New Stealth Caravan Launch

[Guest]

Never sugested caravan with floor lower than wheel centre Lutz.

Your statement that triple axles on semi trailers are provided for one reason only, that being "keeping the axle load within legal limits" is total (well. Begins with B and ends in ck's)

Use of triple axles and multiwheel semi style trailers with no cross axle has nothing to do with weight issues or road weight law in many cases.

They provide a firmer base with less flexing and do away with the common place heavy chassis rails that reduce carrying volume.

They also provide the firmer chassis needed for elevating double skinned trailers that become double decker 7 metre high units when parked and run on European roads at far under the maximum weight limits.

The super structure of the bodies are lighter and thinner as they ride on a more stable platform that flex's less and suit numerous applications. 13 Metre articulated trailers are not all used to max weight carriers, just like caravans are not designed as heavy weight carriers.

There is no reason why with modern materials and build processes similar results can't be acheived with a caravan and at reasonable costs. And after all we've had caravans on twin axles that are not as heavy as you make out Lutz and even with high mileage we've not experienced the problems single axles of the same brand and period have experienced.

Plus if they can "glue" together a 13+ mtre long semi style trailer and chassis with no cross axle, sorting a more modern caravan build process should be quite easy and better than anything we have now.

 

[Lutz]

Please explain how a 40 tonne semitrailer outfit can be achieved legally without a total of 5 axles, Euro.

As for 7 metre high units that you are referring to, I'd like to know where you have seen those or, in fact, where they are legal - certainly not in most countries (the legal limit is generally 4m).

The fact that single axled caravan are getting heavier all the time (1800kg is already quite common) shows that the manufacturers do not consider the advantages of a twin to be overwhelming.

 

[Guest]

Do you fully read posts Lutz?

We may not always agree, but I do bother to read and try and understand what you post!

Plenty of articulated lorry trailers as Brits call them work at nowhere near maximum weight limits, they are not all heavy load carrying beasts.

There are plenty of Semi style/articulated trailers being towed around Europe that come with a maximum height of around 7 metres.

The BIG clue was where I posted :

"They also provide the firmer chassis needed for elevating double skinned trailers that become double decker 7 metre high units when parked and run on European roads at far under the maximum weight limits"

NOTE. ELEVATING / WHEN PARKED / UNDER EUROPEAN MAXIMUM WEIGHTS.

If you trawl back though your memory Lutz you may remember hearing that UK coach manufacturers lost out to continental manufacturers some years ago as British double deck coaches came in at around 4.4 metres high and couldn't get along German roads. So British European tour companies bought from the continental manufacturers such as Berkoff, Neoplan, VanHool etc.

Also some specialist double load deck bulk pallet carrying articulated trailers in the UK can only use British roads as they are to tall for continental motorways.

For someone who has banged on about buying into eco hybrid technology and with a green demand for more compact cars.

I don't understand your fascination with heavier and heavier single axle caravans.

Sounds to me as those manufacturers are going the wrong way.

If they get caravan weights lower for the green lobby it makes safety sense to get overall height down, you won't want a tall lightweight caravan bouncing along on big wheels on a windy day.

 

[Lutz]

7m high. You MUST be joking. Have a look at the legal limits:

http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/europe/road/pdf/dimens.pdf

How tall a vehicle is when it is stationary (perhaps with an elevated roof, if that is what you are talking about) surely has nothing to do with the number of axles. Over here, vehicles that extend over 4m are required to have outrigger steadies to take the load off the suspension when extended.

And I don't understand "..... you won't want a tall lightweight caravan bouncing along on big wheels on a windy day." Pray tell me what the size of wheels has got to do with it? Larger wheels normally result in a quieter ride.

Also, bearing in mind that a 6ft person will want to stand upright in a caravan that at the same time has adequate ground clearance for use on a CL site, there's not much chance of reducing overall height unless the frame becomes part of the caravan structure, i.e. a monocoque design. The only alternative would be an elevating roof, but then you lose much of the overhead storage space.

 

[Lutz]

Do you fully read posts Lutz?

We may not always agree, but I do bother to read and try and understand what you post!

Plenty of articulated lorry trailers as Brits call them work at nowhere near maximum weight limits, they are not all heavy load carrying beasts.

There are plenty of Semi style/articulated trailers being towed around Europe that come with a maximum height of around 7 metres.

