We were originally looking for a German built caravan after reading many reports of poor quality with the British caravans. However there is a problem:
We are a family of four and the layout we would be looking for would be either a double dinette or fixed bed and 2x singles that make up to a double. As the kids don’t want to sleep in the same (double) bed they will need lounge singles that are long enough to sleep on. This is where the problem with the German caravans comes from – their lounge single beds are too short.
So finally is the quality of the British caravans (circa 2004 – 2007) really that much worse than those made Germany? Are there any particular makes/models that are better than others?
Unfortunately I won’t be able to see the individual models and compare quality because I am buying from abroad.
Unfortunately, where I live (New Zealand) most of the used caravan market is retired couples who like a caravan that can have a permanent double bed. The resale of other caravan layouts is poor. This the reason we have not considered bunk models etc.
Just a cautionary note...buying from abroad and your contract with the seller will be governed by the laws of that country. They may or may not have the benefit of our Sale of Goods Act protections unless the seller happens top be in the EU. Then if you do have a problem you have to go back to that seller and from the distances you are talking about that has its own problems. They don't all have an equivalent CRiS scheme either.
Phil
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Quote: Originally posted by Fat Bum on 05/8/2011
Are brand new vans not available in NZ? That might be your best bet or ship from Australia - must be cheaper than shipping from Europe.
Just Googled New Zealand caravan dealers. Found a Sterling Eccles Jewel for 59000 NZ dollars which equates to about £32000, UK recommended price about £18000!
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 05/8/2011
Just Googled New Zealand caravan dealers. Found a Sterling Eccles Jewel for 59000 NZ dollars which equates to about £32000, UK recommended price about £18000!
David
Holy Moley!! And how many threads do we have entitled 'Rip off Britain' ?
Is there no local manufacturer?
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Alot of people have caravans shipped to NZ it's more cost effective, we sold our lunar to a NZ buyer they had it collected and shipped to them from our house, our next door neighbours are NZ'ers they caravan and have always bought via Europe to NZ before they settled here.
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Quote: Originally posted by kow1 on 05/8/2011
So finally is the quality of the British caravans (circa 2004 – 2007) really that much worse than those made Germany?
No, in general British caravans made over the last 10 years are not "really that much worse" than those made in Germany - but they are made for different markets so some aspects are better, some are worse.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
In reply to the messages above. Yes there are local manufacturers - But they are very expensive and heavy caravans. This goes for importing from Australasia as well. By the time the caravan is landed here from the UK the cost will have more than doubled but it will still be far less than those which can be bought here. There are many business here that specialize in importing used UK caravans. You don't know how good you've got it!!
Any more comments on the original topic?
Cheers
The trouble is though ,how many sellers are going to hear that you are in NZ and wish to have the van the van shipped there ,instantly their spidey scam sensors start tingling,then they don't respond to emails ?
We have had English vans but now have switched to a german built Geist (LMC relabelled van)
In our opinion this van is built far better than anything we have seen in the Uk, Our previous 2007 swift bought brand new had nothing but problems and even started to leak in water around the washroom wall. We kept it for 2 years and bought our German van and have never looked back.
That is just our opinion, but having owned a freedom, an ace, an elddis and a swift we just wouldn't now buy anything brittish. People will of course argue that their brittish vans have been brilliant but like I said just our opinion from a owner who has tested and well used both Brittish and German vans (all year round with various amounts of children and 2 large dogs)
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Topic: British versus German Caravans Help!!
