UK or European Built Caravans

[WilliamTups]

After having problems with my Bailey Caravan, that is still ongoing (now in legal stages) I am considering looking at a European Built Caravan since the build quality seems better - Can anyone advise me on there experience?

Also I am looking at a fixed bed layout suitable for a family of four that can be towed by a Honda CRV with a limit of 1500kgs - any suggestions for suitable Caravans and Dealers based around Hampshire would be welcome

 

[Danny_5134221]

William, Sorry to hear about your Bailey, what's the big issue ?

My brother some years ago had a French caravan and it seemed a pretty good van, but rather basic on the inside compared to British vans.

 

[WilliamTups]

Danny,

Stress factures in front ABS panel / roof joint damp readings of 80% in side wall - front end of the Caravan will have to replaced - only used 5 times in less than a year - see forum under general "Water Ingress" for more details

 

[Joyce_5063910]

Hi William

My husband has caravanned for over 35years and had both UK and European Caravans and he would not go back to UK caravans.

I have only been caravanning for 5years and we have always had foreign caravans and I was alaways so surprised to read on the forun of the troubles that people had with UK caravans as I had not experienced any in our caravans.

We have many freinds abroad and in the UK and it does seem that the problems are less frequent in foreign caravans. I am not saying that some have not experienced problems just that personally I have not heard of them.

As there are only two of us we prefer a fixed bed and seating area that could be made into another double although with us it never is. So i do not know which design would suit you as a family of four.

There are many makes of foreign caravans which can be purchased either in the UK or abroad. We have had Hobbys and at the moment we have a German Fendt. But others are just as good it is just that we like this particular caravan.

If you put a make into search on goggle etc you should be able to come up with dealers to go and look at designs and prices.

Good luck with you hunting for a suitable caravan and so sorry to hear about the problems you have encounted with your Bailey caravan. Joyce

 

[Joyce_5063910]

I will just apologise for the spelling errors in the last posting (and this if they are any) I know it upsets people sometimes when you can not spell correctly. I`m on my way to bed,tired having worked all day and I did not have the energy to check it !

 

[stuart_5107319]

Its like British Leyland / Rover v. BMW / Mercedes / Audi / VW

Decision made, me thinks

 

[WilliamTups]

I will just apologise for the spelling errors in the last posting (and this if they are any) I know it upsets people sometimes when you can not spell correctly. I`m on my way to bed,tired having worked all day and I did not have the energy to check it !

Thank you for the feedback, I am grateful for any comments / advice

Thanks again

 

[JTQ]

William:

Make a trip to Colins Caravans just North of Aldermaston on the A4 and view the Hymers. Quality wise you will not be disappointed but weight wise you will be limited.

Gen up on your Honda's tow ball weight limit as that will I feel also be a limiting factor. However it will give you an idea of what the better continentals can do and you can see if the Teutonic design styles appeal or not.

http://www.colinscaravans.com/

 

[CarolineSimon]

Hi William,

Try looking at TEC and Burstner as well if you are interested in German Vans.

They are very sturdy and built to withold Hotter & Colder weather in Europe so are usually better insulated.

We are awaiting the arrival of a new Burstner with Fixed double bed & fixed bunks for our children, this is UK spec van so no worries about equipment and legalities either.

Good luck.

Caroline

 

[WilliamTups]

Hi Caroline & Simon

The model you have ordered sounds like what we are afer fixed bed and bunks - but some of the German Caravans I have seen on the net have no ovens which the wife says she wants (no sexist backlash please)... what model are you getting? Thanks

Hi JTQ

The nose weight on the Honda is 100kg, kerb weight 1668kgs - max tow 1500kgs - passed Colins last week avoiding roadworks on A34 - plan to go there next weekend - Thanks

 

[CarolineSimon]

Hi William,

We are getting the 540TK, the MTPLM is 1500kg upgradable to either 1600kg or 1700kg, giving a total payload of 230-430kg.

Obviously this will depend on your tow car, we have an Isuzu trooper so we have gone for the 1700kg option as I always pack too much!!

The Van is a UK spec and comes with a single oven/grill unit, 3 burners,sink & drainer,fridge with freezer compartment, other models do have fridge/freezers. Ours is having the optional extracter unit over the hob fitted.

We are also having underfloor heating, removable carpets,upgraded upholstery(Novalife) as it is very modern & spill proof so the kids can't trash it so easily!(Our children are 3 yrs old & 16 mths!!)

