Swift Basecamp
Discussion
Dragging a mobile rapeshed around behind the car does nothing for me. And that's before you get anywhere close to starting with the 'itinerant community' references.
But this is kinda neat?
https://www.swiftbasecamp.co.uk/discover-basecamp
I've been threatening for some years now to indulge in a motorhome of some kind. Possibly even building my own (paying someone else to build it to my spec!)
But the level of thought and detail in the Base Camp^ is pretty impressive! And I like the 'compact plus tent' approach.
Does the PH TC&M community know of any other manufacturers who have similar/comparable models?
But this is kinda neat?
https://www.swiftbasecamp.co.uk/discover-basecamp
I've been threatening for some years now to indulge in a motorhome of some kind. Possibly even building my own (paying someone else to build it to my spec!)
But the level of thought and detail in the Base Camp^ is pretty impressive! And I like the 'compact plus tent' approach.
Does the PH TC&M community know of any other manufacturers who have similar/comparable models?
Knaus do some similar,...
https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/caravans/sport-fun/hig...
The plus tent, is a posh way of saying awning. Most of the smart stuff that is in there is very easy to add to any though. I do like the idea of fold away beds to provide storage for bikes etc. However do think about where they end up at night!
https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/caravans/sport-fun/hig...
The plus tent, is a posh way of saying awning. Most of the smart stuff that is in there is very easy to add to any though. I do like the idea of fold away beds to provide storage for bikes etc. However do think about where they end up at night!
Edited by chasingracecars on Friday 5th January 12:37
Yep - given that it is clearly being marketed at 'sporty couples', a cleverly designed (and secure) bike mounting system would have been a great optional extra.
I've been reading up on it some more this afternoon, and it seems that they are also marketing it at people with quite small cars. It doesn't weigh much and has a very small payload. (just over 100kg)
I've been reading up on it some more this afternoon, and it seems that they are also marketing it at people with quite small cars. It doesn't weigh much and has a very small payload. (just over 100kg)
Ouch watch that payload! They don’t usually include the battery to run on 12v in that!
I have seen some clever things on the continent my Challenger albeit 1700kg does have room in the front for the bikes at night but not really ideal to have them inside at all. Tend to keep them on the roof of the car.
I have seen some clever things on the continent my Challenger albeit 1700kg does have room in the front for the bikes at night but not really ideal to have them inside at all. Tend to keep them on the roof of the car.
Had a good look around a couple of BaseCamps at the NEC show last year & it's pretty impressive. Build quality is really good- better than it seems Balmoral, (layout & spec are also flexible) but I agree with you that going second hand you could pick up either a half decent "full size" caravan, or camper van at that point, depending on image/preference.
V8mate said:
Dragging a mobile rapeshed around behind the car does nothing for me. And that's before you get anywhere close to starting with the 'itinerant community' references.
But this is kinda neat?
https://www.swiftbasecamp.co.uk/discover-basecamp
I've been threatening for some years now to indulge in a motorhome of some kind. Possibly even building my own (paying someone else to build it to my spec!)
Forgive me - but is this (and the Knaus offering) just a small caravan with a paint job?But this is kinda neat?
https://www.swiftbasecamp.co.uk/discover-basecamp
I've been threatening for some years now to indulge in a motorhome of some kind. Possibly even building my own (paying someone else to build it to my spec!)
Balmoral is being ridiculously PH by suggesting that it's a 'crappy budget caravan' because it is clearly everything but. The thought and attention to detail is bleedingly obvious. And deriding lifestyle is bizarre - lifestyle sells everything these days, and there are key things such as a large fridge for such a small overall unit, which play straight into the appeal for the kind of people who might be interested in this.
As I said in the OP, my starting position is that I wouldn't be seen dead dragging a caravan around with me, so telling me that I can have a big one for a fraction of the price is of no value whatsoever. Even photos of caravan interiors - with their puffy soft furnishings and garish covers - make me cringe. Maybe I was murdered in one in a previous life.
And eighteen grand doesn't buy anything in the campervan market. I did quite a bit of analysis regarding a self-build and any which way, the budget came out around £30k.
I'm not saying this Basecamp thing is the perfect solution to anyone's holidaying requirements... mine included... but I did just think that it made a significant break - from a concept and design perspective - from the traditional UK caravan market.
As I said in the OP, my starting position is that I wouldn't be seen dead dragging a caravan around with me, so telling me that I can have a big one for a fraction of the price is of no value whatsoever. Even photos of caravan interiors - with their puffy soft furnishings and garish covers - make me cringe. Maybe I was murdered in one in a previous life.
And eighteen grand doesn't buy anything in the campervan market. I did quite a bit of analysis regarding a self-build and any which way, the budget came out around £30k.
I'm not saying this Basecamp thing is the perfect solution to anyone's holidaying requirements... mine included... but I did just think that it made a significant break - from a concept and design perspective - from the traditional UK caravan market.
Sorry, I retract crappy.
Manufacturers across Europe have budget vans that don't carry the traditional British caravan interior decor baggage (which is pretty much a thing of the past anyway). Much more expensive models in the Swift range (and from other marques) can be had for far less, particularly at the end of the season run out as next years models hit the pitch. It didn't seem good value to me. I appreciate V8 doesn't really like caravans, so I can see the appeal, I do actually quite like it. Swift look to be copying the original Basecamp with this, same target demographic.
