We have a 1990 Swift Alouette Diamond (first caravan) and have been on our 2nd ever caravannning holiday this weekend
On the way back we were talking about upgrading (which would be God knows when what with the credit crunch, single income, toddlers, etc) and were pondering over which manufacturer was considered the best? Not that we could afford the best, but we just wondered, lol.
I am holding my breath slightly as I know this could be quite a contentious issue..I have heard about foreign manufacturers being quite good, but know very little and although I appreciate foreign workmanship prefer to buy British But I would be up for hearing about interesting and solid designs from abroad.
British, probably Coachman as a mass manufacturer. There are several small specialist companies like Van Royce and Carlight although can't remember if either of them are still going, the former not I think and the latter taken over a while ago in a management buyout perhaps?
Lots swear by foreign makes though, particularly German, for their solidness and longevity and less likely to leak than the Brit ones!
How ironic that we have so much rain and yet the German ones are less likely to leak? LoL! You think that British manufacturers would be working hard on that one.
I'm googling these makes so I can get myself acquianted... You never know, we do the lottery after all, lol.
All I am going to say is I have had two new Bailey in the last five yrs and I am happy and very pleased with both of them. In fact my next one is going to be another Bailey if I decided to change.
------------- Simply Yung.(early retiree and loving it)
09 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI,07 Senator Virginia
April 1 ~ 5 York CP
5 ~ 11Loose hill C C
11 ~ 19 Gaer Hyfrid C C
We also have a Swift Alouette Diamond and are trying, without much success at the moment, to update to something more modern.
I have done a lot of research on the subject, and checked all the posts on this forum, and have come to one conclusion. Buy a German built van. Hymer seem to be the best - built differently (on a metal, not wooden framework for a start) and are made to last. However, Hymers are expensive.
We have narrowed down our search and are trying to find a newish Geist (built by LMC - owned by Hymer). Geist are made for the UK market and from those I have looked at so far, are very solidly made.
So, if anyone out there knows of anyone wanting to sell a used Geist (no more than 4 years old) preferably an Aktiv 495 or 560 at a reasonable price, please let me know. I've been looking for ages and can't find anything at all - apart from at the silly prices being asked by dealers ( I could buy a new van for what some are asking for vans 3 years old?). I'm determined to keep looking until I find what I really want and I'll keep my old Swift until I do.
I'm now trying to find out if it would be worthwhile travelling to Germany to buy a van directly from the manufactuer and whether or not this is possible...trouble is the Euro/Sterling exchange rate at the moment is not at all favourable.
I would add that it pains me to say this because in the past I have always made the effort to buy British made goods (Rover cars, HP sauce etc. etc.) but one by one these industries have disappeared. Sad but true. So now I'm resigned to trying to get best value for money and a van that will last and not leak, so German it must be.
German - Hymer, and not just because "they are less likely to leak", they DON'T leak!
Build quality is streets ahead of anything that we (unfortunately) produce in the UK - Why, can someone please tell me???
I think the build quality of British vans has improved enormously in recent years, thanks to the introduction of proper production line techniques. Long water ingress guarantees from most British producers tells me that they've got a leak-free product (although doubtless some individual vans do still suffer from leaks - nothing's perfect. I bet there have even been one or even two German vans that have had faults!)
But, if you haven't seen a British caravan lately then you haven't seen a British caravan.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Unfortunately I have seen a British Van - in fact lots of them, and nothing compares quite frankly to the new German vans on the market.
I would dearly love to be able to Buy British, but alas a little like the car industry, the quality and design leave an awful lot to be desired.
As for faults on German vans, a quick search on this and other caravan forums reveals that it is in fact the British vans that cause the problems. I have yet to read of a German van leaking - unless you know differently
Unfortunately I have seen a British Van - in fact lots of them, and nothing compares quite frankly to the new German vans on the market.
I must have a look at some German vans if I go to the NEC show. Hope they look better in the "flesh" than they do on the internet. Some of the interior shots on the Hymer website are particularly nasty. Dark grey cord upholstery, anyone?
Still, each to their own.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
The sheer numbers of UK built vans compared to European (with the exception of Adria perhaps) ones will explain why you hear of more faults with UK ones.
"The sheer numbers of UK built vans compared to European (with the exception of Adria perhaps) ones will explain why you hear of more faults with UK ones."
I read somewhere that Hobby alone makes more vans than the entire british industry.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Best caravan manufacturer and why?
But I would be up for hearing about interesting and solid designs from abroad.
You never know, we do the lottery after all, lol. 