All the vans net curtains on the windows which are quite tasteful & give some privecy, as well as the usual Hekis etc.

We are buying from Derby Caravans (www.derbycaravancentre.com)as they are very local to us but if you want to see the Burstner UK site which is very good,& their phone/customer service are fab it is: 01388 537960 the web site is German but don't worry as once it opens up choose the english option & look at the caravans to see all the layouts & fabric options.

www.buerstner.com you can also see where your local dealer is if you want to view.One reason we chose Burstner was that the roof will hold 3 meters of snow on it(handy for skiing) How many vans can do that?

Our layout is one of many & it is actually the largest model you can tow legally in the UK without having a commercial vehicle over 3.5tonnes, so don't get too carried away with the vans, make sure you look at the ones up to 2.3 wide and 7 metres long.It is also single axel.

Let me know if you need any other help & good luck.

Caroline

 

[CarolineSimon]

William,

I forgot to say that our model is the Belcanto 540TK.

On the web site there our other slightly smaller & lighter models with fixed bed & bunks so you can have a good look at all of them.

I think the nearest dealer to you is somerset but depending on where in Hampshire you are Derby is only 2-3 hrs away. I should know as I am from Hampshire & my Mum still lives there!

Caroline

 

[CreakyKnees]

Hi Caroline & Simon

The model you have ordered sounds like what we are afer fixed bed and bunks - but some of the German Caravans I have seen on the net have no ovens which the wife says she wants (no sexist backlash please)... what model are you getting? Thanks

Hi JTQ

The nose weight on the Honda is 100kg, kerb weight 1668kgs - max tow 1500kgs - passed Colins last week avoiding roadworks on A34 - plan to go there next weekend - Thanks

We have a TEC 510TK. 5 berth fixed bunks. Asked for an oven to be fitted. Excellent van, sturdy, tows well and excellent for two "busy" children.

It is our first caravan (now had it 2 years) so we don't know too much about British caravans, but it is ideal for us. We have taken it all over the UK and to France last summer for 5 weeks.

Try Elite Caravans near Northampton.

Sean

 

[JTQ]

William,

Quote "The nose weight on the Honda is 100kg, kerb weight 1668kgs - max tow 1500kgs"

You will be okay then on the nose weight as 100kg is the limit of the Alko 2004 hitch, assuming they are still using it these days.

Anyway that was the hitch used throughout the range so by inference no UK model exceeded your 100kg.

Your 1500kg gives you a good choice of the Living and some of the better spec'ed Nova range. However UK Nova's are often supplied with uprated running gear/chassis of 1700kg rather than the Continental 1500kg norm. You could in theory at least, get it re-plated and be legal if you want those models as they have a very high payload to work with. Whilst they are heavy it is in part a lot to do with there high payload capability and area within your control. Thats just a thought that you can bring into your deliberations.

Web link for brochure down load; but note these are Continental spec vans but the brochure is in english, as I said UK spec vans tend to have higher spec'ed chassis.

http://www.hymer.ag/fr/index.php?navi=240102102100&kategorie=1136&datei=1161943893-Caravan_07_GB.pdf

 

[Tony A.]

William,

Have a look at LMC caravans, the dealer is Continental caravans, Cross Hands S/Wales.They are anglisised prior to collection, 13amp sockets etc.

Mine came with oven and hob as standard, its 4 berth and is 1500kgs, fixed single beds, this layout might not suit you but there are lots of others.

let us know what you choose

Tony A.

 

[Lutz]

William,

Quote "The nose weight on the Honda is 100kg, kerb weight 1668kgs - max tow 1500kgs"

You will be okay then on the nose weight as 100kg is the limit of the Alko 2004 hitch, assuming they are still using it these days.

Anyway that was the hitch used throughout the range so by inference no UK model exceeded your 100kg.

Your 1500kg gives you a good choice of the Living and some of the better spec'ed Nova range. However UK Nova's are often supplied with uprated running gear/chassis of 1700kg rather than the Continental 1500kg norm. You could in theory at least, get it re-plated and be legal if you want those models as they have a very high payload to work with. Whilst they are heavy it is in part a lot to do with there high payload capability and area within your control. Thats just a thought that you can bring into your deliberations.

Web link for brochure down load; but note these are Continental spec vans but the brochure is in english, as I said UK spec vans tend to have higher spec'ed chassis.

