Dreamer DSI Select anyone?

[gasgas]

Looking for a new(er) smaller panel van conversion I came across an advert for a Dreamer DSI Select, Transit automatic. The advert is from a magazine with an insert advertising the October 22 NEC show. Has anyone got one of these?
Actually I really want (ed) a Globe Traveller one of which was at the show and won best-thing-ever-including-sliced-bread award. No dealer in the UK even knows when they are going to get one so I trawled the manufacturer's dealer list throughout Europe. Not one of them has one for sale. One might wonder what point there is in spending drinking vouchers promoting something that is not available?


Psst. I did look through the Europe dealers, and the UK dealers, - if you find one an want to prove me wrong please let me know and I'll rush off over there and get it. And then find out what's involved in importing a forrin vehicle

 

[trevskoda]

Over 40 odd years of working in and out of the motor trade I would be inclined to stay well clear of ford, just my opinion, good luck.

 

[Fisherman]

Looking for a new(er) smaller panel van conversion I came across an advert for a Dreamer DSI Select, Transit automatic. The advert is from a magazine with an insert advertising the October 22 NEC show. Has anyone got one of these?
Actually I really want (ed) a Globe Traveller one of which was at the show and won best-thing-ever-including-sliced-bread award. No dealer in the UK even knows when they are going to get one so I trawled the manufacturer's dealer list throughout Europe. Not one of them has one for sale. One might wonder what point there is in spending drinking vouchers promoting something that is not available?


Psst. I did look through the Europe dealers, and the UK dealers, - if you find one a want to prove me wrong please let me know and I'll rush off over there and get it. And then find out what's involved in importing a forrin vehicle

Dreamer are a subsidiary of Rapido and only do van conversions. The one I personally like at 6m is the D55 also available from Rapido as the V55. I have ordered a Rapido D68 a 6.3m van with longitudinal beds. I would have preferred the Dreamer equivalent the D68 but there are no Dreamer dealers in Scotland. But if I was thinking of a 6m van I would look at the D55. With its separate shower and toilet on a 6m van it’s unique. And the cupboard doubling up as a shower is ingenious. But longitudinal beds were a must for us.

Heres the D68

 

[Drover]

Made by Rapido, we looked at them in the west country (highbridge or west country motorhomes) liked them a lot but there was over a 6 month waiting list for one... I wont buy anything I cant fiscally see, even if they have one like it on the forecourt.

 

[gasgas]

In the early 1980s I was specialising in Peugeot 504s. I was astonished to find that a 2 litre Sierra cost £6 less than a 2 litre Peugeot 504. For the life of me I could not see any reason why anyone would buy the Ford. Except pure and simple ignorance. I could list 100 reasons why the Peugeot was galaxies away from Ford in quality but that would bore a lot of you.
Fast forward to 1999 when I was manufacturing reversing sensors for Rover. I found that they had several divisions, small car and large car. The divisions never talked to each other. Large Car was better quality than Small Car. Similarly I found that Ford Commercial is better quality than Ford small car (whatever they are called).
A few years ago I bought my daughter a Fiat Sciento which of course went wrong. I diagnosed the engine management computer to be faulty. Fiat wanted £80 + VAT to diagnose it then a further £880 + VAT to supply and fit. She found a 'man in a shed' in the middle of the country somewhere that repairs them for £100 including VAT and including two years warranty. We took it there, they reprogrammed it and we returned to collect it. Daughter said she didn't like her Fiat going wrong, she was thinking of getting a Peugeot.
Mr Fixit said "You have already got The Most Breaking Down Car In The World. If you want The Second Most Breaking Down Car In The World get a French one".
'What do you suggest?'
"Get a Japanese one, made in Japan. We have never had a single electronic box in for repair for a Suzuki Swift"

Anyway part of me says that the commercial versions of any vehicle are going to be tougher than the domestic car versions.
Part of me intrinsically hates Ford for their past behaviour - first to do away with grease nipples, gearbox and diff drain plugs, carburettor spares, gearsticks that come away in your hand, narrow crankshaft bearings and big ends . . . . . . .
Part of me intrinsically hates Fiat for 'Fix It Again Tomorrow' syndrome and in the case of motorhomes, crappy dashboard designs only useful for holding bananas.
Part of me intrinsically hates Citroens - and by association Peugeots - they are French. Assembled by Galloise smoking, vino swilling couldn't-give-two-hoots factory workers of which I have had a £10,000 Rapido experience.


