I really envy you getting a Hobby. Knowing what i know now I woudl have purchased a 2.5m wide Hobby with island bed ages ago. Quality is far higher than any over priced British manufactured caravan!
When asked if we had seen anything we liked. We replied in all honesty; no.
All these vans and you cant find one you like said the salesman.
We explained that we were trying to get hold of a hobby, and a knowing frown appeared on his face, before he tried to point us in the direction of an £18,000 van. We just laughed and walked away.
when we was looking to purchase our hobby a couple of months ago i was informed by ambergate that adlington caravans was no longer hobby dealers, yes they sell hobby but have not got the franchise
I was at the Hobby dealer in Ambergate today, they have some 2006 and 2007 models in stock. Not the brightest salesman I have met but the product is there!
yes we did purchase a hobby 650uk Kev, got the van from a dealer in bridlington, they are connected to the dealer in scotland as well, well pleased with the van, no problems at all we have our van sited in the lake disrict.
Really interesting thread as we are looking at a Hobby, went to a Dealers yesterday and also looked at a Fendt which they said were a sister company to the Hobby. We really like the look of them because we want an island bed, but I can believe the size of the cookers, the ones we looked at were not only minute but one was located on top of the fridge freezer so was too high up for me, if I had something under the grill I would have had to stand on something to see how it was cooking! In one of the other vans it was located literally just above floor level. We have also seen some models without any cooker at all. Being a newbie to all this (not having owned a caravan before) does it just seem to be the German manufacturers? British vans seem to have full size cookers in a lot of them. Do you tend to eat out when on site? I am really interested to know.
Most continental caravans have sparse cooking facilities. From our observations the French/Germans on holiday eat lots of salads, cold meats, fruit and cheese, and eat out a lot too. The tins of ready prepared cassolet etc also seem to be very popular and these can just be re-heated on one burner.
Check out insurance campanies for a Hobby before buying. A friend of mine had probs getting insured, and was advised not to buy one. Something to do with being "the van of choice" with the "traveller" community. Or is it all "urban myth" ?
------------- Life is one big holiday, only broken up by as little work as possible
We have just ordered a Crystall van which is a German make, OH was very impressed with the quality of everything. We have a 2 year old Swift at this time and although we love it, we wanted a fixed single bed layout and as they didn't have one a t GMex, we ended up looking at the Crystall. Can't wait to get it I ammmmm soooo excited!!!.
Just a note re insurance, atfer ordering, I checked about the insurance and whilst Cardguard will insure (at no nore cost than an english van, they did insist that it had to be purchased through a UK Dealer and they would not have considered it had we brought it in from abroad. So please check this out before making your decision. Apparently our "travelling " friends love these so you would hate to "lose" it and not have insurance.
Hi Folks, I would like to add my pennyworth to the hobby debate. I have been caravanning since 1982. 25 years this year. I have owned a continental van for the last 21 years. My last 2 vans being Hobby. Yes go ahead and try a Hobby I have not been disapointed. To help I have set out some basic facts below. I decided which van I wanted and then did a google search in German. I found a chap in Bavaria with one to sell contacted him and went over and bought, having the cash in Euros with me. When we had sorted out the legalities, forms etc- no small matter in Germany. I put my own number plate on the van and towed her home to Kent. I had insured her before leaving England.
Firstly regarding Tax. I have imported caravans from Germany quite legally. I contacted Customs and asked them the situation. The reply was that as legally a caravan is not a vehicle it is considered to be a trailer and therefore normal property. Ie It can be brought into this country as long as the vat has been paid in the country of origin. Separate rules exist for items brought tax free by diplomats and the military.
Secondly. Insurance can be a problem. Because they are highly desired by travelers they tend to go missing more often that their British counterparts. Therefore premiums are higher. Also repair can be more expensive in this country because of availability of parts
Thirdly the Law is the law!
