Quote: Originally posted by shielsy on 15/8/2004
The only small prob I have is the door being on the opposite side,,, I know you can get ones manufactured in GB to our spec but will they be of same quality,,,,,, me too spending too much time looking
Not all of them have the door on the opposite side. Hymer produce a Hymer Nova 545 and 570 in UK spec, with UK door. We've got our eye on one for our next caravan (maybe 2007). They also do a couple of UK models in their Living range too. However, whilst the doors are not on the 'suicide' side for roadside stops, the lounges are at the 'back' of the van and the beds are at the front. Also, the awning rail height is high - so we wouldn't be able to use one of the popular quick-erect porch awnings, like the Scenic that we currently have.
I will be changing my van this year and a german van appeals to me , only ever owned the one van but had this 10 years so time for a change , my old van has suffered from water ingress in the past this is why i may chose a german made van
i was looking at the cristall range because they are quite a light van and i don't want to change my car yet (mondeo 2.0 tdci saloon ) would anyone recommend or otherwise regards to these vans
We are very keen on either the Hobby 650UFf with the island bed or Hobby 650WFU with a fantastic rear bathroom both of which are legal to tow on UK roads with the correct outfit, i.e. a 12 seater Landrover etc. It will mainly sit on a seasonal site so no real sweat.
The standard of the furnishing is higher than most British vans, air con is standard and you don't pay VAT. The only thing that you have to upgrade would be the hot water cyliner as it is only a 2 or 5 litre one. I would add in the Truma 14 litre hot water tank in series which would then give you ample hot water.
The only reason we are hesistating is because the shower/toilet/washbasin is all in one and if you shower and imagine everything would get soaked unless there was a shower curtain etc. Brilliant caravan and insurance is not such a great problem either as long as you have all the necessary security.
We love our Cristall - we looked at almost every van and this just shone out for quality. A bugger for unique parts sometimes but Cristall in Germany are superb.
United boy - email me on sean at 5ifth.co.uk if you are thinking of a Cristall and want to know anything as they are few Cristall owners around here - they are superb and very well priced for what you get. Always get a lot of attention on site as they are not a common van. Some nearly new or demo prices are absolute bargains.
We ave the suicide door (they do UK ones now) - this always make me laugh as it's on the same side as the car door - you've got to get out of your car on that side. Insurance is cheap and I had no problems sorting it out.
Well I'm just about to take delivery of my Hymer Living. I really liked the Nova, but I couldnt tow it with my car, and it was an extra £2,000 or £3,000. Very nice though.
The Living is a nice compromise for a van. The 465 has a really comfortable fixed bed at the front of the van, so you can put more stuff under there than if it was at the back. Your seating area is at the back though, which not everyone will like.
Insurance wasnt a problem, and best quote was from Norwich Union £360 with £60 exces. Caravan Club was £400 with £100 excess. You need to have your hous contents policy with NU to obtain cover for a caravan.
I thought the use of space was very clever, the detail design touches very very considered and the standard of finish superb.
I had seen a few British vans, and even premium level Brit vans just didnt have the depth of engineering or design quality. I'll be keeping htis for a good few years, so I wanted it to be right. Go on, get your Jerry van and enjoy it - it will still be going strong when the wooden frame of a UK tourer has long rotted away!!
Geoff
------------- Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!
My van is in France...in the garden ..... I am still having a job getting the French to insure it .....they say "door is on the wrong side " does not corform to French regs etc ...and this is from the firm the house is covered with .
The french are notoriously awkward. Maybe timeto trade in.
I had a look at an Adria this weekend and it was very stylish and modern looking. Agreed with Practical Caravan though when they said the two singles are small - on mine they are full size single beds - the Adria's aren't very wide. Great for kids though. It was very well built indeed and the new door design is superb. Still would plum for Geist for our next van I think, especially listening to the reports on here.
Looked at the Hymer Silverliving is getting - Nice... They use the same(ish) style of wall build as the Cristall and also the wrap around diner which is great for getting loads of people around the table. Looks good - enjoy it - I'm sure you will.
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Topic: Help German Caravans