What I really hate about new vehicles is all the electronics. I don't need a lane departure warning, I have passed my driving test. I don't need automatic headlights turning on, I have eyes and I know when it is dark. I can kick the tyres, I don't need pressure warning things - which incidentally fail the MOT if they don't work. Or even if they do work but the dashboard says they aren't working.
I've just got rid of a new (at least, I regard 2006 as far too new for its own good) Volvo which passed the MOT test with flying colours on the brake tests. Howver because some stupid computer put a message on the dash to the effect that there was a fault with the braking system, it failed the MOT test. Yet another £1000 job just because of a stupid message. I took it to the nearest interested person and sold it for half what I had paid a year previously.
I bought myself a shiny beautiful 1983 Mercedes with no electronics that Faraday wouldn't recognise. It's fabulous.

What do you reckon of the current crop of manufacturers that make the base vehicles for motorhomes Trev? I trtemble to think that one day I might have to buy one. My current 2009 Transit Euro 4 has been reliable for 2 years, I have no complaints.

 

[1807truckman]

Made by Rapido, we looked at them in the west country (highbridge or west country motorhomes) liked them a lot but there was over a 6 month waiting list for one... I wont buy anything I cant fiscally see, even if they have one like it on the forecourt.

Talking to a friend who is MD of a Mercedes dealer and they are quoting 12 months for delivery of vans and 18 months for trucks.

 

[gasgas]

My problem with Rapido: I'll keep it as brief as possible.
In 2016 we bought a new £68k coachbuilt Rapido with a drop down bed.
The bed had an intermittent fault - it would simply refuse to function.
Brownhills were unable to fix the fault in three return visits.
They suggested I contact Rapido in France and get the workshop manual for the bed.
They did not say why they, as a main dealer did not have the workshop manual but instead that I should get one.
I contacted the Rapido factory in France.
Rapido told me to contact the chap in Italy in a company called Command 2000, who manufacture the electric bed mechanisms - which I did. He sent me the installation workshop manual for the bed.
After 4 hours of chasing the wiring diagram for the bed I found the fault. An 8 pin plug and socket connecting the bodywork wiring loom to the bed wiring was not pushed together properly. One of the flat blade pins was sticking out of the plastic body of the connector plug.
I wondered at the non possibility of the Rapido assembly worker smoking a Galloise with one hand whilst swigging red vino with the other, and pushing together a plug and socket, and not noticing a pin sticking out, clearly not connecting inside the plug.
I cut the wiring loom and soldered and insulated all the wires properly.
The bed worked. Hooo bloody ray.
By now the bed had failed to work on numerous occasions.
Then one day one corner of the bed fell down, luckily when I wasn't driving. I couldn't figure out how to replace it so off I went to Brownhills with a solicitors letter demanding my money back.
To my surprise Brownhills agreed and I, being a thoroughly pleasant chap said it was a manufacturing fault, although legally it was Brownhills responsinbility I would buy a different make from them. I chose one the same value and the salesman printed out an invoice. To my surprise they wanted £4000 something. When I asked why they said they would refund the Rapido but not the VAT. I said something beginning with B and ending with S and had a chat with my VAT inspector friend. He said they are obliged to refund the whole cost of the vehicle but they don't want to because they will lose the £4000 something VAT. They charge VAT on a new vehicle but there's no VAT on a used vehicle.
My solicitor said he will take the case but I must give him a deposit of £20,000 which will buy the first day in court. Then I will lose because The Law Is A Ass.
I chose to swallow a £6,000 loss, and buy a different make and vow never to have a Rapido again.

