Parksy
Moderator
Well I for one couldn't live without windows and I will insist on them when I buy my next caravan.
I agree, windows are very important and I'm fitting large windows to the whole range. No windows would give a level of privacy but I don't think people want to be forced into being reclusive!
I'm a bit surprised that a prototype is to be exhibited, but apparently only now are questions being asked what people prefer in the way of equipment, layout, etc. Surely that should have been done up front before the project ever started?
can i ask will these caravans be sold direct to the public or do you intend to have a dealer network? if through a network, who have you approached?
I have one question....
Is this caravan for real??
I'm probably one of the youngest caravaners around, so if coolness comes with youth, I might be considered cool (maybe??). But I can't see anything cool/stealthy/trendy about this???
Is this caravan for real??
I'm probably one of the youngest caravaners around, so if coolness comes with youth, I might be considered cool (maybe??). But I can't see anything cool/stealthy/trendy about this???
Group reqests here.
Twin Axle ( and use T/A to get overall height down and COG )
LIGHT WEIGHT. (Caravans have got to heavy. Light weight = less fuel)
Aero Shaped front to use more of wasted A frame space and fill the gap between the tow car to improve aerodynamics and aid fuel consumption.
Composites and honeycomb modern floor for strength, rigidity and durability.
Alloy/ GRP / composite body work shell and roof. With modern two pack bonding systems to guarantee 25 - 30 year life and water proofing.
Stainless screws if they have to be used.
LED running lights. (Truck builder friend is using slim neat very bright LED with very high mileage long life, no need to change bulbs and let water in with big holes to take old fashioned lights)
Plenty of windows with flush finish to improve the looks and aero's. Roof to include aero flairings to improve airflow over large rooflights, vents and aerials. Space and connection point for Solar Panel.
Roof should be able to take walking on and have snow loading rating.
Plenty of windows and large roof lights to front and rear.
Interior: Lightweight alloys. plastics and composites. Frameworks of fittings to fit to flooring and wall fixing points (no screwing through carpeting) allowing for a variety of interiors or updating or changing the layout in the future.
LED lighting. Silent running water pumps. Option of compact bathroom or large. Side bathroom or end bathroom, twin dinette.
Fridge that works in continental hot weather or has fan vented air flow to cope with hot climates.
Blown air heating and cooling, air con uses to much power for many sites and is to noisy for neighbouring caravans. Cool silent blown air for night time use is a must in hot climates.
In built jacking for levelling and wheel changing.
360 KG load to cover motor mover and what modern day caravanners carry in the way of Entertainment and Cycles etc.
Make it - Light weight, Strong and Watertight and Aerodynamic with interior flexibility.
We think that if caravan interiors were flexible an updatable with a good durable secure shell and chassis a manufacturer would retain customers and a steady flow of business, as families and use changed the caravan could be changed inside to suit the family or couples needs. Rather than lots of different caravan shells. Fixing points to take modular fittings to personalise interior layouts and updates.
ps
Just forget ABS panels.
Twin Axle ( and use T/A to get overall height down and COG )
LIGHT WEIGHT. (Caravans have got to heavy. Light weight = less fuel)
Aero Shaped front to use more of wasted A frame space and fill the gap between the tow car to improve aerodynamics and aid fuel consumption.
Composites and honeycomb modern floor for strength, rigidity and durability.
Alloy/ GRP / composite body work shell and roof. With modern two pack bonding systems to guarantee 25 - 30 year life and water proofing.
Stainless screws if they have to be used.
LED running lights. (Truck builder friend is using slim neat very bright LED with very high mileage long life, no need to change bulbs and let water in with big holes to take old fashioned lights)
Plenty of windows with flush finish to improve the looks and aero's. Roof to include aero flairings to improve airflow over large rooflights, vents and aerials. Space and connection point for Solar Panel.
Roof should be able to take walking on and have snow loading rating.
Plenty of windows and large roof lights to front and rear.
Interior: Lightweight alloys. plastics and composites. Frameworks of fittings to fit to flooring and wall fixing points (no screwing through carpeting) allowing for a variety of interiors or updating or changing the layout in the future.
LED lighting. Silent running water pumps. Option of compact bathroom or large. Side bathroom or end bathroom, twin dinette.
Fridge that works in continental hot weather or has fan vented air flow to cope with hot climates.
Blown air heating and cooling, air con uses to much power for many sites and is to noisy for neighbouring caravans. Cool silent blown air for night time use is a must in hot climates.
In built jacking for levelling and wheel changing.