Manufacturers across Europe have budget vans that don't carry the traditional British caravan interior decor baggage (which is pretty much a thing of the past anyway). Much more expensive models in the Swift range (and from other marques) can be had for far less, particularly at the end of the season run out as next years models hit the pitch. It didn't seem good value to me. I appreciate V8 doesn't really like caravans, so I can see the appeal, I do actually quite like it. Swift look to be copying the original Basecamp with this, same target demographic.
Balmoral said:
Sorry, I retract crappy.
Manufacturers across Europe have budget vans that don't carry the traditional British caravan interior decor baggage (which is pretty much a thing of the past anyway). Much more expensive models in the Swift range (and from other marques) can be had for far less, particularly at the end of the season run out as next years models hit the pitch. It didn't seem good value to me. I appreciate V8 doesn't really like caravans, so I can see the appeal, I do actually quite like it. Swift look to be copying the original Basecamp with this, same target demographic.
Manufacturers across Europe have budget vans that don't carry the traditional British caravan interior decor baggage (which is pretty much a thing of the past anyway). Much more expensive models in the Swift range (and from other marques) can be had for far less, particularly at the end of the season run out as next years models hit the pitch. It didn't seem good value to me. I appreciate V8 doesn't really like caravans, so I can see the appeal, I do actually quite like it. Swift look to be copying the original Basecamp with this, same target demographic.
Fair comment.
V8mate said:
Balmoral is being ridiculously PH by suggesting that it's a 'crappy budget caravan' because it is clearly everything but. The thought and attention to detail is bleedingly obvious. And deriding lifestyle is bizarre - lifestyle sells everything these days, and there are key things such as a large fridge for such a small overall unit, which play straight into the appeal for the kind of people who might be interested in this.
As I said in the OP, my starting position is that I wouldn't be seen dead dragging a caravan around with me, so telling me that I can have a big one for a fraction of the price is of no value whatsoever. Even photos of caravan interiors - with their puffy soft furnishings and garish covers - make me cringe. Maybe I was murdered in one in a previous life.
And eighteen grand doesn't buy anything in the campervan market. I did quite a bit of analysis regarding a self-build and any which way, the budget came out around £30k.
I'm not saying this Basecamp thing is the perfect solution to anyone's holidaying requirements... mine included... but I did just think that it made a significant break - from a concept and design perspective - from the traditional UK caravan market.
But apart from utterly ignoring your main point, failing to answer the question properly & displaying a complete lack of knowledge of the camper van market...how was my answer? Ahem....sorry 'bout that...As I said in the OP, my starting position is that I wouldn't be seen dead dragging a caravan around with me, so telling me that I can have a big one for a fraction of the price is of no value whatsoever. Even photos of caravan interiors - with their puffy soft furnishings and garish covers - make me cringe. Maybe I was murdered in one in a previous life.
And eighteen grand doesn't buy anything in the campervan market. I did quite a bit of analysis regarding a self-build and any which way, the budget came out around £30k.
I'm not saying this Basecamp thing is the perfect solution to anyone's holidaying requirements... mine included... but I did just think that it made a significant break - from a concept and design perspective - from the traditional UK caravan market.
Balmoral said:
Very smart. $36,000 (c.£27,000) though.Reading through the various pages about the Airstream, my eyes fell on this image. Before I'd moved to read the caption I had a 'Eureka!' design moment: these little caravans should have super-strong cables - secured to the chassis - which can be pulled from an aperture to allow bikes to be locked to them overnight.
ETA: That exchange rate pricing^ tells too simplistic a story. Airstream Europe charge €53,897 for it
Edited by V8mate on Tuesday 9th January 14:25
So you won’t tow a caravan, but you will tow a Basecamp! Still a caravan, just aimed at the Trendy adrenaline junkies in their Lycra and expensive mountain bikes.
I know someone whose just bought one, looks fine, but you pay the same/more for less than a normal caravan.
I swore I’d never get one....10 years on and getting over the imagined stigma (all in my head) now on our 3rd.
I know someone whose just bought one, looks fine, but you pay the same/more for less than a normal caravan.
I swore I’d never get one....10 years on and getting over the imagined stigma (all in my head) now on our 3rd.
I think they're a good introduction for people who've never towed, or even owned a caravan before. We've gone back and forth on the idea of a 'proper' campervan, VW conversion, or caravan a few times. Putting aside the image issues, one of the things which puts me off a caravan is that I've never towed before, so something small like this would be an ideal starter.
Being smaller it also has the advantage or requiring less storage space, and you don't exactly need "towcar of the year" to pull it. In fact I believe some Fiesta sized cars might be capable (although probably not ideal).
Being smaller it also has the advantage or requiring less storage space, and you don't exactly need "towcar of the year" to pull it. In fact I believe some Fiesta sized cars might be capable (although probably not ideal).
Expensive way of caravanning but I can see the appeal to those who don’t want a conventional-sized ‘van and want something cool looking. However, if I was in the market for something like this I’d be very wary of buying Swift. When we were looking to buy a campervan we were appalled at the poor build quality of Swifts (and a lot of other British-built vans). Flimsy fittings and poor finishes, and their after-market service is dreadful according to many owners (just Google).
Our swift has been fine. Albeit second hand, maybe all the problems have been fixed?
Not sure if everyone respects the fact that to keep weight down things are not as robust as in the home.
Haven’t looked in new vans for a couple of years now but didn’t like the gloss look Swift went for a while a go.
Not sure if everyone respects the fact that to keep weight down things are not as robust as in the home.
Haven’t looked in new vans for a couple of years now but didn’t like the gloss look Swift went for a while a go.
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