 

[Fisherman]

My problem with Rapido: I'll keep it as brief as possible.
In 2016 we bought a new £68k coachbuilt Rapido with a drop down bed.
The bed had an intermittent fault - it would simply refuse to function.
Brownhills were unable to fix the fault in three return visits.
They suggested I contact Rapido in France and get the workshop manual for the bed.
They did not say why they, as a main dealer did not have the workshop manual but instead that I should get one.
I contacted the Rapido factory in France.
Rapido told me to contact the chap in Italy in a company called Command 2000, who manufacture the electric bed mechanisms - which I did. He sent me the installation workshop manual for the bed.
After 4 hours of chasing the wiring diagram for the bed I found the fault. An 8 pin plug and socket connecting the bodywork wiring loom to the bed wiring was not pushed together properly. One of the flat blade pins was sticking out of the plastic body of the connector plug.
I wondered at the non possibility of the Rapido assembly worker smoking a Galloise with one hand whilst swigging red vino with the other, and pushing together a plug and socket, and not noticing a pin sticking out, clearly not connecting inside the plug.
I cut the wiring loom and soldered and insulated all the wires properly.
The bed worked. Hooo bloody ray.
By now the bed had failed to work on numerous occasions.
Then one day one corner of the bed fell down, luckily when I wasn't driving. I couldn't figure out how to replace it so off I went to Brownhills with a solicitors letter demanding my money back.
To my surprise Brownhills agreed and I, being a thoroughly pleasant chap said it was a manufacturing fault, although legally it was Brownhills responsinbility I would buy a different make from them. I chose one the same value and the salesman printed out an invoice. To my surprise they wanted £4000 something. When I asked why they said they would refund the Rapido but not the VAT. I said something beginning with B and ending with S and had a chat with my VAT inspector friend. He said they are obliged to refund the whole cost of the vehicle but they don't want to because they will lose the £4000 something VAT. They charge VAT on a new vehicle but there's no VAT on a used vehicle.
My solicitor said he will take the case but I must give him a deposit of £20,000 which will buy the first day in court. Then I will lose because The Law Is A Ass.
I chose to swallow a £6,000 loss, and buy a different make and vow never to have a Rapido again.

I have had issues with both of my vans I have owned. A chausson and a roller team. I fully expect the same with rapido. I spoke to a man with a £140,000 Hymer he had nothing but bother with in Cromer C&MC site. Probably every manufacturer has the same stories attached to them. Would I buy another Roller team, or a Chausson, if they made what I wanted yes I would.
But I take it you won't be buying the Dreamer then.

 

[NSY]

I once ordered an ex-display van from Brownhills. To be collected 2 weeks later after they had done a PDI & fitted a radio etc. A few days before collecting they said I could not have van. Why not? It had been reprocessed by finance company.

Anyone mad enough to think of buying from Brownhills please look into company history at companys house. They have changed the registered company name many times.

 

[Drover]

Talking to a friend who is MD of a Mercedes dealer and they are quoting 12 months for delivery of vans and 18 months for trucks.

I sort of remember them wanting £5k deposit and at least 6 months for delivery with what he reckons a £10k price increase. This was a fiat base.
Not a hope in hell of us doing that.....
If it's now 12 months it's all getting a bit silly
Off outside to hug a tree as touching wood might not be enough as I say..... we've not had anything serious go wrong with our 10 year old chausson....... built on a fiat

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Not a cheap van, I'd be looking for a used Fiat or VW for half that or less, I'd hate to give the VAT man a penny more than I have to, then lose a bundle more if it wasn't as good as assumed.

Highbridge Caravan Centre Ltd.

www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk

 

[Fisherman]

Not a cheap van, I'd be looking for a used Fiat or VW for half that or less, I'd hate to give the VAT man a penny more than I have to, then lose a bundle more if it wasn't as good as assumed.

Highbridge Caravan Centre Ltd.

www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk

Second hand vans are going for silly money pudsey.
To get a used van for half price you would be looking at a van at least 10 years of age or older. By the time we get our new van in the spring (hopefully), our current van will be 4 years old. But it has increased in price by £22,000 since we bought it. I hope to get my money back when trading in, but if I could be bothered selling it private I may make a small profit. Currently there’s a Rapido V68 for sale which is two years old selling for £5000 less than our new V68 van, but the spec is way lower than ours. Possibly next year things may get back to normal. Unless you are looking at an older van, you may be better off buying new if you are able to wait for delivery. If you want a van quickly you are looking at a second hand model, hence why the demand for them is so great right now.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A SECOND HAND VAN I WOULD HOLD OF IF YOU CAN. POSSIBLY NEXT YEAR 2024 THERE MAY BE A GLUT OF SECOND VANS FOR SALE BRINGING DOWN PRICES.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I think out newest van wa sa 2005 Kontiki in 2019 I sold that for £25k, sold my selfbuild twice and made great moeny each time, it's a sellers market until it blows up, which I think might be soon, the one we have now is priced at £5k more than we paid for it barking mad.

