Motorhome and Caravan show NEC

[Boris7]

I’m going to the show tomorrow to view 2 vans I’m considering then also to have a mooch.

I’m Not much of a one for such events (comes from spending my life building them) so if any one going today sees anything particularly interesting please let us all know.

 

[colinm]

A bit late with seeing this, not surprising as we went yesterday so had little chance to reply last night.
Lots of the usual, for us was interested to see Possl, although they are basically the same as our Globecar.
A few tweeks to vans we are interested in, so something to think about.
A few 4x4 Sprinters, looked impressive outside, but no interiors to suit us.
A visit to Dometic stand may have saved us hundreds of pounds, more to follow in a few weeks.
Had to use shuttlebus due to gf's disc. It would seem after a couple of years of no autumn show they have completely forgotten how to organize them, or have they always been crap?

 

[Moped]

Gobsmacked that VW campers are now offered for between £60k to £80k when decent fully fitted panel vans can be purchased for similar money.

Whilst we have a Swift with alde heating purchased a few years ago they now seem a bit overpriced compared to the French, Italian and Slovenian competitors. Hymer is always hymer price wise.

Nothing really grabbed us so we will be keeping our van for a few years yet but…..

…..lots of interest in Chausson’s new drop down bed model with a clear partition screen between the kitchen and lounge and 2 van entry doors at the side and opposite rear corner. As a first motorhome well specified and very appealing actually!

Accessory wise had a coffee and chat on the camping club stand. Purchased a Quest Quattro Pro pop up gazebo to replace our tired example that owes us nothing, which our siblings will inherit for their garden barbecues.

The lightweight stools that you can sit on and carry around in your backpack or with the shoulder strap with a expanding post that pops out were popular. Ideal for taking and using in a busy pub when no seats are available.

The Peggy Pegs drive in pegs were interesting but expensive however once purchased they would last forever and no more issues with bent pegs or removing them on Spanish campsites.

LNB tow bars promised that they would have a 2 seater electric car on display with a range of 80 miles that would be ideal for being towed with a motorhome but did not happen. Not our thing anyway as we are more biker type people. The Caravan Club (indeed most campsites?) might throw a wobbly if you turned up with this in tow.

 

[colinm]

Gobsmacked that VW campers are now offered for between £60k to £80k when decent fully fitted panel vans can be purchased for similar money.

VW campers have always been expensive compared to a Ducato sized van.

Accessory wise had a coffee and chat on the camping club stand.

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How did you do on salectric? didn't know I was being timed and got 12.5sec lap, if I had known might have tried harder.
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[Moped]

VW campers have always been expensive compared to a Ducato sized van.

Agreed. All things have gone up but VW campers proportionately more so yet they still sell. They don’t allow VW camper vans into French aires so hopeless for wild camping anyway and the French know it. It seems to be the Brits that go crazy for them.

How did you do on salectric? didn't know I was being timed and got 12.5sec lap, if I had known might have tried harder.
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Didn’t have a go.

 

[yeoblade]

Agreed. All things have gone up but VW campers proportionately more so yet they still sell. They don’t allow VW camper vans into French aires so hopeless for wild camping anyway and the French know it. It seems to be the Brits that go crazy for them.

How did you do on salectric? didn't know I was being timed and got 12.5sec lap, if I had known might have tried harder.

Not sure they do sell, this is a price history of a VW for sale (cargarus) at a local dealer.......... And still not sold.
Maybe people aren't so keen on paying VW tax!
I was thinking of offering £30K to take it of their hands, but they are too small to be of much use really

11/10/2022 £38,980
26/09/2022 £40,980
11/09/2022 £41,980
05/08/2022 £42,449
18/05/2022 £42,980
13/05/2022 £44,980
21/04/2022 £45,980
05/04/2022 £47,980
04/03/2022 £46,980
19/02/2022 £45,980

 

[alcam]

Agreed. All things have gone up but VW campers proportionately more so yet they still sell. They don’t allow VW camper vans into French aires so hopeless for wild camping anyway and the French know it.

Are you referring to commercial Aires ?
I see quite a few VWs in Aires in France

 

[aross]

They don’t allow VW camper vans into French aires so hopeless for wild camping anyway and the French know it.

Surely I've seen many VW campers, pop-top and hi-top, on Aires before?

 

[Boris7]

I wanted a van with fixed twin rear beds that you could sit up in and read a book.

While also wanting self levelling (which I could add after buying) sensible lithium/solar.

Doesn't seem much to ask, but fell flat on my face.

I can get this from 2 manufacturers Morelo and RS Motorhomes, RS are basically Morello price bracket, but without the quality, but can’t afford a Morello anyway.

I did however love the Morelo Palace, so I’m doing the lottery this week.

 

[Moped]

Surely I've seen many VW campers, pop-top and hi-top, on Aires before?

Hmmm. We do the west coast and islands and the western med and can’t remember seeing one. What I have seen are signs on commercial aires that state vehicles must have sanitary facilities or camper vans not permitted. I have even seen signs which state vehicle must have minimum length. Camper vans can of course get under most height barriers so parking is a bit easier for them. I have seen VW Maxi panel vans on aires.

 

[Fisherman]

Hmmm. We do the west coast and islands and the western med and can’t remember seeing one. What I have seen are signs on commercial aires that state vehicles must have sanitary facilities or camper vans not permitted. I have even seen signs which state vehicle must have minimum length. Camper vans can of course get under most height barriers so parking is a bit easier for them. I have seen VW Maxi panel vans on aires.

The forestry commission insist on toilet facilities for their carparks.

But as much as they are not my cup of tea, I reckon for some they are great wild camping vans.

 

[Moped]

I wanted a van with fixed twin rear beds that you could sit up in and read a book.

While also wanting self levelling (which I could add after buying) sensible lithium/solar.

Doesn't seem much to ask, but fell flat on my face.

I can get this from 2 manufacturers Morelo and RS Motorhomes, RS are basically Morello price bracket, but without the quality, but can’t afford a Morello anyway.

I did however love the Morelo Palace, so I’m doing the lottery this week.

Was looking at these but you need an 18T HGV licence to drive one. U.K. wild camping would be fun though and a necessity and it would be open field campsite camping only so at least your campsite fees would be on the low side to compensate for the outlay. See plenty of these wintering on Spanish sites so guess that this, rock star touring and location movie filming are their prime purpose.

 

[Boris7]

Was looking at these but you need an 18T HGV licence to drive one. U.K. wild camping would be fun though and a necessity and it would be open field campsite camping only so at least your campsite fees would be on the low side to compensate for the outlay. See plenty of these wintering on Spanish sites so guess that this, rock star touring and location movie filming are their prime purpose.

I have a Class 1 licence, but the Palace 85L and the RS Endevour are only 7.5t so an old git like me can drive on a car licence. All bigger vans in both ranges are as you say HGV‘s but even with a class 1 the issue is maintaining the licence.

But the real barrier is the money.

 

[jann]

We see all kinds of motorhomes on french aires!!!!