Hi, went to Roundstone Caravans in Sussex yesterday to look at the new Altea 542 dk. We're looking to move from a tent to a caravan and this is one of the possibles on our list, we have a towing limit restriction due to the car (octavia 1.9 tdi) and this seems to be a fairly light van. Quite impressed with the van, especially aginst our other possible the Ranger 500/5.
Would be interested on the thoughts of any Altea owners - quality, reliability, customer service, good dealers etc.
Will be going to the NEC in a few weeks and may be making a final decision then.
We bought our Altea 542 dk at the end of August having always been tent campers. It's fantastic. Ours is the 2010 version but I think the 2011 is very similar (different colour scheme and a couple of tweaks). We are a family of 5 plus dog and it's really roomy, light to tow with loads of good features. The heating is efficient and so far we haven't found anything not to like. The separate back bedroom is perfect for us with 3 children and there is lots of room in the lounge area too. Dealer Pearman Briggs in Gloucester was very helpful and spent a long time going over it with us and explaining the mystery of the water pump and waste master etc! (It's all actually very straightforward). We spent a long time looking at Baileys, Sterlings, Sprite etc but came to conclusion this was best value for money with no compromise on build quality etc. Highly recommended!
Hi
we have the adria altea 542 uk 2008 model yr and it is absolutely wonderful. OK it resembles Ikea on wheels in terms of furnishings, but nothing has broken yet and it smell and looks like new everytime we use it, which is pretty regular. Build quality is also excellent, and it tows like a dream, you would not know it is there. We have used over winter too and found no problems with cold or other aspects of winter caravanning. We have even looked round our dealer this weekend to check out the market and still cannot find anything to measure it against with regards to value. Beds, Bunks and sleeping are all very good, with no grumbles of bad backs etc.
Plus you have the added quodos of being different on the caravan sites. We wouldn't change ours for the world, unless a in price range Elddis super cyclone twin axle came along. All in all go for it you will not be disapointed.
Had the 542 DK 2009 Model and it is fantasic. Got it in march last year and been out loads of times. This year we took it to Belguim and it got plenty of looks (of interest).
Got 2 young boys (and they are real boys, mud and all) and it still looks as good as new.
I also have issues with weight (car not me) so this van perfect.
Hope you enjoy if you go for it..
Cheers
Richard
------------- If you Don't ask, you Don't get..............
Easter - Alton Towers
May - Aveniemore
Summer - South West London (theme parks all Around)
September - Not Sure
October - Blackpool (Yet more Theme parks and attractions
Life is a Roller coaster and we will be on loads this year...
just purchased a 542dk from our local caravan dealer in hitchin and have been out twice so far the motor mover has died and had to wait a week and a half for it to get fixed, then the tap came loose luckily we were in camber sands when this happened. oh and the bracket under the front table broke when my granddaughter leaned on it when i was filling the caravan before we left for camber sands, 2 weeks later we were of to france every thing was fine till be got there first thing the fridge wouldnt work on electric of gass then the front seat on the right hand side came apart all i could think of was that it must have been damaged as the motor mover was fitted, then i noticed the kitchen cabinet door was at the wrong angle and finally half the led bulbs in the front light dont work took it back to the dealer so hopefully it will be fixed this week as we have booked to go away next week to poole but the dealer said he may have a problem as adria are closed for there hols dont believe him and told him so. isnt it amazing how great the service is when you hand over the money.
Hi just on a side note about Holidays etc. I work in the Red metals industry and find that at this time of year most companies shut through out Europe for two weeks from the mid to end of July through to the end of August. Its is real pain for us trying to export into Europe at this time, so the quote that Adria are on holiday i could quite well believe. Sorry to hear about all your problems though, we have an Adria also and not had any problems with the this as of yet.
Have you tried Adria Concessionaires in the UK, please find details below:-
Adria Concessionaires, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9JP, UK
Tel.:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 01787 888 980.
just purchased a 542dk from our local caravan dealer in hitchin and have been out twice so far the motor mover has died and had to wait a week and a half for it to get fixed, then the tap came loose luckily we were in camber sands when this happened. oh and the bracket under the front table broke when my granddaughter leaned on it when i was filling the caravan before we left for camber sands, 2 weeks later we were of to france every thing was fine till be got there first thing the fridge wouldnt work on electric of gass then the front seat on the right hand side came apart all i could think of was that it must have been damaged as the motor mover was fitted, then i noticed the kitchen cabinet door was at the wrong angle and finally half the led bulbs in the front light dont work took it back to the dealer so hopefully it will be fixed this week as we have booked to go away next week to poole but the dealer said he may have a problem as adria are closed for there hols dont believe him and told him so. isnt it amazing how great the service is when you hand over the money.
I think you have been very unlucky. You very rarely hear of any problems with Adria's. I wonder if yours was a Friday afternoon one.
They have a reputation for being very well built. We have had two and they have been very robust.(with the exception of the bracket under the front table(they should redesign this))
We love hours and wouldn't have any reservation of recommending one to others.
thanks for your comments had a phone call from the dealer today and the fridge is dead there appears to be a problem with thetford fridges he has had 3 back this week.
I put a post on this thread back in 2010 and I still have the same c'van.
If you were to look at my van now it has 1 or 2 marks (very small) but still looks like new. All in all the build quality is supurb. 2 boys now 6 & 9 like to make a mess but the van cleans up nicely with little effort.
You must have been a little unlucky, I hope you get everything sorted and have a trouble free time going forward.
Cheers
Richard
------------- If you Don't ask, you Don't get..............
Easter - Alton Towers
May - Aveniemore
Summer - South West London (theme parks all Around)
September - Not Sure
October - Blackpool (Yet more Theme parks and attractions
Life is a Roller coaster and we will be on loads this year...
my last caravan was a sterling europa and we had a great few years with it. i do think this caravan will be great as soon as the dealer gets his finger out.
well got it back this morning after creating a fuss and its perfect away next weekend and booked to be away again in november. he repaired abnd strengthened the bed fixed the tap raplaced the front table bracket with a tougher bracket and the fridge failed completly so a new one was fitted yesterday and tested. so all is good.
Hi all
Spent a long weekend in stanford poole had a great time and the adria performed like a dream no issues to report booked to go away again in october.
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: Adria Altea 542dk
