German caravans
Discussion
Hi all,
Have decided to buy a van suitable for all year round year usage.
One thing I had decided on was to purchase a Hymer Nova +++. However, as I researched them, I realised Hymer own quite a few makes (Dethleffs) so that got me wondering are they all the same build - or are some better suited to winter over others?
Any pointers gratefully received.
Ty
Have decided to buy a van suitable for all year round year usage.
One thing I had decided on was to purchase a Hymer Nova +++. However, as I researched them, I realised Hymer own quite a few makes (Dethleffs) so that got me wondering are they all the same build - or are some better suited to winter over others?
Any pointers gratefully received.
Ty
Some are specifically winterised - my parents have a Fendt and it's got underfloor heating as well as heating (and aircon).
Fantastic things, the build quality is amazing, very solid feeling thing with lovely fittings and lighting. British made caravans fell very flimsy in comparison. As the poster above says - you see them at years old and they're like new, no damp and leaks.
They bought theirs from a dealer in Germany - did all the enquiries online, got a £17 SqueezyJet flight over to go and look at the dealership, the dealer picked them up from the airport and he and his wife took them to dinner. Put a deposit down and a few months later went back to collect it. Brilliant buying experience and they saved well over £7k on the UK price, however this was back before sterling went down the toilet. They even go back to the same dealer to have it serviced.
Fantastic things, the build quality is amazing, very solid feeling thing with lovely fittings and lighting. British made caravans fell very flimsy in comparison. As the poster above says - you see them at years old and they're like new, no damp and leaks.
They bought theirs from a dealer in Germany - did all the enquiries online, got a £17 SqueezyJet flight over to go and look at the dealership, the dealer picked them up from the airport and he and his wife took them to dinner. Put a deposit down and a few months later went back to collect it. Brilliant buying experience and they saved well over £7k on the UK price, however this was back before sterling went down the toilet. They even go back to the same dealer to have it serviced.
Ty all.
I've got access to a semi-permanent site on a place I love so am favouring a twin axle German leviathan on the basis I won't really worry about going to other places. I'll push to £10k max so guess a 2010/11 model is within reach.
The big vans seem to be dominated by Fendt/ Dethleffs (I've dismissed Hobby though). I like both but cannot find much info on which one stands up to UK weather and living in the best.
One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
I've got access to a semi-permanent site on a place I love so am favouring a twin axle German leviathan on the basis I won't really worry about going to other places. I'll push to £10k max so guess a 2010/11 model is within reach.
The big vans seem to be dominated by Fendt/ Dethleffs (I've dismissed Hobby though). I like both but cannot find much info on which one stands up to UK weather and living in the best.
One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
kurt535 said:
Ty all.
One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
If the fridge uses gas then I would do this. The fridge will use lots of the battery very quickly. One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
Not sure about the blown heating
The camping and caravanning club website has loads of info about it.
bristolracer said:
kurt535 said:
Ty all.
One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
If the fridge uses gas then I would do this. The fridge will use lots of the battery very quickly. One thing I need to square away is what size solar panel/battery rig I need to sort out to make use of the internal fridges, warm air, etc. There is electricity on site but sadly not on my pitch. I can hook into another person's outlet but being off grid does appeal, especially as we will use it a lot all year round.
Not sure about the blown heating
The camping and caravanning club website has loads of info about it.
kurt535 said:
And are the fixed beds worth it over a made up bed every night??
Caravan folk could argue for hours over this issue...Personally I have no problem making the beds up every night, it takes what, 5 minutes? I also enjoy the extra space of not having a fixed bed provides.
Some of my 'vanning friends however wouldn't entertain a van without fixed beds though.
I looked at a Dethleffs before I bought my present Coachman, it had a dark interior that made it appear gloomy inside (my wife's opinion...) but it was a solid, if heavy, van.
Deerfoot said:
kurt535 said:
And are the fixed beds worth it over a made up bed every night??
Caravan folk could argue for hours over this issue...Personally I have no problem making the beds up every night, it takes what, 5 minutes? I also enjoy the extra space of not having a fixed bed provides.
Some of my 'vanning friends however wouldn't entertain a van without fixed beds though.
I looked at a Dethleffs before I bought my present Coachman, it had a dark interior that made it appear gloomy inside (my wife's opinion...) but it was a solid, if heavy, van.
If its your first van go for the first one (ie cheaper one) . You will use it and decide what you dont like, and what format you really want. You will then loose less in depreciation!
Incidentally not tried running our van fridge on gas, but have a camping fridge that runs on gas and it chews through it. So you might only want fridge on whilst you are staying in the van.
Incidentally not tried running our van fridge on gas, but have a camping fridge that runs on gas and it chews through it. So you might only want fridge on whilst you are staying in the van.
Chrisgr31 said:
If its your first van go for the first one (ie cheaper one) . You will use it and decide what you dont like, and what format you really want. You will then loose less in depreciation!
Incidentally not tried running our van fridge on gas, but have a camping fridge that runs on gas and it chews through it. So you might only want fridge on whilst you are staying in the van.
Cheers ChrisIncidentally not tried running our van fridge on gas, but have a camping fridge that runs on gas and it chews through it. So you might only want fridge on whilst you are staying in the van.
Plan is to use solar on the roof...am hoping that will provide enough power
We have a Dethleffs van, rally Nomad 350, 2008 and had it when was 3 years old. We are very pleased with it, layout great- fixed bed and good seating in the lounge. Everything about it is quality and we have had no trouble at all with it, we use for steam rallies so has a tough life with rough fields, dirt and grandkids (!). Spares are expensive, I needed some exterior trim and was difficult to find. The vans are heavy but I don't use too much with the car, but tows amazingly well - big wheels and good tyres.
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