Buy a Hymer, they said...

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Discussion

agent006

Original Poster:

12,029 posts

263 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
..Cobblers, I said. How much better can they really be?

We're taking next year off to go fulltime travelling, UK and europe. We had looked at all sorts of motorhomes, and had settled on a 2003-06 model AutoTrail Chieftain. Exactly the layout we wanted and seemed fairly sturdy and the stock seems generally well looked after. Looked at a few, almost bought one. I honestly couldn't understand how something could be better quality than this.

Then we looked at a 2004 Hymer B774 yesterday.

My word. When people say that you should look at the top end Euro makes, especially Hymer, over a British built motorhome; they really do mean it. I hadn't grasped just how much better it could be. The quality of materials, the fit and finish is just exceptional. This one has been well used but it's practically brand new compared to an AutoTrail of the same age. It's like every component has been picked out of the other end of the catalogue price list compared to what AutoTrail use.

So, somewhat unsurprisingly we're now the owners (well, deposit down) of a rather rare RHD low garage, no front bed, Hymer B774.

There's a few jobs to do, mainly converting the rear single beds into a double, but that doesn't look especially difficult. I'm not dead keen on how low the front suspension sits so it might get treated to a set of stronger springs. Also the fresh tank level sensor is duff.
We'll also get the weight plated up to 4850kg which is apparently just a paperwork exercise for one of these. It's 3900kg "empty" now according to the seller, weighed with 1/4 tank of fuel, no water, but garage full of the tables, chairs, ramps etc that stay in it.




croyde

22,709 posts

229 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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I sometimes think of getting one of these as I can easily afford one but can't possibly buy a house.

I even peruse the forums of people in motor homes who just park up and live then move on a bit.

The Hymers look a good bit of kit and amazing use of interior space.

Enjoy.

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
croyde said:
I sometimes think of getting one of these as I can easily afford one but can't possibly buy a house.

I even peruse the forums of people in motor homes who just park up and live then move on a bit.

The Hymers look a good bit of kit and amazing use of interior space.

Enjoy.
You're not the only one - if only I could find space in central London to leave one laugh

kurt535

3,559 posts

116 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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Hymers rock!!

Sadly my budget and space is only extending to a caravan smile

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
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Congratulations! smile

I think my happiness with my previous Hymer is well known on here, but they truly are awesome machines and I also struggle to work out why people spend similar (or huge amounts more) on new British van when the right Hymer purchased can be almost depreciation proof and a lot higher quality.

Enjoy!

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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That looks amazing! I can echo the above statements in relation to quality.

We looked at many different brands (Roller team mainly) as potential new purchases. (Around 40k and Would have had to finance) The quality just didn't seem up to much at all. I imagine the feeling of a new van is great but after 3-4 years once the new smell has worn off you're not left with much.

Dad gave us his 93 Hymer Camp and the quality of the fixtures and fittings inside is fantastic. All of the interior cupboards are made of solid wood as opposed to laminate and nearly everything still works. It stays remarkable cool in hot weather too so the insulation must be good.

Absolutely love the thing! Its by far the best thing i've ever owned.



Please blog about your full timing escapades. Its something that I would love to do (Maybe not in this particular van) however the wife and cats need some convincing.

croyde

22,709 posts

229 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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Also some pictures of the inside would be greatly appreciated.

Can we be so rude to ask the price you paid.

I'm 55 and tempted to blow my useless pension pot on one.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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If OP doesn't want to share, I'm happy to re: my previous Hymer (Harry). A 2001 Hymer B640 Starline on a Merc 416CDI - sold for £25k privately with 44k on the clock.

Cost me usual maintenance and upkeep but got back what I bought it for after 2.5yrs.

V40TC

1,994 posts

183 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Take time to look at the ones for sale though.
rear chassis extensions are not Glavanised, and rooflight sealant to roof can fail.
little jobs taken care of will protect your investment and not let you down.
Overall they are great vehicles and a pleasure to spend time in when away from Home.
Our BSL544 07plate returns similar consumption figures to our Freelander.
yet is cheaper to Tax and Insure.

agent006

Original Poster:

12,029 posts

263 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Sale is still in progress (service, MOT etc), so I'll spill the beans price wise once it's safely on my drive.

I'm pondering a blog type thing, so here may well be the easiest way of doing that. I don't care for a lot of PH these days but this little corner of it seems really rather pleasant, and a damn sight nicer than most dedicated motorhome forums.

Here's a few pretty rubbish inside photos from the original advert. I'll get some better ones once it's home.








anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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That looks fantastic!

Full timing should be a breeze smile

Out of interest what does yours weigh? (I passed my test post 97 so guessing prior to an upgrade i'll have to take a C1 test)

agent006

Original Poster:

12,029 posts

263 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
It's rated for 4500kg, and the seller reckons it's just shy of 4000 with minimal gubbins in it and no water.

