a different caravan a 565 of which a 2019 one is for sale in NE.

Ah , missed 480🙉

 

[JTQ]

According to PC Knaus changed to Alko chassis and ATC in 2018.

Al-Ko acquired BPW in February of 2017 so it seems, that might have been a precipitating factor in a chassis change?

 

[birdman101]

Went and viewed van, nice,but I felt it was dark inside, so I did not commit to buy it.

Light colour Aralie Sen and White panels is what I like with the Swift, gone from the days of dark panels .