We're getting more minded to buy a caravan, after over 40 years of loving tents. I really valued comments here earlier on my post asking for views on motor van or caravan, where I said we planned to rent first to try... but now we're thinking of saving the rent money & buying a small used 2-berth van to tow. Choices, choices!
During our years as musicians we've learned that some instrument makers and suppliers are trustworthy, others are to be avoided like the plague despite appearing very attractive, and mistakes can sometimes be costly, and hate seeing dreams being shattered when inexperienced musicians buy what we call decorative firewood. We don't yet know which makers and suppliers of caravans come in which category.
Our nearest dealers (Northampton) include Marquis Caravans, the Caravan Company near Finedon, & White Arches.
Current van options include Swift, Bailey, Hymer, possibly Freedom. I realise the Hymer is probably the best built despite being the oldest by nearly 10 years, it's also heavier than is ideal, but still on our list.
I'm not asking for wildly indiscreet comments which might offend moderators and legal depts here, but any personal experience would help guide us!
If you can find a good Hymer then go for that. Freedom are ok but very small. UK makes are all much of a muchness. It's about the individual caravan. Ensure it is damp tested & has a service history of annual servicing.
If you are paying a lot of money buy from a dealer in easy driving distance. If you are local then they know you will be flinging it back at them if it goes wrong. More difficult if you are 3hrs away.
That's sound advice, thanks.
Our only gripe with the Hymer is that while those all-round eye-level storage cupboards are useful, they go across the top of the window and cut out a large chunk of daylight, which we also value greatly - and they're a dark colour, which doesn't help. That's just a matter of taste, I realise!
On the other hand, I read on a thread somewhere - a different forum, I think but can't remember - that when British made caravans were taken apart the standard of workmanship on the layers normally unseen was generally at best shoddy, panels roughly cut, things ill fitted etc. Dunno if this is one man's complaint or wider experience.
Personally (and this is just my opinion so don't shoot me) I wouldn't touch the Freedom caravans with a barge pole.
I went to see one (seems to be only one dealer in the UK) and they are quite expensive for what you get, plus they have a major fault of over time the inner lining dropping from the van (the glue that glues the lining to the shell turns to dust over time)
As others have said Hymer pretty much is the best of the best, however they are also expensive and very heavy. Plus another thing I've noticed on these forums is that they seem to be a target for travellers. Ive read loads of posts from people saying they have had their Hymer broken into and the cook or fridge was removed.
As for the other UK brands, its basically pot luck. Bailey is sort of the best UK manufacturer, but you could be unlucky and get one that has nothing but problems.
I personally bought an Elddis (part of the Swift group) and have had no problems what so ever. Its a entry level van, but I love it (its only a little bit more expensive than the Freedom, but built much better and has more stuff as standard)
We are now on our third Hymer so are biased.
The overhead lockers can be huge I think that this a good thing, some of them I think need extra lights not a huge job. They normally have a generous pay load allowance which means they are not as heavy a you might think. They are well made what specific model are you interested in? Depending on the age the door is on the wrong side, we don't find this is any sort of problem. Finally I have always been impressed with the availability of spare parts.
Re the above post. We have had a Hymer broken into once, but on the same night approximately 30 other vans were done so I have never heard of them being target for travellers
PS To the best of my knowledge Swift and Eldiss are and have always been seperate companies.
Hi Gonnate as already said hymer are very good but as you point out very heavy and expensive.
Have you looked at coachman caravans ?,they are one of the only independant caravans makes left in the uk (along with lunar)
i know i'm baised as i have had 2 now for the last 8 years, but both vans have been trouble free and are very well put together, personally i wouldnt buy any other uk van manufacturer.
In my eyes the ones to avoid are baileys, read the reviews on here
I think swift are probably the best large uk caravan manufacturer, but i'm certain elddis/ explore are not part of that group.
Quote: Originally posted by shaggy2000 on 08/11/2016
I've read loads of posts from people saying they have had their Hymer broken into and the cook or fridge was removed.
I personally bought an Elddis (part of the Swift group) and have had no problems what so ever.
I must have missed the loads of posts re cooker and fridges getting nicked.
As has already been mentioned, Elddis is part of the Explorer Group.
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Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 08/11/2016
In my eyes the ones to avoid are baileys, read the reviews on here
Bessie
Interesting! .... I'm probably missing something very obvious, but while I've used and valued the tent review section on UKCampsite for our most recent two tents, I've never yet found the caravan review section - where is it, please?
We have had a caravan from The Caravan Company (the Leicester branch) and were very pleased with it and the customer service afterwards. We have also bought from West Midlands Caravans and were happy with them also. Hope you find a lovely caravan and enjoy many happy holidays in it. x
It's up to you.
You can put any make in and find faults with all the models on the market.
As stated above make sure you have the van checked by a independent engineer.
And if the dealers says no to the above walk away.
Good look and take your time looking, plenty on the market this time of year, with PX for new vans, its a buyers market.
There are faults on all makes of vans just that some makes have more faults than others. We have friends who recently changed their Coachman for a Bailey because they had, had so many problems with it. But I bet there would be others making the change in the opposite direction. All I can suggest is that you assess each candidate on its own condition and make your own mind up. Still think Hymers are beautifully made vans though
Hmmm - that very very long thread on Baileys, spreading out to all British vans, has got me worried, I admit.
There's a suggestion of a Trigano pop-up, which would be great from the storage point of view... but do you get that bashed head feeling reported by some Eriba owners?
This plot thickens - the more I find out the less certain I become :-)
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Topic: Dealers, makers - Go to or Avoid?
