Recently I've noticed in some reviews caravans like the Lunar and other lightweight vans being criticised,sometimes heavily for flimsy cupboards, plastic handles, slightly sparse interiors etc. But surely to gain the advantages of a lighter van you must sacrifice something by way of "quality", because it's the quality of build that makes vans the weight they are. It seems that if a manufacturer produces a solid van it's criticised for being heavy, and lightweight vans are put down as sparse and poorly equiped. Some people seem to want all the gadgets and top line fittings, with no weight.It would appear that the van makers just can't win.
weight v quality
- Thread starter mcghee
- Start date
Caravans are inevitably a compromise between weight, quality and cost. It's easy to design and build lightweight items which are just as strong as heavier versions BUT these lighter items will cost more.
I personally feel that caravan manufacturers should put much more effort into the functional design of caravans and their components rather than debateable "style" and gimmicks.
The Japanese don't usually develop new, superior, products unless they use them in their home market but perhaps the Chinese will see the European caravan market as a manufacturing opportunity. We need something to kick the UK caravan manufacturers out of their lethargy!
I personally feel that caravan manufacturers should put much more effort into the functional design of caravans and their components rather than debateable "style" and gimmicks.
The Japanese don't usually develop new, superior, products unless they use them in their home market but perhaps the Chinese will see the European caravan market as a manufacturing opportunity. We need something to kick the UK caravan manufacturers out of their lethargy!
Hello Craig,
Roger has it about right, though I would add that all to frequently, caravan manufactures choose to develop a product or part for the caravan market that alrady exsists in the domestic or commercial market.
When you consider the disadvantage and cost of the excersise, the "own Design" component often fails to deliver the expecetd performance, and is frequently less durable, or has some other acheliese heel, which has already been designed out in the commercial/domestic product! I cite water pipes as a prime example. How many caravan have suffered tainted water, blown coulpings, faulty taps/switcehs etc?
I suspect that if a caravan was repiped in plastic domestic domestic grade pipe, the weight gain would be relatively small, and the cost would be less becuase of the volume of product commercially available. - replacements (if needed) would be off the shelf from most DIY stores.
Similar stories for electrical fittings, but some Caravan manufactures still go for the expensive specials.
As Roger points out, if a motor manufacturer were to get involved in caravan design, then we would see big changes, Doors and windows that fit properly, locks that offer some real security, lightweight structural engineering to reduce weight, areo dynamics properly considered, development of superior braking systems to name a few.
This would be achieved by more consistent design and manufacturing processes. Did you know that most caravans are manufactured by part-time emplyees working on a piece rate system which does not encourage quality workmanship, and most vans are buit in only a 6 month build season.
The industry does need kick start, because I am sure that far eastern countries are showing and interest in the European caravan market potential, especially those who are finding the attraction of increased consumer choice and spending - never mind the 9 million cycles in Bejing, consider how many cycles are being exchanged for cars, that could tow a caravan. - And the Sweedes will launch thier own low cost self build van in the near future as soon as they can find enough allen keys?
Roger has it about right, though I would add that all to frequently, caravan manufactures choose to develop a product or part for the caravan market that alrady exsists in the domestic or commercial market.
When you consider the disadvantage and cost of the excersise, the "own Design" component often fails to deliver the expecetd performance, and is frequently less durable, or has some other acheliese heel, which has already been designed out in the commercial/domestic product! I cite water pipes as a prime example. How many caravan have suffered tainted water, blown coulpings, faulty taps/switcehs etc?
I suspect that if a caravan was repiped in plastic domestic domestic grade pipe, the weight gain would be relatively small, and the cost would be less becuase of the volume of product commercially available. - replacements (if needed) would be off the shelf from most DIY stores.
Similar stories for electrical fittings, but some Caravan manufactures still go for the expensive specials.
As Roger points out, if a motor manufacturer were to get involved in caravan design, then we would see big changes, Doors and windows that fit properly, locks that offer some real security, lightweight structural engineering to reduce weight, areo dynamics properly considered, development of superior braking systems to name a few.
This would be achieved by more consistent design and manufacturing processes. Did you know that most caravans are manufactured by part-time emplyees working on a piece rate system which does not encourage quality workmanship, and most vans are buit in only a 6 month build season.
The industry does need kick start, because I am sure that far eastern countries are showing and interest in the European caravan market potential, especially those who are finding the attraction of increased consumer choice and spending - never mind the 9 million cycles in Bejing, consider how many cycles are being exchanged for cars, that could tow a caravan. - And the Sweedes will launch thier own low cost self build van in the near future as soon as they can find enough allen keys?
Hi Craig,
Light weight and top quality are not mutually exclusive, but getting both at the same time usually means increased cost.
