Caravan and Motorhome show

[Fisherman]

To say I was disappointed with the show would be a massive understatement.
When I heard that they had sold out the show, I wrongly assumed that this was due to controlling numbers due to covid. But the 20,000 tickets sold each day amounted to a show with to many people viewing to few motorhomes on display. If you were looking at campervans, they dominated the show, there were well over 100 on show. I was interested in the Rapido V68 van conversion. We saw it briefly on Friday, and decided to get in early on Saturday morning. Well when we arrived at the gate at opening time on Saturday thousands were waiting to get in. They kept us all packed together for 15 minutes before letting us all in. So much for covid, as hardly anyone was wearing masks. We had wait to get into the van, and when we did we felt under pressure to get back out as folk were waiting. No chance to take measurements etc. i gave up with idea of doing a video.
I was totally unimpressed with the Rapido dealer, who seemed uninterested even arrogant about wether we signed up or not. We will still go for the van but not from them, but from a Scottish dealer, who have been very attentive, and willing to negotiate with us, even calling me before we left for the show.
The journey down took 7 hours due to road works, if we ever go again, it will be by train.

 

[GMJ]

Oh dear.

We are planning on going to the October one so i hope they sort themselves out by then.

 

[trevskoda]

To say I was disappointed with the show would be a massive understatement.
When I heard that they had sold out the show, I wrongly assumed that this was due to controlling numbers due to covid. But the 20,000 tickets sold each day amounted to a show with to many people viewing to few motorhomes on display. If you were looking at campervans, they dominated the show, there were well over 100 on show. I was interested in the Rapido V68 van conversion. We saw it briefly on Friday, and decided to get in early on Saturday morning. Well when we arrived at the gate at opening time on Saturday thousands were waiting to get in. They kept us all packed together for 15 minutes before letting us all in. So much for covid, as hardly anyone was wearing masks. We had wait to get into the van, and when we did we felt under pressure to get back out as folk were waiting. No chance to take measurements etc. i gave up with idea of doing a video.
I was totally unimpressed with the Rapido dealer, who seemed uninterested even arrogant about wether we signed up or not. We will still go for the van but not from them, but from a Scottish dealer, who have been very attentive, and willing to negotiate with us, even calling me before we left for the show.
The journey down took 7 hours due to road works, if we ever go again, it will be by train.

View attachment 106476View attachment 106480View attachment 106481View attachment 106482

Surly trains aren't allowed on the roads.

 

[wildebus]

That's a shame. I have watched a few videos from Youtubers at the show and it looked like it would have been good - but these were filmed pre-opening hours I think so all looked nice and quiet of course!

(Hey - there is a thought ... be a "YouTuber" and get in early to view. Of course you will have to still queue as there seems to be hundreds of videos of the show already posted!)

 

[colinm]

We decided to give it a miss, will most probably go to Peterborough show.
If you like the twin bed layout then I would suggest a Globecar Campscout like ours makes very good use of space.

 

[Biggarmac]

Anyone looking for a club to camp with at any of the Warners show CAMpRA will have a camping area. It would be great to see anyone there.

 

[FrednEthel]

We went in Thursday so as to avoid the big weekend crowds and it seems to have been a wise move. Disappointing that some of the big names like Hymer not there.

We are looking for a van with a pop-top plus a rear lounge (not a fixed bed). As rare as hen’s teeth and the only one we saw was an Elddis although I believe there are others on the market. Several others have the pop top and a fixed bed at the back but that won’t suit us. Almost tempted to buy one of those and have a converter alter the back. Why the fixation with the fixed bed?

 

[colinm]

AFAIK there are several UK built vans with rear lounge, but maybe not pop-top. As for why fixed bed, many people like us who have spent decades with vans like them (not everybody), remember the bed can be a 'chaise lounge'.

 

[Fisherman]

We decided to give it a miss, will most probably go to Peterborough show.
If you like the twin bed layout then I would suggest a Globecar Campscout like ours makes very good use of space.

Hi Colin, I did considered the globecar and have looked at it. It’s an excellent van, but the no oven thing really beats me. Why sell a van in the U.K. without an oven option. I had a list of musts and that was one I am afraid. I did not fancy a dealer retro fit either. We like a large fridge, oven, and large gas cupboard. It’s really all down to personal choice. But like you I would recommend your van.

 

[Fisherman]

AFAIK there are several UK built vans with rear lounge, but maybe not pop-top. As for why fixed bed, many people like us who have spent decades with vans like them (not everybody), remember the bed can be a 'chaise lounge'.

I agree, also I have slept on beds made up with seats and they are not as comfortable as a proper bed. Beds are made to sleep on, and seats to sit on.
Also as you say, it’s not just a bedroom, it can be a tv room, changing room, reading room etc. But it’s all about personal choice.

 

[colinm]

Hi Colin, I did considered the globecar and have looked at it. It’s an excellent van, but the no oven thing really beats me. Why sell a van in the U.K. without an oven option. I had a list of musts and that was one I am afraid. I did not fancy a dealer retro fit either. We like a large fridge, oven, and large gas cupboard. It’s really all down to personal choice. But like you I would recommend your van.

We only wanted a hob/grill and SMC fitted this for us, AFAIK they will also fit a oven, as part of our package several items where dealer fit.
From what I can make out the latest Campscout has a larger fridge option, we carry 2x13kg propane's in the gas locker.
We have been looking to get a van which gives us noticeably more space whilst keeping a relatively small footprint and retaining much of what we like about the Campscout, the best we have found is a Carthago compactline 143 A class.