New Hymer Nova review
Finally our new Hymer Nova GL590 arrived and we collected it from Travelworld in Telford on Friday. Being about 3 hours from home in Hampshire, we're staying at the excellent CC affiliate site Stanmore Hall in Bridgnorth for a long weekend rundown.
We've been caravanning since 2006 and have had 2 brand new Baileys before this Hymer. Both Baileys were top of the range Senator and Unicorn models and we became very disappointed with the build quality. I'm not the "write and complain" type but I was annoyed enough with the poor quality and lack of true customer care that I wrote a letter directly to Baileys CEO. The lack of reply summed it up for me. As I own German cars we decided to check out Hymer. We liked what we saw and took the plunge, placing our order last September.
Aware that the product is considerably more that its UK counterparts, especially with some tempting and easy to pick options, (just like German car manufacturers), the caravan was about £8000 more that the equivalent UK offerings. So is it worth it?
I'm pleased to report that so far so good. It's longer and heavier that the Unicorn Valencia we've just sold, but that longer "A" frame makes a huge difference. We tow with a BMW X5 and even with the extra weight there's none of the choppy bounce previously experienced. It's incredibly smooth. I assume the reason UK caravans have a shorter frame is to lessen the shipping length. A poor sacrifice given the times this comes into play, unless you're on the Eurotunnel weekly. Anyway the towing experience is the best we've experienced to date.
Next the construction. For your extra £££'s you really do see and feel a difference. Everything from the grab handles and taps, to the drawers and jockey stick feels much better. Consequently it's easier to use and feels likely to last a lifetime. Small details such as every cupboard front has a locking catch to keep it from opening in transit. There's no sign of any loose wiring hanging down, no flimsy veneer ready to give up sticking in a few months. As any decent chef will tell you, to make the best dish use the finest ingredients. Same applies here. All the fittings are well sourced with quality and durability in mind. In a nutshell, it's bolted together beautifully.
The design is well considered too. Right next to the door is a shoe cupboard and a coat rack. The standard wet radiator central heating, (with optional underfloor heatng - shower tray included) is assisted by a built in warm air blower to get things hotting up a bit quicker. Ideal for when you've just pitched up on a cold February Friday evening. I like that they've thought about a separate access hatch for the under bed storage area. Also the external hatch for the same space has a large aperture so the aqua roll doesn't have to come through the living area. The built in water tank is a proper affair like in better motor homes. It's easy to fill and drain, also providing the toilet flush water, (no secondary filling and pink rinse fluid). There's a conventional aquaroll point to if you prefer. The best detail by far is the airing cupboard drawer located right above the heater unit. No joke, 2 to 3 wet towels toasty and dry in a few hours!
Make no mistake the Hymer caravans coming to the UK are all very much aimed at UK buyers with layouts we're used to and options we like, (panoramic roof is standard etc). Ours has a transverse island bed, and what a bed! You could get a pregnant elephant in it, come to think of it you could get an elephant pregnant in it!
All good news? There are some negatives but they're not major. We didn't like the standard net curtains, (very 1980's you know), so took them off. The washing up area is poor, but if you wash and dry at the same time it's done quicker, so more time for wine. It's quite wide too, so lanes are to be taken with extra care. And obviously the offside door can be an issue. We negotiated a little harder to get a factory fitted Truma automatic mover so that nosing onto pitch has a bit of reliability built in when required, (or more importantly, getting it off pitch!).
There's a market for people wanting something a bit special and being prepared to pay for it. We're not ready for an expensive motorhome and still like the freedom a caravan gives when you're using it. Until we are, I think this is about as good as we can get. You might think it's expensive, but given the finish and fittings together with its anticipated lifespan, the Hymer is quite a bargain actually! Now where's that corkscrew......
Comments
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We have had our Hymer 590GL since December 2015, so here is my just over a year impressions. Don't worry Bailey owners it is not completely perfect. I know some of you like straws to Grasp 😂
Lets start with the good.
Mainly as Bob says.
It tows beautifully
The coat hanging space by the door is a brilliant idea, I wasn't convinced when we bought it but it works brilliantly.
Warming draw this surprised us I we didn't realise we had one. I could understand why the draw I had claimed was getting hot. At first I assumed it was heat leakage from the boiler but no there is a convector place under the draw. Fantastic for warming plates as well as towels
The bed super comfortable and as said because it has a large entry hatch as Bob says you can fit in an Aquaroll from outside. It also pulls out on a frame and the mattress folds so you don't have to mess about with bolsters
All wiring and services are run in conduit or trays or otherwise hidden you really need to know where to look to find any wiring This is not a new concept our 2001 entry level Hymer swing was the same
All the cupboards and lockers have latches again so did out 2001 Hymer can't believe that any manufacturer would have provide lockers that don't lock. Additionally all the draws are soft close and they do work this wasn't a feature in 2001.
