n.e.c show 2012
Discussion
As some of you will know its the big caravan/motorhome show next week at the n.e.c in birmingham.
If any threadists are attending i will be on the elddis motorhome stand wearing a daft tartan waistcoat,please feel free to say hello,offer moral support and alka seltzer if its in the morning!
If any threadists are attending i will be on the elddis motorhome stand wearing a daft tartan waistcoat,please feel free to say hello,offer moral support and alka seltzer if its in the morning!
If you want to see literally everything there is on the market in one place its the only place to do it,totally mind blowing if your just browsing though!
Surely take a notepad and scam it as a bonafide worktrip rather than camper porn garlick,plenty of pretty airstreams and the weird vw double back slide out camperwagon to photo.
Surely take a notepad and scam it as a bonafide worktrip rather than camper porn garlick,plenty of pretty airstreams and the weird vw double back slide out camperwagon to photo.
I went yesterday. It was a tenner entry, and free for kids up to 16yo which I thought was good. I thought I'd get stung by the car parking charges (up to another tenner depending on the particular show) but that was free, which I also thought was good.
Anyway, there was lots to view. I had thought it was camping and caravanning but it was more caravanning (including motorhomes) so my bringing with me a couple of avid campers wasn't the best idea I've had, although they did enjoy it.
I managed to find 4 brands of caravans with the specifications I'm after so I am going to need between £18K and £25K plus whatever accessories are essential. I don't think I was totally prepared for the accessories prices though.
I've worked out I don't need an awning, despite everyone thinking I do. I agree that they add so much more ground space/storage but my whole reason for moving away from camping is the quick set-up and break-down timeframes. I'm basically sick of tents. I quite like the roller awnings (no sides) to give some relief from the sun or rain as you enter/exit the van but that's about as far as I'd take it I think.
So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
I like the Elddis at the "grand" end of the range but I think the Swift is OK too. I am going to look at newish 2nd hand first because I recognise that I might get a load of extras thrown-in, and as I'll be caravanning with the kids but WITHOUT my wife, I suppose I need to make it as economical as possible.
The show was good - first time I've been. Kids loved the opportunity to get into the caravans, and the Broad Lane (Studley) stand had their kids-sized caravan all polished-up. It was hard to get them out of that one.
Anyway, there was lots to view. I had thought it was camping and caravanning but it was more caravanning (including motorhomes) so my bringing with me a couple of avid campers wasn't the best idea I've had, although they did enjoy it.
I managed to find 4 brands of caravans with the specifications I'm after so I am going to need between £18K and £25K plus whatever accessories are essential. I don't think I was totally prepared for the accessories prices though.
I've worked out I don't need an awning, despite everyone thinking I do. I agree that they add so much more ground space/storage but my whole reason for moving away from camping is the quick set-up and break-down timeframes. I'm basically sick of tents. I quite like the roller awnings (no sides) to give some relief from the sun or rain as you enter/exit the van but that's about as far as I'd take it I think.
So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
I like the Elddis at the "grand" end of the range but I think the Swift is OK too. I am going to look at newish 2nd hand first because I recognise that I might get a load of extras thrown-in, and as I'll be caravanning with the kids but WITHOUT my wife, I suppose I need to make it as economical as possible.
The show was good - first time I've been. Kids loved the opportunity to get into the caravans, and the Broad Lane (Studley) stand had their kids-sized caravan all polished-up. It was hard to get them out of that one.
Did you get chance to check out these Eterniti slide out models?
Not a caravaner myself, but these looked good and prices looked competitive considering the equipment they came with.
The double door system would work great with young kids, straight off the beach and into the shower.
http://www.eterniti-caravans.com/index.html
Not a caravaner myself, but these looked good and prices looked competitive considering the equipment they came with.
The double door system would work great with young kids, straight off the beach and into the shower.
http://www.eterniti-caravans.com/index.html
Watchman said:
I've worked out I don't need an awning, despite everyone thinking I do. I agree that they add so much more ground space/storage but my whole reason for moving away from camping is the quick set-up and break-down timeframes. I'm basically sick of tents. I quite like the roller awnings (no sides) to give some relief from the sun or rain as you enter/exit the van but that's about as far as I'd take it I think.