I've also got a post '97 license, but I'm doing C instead of C1 as it's barely any more expensive and a bit more useful in the future.

smifffymoto

4,527 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
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No doubt it is a lovely camping car but how will you fare on the continent. Narrow roads,weight limits etc.
The length and double axle being the most problematic.

agent006

Original Poster:

12,029 posts

263 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
quotequote all
It's a compromise. To have enough space to not go insane, we might not be able to get down some tiny lane or through some narrow village. We should be able to get to most places though. If we can't get somewhere then we'll stop where we can and walk or cycle up to wherever.
There seem to be cutoffs for various things at 6 and 8 metres. That's an advantage of this over the AutoTrail as it's 7.7m rather than 8.4 which should save us a lot on ferries. The double axle restriction mostly affects caravans not motorhomes.
Plenty of people could do this in a VW camper, but that's just not us.

We also needed to consider that we'll be living our normal life in the UK in this for a good 6-8 months in total either side of being away (6 weeks before, and long enough to find and buy a house afterwards), so a bit more space will really help.

croyde

22,709 posts

229 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
quotequote all
Can't tell from pics but is it a 2 berth or 4?

agent006

Original Poster:

12,029 posts

263 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
quotequote all
It's a 2 berth. Most of them are 4, with a dropdown bed above the cab. I'm told this is one of two RHD with this layout.

smifffymoto

4,527 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
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Twin axles are just not as manouverable and the rear axle scrubs alot,thats all.
Still a nice camping car though.

croyde

22,709 posts

229 months

Friday 29th September 2017
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Had a look on eBay and found a place local to me that hires out 2 Hymers. 1 a 5 berth and the other a 6.

650 a week high or low season.

Time for a tryout methinks.

CardinalFang

639 posts

167 months

Monday 2nd October 2017
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croyde said:
Had a look on eBay and found a place local to me that hires out 2 Hymers. 1 a 5 berth and the other a 6.

650 a week high or low season.

Time for a tryout methinks.
Try "Hire a Hymer" in Milton Keynes/Bucks, if you're around the midlands. We used them a couple of weeks ago - first timers, trying to decide between a Motorhome & Caravan sometime in the future so thought we'd try before we bought. Great people to deal with: they have introductory tours of their units on Youtube, for novice idiots like ourselves.. They have around 17 motorhomes - vintage & (relatively) modern. We took "Blinky" up to "The Good Life Experience" festival in Flint/Cheshire. Unit was around 20 yrs old (classed as part of their modern fleet), 6 berth, 185k km on the clock, mercedes chassis & felt solid as a rock. Not one squeak or rattle - every fixing, clip, hinge, door, lock etc worked perfectly - fantastically well made bit of kit.Only downside for us was the layout. We chose a 6 berth just so there'd be no chance of us getting in each others way, even though we were just 2 adults & a medium sized dog. Berths 5 & 6 were made from the dining area just behind the cab, which meant there was a solid bulkhead behind the passenger seat. It made the "hallway/sitting room/Dining area" feel cramped as you walked in. Think I'd go for the open plan swivel captains chair/dining area layout next time. (We had a nose around another van on site & that layout just felt more spacious). Immediately re-booked for next year though & sorely tempted to do a Tour de France trip with them too. 100% recommended. Happy to answer any questions...

oblio

5,401 posts

226 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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smifffymoto said:
Twin axles are just not as manouverable and the rear axle scrubs alot,
Can you explain what you mean?

I have been driving our twin axled Comanche for 3 years now. It is 8.7m long.

Handling-wise - it corners as if on rails: very steady on the road...much more so than the single axled Bessacarr I had before.

MPG - we just got back from 4 weeks in the NL and Germany and did 1,815 miles at 29.3mpg. We average around 27 with mixed driving.

Speed limits - 50 on SCs; 60 on DCs; and 70 on MWays in the UK. You can also use the 4rd (or 4th or 5th etc) lane as you would in a car. You will need to check in foreign countries as you would normally do however I tend to stick to 97kph/60mph on duals and Mways abroad unless all traffic is signalled to go at a lesser speed. You will find maximum speed limits on some duals/Mways for over 3.5t vehicles but just use your common sense on these roads. On the basis that it is difficult to consider whether a MH is over; on; or under 3.5t to your average layman, I tend to just stick to my normal 60mph (unless unsafe to do so)

No issues going down small roads as its width is standard (c.2.3m). Best to check with sites on your length before you book...just in case.No sites have ever refused us because we have a twin axle. Very few sites have refused us due to length either.

If we were going to full time we could easily do it in our MH as it affords a fixed rear bed; twin couches in the front lounge; c.1 tonne payload; and plenty of storage.

Nice one OP - like others, I am jealous smile