360 KG load to cover motor mover and what modern day caravanners carry in the way of Entertainment and Cycles etc.
Make it - Light weight, Strong and Watertight and Aerodynamic with interior flexibility.
We think that if caravan interiors were flexible an updatable with a good durable secure shell and chassis a manufacturer would retain customers and a steady flow of business, as families and use changed the caravan could be changed inside to suit the family or couples needs. Rather than lots of different caravan shells. Fixing points to take modular fittings to personalise interior layouts and updates.
ps
Just forget ABS panels.
No, coolness does ot come with youth. The young only think they are cool
We're middle aged own our homes, caravans and cars and boat, we're retired and don't work and caravan whenever we want.
And we have other toys for fun.
How cool is that ;0)
Twin axle and lightweight is a contradiction in itself. Does the second axle weigh nothing? And lowering the centre of gravity? How is that possible unless you use smaller wheels, but then, if you do that, you'd also lose ground clearance. The only way you can drop the centre of gravity appreaciably is to delete overhead lockers, perhaps also if you go for a monocoque construction, but that woud be rather radical and expensive.
I'd like to be able to choose options - for example, oven or no oven and more cupboard space, microwave or no microwave, shower or no shower, television aerial or not, etc. Believe it or not there are just a few of us who prefer not to have all these additions, which all add weight which we don't need or use. Those who want them could have them, and those who don't could opt out.
When we bought our first Caravan in 1996 we opted to do without the oven - nowadays this isn't an option any more.
When we bought our first Caravan in 1996 we opted to do without the oven - nowadays this isn't an option any more.
At times Lutz you come out with some rubbish. Twin axle does not have to add massively to the overall weight as you keep banging on with.
We've had and have T/A's that are well fitted premium quality caravans that are as large or larger than other heavier similar sized and smaller caravans.
We've looked at a few caravans on this issue and the main chassis beams appear not to be as bulky, I assume this is beacause the main loading is spread over two axles not one.
Our old T/A is with us and that runs on 155 80 R13 tyres and everyone who has towed it notes how stable it is, and seen to twitch about less on windy motorways. The Bailey recommended tyre pressure is very low and drivers feel it rides really well compared to others. As for ground clearance, it's never had a problem in over 10 years and has far better Clearance than the Swift it first replaced and others. As caravanning friends and family use it much of the time it has mumerous reviewers, current users own caravan was a large S/A Hymer and they've so far given nothing but praise for the old girl.
We've had and have T/A's that are well fitted premium quality caravans that are as large or larger than other heavier similar sized and smaller caravans.
We've looked at a few caravans on this issue and the main chassis beams appear not to be as bulky, I assume this is beacause the main loading is spread over two axles not one.
Our old T/A is with us and that runs on 155 80 R13 tyres and everyone who has towed it notes how stable it is, and seen to twitch about less on windy motorways. The Bailey recommended tyre pressure is very low and drivers feel it rides really well compared to others. As for ground clearance, it's never had a problem in over 10 years and has far better Clearance than the Swift it first replaced and others. As caravanning friends and family use it much of the time it has mumerous reviewers, current users own caravan was a large S/A Hymer and they've so far given nothing but praise for the old girl.
I'm not criticising the advantage of potentially less 'twitchiness' of the twin that you mention, but how a twin can actually be lighter than an equivalent sized single beats me. The chassis has to take the same load of the superstructure so the chassis members have to be just as substantial.
Modern braking system, with self adjusting brakes, a hand brake with a racket action, not the one shot on/off action. I like to be in control.
Road wheels to car spec, with tyres than don't come of the rim when punctured, perhaps even run flat tyres?
The option of NO oven, but built in micro wave at worktop level.
Road wheels to car spec, with tyres than don't come of the rim when punctured, perhaps even run flat tyres?
The option of NO oven, but built in micro wave at worktop level.
I think you'll find that the road wheels are identical to car wheels, Ray. When I had a blowout last year, the tyre stayed on the rim all right but nevertheless the wheel was damaged and had to be replaced. As we were en route to our destination I had to get a new wheel quickly, but the nearest caravan dealer didn't have one of the correct size. However, he took a close look at the damaged wheel and said that he thought it was identical to one from a VW Caddy. So, I went to the next VW dealer and he even found the VW part number on the caravan wheel!
Lutz
I don't know where i picked up the information, but i recall reading something about van wheels not having a inner "rib" on to secure a flat tyre in place, maybe it only applies to old vans, or i could have just been misinformed?
