Cris numbers on 'foriegn' 'vans?

[CaptLimey]

Hi everybody

Been following Pau332's post on HPI checks and I'm about to go down the caravan buying road thanks (especially to Plank) for the good tips. Being in France I'm interested in the German 'vans e.g. Hobby 540/560, Burstner, Tabbert, Hymer, Dethlefs etc, 'cos the door's on the right side for here. (I'm looking at two berth 'vans less than 8 years old, if there's anyone selling one.)

Does anybody know if Cris numbers are put on all German manufactured 'vans or do they relate only to 'vans imported to the U.K?

Any more caravan buying tips will be much appreciated, e.g. what should one expect to be included / excluded in the sale of a secondhand 'van?

Regards CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

I cant be much help with used German caravans as I have mostly dealt with UK nbrands, try the Cris website for advice on the numbers.

I have tended to steer clear as there can be issue with parts etc. in the uk

As for the extras it entirley depends on the sale, I often sell caravans with absoulutely no extras at all, and from a selling point of view I have found extras do not increase the sale value, it means you are basically giving them away. SO dont be tempted to pay over the odds as it has a few extras particularly gas bottles and regulators and such that may be specific to the countries you iuntend to use the caravan in and wil have to swap anyway!

No much hlep but i do try :wink:

[shunt555]

I have a hymer 530 4 berth 23 foot 11" in length single axle this is the best caravan i have ever had the spec in side is by far better than any uk model as for price i paid £7000 in march this year it is 2003 and a dream to tow with the maverick or the x trail weight 1250kgs /1500kgs loaded you will not go far wrong buying one of these shunt 555

[CaptLimey]

Hi Plank

Thanks for the advice re extras, good point about not increasing the value. I'll bear that in mind.

I spoke to Cris/HPI and they told me that they only register and are effective for 'vans in the U.K., regardless of manufacturer. They said that they check VINs with the Police National Computer regarding possible stolen 'vans but are really a voluntary registration system and therefore only able to provide historical data once a 'van has been listed with them (Cost 32 pounds). However they claimed that insurance companies favour Cris registered caravans.

Regards CL

[CaptLimey]

Thanks for the recommendation Shunt555. That 'van will currently cost around ten thousand pounds here in France. That's why I'm researching in the U.K!
CL

[shunt555]

the caravan was bought from a dealer the local paper about 1500/2000 pds cheaper but spending that sort of money i wanted some come back also bought a hobby 650 for but to much for the mav to pull weighting in at 2000kgs unloaded so only had that for about 1 yrs but the hobby again better than the hymer its your choice?

[(RIP) PLANK]

I do have some experience with hobby carvans but only with the large 'dry' traveller style vans. and though they do represent good value i have found they tend to look their age very quickly and build quality could be better, but htis may be down to the compromise between size and getting them to be a decent towing weight. Tabbert I have had the most experience of in large dry traveller treailers and to be honest they also usual seem to be worse for wear.

This is probably as they are for the fisrt couple of years of their lives lived in full time, and although generaly well looked after, 2 years, or 104 weeks represents probably 10 years of wear for your average touring caravan! So when they appear a bit 'tatty' bear in mind they may well have had a lot of use but not been towed very far!

As for sepc, I dont think you can (despite what has been said) do better than a modern UK van, as there really isn't anyhting esle to put in a caravan, however, most big UK makers have either gone under or are close to going under as they cant compete price wise with the cheaper european caravans.

[CaptLimey]

Thanks again Plank for the good advice re Hobby & Tabbert. I'm not looking at 'foreign' 'vans with any jaundiced view of those made in the U.K. It's simply because I want to import the 'van to France where caravans have to be registered and they can be difficult with regard to the door being on the 'wrong' side on UK produced 'vans. There is also a major price difference with the U.K. 'van market being in the order of 25% cheaper!
Regards CL

[Paul]

Keep us posted on which van you get will you??
Looked at alot of German vans before getting the Avondale, would have ended up with one if we had found one small enough for us.

Paul.