]http://www.hymer.ag/fr/index.php?navi=240102102100&kategorie=1136&datei=1161943893-Caravan_07_GB.pdf

http://www.hymer.ag/fr/index.php?na...136&datei=1161943893-Caravan_07_GB.pdf[/quote
It can be very difficult to have the caravan replated once it left the factory, depending on what technical changes are required. At worst, it can involve an axle change, for example. One would therefore be well advised to order the caravan already uprated in the factory if the standard max. weight is likely to give you problems.

 

[JTQ]

It can be very difficult to have the caravan replated once it left the factory, depending on what technical changes are required. At worst, it can involve an axle change, for example. One would therefore be well advised to order the caravan already uprated in the factory if the standard max. weight is likely to give you problems.

Lutz,

In this case it's de-rating the plate so its max permitted weight is no greater than the Honda's 1500 towing limit. UK Hymers when I got mine had the heavy duty chassis giving a huge pay load. Fine if you have the vehicle to tow it but an un-neccessary inhibiting limit if your vehicle has a lower limit and you dont need to use that higher payload.

I would agree best get it done before hand but I re-plated an old UK van to a lower limit to allow me to tow on French Autoroutes. It was only by 20kg to keep the tyres under the loading rating at the higher motorway speeds they allow in France and I never had cause to argue about it. My running weight was well within that slightly lower limit.

 

[WilliamTups]

Thanks for tips so far - had a look at the Hymner Living and Nova at Colins, Nr Reading. Perfered the Living just seemed that this caravan had better use of space than the Nova (poss lighter interior colours might of helped) - but I understand that since the Living is not selling Hymer have discountined the range - or was this just dealer talk....

 

[rob_jax]

Hi William,

I run the Eriba Amiga web-site - as you may know motohomes carry the Hymer logo and caravans the Eriba logo (in Europe).

We haven't heard anything about the Living being discontinued, so it's probably the sales persons attempt to push you up to the Nova.

Aside from the cute Eriba Touring and new Feeling, the Living is their intermediate family caravan, and the Nova and Nova-S their premium class model.

For 2007 the Living sports silver painted side panels and light wood interior.

In the last CC build quality review (2005) the Eriba Touring scored 100% for no faults and 100% for no water ingress issues.

Robert

 

[WilliamTups]

Thanks Robert,

Are you aware of any Eriba / Hymer delaer arround Hampshire that I could also talk to..

 

[rob_jax]

William,

Nope, Eriba UK (Lechlade) and Jandi (Scotland) specialise in the Touring models and that leaves Lowdhams in Nottingham and Huddersfield

Robert

 

[Guest]

I have nothing but admiration for the Eriba but have also to state, they are not for me. Although the very small ones are light in weight , the medium to larger models come in at 1200 kg which puts them in the same category as many vans. Also the canvas roof is a 'plus' for some, but a negative for others. I am always amused however in that invariably it is large Dutch people who inhabit the smallest Eriba's. To see a 6ft 3 in male trying to get into a Puck is definitely one for the record books. Especially as the bed is barely 6ft long. Maybe there is a contest to see who can fit the samllest size van.

Again, as mentioned if you like them, then go get one. But they are definitely an aquired taste. The Hymer vans are another matter altogether, as long as I can handle the weight.

 

[spj]

Hi all,

I agree with the Eriba comments above, nothing wrong with them but they are not for me, I bought a 2007 Fleetwood Heritage 640ES as I hoped it was one of the better built UK vans and after suffering the ownership experience of an Avondale a lot of thought went into buying this van. It developed a fault with the Alde heating, after contacting Fleetwood this took 7 weeks to repair and then leaked, the van is now 4 months old and smells of antifreeze, Fleetwood wont answer my emails and just pass messages onto Alde, they never follow up and I have to constantly chase them to get anything done. The caravan is fine but the Alde system is more trouble than it is worth and the Alde engineers are just too unreliable.

I looked at Hobby and Hymer but found them dull, as with Eriba they are well built but I just do not like them. UK vans all look nice and are well equipped, Baileys are a bargain and I fully understand why they sell so well but the quality is not that good in most UK vans although many owners are happy with them.

Next time I will be looking at the German vans, I should have known better as my last 3 cars have been German with no problems.

 

[rob_jax]

Scotch Lad,

In the Hymer group, Hymer make motorhomes, Eriba make caravans - so my comments about Eriba caravans included the pop-top Eriba Touring and Feeling, and the Eriba Living and Nova.

For the UK market, a Hymer transfer is applied to the Living and Nova.

The bed in the smallest Puck is 6ft6 long.

Robert

 

[Lutz]

Eriba is only a brand name, not a company within the Hymer Group.