The time had come to move up to a bigger van, and I always fancied a German van. so we have finally taken the plunge and have bought a 2003 Burstner 530 TL twin diner.
The feeling of solidity and a nice fresh modern interior really won us over, now we can't wait to get away at the start of February. The size and weight is a little daunting after our Elddis 350/2, but we know our Terrano will cope, (the van is bang on the 85% limit fully laden).
we have spent months going around looking at different vans, both Uk and continental makes, so we hope we have made the right choice.
Just need to get away asap and spend our first night in our new van.
As german owners too you have made a wise decision - youll notice the warmth, the solid feel and the build. Superb vans and well worth the few quid extra. We also have a 2003 and no one can believe its 5 years old now! We are pulling with a 2.7TDi Terrano and it makes light work.
Hi
The Burstner is now made in France as well, but to the same standards as in Germany, so parts are no problem. On the roads over here are a lot of Burstner and Hobby. The Burstner caravans are aimed at people in there mid 40's but as a tourer.
As from 97, they were using Sikaflex as a bondage and sealant, so seam damp should not be a problem, they say 15 years. The best thing about German vans is the servicing. They are set up to run twice the German TÜV (MOT), which is 4 years. In Germany the TÜV say that the tyres should be changed at least every 6 years (DOT), with brakes check and hub bearings. The chassis check, to see if everything is ok before the summer, I do this myself, is simple, with a torch and have a look underneath. So the servicing is really simple, as far as road worthiness is. But no time is set up for the inside. Most of us repair this when this is needed, i.e taps, water, electrics, vents. Gas is set up to the very tough German gas testing every 2 years, and these you do not do yourself, the same is the CO2 measurements.
In all they are very reliable, so you should have a long camping life with your van. Mine is of the same class, and is now 26 years old, and no problems. Hope you have some great fun camping with your Burstner.
we bought our first caravan last summer a burstner valenta 540 tk .
Really please with it good solid build .And we love the fixed beds . Only draw back is the manual is in german !!!
We have it on a seasonal pitch as dont want to change our cars yet and we dont need to as they tow it for us while on site.
Dad towed it to the pitch and said it towed like a dream it got him thinking because of towing our van hes now getting back into caravanning after a 6year break .
State Type, Type number, Chassis number and anything that will help them identify your model. The service manual is mostly free. don't forget to add your name and address.
we have the same model and same year, 530 tl 2003. Only got in at the end of the summer so havent used it much. Got lots of weekends planned for this year though. Our friends stayed over in it on New Years Eve and said they were so warm in it. We like the layout as the children use the end table for their colouring etc and then we set up the bunks at night. Managed to fit 6 of us in it in October. Me and hubby and little son in huge bed made from settees, daughter in top bunk and our friends in the double under the bunk. Only trouble we had was working the cushions out. We still have not found what is supposed to used on the top bunk so my daughter sleeps on an aerobics mat. Do you have enough cushions for the top bunk and do you know the weight limit for the top bunk? I couldnt get an answer from Burstner.
Quote: Originally posted by horace on 13/1/2008
Only trouble we had was working the cushions out. We still have not found what is supposed to used on the top bunk so my daughter sleeps on an aerobics mat. Do you have enough cushions for the top bunk and do you know the weight limit for the top bunk? I couldnt get an answer from Burstner.
The top bunk has a thin mattress, ours is green and folded up in the cupboard; it sounds like yours is missing. The cushions are for the lower beds and for making a U-shaped front lounge if the chest of drawers is removed.
The top bunks on all German vans have much higher weight limits than UK vans. I typed Burstner specifications into Google and there was a web site there that had all the weights and limits for the van. (not sure about bunk weights though).
Thanks for that Chewie. I guess the mattress is missing then. My little girl is quite happy on her aerobics mat so thats good. Luckily she is very small and light for her age (6) so hopefully she will have many happy years in the top bunk before she gets too big. Im 9 stone and I got on the bunk to try it out. I felt fairly safe on it but not sure I would sleep much as I would worry about the hole thing collapsing!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Just bought a Burstner.