Alde heating System basically I think Hymer have just about ticked the complete option list maybe not quite but the van forced convector in the door way and the underfloor heating is excellent, the under floor heating is much appreciated by the dogs.
Front seats are really comfortable, although our daughter has said they aren't very comfortable made up into a bed. We told her we bought it for us not her so we don't care.
The Kitchen work space, there isn't any so it's not an issue Actually the table is permanently sited so can be used as work space (I was by myself when I first saw the van, and my main concerns were lack of work space, floor space for the dogs (we have 2 largish lurches) and oh yes we always said we would never have a fixed bed none of these have turned out to be a problem in reality Although I do not consider any fixed bed layout and certainly not a transverse double to be a family friendly layout
Opposite the bed there is nice big window it is great for looking out of on a sunny morning although the nets are useful so you frighten the horses
Drainage, All the waste outlets are run through traps just as they were in 2001 the shower had 2 drain outlets And it is run out side in rigid pipe which is on hangers to give it a fall to a single drain point behind the wheel Contrast this to the Bailey Olympus and Coachman vision either side of us in storage apparently water can run up hill according to these manufacturers
OK the bit you have all been waiting for The faults and problems we have hadThe jockey wheel dropped probably because I didn't tighten it However I think I over compensated and sheared off the handle. I have all the bits to sort this
One of the spotlights has failed. Good news the replacements are available from Amazon for less than £20 I actually got one from Amazon warehouse for £11.83 BTW these spots are dimable and I am not sure that is documented anywhere but you simply keep touching the button and the light will dim
The Alko wheel look receiver needed re-tapping
One of the sides of the shower fell off. They are held on with something called dual lock which is like Velcro on Steriods easy to fix
An over headlocker dropped at new year I noticed because the door wasn't completely parrelel to the next one Easily repaired and I have noticed that Hymer have slightly modified the bulkhead between the locker and false cupboard at the front to reinforce it I have asked my dealer to get the new parts for me I am not holding my breath
Finally, the real problem The sliding washroom door. The locking mechanism sticks and is a PIA and it does it on most of them I have seen Trouble is the door looks so good ( compare it to that on a Bailey or a Buccaneer) I could put a bolt in to lock it but I am living with it.
So is it perfect no am I glad we got it. Absolutely would I recommend one to someone Absolutely. Is there a British van that comes close in terms of build quality and ambience, if there is I haven't seen it
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We came to much the same conclusions in 2000, and with nothing from the UK builders worthy from a technical viewpoint of spending our money on, we took delivery in 2001.
We were seduced by a German spec "S" class in 2006 and had one built in 2007. Still delighted with it today.
Would like something new simply because it would be new, but they have made them too wide for our carport, and really for our 5 van site type of caravanning. Pity but still happy enough with this 10 year old one and not seen anything yet from the UK builders, that has a workable payload and a build technology even up to Hymer's vans from 2000.
Hope they transform Explorer beyond all recognition and that gets the others sorting their products and production out.
The UK can do "style" but unfortunately they forget that is but a minor bit of "design", and they don't even think about build quality.
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Thanks for all the really useful information. I can only dream of the problems highlighted by Boff. Sadly I don't have time to list all the problems with my UK caravan and dealer. You have inspired me to match my German car with a German caravan.
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when last at the NEC we wandered onto the Hymer stand....to check out the MH and stumbled across the Nova caravans....seriously impressed.
if ever we went to a caravan (not very likely) it would be a Hymer Nova or Eriba
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Back in 2004 we looked quite seriously at a Hymer Nova 470 before deciding on our Eccles Topaz. I could be wrong but I think they may then have had the door on the UK side then? At that time I thought the Topaz was visually a much nicer designed van and in fairness it gave us 6 years of trouble free use over 18000 miles. Having had a peak at the latest Hymer models they do look very smart, especially internally.
David
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I think that your are mistaken, I think the UK doors appeared 2006,2007 2008ish. Our 2007 Nova had a near side door layout. But as far as we are concerned having the door on the off side is a complete non issue and wouldn't play any part in our decision to buy.
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That's terribly sad for you as it is off your list on both accounts.
Such a shame as it has few real competitors in build quality, payload and if our earlier ones are any guide durability. The present one is now starting its tenth season.
I would certainly like to see more options with woodless main body construction, though coming with a workable payload and no ABS main integrity critical panels.
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Why I posed the doubt was that we wouldn't have considered it had the door been on the Continental side simple because of where we stored it. Perhaps that was the reason we rejected it?
David
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Good to read X-man you are stepping up to trial these new woodless constructions and if keeping it 7 years should find and be able to share with us any presently unseen issues buried in the details.
I am all for new innovative construction "where needed", and full agree a goal of removing reliance on timber for structural bits is a worthwhile aim.