The BIG clue was where I posted :

"They also provide the firmer chassis needed for elevating double skinned trailers that become double decker 7 metre high units when parked and run on European roads at far under the maximum weight limits"

NOTE. ELEVATING / WHEN PARKED / UNDER EUROPEAN MAXIMUM WEIGHTS.

If you trawl back though your memory Lutz you may remember hearing that UK coach manufacturers lost out to continental manufacturers some years ago as British double deck coaches came in at around 4.4 metres high and couldn't get along German roads. So British European tour companies bought from the continental manufacturers such as Berkoff, Neoplan, VanHool etc.

Also some specialist double load deck bulk pallet carrying articulated trailers in the UK can only use British roads as they are to tall for continental motorways.

For someone who has banged on about buying into eco hybrid technology and with a green demand for more compact cars.

I don't understand your fascination with heavier and heavier single axle caravans.

Sounds to me as those manufacturers are going the wrong way.

If they get caravan weights lower for the green lobby it makes safety sense to get overall height down, you won't want a tall lightweight caravan bouncing along on big wheels on a windy day.

Articulated trailers that are rated at less than 40 tonnes GVW usually have less than 3 axles. Why bother to have more axles than you absolutely need? Each axle costs real money.

 

[JenniferB]

Alex,

I just wanted to say that I for one am VERY excited about your new range of 'vans. Can't wait to see the new site and all your new ideas. Well done you for taking such a bold and brave step and I wish you all the best in your venture.

Please give us a sneaky peak soon!

)

 

[Lutz]

Yes, I think we ought to return to business. Nobody's really very interested in furthering a discussion about 7m high caravans.

 

[Alex_374456675]

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for your enthusiasm. It's really encouraging! If you leave your details on the site: www.stealthcaravans.co.uk we'll send you updates as we release them. I'm really excited about what we're doing.

A note to the moderator, Parksy. Thank you for your lenience on this subject. Obviously I represent my Company and I make no pretence about this. You have allowed me to start to let people know about our new product range and I appreciate it. If you have any issue with anything I am writing, please let me know so I can moderate it.

To all who show an interest, thank you, your interest will be rewarded, we are doing something genuinely new.

Alex

 

[emmerson2]

Alex, your website comes up as "no match found" Is there a secret ingredient?

 

[xtrailman]

Alex

I suspect i come under the not impressed so far list.

Black and dark blue, are the worst possible colour for showing dirt, not hiding it.

Having had cars in both colours, never again.

On the other hand silver never looks dirty, common silver cars maybe, but i am on my second.

So if you have got something as basic as the colour wrong, then i dread to think what the end product will be?

 

[Alex_374456675]

Alex, your website comes up as "no match found" Is there a secret ingredient?

Try this: http://www.stealthcaravans.co.uk/

 

[Alex_374456675]

In response to Ray:

Thank you for your posting. We appreciate every comment. Obviously feelings about colour choice are subjective, otherwise we'd all drive the same colour car, have the same house interiors etc. As a Company, we celebrate diversity and choice. Our Company will offer consumers a new option.

Alex

 

[Parksy]

We can't allow sales to be made on the forum Alex but as long as the members of the forum have no real objection I see no problem with providing information to caravanners.

 

[Lutz]

It would be helpful to know the approximate size(s)/weight(s) and a rough indication of the planned layout(s), just to have some idea of whether it's worth following up. After all, it could be anything from a Freedom 2-berth to an Airstream 34'.

 

[JenniferB]

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for your enthusiasm. It's really encouraging! If you leave your details on the site: www.stealthcaravans.co.uk we'll send you updates as we release them. I'm really excited about what we're doing.

A note to the moderator, Parksy. Thank you for your lenience on this subject. Obviously I represent my Company and I make no pretence about this. You have allowed me to start to let people know about our new product range and I appreciate it. If you have any issue with anything I am writing, please let me know so I can moderate it.

To all who show an interest, thank you, your interest will be rewarded, we are doing something genuinely new.

Alex

Have already done so.

 

[marlot]

Having had major damp in a 2-year old caravan, I've vowed not to buy another caravan until the manufacturer I'm buying from has introduced a major step forward in the materials or construction method.

I'm not throwing

 

[Alex_374456675]

Hi,

With regards to what size the new Stealth range will be, all I can reveal at this moment is we're aiming at the high-end mainstream market and will offer a range of popular sizes.

The layouts are totally unique and nobody offers similar at this moment. Again I can't reveal much now but the layouts incorporate the major desirable elements that we've identified people want having talked to dealers, individuals etc. In answer to an earlier question though we will be selling direct to the public not through a dealer network.