[(RIP) PLANK]

Thanks for the thanks! :wink:

[wildbri]

seen lots of very nice looking German vans in France ....... but they all belonged to the travelling community! . most looked new along with all the latest model cars, just a thought, what happens to their old vans? bri.. :smile:

[(RIP) PLANK]

we sell them on ebay to all you gorgios :lol:

[CaptLimey]

Hi Paul 332

We've narrowed our research down to the Hobby 560 UFe or Tabbert 560 fixed forward bed, single axle. We prefer this floor plans as there's only the two of us and we like the idea of being able to close the bed area off with sliding doors, also they have a separate wash basin that isn't part of the shower area. There is a smaller Hobby 495 which is a nice two berth, 'u' lounge, single axle. It has the same layout and features as the larger models but is only 1300 kg. We prefer the increased space 'u' lounge/dining area on the 560 model which weighs in at around 1800kg. The single axle makes for easier manoeuvring on site and is, I understand, more acceptable to site operators. I've located a number in the UK and we'll be viewing some next week. Watch this space!

Wildbri - With respect to what the French travellers do with their old German 'vans - I don't know - but they certainly don't sell them cheap in France!

Regards CL

[Paul]

We was looking for a fixed bed, single axle, as you say like the idea of closing it way in the day, but the only ones we could find where way out of our price range & there was no way we was going to get a loan for one the way the U.K. Is at the moment.

Paul.

[(RIP) PLANK]

sounds good I agree about the single axles, twom axles is only good for carrying the weight of a large van there are no other benefits, they waste fuel stress the wheel bearings , wear out the tyres and are very hard to manouver off the van, the only very slight advantage is they do tend to reverse a little better in a straight line :wink:

and the fixed bed are is ideal for 2!

well done and enjoy it, can I come ? :lol:

As for travellers caravans they tend onyl to be sold to non travellers after no other travellers want them so you only tend to see the rough ones!

[(RIP) PLANK]

it is worth remembering that a lot of the 'german' vans are form holland and belgium! and are built on a dutch chassis!

[Paul]

it is worth remembering that a lot of the 'german' vans are form holland and belgium! and are built on a dutch chassis!
Theres a eye opener! 8O
Of topic I know (sorry) but I really like the way Australian vans look. :lol:
http://www.australiancaravans.com.au/

[(RIP) PLANK]

a while ago some one posted a link on here I think it was RBRT about scandanavian carvans? i think? now they were realy different!

rbrt if it was you and you are reading send us the link again!

[CaptLimey]

Hi guys
Well - we've been & gorn & dunnit!
We're just back from the 'mother country' having put a deposit on a 2006 Hobby 560 UFE. Its a basic model but has all the standard Hobby goodies, inverter, on board water tank, microwave, stabiliser hitch, mossy screens and blinds, ladder and roof bars etc. etc. We got it for a good price, nothing like what we'd have had to pay here in France. Seems like we'll have to change the fog light to the other (left hand drive) side and exchange the square pin electrical sockets for the EU type, before we can register it in France. Maybe also the towing electrics plug - don't know about that yet, but the cost saving will far outweigh the expense.

We'll be bringing it 'home' soon and plan to use it to tour Portugal & southern Spain this winter. Any advice on the subject of touring those area will be much appreciated.......or ......should I start another thread?
Regards CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

I would be inclined to start a new thread to make sure it gets enough attention! :wink:

All the best with the new caravan!

[Paul]

I would be inclined to start a new thread to make sure it gets enough attention! :wink:

All the best with the new caravan!
As PLANK said! :lol:

[wildbri]

Hi, i am pleased to hear that you have bought your van, we may see you as we wander around europe... will comment when you start your new thread.

If your terrano is french registered you will be ok towing a large hobby but with a british registered I am not so sure......... something to do with the width, caravans over a certain width require a vehicle over 3050kg in weight
, or so I am told....... happy caravanning...bri :smile:

[(RIP) PLANK]

I think the width allowed in old money is 7'6" but I have towed 8 feet wide caravans all over the Uk with no problems, other than them being big and heavy and all the issues that come with that.

[CaptLimey]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the good wishes. My T2 is French registered and I don't anticipate having any problems towing with it here......time will tell. Once I get the 'van over (next week) I'll start a post seeking advice on touring in southern Spain & Portugal.
Regards to all CL