Went to look the other day, trouble is your spoilt once you have had a caravan, the tent was ok in France, but its the airbeds! Thought we could tow one of these Sterckemans without swapping the car, but judging by the lack of replies doesn't look like they are so popular?!!
Mzzy, at the risk of incurring the wrath of others on here, caravanners in this country seem to be very conservative (with a small C). They seem to stick with British vans and view continental vans with suspicion but happily drive foreign cars without a problem. If you like the van, go for it. Most of the equipment on continental vans is the same as on UK vans so there should be no trouble with spares etc, insurance shouldn't be a problem either despite what others may tell you.
How did you get one with yours Savanne towing it all that way?
Taxater - your probably right, we have had 3 other vans, but always sell due to me working wk ends so only end up using them 3 ish weeks per year, they then sit on the drive the rest of the year, meaning its an expensive holiday when you cost up all the insurance/costs. Also you need a big car to tow and I am (same as most people) trying to down size bills. Although basic these seem cheap and light, I'm thinking must be ok as in France they are really common. Its either that or book an all inclusive package holiday for next year!
Emma, we did 2000 miles in total of which about 1200 was towing. We didnt use as much fuel as we thought we might, the diesel mondeo seems quite economical. OH still hates reversing and worries about getting onto the pitch. However he had to reverse three times as is improving.We stayed at 5 sites over the 19 days so we've got very good at packing up and moving on! We both said we'd never go back to a tent as the bed is so much more comftable and the loo is just so handy. When the weather was good we only used the van to sleep in, we cooked outside on the cadac other than occasionally using the hob if we needed a second ring.
I found a copy of a french caravanning magazine on the bookshelf of one of the sites and its got all the continental 2012 vans in it and there are some real beautys. We too saw loads of Sterkemans and other makes and both said UK vans are longer and bigger (with the exception of the hobbys etc). The continental vans seem to be able to fit more into smaller spaces and we like the different layouts. We are going to the NEC next month and hope to be able to look at some continental vans.
Just be sure its what you want as the resale values I'm guessing will be lower than UK vans and as you are just like me at changing your mind it could be a costly choice! Where sells them in the UK?
We have just bought a canvas tent for going to France with, already have a number of other tents, but decided canvas was needed! On previous visits found that we were outside most of the time and really just need somewhere to sleep, so the thought of towing the caravan just to sleep in does not appeal. At the moment we have a coleman comfort for the when using the existing tents, but no doubt will be looking at aerobeds prior to next summers outing as have heard good reports about these.
Mzzy what airbeds are you using? Perhaps it is the beds you need to look at rather than change back to a caravan for only 3 weeks use per year. A number on here have bought the Outwell Posadas double campbed and it has good feedback, also aerobeds as mentioned earlier.
As for foreign vans, nothing wrong with them, some of the layouts are quite different.
Savanne they sell them by us, Freedom caravans in Stafford, although they haven't got many in their show room, they sell a lot on Ebay. Sounds like you got lots of practice in France, I wouldn't worry bout the reversing, most peeps are the same! We had a mover on our last van, it was fab.
Shirley, thats why we sold our last van, in France last month, we really did only sleep in the tent, it was lots easier/cheaper than towing. We just use single (coleman) airbeds, as I'm a bad sleeper anyway, I sleep better on my own. I have looked at the areobeds, but apart from being expensive, they seem to have mixed reviews.
We had a bit of a trauma with our holiday (OH left bag on carpark with all our stuff in, phone chargers/dvds & player/2 DS's & games/torch/walkie talkies/my make up/camera, luckily we got it all back, when we got home) this wouldn't of happened if we had a van, all our stuff would of been packed away nicley. The other down side was the over night stop offs, it was a right pain, packing and unpacking the car, specially with a bike rack on the back, not to even mention the pop up tent we brought! Lets just say that won't be coming out again! lol
Quote: Originally posted by Taxater on 03/9/2011
Mzzy, at the risk of incurring the wrath of others on here, caravanners in this country seem to be very conservative (with a small C). They seem to stick with British vans and view continental vans with suspicion but happily drive foreign cars without a problem. If you like the van, go for it. Most of the equipment on continental vans is the same as on UK vans so there should be no trouble with spares etc, insurance shouldn't be a problem either despite what others may tell you.
well Taxater, is it any wonder, you just can't trust Johnny Forigner, don't ya know ?
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
its mainly because many continental vans do not have the same facilities as British vans. no oven,only 2/3 gas rings smaller fridges,no battery or charging facilities
how ever as tenters or TT rs you might be quite happy with this as this is the norm with camping,But with most eurovans you have no alternative for off electrical pitches
as there is normaly no independent power supply for lighting
I don't know about that, Old Chap, my 10 year old Burstner has a full size fridge, four burner cooker, a full size separate shower, battery (and charger) and 12v lighting. The heating is gas or electric as is the water heating The only thing it doesn't have, compared to many British vans of the same age, is damp.
We hired a Sterckeman from Freedom Caravans to see if we liked caravanning - we nearly bought it instead of taking it back!
We had a Starlett - it was a fab little van - no oven, but that is easily solvable (Remoska was my plan). It had fixed bunks which were plenty big enough for a tall teenager and a nine year old, and the front lounge mad up into a v comfy double. It towed beautifully. Based on that weekend I'd recommend them. I only didn't buy it because at the time I was skint!
I say, Old Chap, I agree with Taxater - our Burstner has all the facilities too, as have most of the continental vans I've looked at (which is quite a few), whether German, French or Slovenian. Admittedly the door's on the "wrong" side but it's never bothered us.
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
mzzy your so funny, your as bad at swapping around as us with our cars
We looked at one of these years ago when we upgraded from our little freedom, Made the mistake of buying brittish, never again so now we have got a foreign one
I have seen quite a few sterckemanns lately, and loads last year in belgium so presume they must be quite good,
If we we're after a lightweight a Sterckemann would be on our list.
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
I know Gazmister we seem to be swapping at the rate of twice a year Although I seem to be running out of options! Its going to be a lightweight van or a big folding camper.
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: Anyone got a Sterckeman?
Thought we could tow one of these Sterckemans without swapping the car, but judging by the lack of replies doesn't look like they are so popular?!!
Although I seem to be running out of options! Its going to be a lightweight van or a big folding camper.