I don't know where i picked up the information, but i recall reading something about van wheels not having a inner "rib" on to secure a flat tyre in place, maybe it only applies to old vans, or i could have just been misinformed?
I cant see the picture, all i get when i go to the address posted by Sadie is like the home page saying come and see us at the caravan show. Ive cleared all the caches/cookies etc. What am i Not doing?
All that's on offer is a holding page on the web site, there was a shadowy outline style picture of a caravan front but now that has gone. Assume site under construction.
You might as well ask why same sized similar layout vans very in weight.
If you support a 5 metre platform on a middle axle you need more strength in the chassis and build than if you spread it over two axles.
Our truck building friends triple axle trailers have smaller lower chassis rails and the bodies superstructure on them need less stiffening and weight comes in lighter and they can carry more volume.
They also build lighter weight multi wheel trailers using bonded panels and there is no cross axle, American truck design and build process built in the UK. Floor on a 13 metre trailer runs front to back flat lower than the wheels centre.
Take a small lenth of wood or tube that you can flex and place it centrally on a pivot point and push down on either end Lutz, then place two pivot point a little way apart as in twin axle layout. If you don't find that its harder to flex your length of wood/tube then and that it is more rigid then you have lost us!
Hello,
We've removed the very early mock-up picture of the new caravan from the website as we'll be replacing it with something more up to date. The website is nearly finished but not launched at this time because we naturally want to keep our cards "close to our chest" at this moment. However, later today there will be an option to leave your details on the website and we will keep you up-to-date by email of each piece of info we reveal as we reveal it. Sorry to be so mysterious but we are bringing something very new and modern to the market and we're not quite ready to reveal all. We just wanted to give people an opportunity to be first in the queue as we reveal details.
This has been a really long and intense project for us to ensure we launch something people want and that is reliable. It has and will continue to take huge amounts of my time, many departments in my Company are working hard on it and a great deal of investment has been made. I appreciate all your interest in it and your comments. We want to give you choice, the choice to choose something different if you want to.
Alex
We've removed the very early mock-up picture of the new caravan from the website as we'll be replacing it with something more up to date. The website is nearly finished but not launched at this time because we naturally want to keep our cards "close to our chest" at this moment. However, later today there will be an option to leave your details on the website and we will keep you up-to-date by email of each piece of info we reveal as we reveal it. Sorry to be so mysterious but we are bringing something very new and modern to the market and we're not quite ready to reveal all. We just wanted to give people an opportunity to be first in the queue as we reveal details.
This has been a really long and intense project for us to ensure we launch something people want and that is reliable. It has and will continue to take huge amounts of my time, many departments in my Company are working hard on it and a great deal of investment has been made. I appreciate all your interest in it and your comments. We want to give you choice, the choice to choose something different if you want to.
Alex
Alex it would be interesting to hear why as a caravanner you were looking for something different.
A caravan is a major purchase and I think what most of us want is something that holds together for the money we pay.
I don't buy into paying 25k plus so that you get something that doesn't start falliing apart too quickly.
If you pay 8K or 15 to 20 you should get a piece of kit that lasts and is not falling apart because it appears to have been put together by the 1st years in the local comps wood and metalwork class :-O
A caravan is a major purchase and I think what most of us want is something that holds together for the money we pay.
I don't buy into paying 25k plus so that you get something that doesn't start falliing apart too quickly.
If you pay 8K or 15 to 20 you should get a piece of kit that lasts and is not falling apart because it appears to have been put together by the 1st years in the local comps wood and metalwork class :-O
Parksy
Moderator
The majority of posts on this and other caravan forums arise because of build quality or in some cases lack of it.
All too often we read of a forum member who has spent their hard earned cash to buy the brand new caravan of their dreams only for it to turn into an absolute nightmare.
This is not confined to one brand but it is the major issue that needs to be addressed by all caravan manufacturers if they are to survive the next ten years.
As has been stated in other posts, these poor quality issues were at one time kept quiet but with the advent of internet forums such as this one the genie is well and truly out of the bottle!
We won't put up with poor products and second rate service and we have the means at our collective disposal to effect real changes.
Rather than 'revolutionary' concepts I have a feeling that the overwhelming majority of caravan buyers would prefer a solidly well built product with a top line dealer network which allows warranty repairs and servicing to be carried out anywhere and at a competitive price.
We don't want to be fashion icons, we just want to enjoy trouble free holidays and breaks in a caravan that is up to 21st century standards.
All too often we read of a forum member who has spent their hard earned cash to buy the brand new caravan of their dreams only for it to turn into an absolute nightmare.