FAO: Timothy.

I would be very interested to know where your leak/s were coming from on your caravan. We are using a totally new method of construction. Designed deliberately to prevent leaks.

As always, thanks for your interest.

Alex

 

[Lutz]

As you are planning to sell directly to the public, how do you intend to handle warranty claims and service?

High end mainstream market suggests that the caravans will be well equipped, i.e. with a relatively high MIRO for their size. I hope that you will make allowance for enough payload. Too many caravans are on the market with a lot less than 250kg payload - a not unreasonable amount for a family of 4.

 

[xtrailman]

Sorry but this all sounds like a load of sales pitch to me, how can the established layouts be improved?

In a confined space you are severely limited to the combinations you can in the real world have, unless we are talking monster size, carbon fibre based constructed, then the project is dead in its tracks.

I have had this waffle from the labour government for the last ten years, promises much, delivers little!

Hope i'm proved wrong Alex, good luck.

 

[Dustydog]

Try this: http://www.stealthcaravans.co.uk/

Doesn't open for me!

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Sedo]

Hi

Sorry to sound like a doubting Thomas, but I tend to agree with Ray to a degree.

Who is Alex?

What are Stealth caravans?

Couldn't anyone just concoct this kind of setup any day of the week.

This has happened in the auto sector, new car, revolutionary design, revolutionary, ground breaking engine.

Car kept under wraps in secret location, will be seen at motor show soon. Then.....................................

I'm sure Alex will give us a really good and reasonable answer,

but.........................................

I'm not holding my breath.

Best regards

Tomo

 

[HelenM1]

If you rearly want to Test your caravan take it a trip like we do evry year from Sept to May. Start in France for two months then on to Spain for 3 months along the coast roads. If it still holding together by then into morroco for two months then back again. This will test your van for all your customers to the limit to see if it can be used for comfort and what it looks and feels like after the trip. We all knock Swift but we have a Swift Colonsey now two years old done this trip twice still good apart from the old problems, not being checked proberly on PDI before they hand out to customer so we have to go back time and again to get things put right.

 

[ShadySadie]

Well well, somebody says they are doing something different in caravan world and along come the 'knockers'. I left a big clue to who Stealth Caravans are and hoped to draw som more from Alex ( seems to have worked). Simple bit of net searching gives answers rather than kicking out before the full story unfolds.

So try here - http://dhlogcabins.co.uk/uk/article/4/about-us

It gives a little insight to Alex and his family business

Also - http://www.windowsanddoors.co.uk/estimate/

and -

http://www.caravanshows.com/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=122/loadSearch=-1_671
It would be interesting to know what Alex's existing businesses customers think of his products, service and care offered by his company.

May be some people here have bought windows, shutters or log cabins and climbing frames from them.

There appears to be a good solid business infrastructure and I think caravanners deserve a new look at caravanning and what's on offer and Alex should be given support.

There is plenty of room for new caravan layouts and styles

I'm not looking to change our caravan for a few years, but if Alex's web site starts to show something new, modern and innovative we would trot along to the dreaded NEC for a look with card at the ready for the deposit.

ps.

Alex, sort that hair style ;-)

 

[Alex_374456675]

Well well, somebody says they are doing something different in caravan world and along come the 'knockers'. I left a big clue to who Stealth Caravans are and hoped to draw som more from Alex ( seems to have worked). Simple bit of net searching gives answers rather than kicking out before the full story unfolds.

So try here - http://dhlogcabins.co.uk/uk/article/4/about-us

It gives a little insight to Alex and his family business

Also - http://www.windowsanddoors.co.uk/estimate/

and -

http://www.caravanshows.com/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=122/loadSearch=-1_671
It would be interesting to know what Alex's existing businesses customers think of his products, service and care offered by his company.

May be some people here have bought windows, shutters or log cabins and climbing frames from them.

There appears to be a good solid business infrastructure and I think caravanners deserve a new look at caravanning and what's on offer and Alex should be given support.

There is plenty of room for new caravan layouts and styles

I'm not looking to change our caravan for a few years, but if Alex's web site starts to show something new, modern and innovative we would trot along to the dreaded NEC for a look with card at the ready for the deposit.

ps.

Alex, sort that hair style ;-)

Hi Sadie, Already had the hair cut, thanks.

 

[Lutz]

I hope that there is a big difference between the existing line of business and that of the departure into caravan production, as a log cabin on an AlKo chassis is going to be something real heavy.