Hi all, Are there any Bessacarr fans out there? We have spotted a 3 year old Cameo 625 with end washroom, fixed bed layout and really like the look of it. It seems to be in excellent condition, maybe immaculate with no damp issues and very little usage. Fully serviced etc.Has anyone any opinions on these caravans (good or bad) as they seem to be getting quite rare these days.They have a different heating system than any other vans I know, opinions welcomed on this too! I believe Swift took the company name over around 6 or 7 years ago but they have since been bought out again, just to keep the name going, I assume..... We have a Toyota Landcruiser Amazon as a towcar so no towing issues there. We currently have a Coachman Laser 590/4 and are looking to change soon....Thanks to all you experienced, knowlegeable caravanners in advance for what I know will be honest and reliable answers..Finally...Merry Xmas Everyone!!!!
Swift discontinued the Bessacarr brand after 2007, and instead have upgraded their twin axle Conquerors and Sterling Elites to the Alde heating system you refer to. I can vouch for its excellence, it maintains an even temperature and is virtually silent in operation.
The Bessacarr spec is generally high and they were top of the Swift range.
I think it fair to say it's 'badge engineering' and the Bessacarr badge simply outlived it's usefulness?, all it was left doing was holding back the spec on the 'Swift' Conqueror!
Swift bought the Bessacarr name only in 1996, Bessacarr themselves continued as 'Auto Cruise' producing Motorhomes and 2 years ago this company floundered, Swift now own it but run it as a separate concern.
Never owned a van other than two 'real' Bessacarr's, as I see it the level of 'gloss' is high but I see no evidence of better build quality, quite the opposite on my 1980 model! Swift build them on the same production line as all their others!
The level of equipment fitted is generally higher than most so lots of things to play with, including top quality foam in the seating which is not obvious? and of course the excellent Alde 'wet' heating system, everything else though is identical to other models/brands, just more of it!!
Today, Swift produce a Bessacarr model or two for a dealership down the M5 somewhere? basically then it's now reduced to the name on a dealer special?!
Always though remember that second 'R' when pronouncing Bessacarrrrrr it's not a besacur
We have just sold our 1992 Bessacarr 600gl cameo.Although these modern Bessacarrs are made by Swift they are nowhere near as well engineered as the old Bessacarr made vans.One thing I would say though is once you have had a van with Alde wet heating you won't go back to blown air equivalent (IMO).
We've got a Bessacarr 625 which we bought new in 2006.
I can honestly say we've never had any issues with this caravan, it's been great. We caravan throught out the year, so the Alde is a boon in the winter time, as it's just like domestic central heating at home, and no, you definately wouldn't want to go back blown air!!
As we only intend to keep this 'van for another year, it's seriously going to be a nightmare to decide what to go for next.
We have the Bessacarr 500GL, new in 2000, we still love this van and cannot find anything to better it, so we keep on using it. If you look at the spec of these vans you will see that most new vans do not come near them.
Our van will be 10 years old next year, it was fitted from new with a bonded roof, shock absorbers and Alde heating all as standard.
We look at newer vans but still think that the only other van would be a newer Bessacarr.
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Topic: Bessacarr Cameo 625 caravan