This is not confined to one brand but it is the major issue that needs to be addressed by all caravan manufacturers if they are to survive the next ten years.
As has been stated in other posts, these poor quality issues were at one time kept quiet but with the advent of internet forums such as this one the genie is well and truly out of the bottle!
We won't put up with poor products and second rate service and we have the means at our collective disposal to effect real changes.
Rather than 'revolutionary' concepts I have a feeling that the overwhelming majority of caravan buyers would prefer a solidly well built product with a top line dealer network which allows warranty repairs and servicing to be carried out anywhere and at a competitive price.
We don't want to be fashion icons, we just want to enjoy trouble free holidays and breaks in a caravan that is up to 21st century standards.
Hello,
In answer to "Euro". I initially felt that layouts needed a new perspective. When I'm caravanning in my current 'van I want to change various things even though it's a great 'van because of the compromises in the design. So this was the original reason to investigate caravans as a business venture. As I looked at interior designs I worked equally on exterior design to allow for some of the radical layout changes that our caravan range has. So the exterior is different to current caravans. I also identified that leaks were a major problem to caravans so I wanted to design this possibility out as much as possible so we have a new roof design to enable this. I dislike cleaning the front of my caravan and getting rid of the mud spray from the car and all the bugs that meet their end on the front of the 'van. Also I don't want the potential of a yellowed front after a few years so our front is black to hide the dirt and remove the possibility of yellowing. Finally I felt that interiors are a little too dated and conservative and I wanted to bring a more contemporary look to the industry. My caravan range will not appeal to everyone. It's not designed to. But it will appeal to those looking for a modern approach to caravanning. If a persons tastes are more traditional then there are many very good caravans on the market already that will suit that person. If you want something different, more desirable, less traditional - hopefully we have the answer.
Again, thanks for your interest.
Alex
In answer to "Euro". I initially felt that layouts needed a new perspective. When I'm caravanning in my current 'van I want to change various things even though it's a great 'van because of the compromises in the design. So this was the original reason to investigate caravans as a business venture. As I looked at interior designs I worked equally on exterior design to allow for some of the radical layout changes that our caravan range has. So the exterior is different to current caravans. I also identified that leaks were a major problem to caravans so I wanted to design this possibility out as much as possible so we have a new roof design to enable this. I dislike cleaning the front of my caravan and getting rid of the mud spray from the car and all the bugs that meet their end on the front of the 'van. Also I don't want the potential of a yellowed front after a few years so our front is black to hide the dirt and remove the possibility of yellowing. Finally I felt that interiors are a little too dated and conservative and I wanted to bring a more contemporary look to the industry. My caravan range will not appeal to everyone. It's not designed to. But it will appeal to those looking for a modern approach to caravanning. If a persons tastes are more traditional then there are many very good caravans on the market already that will suit that person. If you want something different, more desirable, less traditional - hopefully we have the answer.
Again, thanks for your interest.
Alex
If you support a 5 metre platform on a middle axle you need more strength in the chassis and build than if you spread it over two axles.. That is only true in to a very limited degree and hardly going to make much of a difference to the necessary size of the chassis longitudinals. I know what you're getting at (the two axles are perhaps a metre apart and therefore able to spread the cantilever load of the superstructure), but unless both axles were a lot further apart than they usually are on a twin axle, it really won't make much of a difference to cross sectional size of the chassis frame, especially as the manufacturer must also take into account that the load it is supporting is not necessarily evenly distributed.
Triple axles on semitrailers are provided for one reason only:- to keep the axle load within legal limits. In most countries a maximum axle load of 10 tonnes per axle applies and it would not be possible to achieve that on a 40 tonner without a third axle on the semi trailer. You can be sure that trailer manufacturers would try to get by with a single axle if they could. That raises another issue:- a twin axle is more expensive to produce than a single.
Ground clearance is hardly going to be a problem with 13 metre semitrailers, simply because of the size of wheels used, but a caravan floor below the centreline of the axle would be asking for trouble on an uneven CL site.
Triple axles on semitrailers are provided for one reason only:- to keep the axle load within legal limits. In most countries a maximum axle load of 10 tonnes per axle applies and it would not be possible to achieve that on a 40 tonner without a third axle on the semi trailer. You can be sure that trailer manufacturers would try to get by with a single axle if they could. That raises another issue:- a twin axle is more expensive to produce than a single.
Ground clearance is hardly going to be a problem with 13 metre semitrailers, simply because of the size of wheels used, but a caravan floor below the centreline of the axle would be asking for trouble on an uneven CL site.
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