 

[trevexess]

Having been a motorhomer for over 40 years I could not agree more about my very local dealer Brownhills, why anyone would buy a van from them is beyond belief, there are too many stories over the years that just confirm the previous posts. However, I find that many other (local and National) motorhome dealers are just as bad, only interest really is to get that sale, the after sales service is non existant, being helpful is also non existant. I once asked a dealer if they were going to valet the 60k Hymer they had in the centre of their showroom as it was in such a poor condition, and he told me it had already been done !!!!!!! - Answer, stick to buying private, low mileage, looked after vans, my van is now 12 years old, less than 40k, never been to a dealer for service etc, always looked after by reliable independant people who care.........................................

 

[trevexess]

Looking for a new(er) smaller panel van conversion I came across an advert for a Dreamer DSI Select, Transit automatic. The advert is from a magazine with an insert advertising the October 22 NEC show. Has anyone got one of these?
Actually I really want (ed) a Globe Traveller one of which was at the show and won best-thing-ever-including-sliced-bread award. No dealer in the UK even knows when they are going to get one so I trawled the manufacturer's dealer list throughout Europe. Not one of them has one for sale. One might wonder what point there is in spending drinking vouchers promoting something that is not available?


Psst. I did look through the Europe dealers, and the UK dealers, - if you find one an want to prove me wrong please let me know and I'll rush off over there and get it. And then find out what's involved in importing a forrin vehicle

Try Globecar, had one for 11 years, not perfect but not bad.....................

 

[Forresbroons]

Try Ih, on our second one now, not cheap not perfect but for us pretty close.

 

[Fisherman]

I think out newest van wa sa 2005 Kontiki in 2019 I sold that for £25k, sold my selfbuild twice and made great moeny each time, it's a sellers market until it blows up, which I think might be soon, the one we have now is priced at £5k more than we paid for it barking mad.

I have been watching very carefully pudsey being in a position of probably trading in within 3-4 months. It’s reckoned that small campers and larger motorhomes will be first to drop, but not necessarily soon. Van conversions, A class, and smaller coach built are are in great demand. They will continue to increase this year, and possibly even next. Also auto boxes are in great demand.

The problem with campers is there are too many, and some have not been converted to well. You are better off with well known makes rather than small independents or self built. Obviously this is all subjective, but there is consistency in what I have been seeing.

I am fortunate Rapido yet again increased their prices but we are exempt having given a firm order before the price increase. Also the van we are selling a small A class continues to increase in price. Finger crossed

 

[coundonroad]

Having been a motorhomer for over 40 years I could not agree more about my very local dealer Brownhills, why anyone would buy a van from them is beyond belief, there are too many stories over the years that just confirm the previous posts. However, I find that many other (local and National) motorhome dealers are just as bad, only interest really is to get that sale, the after sales service is non existant, being helpful is also non existant. I once asked a dealer if they were going to valet the 60k Hymer they had in the centre of their showroom as it was in such a poor condition, and he told me it had already been done !!!!!!! - Answer, stick to buying private, low mileage, looked after vans, my van is now 12 years old, less than 40k, never been to a dealer for service etc, always looked after by reliable independant people who care.........................................

I bought a new Weinsberg from the Newark dealer just down the road from Brownhills, early last year.
I can't comment on SMC's aftersales particularly, as nothing has gone wrong with it, but I was slightly amused by references to their neighbour as 'Frownhills', 'Downhills', and 'Clownhills'*. Maybe not very professional, but it ties in with much of what one hears elsewhere...
*Only by minions of course!

 

[guerdeval]

I have a Rapido V55 with the ingenious (patented) wardrobe inside the shower arrangement and it works great, basically provides a full width ‘en-suite’ when the toilet door is used as a partition from the lounge. I can post pics of how it works or if you’re quick see it on EBay .

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I have a Rapido V55 with the ingenious (patented) wardrobe inside the shower arrangement and it works great, basically provides a full width ‘en-suite’ when the toilet door is used as a partition from the lounge. I can post pics of how it works or if you’re quick see it on EBay .

I'd love to see that please.