I recently broke the cardinal rule of purchasing, "trusted a video review and manufacturers heritage", let me explain.
I previously owned a 2012 Buccaneer Schooner.
This van was superb in all but one aspect, privacy.
Due to only having the flimsy central door, when retiring for the night it gave no privacy from my aging parents who suffer insomnia and hearing problems so watched tv until the early hours.
This prompted me to elect to purchase a caravan with a solid central door and island bed at the rear.
As I was happy with the Schooner, I trusted Elldis's track record and trusted their video review of the 2014 Caravell. Along with the exceptional deal offered by Glossop Caravans, another big mistake, I purchased the Caravel.
Upon eventual delivery at the dealership I realised my BIG MISTAKES.
The Caravel initially looks a luxury van but upon trying to put my property into it was when it's many down points became apparent.
The island bed overhangs the support / under bed storage by 18" making it flimsy and reducing storage to minimal as there are 3 radiators in the box
The kitchen over cooker storage is reduced to 3/4 shelf width along with no shelf as are several other cupboards shelf less as Elldis charge you £40 if you want shelves.
Another point reducing storage is that the radio is in one locker, a point that they say is for security but everyone knows caravans have radios that are useless in cars in them. This then if you want to listen to the radio and see the display means you have to leave the locker door open, straining the hinges and causing a possibility of someone banging their head on the door.
Another reduction in locker storage is the opposite one contains two plugs and the aerial / satalite inputs rendering the locker all but useless to allow access to these and also to prevent fire hazards from overheating the plugs.
They have put a flimsy cushion on the front door side couch which after a week is already starting to break.
They have removed the USB charging point at the front and the anti theft tubes from the rear legs along with replacing the cup holders with cheap pieces of plastic with cut outs to slide the handles into.
One major issue all use men will be aware of is when our partners or children cannot watch their favourite TV program this can cause issues.
To this point, Elldis have removed the Staus aerial and replaced it with a flimsy car type aerial which cannot be aimed at the transmitter, obviously to offset the cost of fitting a solar panel who's purpose is to trickle charge the battery?, why, the battery charger does this and you will most likely not be using a van such as this without a mains hook up.
As such, TV reception is at the best very poor.
I have written to Elldis who say they are sorry I am DISAPOINTED with the van and to take it to my dealer re the aerial.
My dealer inform me that this is a common problem with the aerial and Avateck stand by their claims and nothing can be done.
In summery don't be stupid like I have and trust your dealer or manufacturers previous reputation and see the product in the flesh so to speak before committing to a purchase.
I previously owned a 2012 Buccaneer Schooner.
This van was superb in all but one aspect, privacy.
Due to only having the flimsy central door, when retiring for the night it gave no privacy from my aging parents who suffer insomnia and hearing problems so watched tv until the early hours.
This prompted me to elect to purchase a caravan with a solid central door and island bed at the rear.
As I was happy with the Schooner, I trusted Elldis's track record and trusted their video review of the 2014 Caravell. Along with the exceptional deal offered by Glossop Caravans, another big mistake, I purchased the Caravel.
Upon eventual delivery at the dealership I realised my BIG MISTAKES.
The Caravel initially looks a luxury van but upon trying to put my property into it was when it's many down points became apparent.
The island bed overhangs the support / under bed storage by 18" making it flimsy and reducing storage to minimal as there are 3 radiators in the box
The kitchen over cooker storage is reduced to 3/4 shelf width along with no shelf as are several other cupboards shelf less as Elldis charge you £40 if you want shelves.
Another point reducing storage is that the radio is in one locker, a point that they say is for security but everyone knows caravans have radios that are useless in cars in them. This then if you want to listen to the radio and see the display means you have to leave the locker door open, straining the hinges and causing a possibility of someone banging their head on the door.
Another reduction in locker storage is the opposite one contains two plugs and the aerial / satalite inputs rendering the locker all but useless to allow access to these and also to prevent fire hazards from overheating the plugs.
They have put a flimsy cushion on the front door side couch which after a week is already starting to break.
They have removed the USB charging point at the front and the anti theft tubes from the rear legs along with replacing the cup holders with cheap pieces of plastic with cut outs to slide the handles into.
One major issue all use men will be aware of is when our partners or children cannot watch their favourite TV program this can cause issues.
To this point, Elldis have removed the Staus aerial and replaced it with a flimsy car type aerial which cannot be aimed at the transmitter, obviously to offset the cost of fitting a solar panel who's purpose is to trickle charge the battery?, why, the battery charger does this and you will most likely not be using a van such as this without a mains hook up.
As such, TV reception is at the best very poor.
I have written to Elldis who say they are sorry I am DISAPOINTED with the van and to take it to my dealer re the aerial.
My dealer inform me that this is a common problem with the aerial and Avateck stand by their claims and nothing can be done.
In summery don't be stupid like I have and trust your dealer or manufacturers previous reputation and see the product in the flesh so to speak before committing to a purchase.
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