British caravans
Comments
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while, I guess, you are only 'looking' and you dont need a full garage, please be aware of my earlier point regarding external storage access....
"...but there is no reason for any manufacturer not to provide sufficient room for ones 'stuff' and that includes larger/dirty items which, obviously, we wouldnt want being brought inside the van......bikes, bbq, boots, chairs, tables, ramps, leads, bucket,
washing line, windbreaks....."Elddis (some vans with no external access whatsoever) and, to a degree, Bailey (small openings) are not the best at providing large hatches to get to, say, underbed, space....for example, the new 2017 Autograph 75-2 (french bed) has hatch which looks to
be less than a foot deep.the one on our Bolero was at least twice this depth and that came from a number of customer complaints following their original letter box opening.
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We were at the NEC yesterday to have a look at the Knaus caravans, and may be would have been interested in the Starclass 695 with two single beds but they are not going to be in the UK untill next year, even to have a look at. They have the 690 on show
which looked a well made van, and the beds in the 695 are 5inches wider than the beds in our Elddis that we have at the moment. The Knaus have a high price tag but I think they look well made, and will last a life time.0 -
steve, can you remember the name of the model range?
the Approach Advance are (for Bailey) their 'slimmer' range, but are actually the same width as just about everyone else, at 2.35m.
the Autograph are unmistakably wide at 2.49m.
The one we liked was an Autograph, a fairly short version with no fixed bed and a rear lounge that converted to a huge double. It was designated the 68-2 but does not feature in their 2017. As I said the only real fault we could find was the ridiculous design of the cooker. The extra width certainly explains the palatial dimensions of the bed.
Just checked and it also does not feature on their web site. We talked with an agent about it and he did not mention anything about it being a special addition or anything. Very strange.
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while, I guess, you are only 'looking' and you dont need a full garage, please be aware of my earlier point regarding external storage access....
"...but there is no reason for any manufacturer not to provide sufficient room for ones 'stuff' and that includes larger/dirty items which, obviously, we wouldnt want being brought inside the van......bikes, bbq, boots, chairs, tables, ramps, leads, bucket,
washing line, windbreaks....."Elddis (some vans with no external access whatsoever) and, to a degree, Bailey (small openings) are not the best at providing large hatches to get to, say, underbed, space....for example, the new 2017 Autograph 75-2 (french bed) has hatch which looks to
be less than a foot deep.the one on our Bolero was at least twice this depth and that came from a number of customer complaints following their original letter box opening.
The Autograph we looked at had a reasonable height locker the full width of the van, with doors both sides. It was underneath the seat in the rear lounge, which runs the full width. It certainly would not accommodate bikes or loungers. However, we don't
take either of these and it would accommodate the outside chairs we use. As you say there is a lot to think about when you do not have the car for storage.0 -
I can't see there being anything other than big price increases for anything imported from the eurozone next year. I think this may be the time to buy now.
Possibly, but no way is Merkel going to say to the German car industry just before she is up for re-election "by the way boys we are going to make sure all that you produce is going to have a tarrif put on it so you cannot sell as many cars to those nasty Brits, of course it also means you will lose your jobs but the EU project can then continue. Thank you for your understanding."
Interesting times ahead.
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The Knaus Starclass two berth RRP is £3-4k more than the equivalent Bailey but they sold two while I was at the display. The chap who had just bought one was buzzing. I don't think he'd intended buying at all and seeing as it had only been launched for
a few hours there wasn't much time to do any research
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steve, can you remember the name of the model range?
the Approach Advance are (for Bailey) their 'slimmer' range, but are actually the same width as just about everyone else, at 2.35m.
the Autograph are unmistakably wide at 2.49m.
The one we liked was an Autograph, a fairly short version with no fixed bed and a rear lounge that converted to a huge double. It was designated the 68-2 but does not feature in their 2017. As I said the only real fault we could find was the ridiculous design
of the cooker. The extra width certainly explains the palatial dimensions of the bed.Just checked and it also does not feature on their web site. We talked with an agent about it and he did not mention anything about it being a special addition or anything. Very strange.
yes, not in any literature i have (what motorhome 2017 range previews) nor, as you say, on the website.
these models are actually for sale at dealers now so would have expected it to be documented.
all info states the Autograph range starts with the 7.5m '75-' models.
if i find anything, ill come back....
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Hope he checks the habitation door because on at least one of these Knaus caravans it opens across the vents for the fridge.
Not much good in hot weather
our tall fridge/freezer is next to the habitation door, but it hinges the correct way, away from the vents....
just looked at the Starclass photos and, youre right, the vents are behind the door but the hinges are to the rear of the door.
the alternative would be for the door to obstruct part of the lounge window if the door opened forwards, like ours does.....(opens fwds, it doesnt obstruct any windos, lol
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It opens across the wardrobe section on the two berth so he should be fine
The plans show three models with the possibility of the door obstructing the vents. All fixed bed models so I wouldn't have looked at them in any case but they'll be very interesting to some
That's something I'd never considered before so thanks for pointing it out
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It's just that I have camped in southern France in summer and know that you need all the help you can get. Perhaps not such an issue in Blighty (but it has it's moments)
I have seen adapted computer fans blowing air in at the top and a second reversed one sucking air out the bottom of fridge vents
I cannot be bothered so we carry a second compressor fridge for the essential cold Orangina, beer and wine.