Take our Eriba Triton for example:
The caravan is built as a monocoque from galvanised tubular steel tubing. This is incredibly strong (compared to a wood framed van) but much more time consuming and costly to fabricate. This is the major reason why an Eriba is relatively expensive.
On the inside, all of the interior fittings "hang" from the framework. The cupboards, wardrobes, and lockers do not need to be self-supporting, and they are made from a special beech plywood.
The very strong and rigid frame also means that the exterior aluminium panels don't move against one another, so water leaks have never been a problem.
Robert
Light weight and top quality are not mutually exclusive, but getting both at the same time usually means increased cost.
Take our Eriba Triton for example:
The caravan is built as a monocoque from galvanised tubular steel tubing. This is incredibly strong (compared to a wood framed van) but much more time consuming and costly to fabricate. This is the major reason why an Eriba is relatively expensive.
On the inside, all of the interior fittings "hang" from the framework. The cupboards, wardrobes, and lockers do not need to be self-supporting, and they are made from a special beech plywood.
The very strong and rigid frame also means that the exterior aluminium panels don't move against one another, so water leaks have never been a problem.
Robert
Yes I'd say Roger is about right, caravans are very much a compromise, and since most vanners know this why do they look for the impossible? If you want all the latest gadgets and sprung settees and real wood cabinets you surely must pay the price in terms of weight. What I'm getting at really is the caravanning world complains that year on year vans are getting heavier, but it's because caravanners are demanding more and more from them. As has been said though, the caravan industry i Britain has become very complacent. Construction methods have barely progressed in 40 years and it surely can't be long until someone capitalises on this lack of forward thinking. I've had a dream for a long time of one day producing caravans as one piece aluminium shells, built in a chassis tub with vacuum window seals, etc. I think the problem is Britain as a nation seems to need dragged into the future. Kind of wandered off the point there.
There has to be compromise between bulk and weight or if a van was to light surely it would just act kite like.
In this day and age I fail to see why some attempts to offer light weaight finishes results in poor quality such as warping doors.
If you take the contents and technology of a 15K car compared to a 15K caravan I guess you can question what you are getting for your money.
I can buy a composite floor that could be used in caravans and weighs so little you can pick it up with one hand whilst far stronger and rigid than normal floor boarding. Product is out there but I guess it all comes down to traditions and profit margin.
In this day and age I fail to see why some attempts to offer light weaight finishes results in poor quality such as warping doors.
If you take the contents and technology of a 15K car compared to a 15K caravan I guess you can question what you are getting for your money.
I can buy a composite floor that could be used in caravans and weighs so little you can pick it up with one hand whilst far stronger and rigid than normal floor boarding. Product is out there but I guess it all comes down to traditions and profit margin.
Hi Craig
You can pay a lot of money for a caravan or you can buy a cheap
version.
But speaking from experience it does not matter what yo pay but
how it`s tacked together, after all most manufacturers use the
same components ie chassis, interior fittings ,rear light
clusters etc, I could go on all night !!!
My only advice is when buying a caravan is d not go for the
cheapest models ,go for the clubman class vans, for example
if you are buying Bailey do not go for the Ranger go for a
Pageant that way you get lots of extras at a reasonable price
without paying through the nose ?
You can pay a lot of money for a caravan or you can buy a cheap
version.
But speaking from experience it does not matter what yo pay but
how it`s tacked together, after all most manufacturers use the
same components ie chassis, interior fittings ,rear light
clusters etc, I could go on all night !!!
My only advice is when buying a caravan is d not go for the
cheapest models ,go for the clubman class vans, for example
if you are buying Bailey do not go for the Ranger go for a
Pageant that way you get lots of extras at a reasonable price
without paying through the nose ?
Hi
Many people have given good advice the only thing I can say to add to the replys is whe buying a new van do not pay top money
for topof the range models.If you can aford it go for the clubman
class vans ie. If you buy a Bailey do not go for a Ranger, go
for a pageant, doing this gives you lots of extras as stsnard
and at a reasonable price.
Do not forget all manufacturers use the same components in the
assembly such as hinges, stays for windows and cupboards,all
the water systems,gas fires etc all down to the same running gear,chassis and the rest, even outside trim is the same on a
lot of vans, light clusters etc, a
Many people have given good advice the only thing I can say to add to the replys is whe buying a new van do not pay top money
for topof the range models.If you can aford it go for the clubman
class vans ie. If you buy a Bailey do not go for a Ranger, go
for a pageant, doing this gives you lots of extras as stsnard
and at a reasonable price.
Do not forget all manufacturers use the same components in the
assembly such as hinges, stays for windows and cupboards,all
the water systems,gas fires etc all down to the same running gear,chassis and the rest, even outside trim is the same on a
lot of vans, light clusters etc, a
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