The best built one you ever had.

crown green bowler
crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
100 Comments
edited November 2018 in Caravans #1

Got me thinking after reading about all the fault's in todays modern caravans and motorhomes.  I think the best we have had for build and being strong and solid was an A.B.I,  it was very small but with the awning up it was like being in heaven for my wife and myself and our two young children and our dogs, because were we went the dogs also came. That was about 30 years ago but we never had any problems with that van.smile

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  • Unknown
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    edited November 2018 #2
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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #3

    For us, our Shire Royalty 1992 coachbuilt caravan. Ali chassis, Alde heating, heavy but so well balanced you could lift the nose with one hand. 

  • Toro
    Toro Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited November 2018 #4

    We have had a couple of Avondales that were well built. The problem we had with one of them was promptly repaired by the dealer. Presently have a Sprite which has been good up to now (touch wood), and it has everything that we need on board. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #5

    Cotswold Windrush. We still have it!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #6

    Related to our Shire👍🏻

  • Landyrover
    Landyrover Forum Participant Posts: 143
    edited November 2018 #7

    We had a Piper 1400 bought way back in 1982, we had it for 20 years without a problem. It started as a basic van but over the years we added a fridge, mains electrics, water heater and gas heater all without a problem. Perhaps we were too quick to change it for a larger "super" caravan of which we are now on our third in 15 years and they have all been a problem one way or another.

  • Unknown
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    edited November 2018 #8
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  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited November 2018 #9

    2001, Hymer Swing, quite possibly the ugliest caravan ever made.  But almost indestructible and god knows I tried.   A German drove from Germany to buy it.  

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited November 2018 #10

    Slightly difficult question to answer, in that by "best"quite what is meant?

    By far the most quality of craftmanship then undoubtedly it was our Castleton Roadster HL built for us in 1991.

    If by "best" the best technology and execution of this, then our Hymer 545 of 2002 easily carries off that accolade. Plus a great 300 + kg payload.

    If by "best" we mean the best overall practicality package then our current 2008 Hymer 546 "S", but despite its luxury Hymer's still very good build standard had slipped a bit from 2002.

    Then if "best" includes maker/seller support, then our 1980 Gobur set an industry standard no one has yet come near matching. Folders have strengths and weaknesses the compromises that brought despite being a very well built van it was not as practical for our changing later life needs.

  • Unknown
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    edited November 2018 #11
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  • Unknown
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    edited November 2018 #12
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  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited November 2018 #13

    Neither of our Hymers have the door on the UK side. My view being once there is a proven workable design why then change it completely around, it brings few compromises and IMO only issues and potentially supply problems.

    Both made no compromises for the UK market other than swich to oue mains sockets, something at £5 & 10 minutes of my time each I could do DIY, and put in an Aquaroll compatible water system, again I question why?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #14

    Maybe that is why the German family we met at Hillhead were having so many build problems with their Hymer motor caravansurprised

    Now the Hymer group is in the hands of the Americanswink

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited November 2018 #15

    Certainly the Hymer we had with the U.K. side door was not of the same build quality as the other 2.  It was only as well built as an exceptional U.K. van.  Our vans get heavy use because we are out about 25 weekend per year. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #16

    Since retirement nearly all our LVs have been used extensively we have towed this year so far in the uk over 2000 miles on uk roadssurprised with 173 nights away all on club sites (except next w/endfrown) and that wiil be nearer 200 by end of year,and except for a nightmare problem Elddis, especially our current and previos Baileys have been (touch wood)trouble free

    The very best built van we have ever used was a very old Carlite that was owned by my  previos FIL who always towed it wit his equally old Bentleycool

     

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited November 2018 #17

    Of course if you were to the read the reviews in the club magazine you would realise that all caravans are perfect, and with the improvements made for the 2019 models, they are now even perfecter.  

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #18

    Hoping my next one will be the best, fingers crossed🤞🤞

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited November 2018 #19

    Good luck.   Of course some would say if it’s not a Bailey it will be rubbish wink

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #20

    The tank. 2007. Tubular steel frame. No other frills. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited November 2018 #21

    Always stuck with Lunar for Caravans never had a major issue with the most recent three, most problematic was an Autosleeper PVC.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #22

    Currently on our 8th caravan in 38 years, we've not had any major issues with any off them. None had damp, 3 off them were quite old vans. 

    How different our brand new MH, damp 3 times, floor replaced and resealed 3 times. Shower wall cracked, fridge replaced, hab step replaced due to cracking and leaks, door hanger replaced, front drivers side external panel replaced due to cracking . . . . . 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited November 2018 #23

    TG, don't tell JVB what make it was.....undecided

  • handsj
    handsj Forum Participant Posts: 117
    edited November 2018 #24

    We also had a 1980 Piper 1400 as our first family caravan and enhanced it with mains electrics, fridge etc. We never had any damp issues with that caravan at all and used it in a totally relaxed manner - BLISS!  All of our 4 subsequent British caravans have seriously leaked and caused problems one way or the other.

    In 2016 we decided to buy a nice new 'solid' caravan so that we could once again have peace of mind while enjoying our hobby.  What a BIG mistake! 

    So the little Piper was our best van to date.

    But watch this space as we now have a Knaus.

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #25

    Not another hymersurprised

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2018 #26
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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #27

    surprisedwinkcool

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2018 #28

    Just watching the Pilote owners next door trying to close the window blinds surprisedoh dear

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited November 2018 #29

    They were probably flustered and rushing, trying to stop you spying on them.  You know what they say more haste, less speed. 

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited November 2018 #30

    We've only had 4 caravans and we've had them in quick succession. 

    Our 2 Lunars have had the least number of faults and I'd probably say our 2017 Delta Ri just shaded it out of the 2.

    Our worst for number of faults was a 2016 Sterling Elite with 42 faults in 9 months.

    Our current 2018 Bailey Seville would be 2nd for faults, but it's the only one that's sat with dealership for anything longer than 1 week. 8 weeks and counting. 

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
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    edited November 2018 #31

    We also have a Knaus Starclass new this year.  Will report back in 12 months

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