Despite a lifelong involvement in innovation, I am a bit chicken myself and in the UK example I took an interest in I was left concerned the body had not the compliance built in to live with the chassis; time will tell. Plus, the attempt to widen the market appeal of the vans, left for us a dreadfully inadequate payload, compared to the 300 odd kgs our Hymers have offered.
Hymer's well proven bonded and polyurethane sandwich based construction is by definition "old", but being "old" does not necessarily mean it is flawed. Our experience suggests here it is the opposite.
I wait hearing over the years, how well the new woodless construction proves to be.
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I'm sure I'm like everyone else I work hard for money, so I choose carefully where I spend it. I am happy not to always go with the herd with my choices. Which may think is an arrogant statement. It's not it's self confidence. That fact I believe I get it right a lot more than I get it wrong now that's an arrogant statement!
People spend your money where you are happiest, it doesn't have to be on the same things or the same place as me.
Got go. Going to spend the weekend in the Hymer running a rally.
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Alutech has been around now since 2010, so is proven.
What is also proven is the venerability of the wood floor to water ingress, so hopefully the Swift HT models now in their 3rd year should have had the teething problems ironed out now.
If not I will have to use the warranty.
Hymer need to catch up to the UK IMO, joining with a company that uses no nails, but still has ingress problems seems a strange move to me.
I do miss the hardwood edges UK caravans use to get, and a proper built in sink unit with drainer, but those appear to be now only on the heavy expensive UK models, and I have no intention of running a large car just to tow one ten times a year.
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I looked at the Hymers on the web out of interest. The only layout for us is 2 berth with end bathroom which I see that Hymer offer now. For us there is a long list of dislikes. 1. Wood colour blended with grey upholstery - not pleasing. 2. Inadequate kitchen area. 3. Too wide and too long. 4. Far too heavy without buying a larger heavier car. All in all I hope we have done the right thing in ordering a Coachman. We take delivery next month so we will see.
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I would respectfully point out, that myself and Ocsid, have had several years experience of the inferior Hymer construction system. Where as some advocating other systems are doing it from a theoretical basis perhaps they would be good enough to report back when they have lived with and in these superior caravans.
I have never met Ocsid, but he has taken the time and trouble to answer what questions I have had and to share his opinions with me If anyone had any serious questions about Hymer I am sure he and I will answer as honestly as we can
Anyway I thought I would post a couple of pictures taken yesterday showing what people with caravans doing what they should be doing that is enjoying themselves and certainly in one of the pictures not a Hymer to be seen
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We have had six years of Alutec and when talking to other Alutec build owners only one has had a problem with "damp" and that was on an early model, when there was a problem in the two small front lockers ,but as is a known fact that people who do have a problem will moan, when the vast majority of satisfied owners say nothing,and the higher the output from manufacturers the more chance of a "complaint",it will be interesting what Hymer do at Elddis,
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Can't help feeling that the discussion using different techniques of construction has missed the point. Surely as far an owner who invests their hard earned cash is concerned, the most important objective is to have a caravan that is reliable and doesn't have to go back to the dealer on a regular basis to resolve problems.
I have no preference as to the design and use of materials, I just do not want to be on first name terms with my dealer. The real killers are variation, lack of quality assurance and control. My UK designed and built caravan has given me nothing but trouble. I know where I will invest my money next time.
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In the past some european builds were good,and as noted when pitched next to a German family a couple of years ago with a Hymer motor caravan ,which on their return to Germany was going to have to go back again ,third time, for more water ingress and poor workmanship even the oven had fallen out before.
I was doing the usual WH Smiths "browse" today in town and there is an article on the Nova in one of the c/van magazines and size for size plus high weight and high price with few of the goodies we in the UK expect,I will stick with the second of the "damp" free Alutecs that we have owned
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"Surely as far an owner who invests their hard earned cash is concerned, the most important objective is to have a caravan that is reliable and doesn't have to go back to the dealer on a regular basis to resolve problems."
I couldn't agree with this more. It is surely not unreasonable to expect a product fit for purpose. And should it fall short then the situation be remedied quickly and professionally.
I assume btw that JVB66 was referring to this.
Which were are the missing "goodies"?
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it would be interesting to see a 'real' tesing magazine like Promobil get to grips with an Elddis or similar....
uk mags cant seem to get beyond the colour of the upholstery
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When I was working in Engineering we had a golden rule - never buy a prototype. Unfortunately outside of work I was seduced by the prototype Alutech only to suffer sever damp ingress resulting in two return to factory repairs. It was a big problem for Bailey and dealers suffered with having to handle all the repairs. These were not just isolated incidents.
So, what I learned was that Bailey's problem was nothing to do with the construction technique it was poor quality control in the factory which I would think was due to the different working methods and lack of familiarity. Simply put, not enough mastic in the joints.
The fact that a caravan has no wood is not that relevant if water comes in. You will still end up with a damp interior, carpets, walls etc.
I would happily consider buying something that had massive innovation - after it had been in production for about three years and all the bugs ironed out.
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