Hobby Caravans, Any good?
Just giving them a thought
Comments
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Hobby seem to make their entire range available to order, but do not adapt the caravans in any way to suit UK tastes, which do seem to be different to German ones.
They are well made and last but the layouts tend to be different and the spec may be short for some things we expect, so you need to see if it works for you and make sure you have the extras you want or need.
You should also be aware that the make is favoured by travelers, and the theft rate of the larger ones is higher than average, which may be why one or two insurers will not cover them. I have also known of instances of doors and other bits being stolen, I did deal with a claim for one where all the soft furnishings were stolen. The lower spec smaller models are far less of a risk though.
There are suggestions some sites will not accept them but I have never seen proof of this.
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Lovely well made vans. I've had my eye on a couple.
There are sites that won't take them, you need to check the small print on some but you're fine on both club sites.
Wildwood I have come across a few sites that specify no hobby vans. (Also buccaneer, tabbert and occasionally fendt). Flamingo land is one
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What level of equipment do you want? Hobby vans are fairly basic and if you want all the creature comforts of a UK van it will add quite a bit to the base price. If you buy from a UK importer no doubt they will bring them up to UK standards of equipment but that will be reflected in the price. I would be careful of those advertised on the likes of E-Bay as you need to be certain of that they are what they say they are, previous ownership and age being important questions to ask.
David
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Maybe so but my understanding is that the starting point is basic but there is a long, long list of extras that can be added. Some years ago, when the Euro was introduced and Sterling stood at €1.60 to the pound (halcyon days!!!) many people went to Germany to buy their new Hobby's, usually from Joeressen's . However most people had to add what some people might think are essentials like a 12v system. So I am not talking about looks, which are in the eye of the beholder anyway, I am talking about basic in terms of equipment viz a viz UK vans. Now those sold by Ambergate might well come with higher equipment levels. Perhaps it's changed now but I have often seen Lutz comment on here that Hobby vans are the basic German caravan.
David
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If you stay in France, particularly at an ACSI site, you will see dozens of Hobby vans with Dutch owners. They are considered middle of the road in terms of quality and user appeal, not in the league of, say, Fendt, but thats very much down to individual taste.
They certainly used to be very basic and you see older vans having water filled from a watering can etc. 12 volts, carpet etc. used to be extra.
No doubt the ones on sale in the UK are presented to meet UK expectations with the extras you would expect.
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In 2003 we were staying at Camping Bella Italia on Lake Garda and mentioned to our Dutch neighbours that we had Dutch friends who had a Hobby van, as they did.
They invited us in to have a look and, to this day, it is the only van that has had us both say out loud WOW!
That was June and by the next April we had visited Holland to see friends, looked at the Hobby vans at Obelink and then bought a Hobby 495ufe from..........Joeressens. The exchange rate was app €1.5 at the time and made the van a great bargain.
We kept the van for almost seven years and cannot recall any problems, which was obviously a concern when considering it in the first place.
In regard to extras we did not bother and accepted that we would be restricted to EHU pitches which at that time was not an issue, and we even managed a weekend rally without hook up.
We are awaiting our third van since the Hobby, and have had great enjoyment from all, but good as they have been none have had the same effect on first site as the Hobby did.
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