Practical Caravan's Tourer of the Year 2017!

[LizziePope]

Following last night's ceremony, we can now reveal our 2017 Tourer of the Year! Find out more.

 

[Raywood]

Unless the Explorer Group can do far better in the PC survey than previous years nothing would induce me to buy one of their models. The designs they produce look good on paper but they seem to be unable to build them well enough made and to keep customers happy given their rating in the magazine, online complaints and from people I have talked to. A pity really as they are potentially good caravans.
The rest do not have a lot to shout about but do far better in the surveys.

 

[Dustydog]

On the face of it a strange result.
I thought the current trend was GRP sides, backs and fronts. ABS being fazed out

 

[Martin24]

In agreement with Raywood on the Explorer group products. On a personal note I really don't like the look, the blue would be better if the windows matched in or co ordinated better. Our 1984 Mistral GT was green but with the green windows as well it looked better as did the blue ABI's, for example the star range, of the same era. I also don't like the shaped windows as in my opinion, in time they will be more difficult source than sensible rectangular ones. On a positive the interior looks very nice and I can understand why the van won the award for standing out as something a little different.

 

[RayS]

I'm surprised too and would not consider another Explorer Group product at present. 3 years of fault fixing - some of them new after a return to the factory to 'fix' others.

 

[Dustydog]

I've read the full reports this evening and found it interesting and well put together.
One question for all the contributors.
Why is no mention made about current and future reliability as is done with motor cars?
Just curious :evil:

 

[Parksy]

If the Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) scheme launched by Black Horse finance company proves to be a winner, (PCVmagazine page 71 November 2016 issue) not only will it provide a shot in the arm for the caravan industry by making new tourers more affordable and providing a good source of quality used caravans, it should force manufacturers and caravan dealerships to raise standards of sometimes very poor quality control and after sales service.
The cottage industry mentality often prevalent now will have to go

 

[Raywood]

I would imagine the level of complaints Black Horse will get will either make them think twice or exclude some makes once the realise the number of faulty caravans churned out.

 

[Parksy]

I would imagine the level of complaints Black Horse will get will either make them think twice or exclude some makes once the realise the number of faulty caravans churned out.

I've no doubt that there will continue to be rogue caravans, but complaints arriving at Black Horse will no doubt be followed up. Black Horse will probably use a competent legal team to ensure that dealers and manufacturers honour their obligations and those who continue to churn out faulty caravans will lose a large share of the market.

 

[Dustydog]

Before we all get too excited take off the rose tinted spectacles.
My brother used a PCP for his previous car purchase. Brilliant . He got a new car way beyond his dreams. When it went back after three years it cost him a fortune for dings as scratches inside and out.
Okay . I agree you get a new model cheaper than a loan but as we all know people like Black Horse are in business to make money .No such thing as perpetual motion or a free lunch
On the bright side I reckon there could be some cracking three year old used caravans flooding the market :cheer:

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

On the bright side I reckon there could be some cracking three year old used caravans flooding the market :cheer:

What year was it that a lot of caravans got flooded and were write-offs? How many found their way back into the second hand market?

 

[Martin24]

I've not ever really got to grips with PCP's but is it not just a rental system where it's unlikely you will ever own your own caravan/car. You just get to swan around in something you can't really afford pretending to be something you aren't?

 

[Parksy]

On the bright side I reckon there could be some cracking three year old used caravans flooding the market :cheer:

What year was it that a lot of caravans got flooded and were write-offs? How many found their way back into the second hand market?

The year was 2007, our 3 month old caravan was declared a total loss by the C&CC insurance loss adjuster.
The caravan, a new 2007 Abbey 540 Vogue, had around 4" of River Avon floodwater covering the floor, the seats etc were untouched.
When the caravan was being collected by the insurers salvage agent he was at great pains to find out how long the water had beein inside the caravan, and if it had been any deeper because it was gone when the caravan was collected.
Obviously the floodwater had contained bacteria, possibly from sewage spilled from the flooded sewage plant downriver but I had the distinct impression that the Abbey 540 wouldn't be dismantled for parts.

 

[Dustydog]

On the bright side I reckon there could be some cracking three year old used caravans flooding the market :cheer:

What year was it that a lot of caravans got flooded and were write-offs? How many found their way back into the second hand market?

The year was 2007, our 3 month old caravan was declared a total loss by the C&CC insurance loss adjuster.
The caravan, a new 2007 Abbey 540 Vogue, had around 4" of River Avon floodwater covering the floor, the seats etc were untouched.
When the caravan was being collected by the insurers salvage agent he was at great pains to find out how long the water had beein inside the caravan, and if it had been any deeper because it was gone when the caravan was collected.
Obviously the floodwater had contained bacteria, possibly from sewage spilled from the flooded sewage plant downriver but I had the distinct impression that the Abbey 540 wouldn't be dismantled for parts.

About six weeks in a super warm shed and some
poor soul caught a cold..........

 

[Mel]

On the bright side I reckon there could be some cracking three year old used caravans flooding the market :cheer:

What year was it that a lot of caravans got flooded and were write-offs? How many found their way back into the second hand market?

The year was 2007, our 3 month old caravan was declared a total loss by the C&CC insurance loss adjuster.
The caravan, a new 2007 Abbey 540 Vogue, had around 4" of River Avon floodwater covering the floor, the seats etc were untouched.
When the caravan was being collected by the insurers salvage agent he was at great pains to find out how long the water had beein inside the caravan, and if it had been any deeper because it was gone when the caravan was collected.
Obviously the floodwater had contained bacteria, possibly from sewage spilled from the flooded sewage plant downriver but I had the distinct impression that the Abbey 540 wouldn't be dismantled for parts.

About six weeks in a super warm shed and some
poor soul caught a cold..........

Dried in sewage........wouldn't be a cold you would be worried about. :lol: :lol:
Mel

 

[Parksy]

When we looked inside a couple of days after the flood water receded the interior was infested with little flies. Someone from the same site who we knew had no insurance and were forced to keep their flood damaged caravan. They never got rid of the smell.