and they seem very good value for money compared to others we have considered. are they a genuine good value caravan or are they cheap because corners have been cut.
hobbies verry good vans high quality trouble is they are associated with pikys, one site near Skeggnes has turned all hobbies off site they was seasonal ones as well some had been with them for some time. sad when site owners feel they have to do that.
------------- geoff & annb,--
never lost just on tour
your just jealous of the little voices talking to me
Quote: Originally posted by geoffb on 28/6/2008
hobbies verry good vans high quality trouble is they are associated with pikys, one site near Skeggnes has turned all hobbies off site they was seasonal ones as well some had been with them for some time. sad when site owners feel they have to do that.
sorry but isnt that race discrimination on the sites part. shouldnt they be reported
Quote: Originally posted by Basilbrush on 28/6/2008
Oh dear, your search isn't going too well is it. I thought you'd bought an Abbey a couple of weeks ago.
BB
Looked at that many I can't remember why we decided against the Abbey - it may have been as it was sold by the time we had chance to actually view. I've had a very hectic couple of weeks where I've been away 9 of the last 12 days so not been looking of late. The search resumed today - although we do seem to getting closer by process of elimination. At least we've finally decided on which layout we want!
Hobby and Fendt are good makes. If you do fancy one make sure it is a model 540 or lower, anything above that is illegal to tow in UK with a regular car. Notice how they do not give the length and width of the 560s upward.
Some sites do not take any Hobbys, some do not take twin axle ones, but if you have one that is legal to tow here you will get on CC sites with no problem.
Check what the insurance on one might be before buying, and check the spec. Sometimes they have no provision for a battery, sometimes no oven, and some have continental sockets.
All Hobbys now come only with the door on the "wrong" side for UK. Not sure about other continental makes.
Here we go - again! What do these sites do when a tourist from Holland or Germany turns up with a Hobby, Fendt, Wiepert or any other "foreign" caravan? They are either running their site as a pastime or they want to go out of business!
I can only reiterate what I have said on previous posts. We have owned two Hobbies, both bought in Germany, both with the doors on the "wrong" side. We have never been turned away from any caravan site anywhere in the UK, in fact we have had many people admiring them because they were different from the norm. The build quality is much better than the British vans (including the Lunar we have now). The cooker, fridge, heater and many other items come from the same suppliers as Btitish ones so there is no problem getting them serviced or buying spares. Nor do you need to have the electrics or gas fittings changed as some dealers will tell you. They work just fine both here and abroad.
The reason they are cheaper is because of the attitude some people in this country have to buying anything foreign. They don't come with horns and a forked tail!
If you like it, buy it, and I hope you have as many good times in it as we had in ours.
Just had a look at Taylor Caravans link and the 520 TMF is the new version of the 520 TQM that we had. The difference being that ours had white wood inside. It was a beautiful caravan, a completely different layout from anything in the UK, which worked very well for us. We bought it new and had it for five years.. Out of all the caravans we have had, five in all, it was my favourite.
The site stinks and people should challenge, but unless they actually mention the 'gypsy' work then you cant prove race discrimination.
Have one of these and you wont rest. No amount of deterrent will help - these are a prize to the travelling community. Thats my opinion and Im sorry if anyone takes offence. Lovely vans and I nearly did, but my years of experience of lockign the bad guys up stopped me. The only model of van I knew those years ago was Hobby - and I knew nothing about caravans then.
"The only model of van I knew those years ago was Hobby - and I knew nothing about caravans then."
As you say, Brian, that was then, They'll steal anything that moves now. We had no trouble at all. Remember, you only hear of the vans that get stolen, never about the millions that don't
I don't think any of us are "doing down" Hobbys, just making the poster aware that there can be problems. I think they are excellent vans and we did consider them, but they do not have the layout we wanted in the 2.3m width.
I have seen a few sites with signs up saying "no Hobbys", and some can be awkward with doors on the "wrong" side. Generally those that like to pack in vans tightly, not the CC. I don't know what they do with foreign tourists!
We had the opposite problem in Sweden last year. The site we went to was quite busy but said they had room for us for the 1 night, so we booked in and paid. Then when the fellow took us to our pitch he realised that we had the door on the "wrong" side for it (they were really packing the vans in), and would be almost walking out into our neighbour's awning.
We said it was no problem to turn the van, but that was not allowed as he wanted the drawbar towards the road. He did eventually find a place for us, but there was a lot of head scratching!
If anyone wants to say that Hobbys are not more likely to get stolen then that is not realistic. Look at any travellers site and what do you see? A lot of blue stripes. I havent said no other van is attractive, but lets look at odds eh?
As for wrong way door - well I have one for a while and never got any problems. Then again i only do club sites.
I am on a site and hobbys are seasonal , been no probs at all, I think alot of it is hear say, TA of any make are magnets yes, cos they are a good size for them. take the wheels off, put winter wheels in there place. van on axle stands, hitch lock etc. like you do with any van seasonal.
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
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: hobby or fendt vans are they any good?