So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
Did you see a Adria 542DT? (google it). Its what we have and is a brilliant layout - it sounds like it might suit. Its at the cheaper end of the range so you miss some of the snazzy features but its dirt cheat and you can add on bits and pieces which you actually want.So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
Also of the same opinion with an awning. We've had ours 2 years and bought a small awning. Never ever used it! Plenty of room in the van if the layout suits.
They had one of those eternitis in the entrance,looked quite cool but was too pished in the morning and knackered in the evening to bother looking at it,our caravan boys reckon they are pretty nifty tho.
On the elddis front n coming from someone who spent the week selling em the top end ones might be snazzily decored and speccd if u look through it there are better built vans for the cash.
On the adrias we sell them too,in motorhomes they are considered superior to elddis n look through the bling and the caravans are a better built product.
Either way tho if your not going to hammerit then neither will let you down.
Lots of business done at the show,felt like the old days again,one of our caravan boys sold 9 on saturday,9! I couldnt do 9 order forms in a day!
On the elddis front n coming from someone who spent the week selling em the top end ones might be snazzily decored and speccd if u look through it there are better built vans for the cash.
On the adrias we sell them too,in motorhomes they are considered superior to elddis n look through the bling and the caravans are a better built product.
Either way tho if your not going to hammerit then neither will let you down.
Lots of business done at the show,felt like the old days again,one of our caravan boys sold 9 on saturday,9! I couldnt do 9 order forms in a day!
Watchman said:
I managed to find 4 brands of caravans with the specifications I'm after so I am going to need between £18K and £25K plus whatever accessories are essential. I don't think I was totally prepared for the accessories prices though.
I've worked out I don't need an awning, despite everyone thinking I do. I agree that they add so much more ground space/storage but my whole reason for moving away from camping is the quick set-up and break-down timeframes. I'm basically sick of tents. I quite like the roller awnings (no sides) to give some relief from the sun or rain as you enter/exit the van but that's about as far as I'd take it I think.
So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
Whats a granny bunk? Sounds a bit like the spec I think I want, although more likely to buy second hand in a year or two. So wnat to know what models are being made now so I can find the right ones then!I've worked out I don't need an awning, despite everyone thinking I do. I agree that they add so much more ground space/storage but my whole reason for moving away from camping is the quick set-up and break-down timeframes. I'm basically sick of tents. I quite like the roller awnings (no sides) to give some relief from the sun or rain as you enter/exit the van but that's about as far as I'd take it I think.
So, I'm after a 26footer (or as close as is possible), with end bathroom, 2 fixed bunks, a "granny" bunk and the usual sofa converted to double bed.
GAjon said:
Did you get chance to check out these Eterniti slide out models?
Not a caravaner myself, but these looked good and prices looked competitive considering the equipment they came with.
The double door system would work great with young kids, straight off the beach and into the shower.
http://www.eterniti-caravans.com/index.html
I wonder what some sites make of the twin axle versions of those with the pop outs? Would seem to be specially suitable for those living in their vans all year.Not a caravaner myself, but these looked good and prices looked competitive considering the equipment they came with.
The double door system would work great with young kids, straight off the beach and into the shower.
http://www.eterniti-caravans.com/index.html
Thinking further how does the pop out work on most sites, wouldnt it be encroaching on the neighbouring pitch?
GAjon said:
NHW, as a professional, are you able to offer an unbiased opinion of the Hobby motorhomes.
Specifically the Toscana 750 exclusive UK model?
Hi GAjon, the Hobby is a cracking van with a great finish,good looks and top build quality.Specifically the Toscana 750 exclusive UK model?
There are a few different 750s, I presume the UK exclusive one is the one with the U shaped lounge with the drop down bed above it?
As we know its only the Brits who like U shaped lounges due to our rubbish climate meaning more time in the van so the Hobby takes a British layout and adds German quality and storage potential which really should be a winner.
We get the odd Hobby through in swap and rarely have a problem with them, damp is very rarely a problem and they really are built like tanks.
Negatives-
PRICE! You get what you pay for but they are very expensive things which in itself isnt the end of the world but combined with the next negative it is.