Maximum sizes for towing
Towing vehicle under 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar)
7.0 metres
Maximum width
2.3 metres
Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar)
12 metres if at least 4 wheels
Maximum width
2.55 metres
Length of towing vehicle & trailer combined
18 metres
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer
3.05 metres
Further information from: National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) www.ntta.co.uk/law/
Maximum trailer sizes Type 01: unbraked trailers - max. 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less. Type 02: trailers on overrun brakes - max. 3500kg gross trailer weight. 1982 regulations require that all trailers, including unbraked ones, must be clearly marked with their maximum gross weight in kg. This may be checked at any time by the police at a weighbridge. Since 1 January 1997, all unbraked trailer plates must show the year of manufacture.
Safe weight ratios For stable and safe towing we would always recommend that you choose the smallest and lightest possible caravan suitable for your intended use. The less the laden weight of the caravan is in relation to the weight of the towing vehicle, the safer and more stable the outfit will be. The Caravan Club, for example, advises that you should aim for a towed load that is no more than 85% of the car's kerb weight for stability and safety. The CC advice is NEVER to tow above 100% of the car's kerbside weight. N.B. The car manufacturer's specified maximum permissible towload is always the absolute towing limit regardless of any 85% or 100% weight ratio guideline. This is especially important in those cases where the manufacturer's figure is particularly low - in a few cases even below 85%.
Load distribution Proper load distribution, in general, must be ensured too, with all heavy items in the caravan low down and directly over the axle wherever possible. Correct tyre pressures for car and caravan are absolutely vital.
Noseweight It is a legal requirement that the noseweight should be 4% of the weight of the trailer or at least 25kg, whichever is the higher.. For safety you should aim for, but not exceed, the lower of the 2 figures specified for caravan and car respectively.
Passengers It is illegal to carry passengers inside a caravan whilst on the road. It is permitted for pets to travel in the caravan, although this is not recommended safe practice.
Driving Licences A full (not provisional) driving licence is required to tow a caravan. From 1 January 1997, new category B (generally held as 'normal' car entitlement) vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg Maximum Authorised Mass allowing a combined weight of up to 4.25 tonnes MAM OR a trailer (for example a tourer) over 750kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM. This would mean that many drivers who possess only a category B on their licence would be able to tow a caravan provided it was not heavier than their car, and that car and caravan combined, does not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. New drivers of outfits over these limits must take a category B + E test. Further information from: Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) www.dvla.gov.uk
Speed Towed outfits may travel at up to 50 mph on single carriageway roads and up to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Towed outfits are not permitted in the outside lane of a three or more lane motorway unless other lanes are closed.
Brakes A caravan with a maximum design laden weight of more than 750kg must be braked with an intertia (overrun) type braking system up to a maximum permissible laden weight of 3500kg.
Road lights Caravans must have flashing indicators fitted at the back. A buzzer or other means of alerting the driver must be installed to highlight the failure of any of these indicators. Caravans must have two rear lights conforming to certain size requirements and bearing the appropriate CE mark. Marker lights must be fitted 'as high as practicable' on the side or at the front and rear of caravans over 2.1m wide.
Carrying gas cylinders Regulations relating to the use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in vehicles on the public highway require the gas to be shut off at the cylinder when no appliance is in use. While the vehicle is in motion, no gas appliance should be in use. Special restrictions apply in certain road tunnels, the Channel Tunnel and on ferries. DO check before setting off.
Parking Do not park your caravan: • where it may cause an obstruction • at night on a road without lights • in street parking bays as some local laws forbid this • at a parking meter, as caravans are not permitted • unless securely braked or chocked to prevent movement
And finally .... • A caravan stored in its owner's garden may be used as a spare bedroom to accommodate non-paying guests. Friends can bring their own caravan and stay within the garden of a house. • Caravans must have a rear number plate, matching that of the towing vehicle, and illuminated at night. • TVs used in caravans are covered by the owner's domestic TV licence as long the caravan is occupied by someone resident where the TV licence is registered. • Caravans do not have to undergo an MOT test. • All safety regulations for car tyres apply to caravans. Retread tyres should not be used. Radial and cross-ply tyres must not be mixed on the same axle.
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: Buying a Hobby