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We have this on our Sterling, the door has to either open over the fridge vents or the side window, so of course it opens over the vents.
However it does sit quite a reasonable distance from the vents due to the door keeper, so has not been a problem.
We don't go abroad when it is very hot, and mainly use the fridge on electricity. Also as we have air con, we would be running that when it's hot and keeping the van door shut.
When we use gas, we just don't fix the door all the way back.
A caravan or MH is always a compromise, so it's a matter of which is the best compromise.
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, Hymer factory operatives ,,,,Clean & Smart
Bailey factoy operatives,,,,,Ragbag assortment of unsuitable clothing ??
.Plus trippy over floor .Different strokes for different folks !! ??
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I have seen adapted computer fans blowing air in at the top and a second reversed one sucking air out the bottom of fridge vents
That would be counter productive, hot convected air is trying to exit the top, pulling in cold cooling air throught the bottom; those fans would work against this.
My Hymer's door has off set hinges to space off the fridge vents, and the top vent is just above the door; I think the designers knew what they needed to do, and it works.
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I have seen adapted computer fans blowing air in at the top and a second reversed one sucking air out the bottom of fridge vents
That would be counter productive, hot convected air is trying to exit the top, pulling in cold cooling air throught the bottom; those fans would work against this.
Other way round then.
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, Hymer factory operatives ,,,,Clean & Smart
Bailey factoy operatives,,,,,Ragbag assortment of unsuitable clothing ??
.Plus trippy over floor .Different strokes for different folks !! ??
..Thats not the picture as seen during the factory tour we had at Bailey their LVs are made on the ax Jag prodution line,and the "back office" meeting i had today was "interesting"
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We have this on our Sterling, the door has to either open over the fridge vents or the side window, so of course it opens over the vents.
However it does sit quite a reasonable distance from the vents due to the door keeper, so has not been a problem.
We don't go abroad when it is very hot, and mainly use the fridge on electricity. Also as we have air con, we would be running that when it's hot and keeping the van door shut.
When we use gas, we just don't fix the door all the way back.
A caravan or MH is always a compromise, so it's a matter of which is the best compromise.
We have had this on the last two caravans but never had any problem with the fridge. Current one has the fridge on the other side so no longer a consideration.
I think the problem is more a result of some layouts and is not confined to any countries builders.
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, Hymer factory operatives ,,,,Clean & Smart
Bailey factoy operatives,,,,,Ragbag assortment of unsuitable clothing ??
.Plus trippy over floor .Different strokes for different folks !! ??
..Thats not the picture as seen during the factory tour we had at Bailey their LVs are made on the ax Jag prodution line,and the "back office" meeting i had today was "interesting"
But I copied the pictures from the Bailey's website are you saying that they don't reflect the true picture?
The move into the Australian market is very astute. Most of Australia' is Desert therfore no rain The leaking issues solved at a stroke genius.
Ps I believe the slide out versions are made in Australia not Bristol.
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I can't see there being anything other than big price increases for anything imported from the eurozone next year. I think this may be the time to buy now.
Possibly, but no way is Merkel going to say to the German car industry just before she is up for re-election "by the way boys we are going to make sure all that you produce is going to have a tarrif put on it so you cannot sell as many cars to those nasty
Brits, of course it also means you will lose your jobs but the EU project can then continue. Thank you for your understanding."Interesting times ahead.
The more observant amongst you might have noticed. I did ascribe the fall in the pound to any event that might have happened in the last 3 months, and if there was such a cause and effect whether or not, it was a price worth paying. Too political for me.
It is inevitable that prices will go up and because of the number of foreign components in U.K. Made vans they are going to become more expensive and European brands including Adria, Knaus are going to become a lot more expensive
IMHO.It is interesting to hear about the row between Tesco and Unilever over the 10% price increase attributed to the pounds depreciation.
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Attributed is past tense and the latest news(FT) is that Unilever is indeed being opportunistic which I why I posted it as a
question for further debate.Surely the place for that debate is in the general section?
I merely used the Unilever price increase as an illustration of how the exchange rate is likely to affect the price of goods. The goods in question being new Caravans, both British and foreign.
Ps I had a quick look on the Internet on 1 January the euro was quoted as being worth 73.71p yesterday (12 October ) apparently it was worth 91.17pence. That is according to my calculation a 23.7% depreciation
I don't think it takes a Nobel prize in economics to realise that stuff, imported stuff is going to cost Joe Punter i.e. you and me more and that is going to apply to the purchase of a. Beautiful Bailey or a Horrible Hymer, but
more so to the Hymer.0 -
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Attributed is past tense and the latest news(FT) is that Unilever is indeed being opportunistic which I why I posted it as a
question for further debate.Ps I had a quick look on the Internet on 1 January the euro was quoted as being worth 73.71p yesterday (12 October ) apparently it was worth 91.17pence. That is according to my calculation a 23.7% depreciation
Correction:
I made a mistake yesterdays value of the euro was 90.12 pence. This means the depreciation since the beginning of the year is only 22.3% makes me feel a lot better.
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Which is why a floating currency is such an advantage over the inflexible euro. No Greece like financial crashes requiring bale outs.
With such a competitive advantage British caravan manufacturers are able to fill their boots with export orders before the currency rises. But they need to get a move on.
Of course there are strong arguments for the currency to fall further as well as for it to rise.
Interesting times
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