They dont sell well. They are a bit of an expensive niche vehicle and they dont seem to be selling well, there are a few varying 750s heavily discounted knocking around on dealers forecourts which are 2011 models so these are obviously very hard to shift which really means that you either buy one of these at circa £60000 and be happy you've saved a fortune but have what is really a 2 year old van on the euro 4 engine or order a 2013 and accept that as soon as its registered its value drops circa £20k if the discounted new stuff is still around.
The only other bits that occured to me are that the drop down roof bed would of been much better over the front lounge as rear lounges easily make into a big bed and then you'd have a double at the back and front with a bit of privacy.
Rddy big table? German love to ruin U shaped lounges with a huge fixed table that takes up all the space,does this have one?
Finally they are big units so arent practical for easy touring in the uk and it'll be circa 20-22mpg.
Extra finally, they are very appealing to certain elements of person who may wish to borrow them without asking so a cat1 alarm,tracker,immobiliser and very secure storage is all a must,its not as big a problem as it used to be but its still an issue.
In short they are stunning vans and if it suits get it bought and one of the £60k ones is a lot of van for the cash,it is a unique layout and very novel,we sell the Adria Coral 670SU which are premium Europeans with a U shaped lounge and storage just for the uk market but they are smaller and more conventional with no drop down bed if a lot cheaper,if they did them with a front drop down bed they would fly out!
NHW, Thanks for your reply, very informative, and you clearly know your stuff cos your bang on the money in terms of the money.
It was the drop down bed model, it was the old 3ltr 160 HP model not the newer Euro 5 180 HP unit and it was 65K instead of 80K, but that was with full leather and the auto box options.
It did have the massive table, but it looked to me to be removable which would be OK.
It seems to me you've really got to know you want this van for a long term,
trouble is I do really like it.
Was impressed with both the Adrias and Autosleeper vans unfourtunately spent a lot of time serching for the wife who kept wandering off and getting lost, but the bonus was suggesting Weatherspoons for the rendevous point.
It was the drop down bed model, it was the old 3ltr 160 HP model not the newer Euro 5 180 HP unit and it was 65K instead of 80K, but that was with full leather and the auto box options.
It did have the massive table, but it looked to me to be removable which would be OK.
It seems to me you've really got to know you want this van for a long term,
trouble is I do really like it.
Was impressed with both the Adrias and Autosleeper vans unfourtunately spent a lot of time serching for the wife who kept wandering off and getting lost, but the bonus was suggesting Weatherspoons for the rendevous point.
Edited by GAjon on Tuesday 23 October 17:51
The provision of alcohol when shopping can be dangerous,we had a chap who cancelled a deal after last years show on the grounds that he was pished when he bought it!
The euro 4 3.0 is fine,when launched the sales line was more torque than a 911,dunno if that was true tho.
Drive the auto first tho,its a clunky robot manual and is ponderous from first to second and robs the engine of performance with odd changes,i like an auto ans for many this is better than no auto but its not for me.
Its got to be tempting at that price,the dealer will be gagging to get it off the books so play hard n screw em for every penny although thats already a huge wedge off,make sure the cab+hab warranties will defo start from the date of reg due to the age of the van.
If your lucky when the time comes to change it there will be no cheap ones around so itll look like you paid 80k for it which will help the depreciation.
Best of luck with it,if your in the northwest at any time pm me n i'll tell you where i work to pop in for a look around.
The euro 4 3.0 is fine,when launched the sales line was more torque than a 911,dunno if that was true tho.
Drive the auto first tho,its a clunky robot manual and is ponderous from first to second and robs the engine of performance with odd changes,i like an auto ans for many this is better than no auto but its not for me.
Its got to be tempting at that price,the dealer will be gagging to get it off the books so play hard n screw em for every penny although thats already a huge wedge off,make sure the cab+hab warranties will defo start from the date of reg due to the age of the van.
If your lucky when the time comes to change it there will be no cheap ones around so itll look like you paid 80k for it which will help the depreciation.
Best of luck with it,if your in the northwest at any time pm me n i'll tell you where i work to pop in for a look around.
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