Great couple of videos, thanks. You were clearly less phased by the size of the show than we were! The Westphalia rear travel seats are the best I have seen - I don't understand why so many campers and motorhomes have such upright seats. These look much better than those on a Bürstner 690G that we used to own. The Westphalia bathroom was a little disappointing for me, in that it was reliant on sealant to prevent water ingress. Our Bürstner had a "lipped" system whereby the shower walls overhung the shower tray slightly such that it was impossible for water to ingress around the shower base. Something to consider maybe for long term ownership... We have just returned to caravanning at least for a few years while we have a child to accompany us: just a four metre interior space Knaus 400LK but it functions really well. We just can't square the circle in terms of finding a campervan that provides good beds for three and yet is still on a 6 metre base to make it managable on day trips. We are relatively light sleepers and we found our old Eriba Troll caravan with a pop top roof let in too much noise at night, so pop-tops are not an option for us. Have you looked at the Weinsberg or slightly more expensive Knaus campervans? I would value your opinion on these two product ranges, which I think are well designed. I would personally prefer a Ford Transit chassis to a Fiat chassis - the Bürstner Fiat chassis was not a good driving experience for us with loads or roll on corners. Weinsberg have just introduced some Ford chassis models which are really good value...
Thank you so much for watching Hywel and your detailed response. I don't recall seeing a Weinsberg at the show, but that may just have been as they weren't on the radar. I would be definately be interested in checking them out, having had a look on their website they could be a contender. Similarly, not had a close look at Knaus, so thanks for putting them into the mix ! Sleeping is not a problem for us so a poptop could be a solution for our 3rd / 4th berth, but good, comfortable and safe travel seats are a must. Thanks for your point about the roll on the Fiat chassis, our Cali Beach does move around it bit, it drives best when loaded with all the summer camping kit ! Keep an eye on the channel for more van reviews and videos as we try and find the right candidate for our next one...cheers JT
Firstly massive thanks for these 2 videos. We couldn't get to the show. Same boat as you - upsizing from a beach but a family of 5. This video has Mede me convinced the best way to go is what we have done. MAN TGE 3 with factory poptop. Then a converter to do exactly what we require. Looks about same price as many of those but exactly what we want. We are not doing a bathroom though. Also check out Chris Sloane channel for the truth about the grand California.
No problem ! Thanks for watching and getting in touch. I'd be intrigued to hear more about your MAN TGE project. I do feel we should now have a closer look at the Grand Cali, but have heard many stories about 'issues'...maybe build our own is the solution...you can catch me on campervanjourney@gmail.com it would be great to hear what you are planning. Cheers JT
Great couple of videos, thanks. You were clearly less phased by the size of the show than we were!
The Westphalia rear travel seats are the best I have seen - I don't understand why so many campers and motorhomes have such upright seats. These look much better than those on a Bürstner 690G that we used to own.
The Westphalia bathroom was a little disappointing for me, in that it was reliant on sealant to prevent water ingress. Our Bürstner had a "lipped" system whereby the shower walls overhung the shower tray slightly such that it was impossible for water to ingress around the shower base. Something to consider maybe for long term ownership...
We have just returned to caravanning at least for a few years while we have a child to accompany us: just a four metre interior space Knaus 400LK but it functions really well.
We just can't square the circle in terms of finding a campervan that provides good beds for three and yet is still on a 6 metre base to make it managable on day trips.
We are relatively light sleepers and we found our old Eriba Troll caravan with a pop top roof let in too much noise at night, so pop-tops are not an option for us.
Have you looked at the Weinsberg or slightly more expensive Knaus campervans? I would value your opinion on these two product ranges, which I think are well designed.
I would personally prefer a Ford Transit chassis to a Fiat chassis - the Bürstner Fiat chassis was not a good driving experience for us with loads or roll on corners.
Weinsberg have just introduced some Ford chassis models which are really good value...
Thank you so much for watching Hywel and your detailed response. I don't recall seeing a Weinsberg at the show, but that may just have been as they weren't on the radar. I would be definately be interested in checking them out, having had a look on their website they could be a contender. Similarly, not had a close look at Knaus, so thanks for putting them into the mix ! Sleeping is not a problem for us so a poptop could be a solution for our 3rd / 4th berth, but good, comfortable and safe travel seats are a must. Thanks for your point about the roll on the Fiat chassis, our Cali Beach does move around it bit, it drives best when loaded with all the summer camping kit ! Keep an eye on the channel for more van reviews and videos as we try and find the right candidate for our next one...cheers JT
Firstly massive thanks for these 2 videos. We couldn't get to the show. Same boat as you - upsizing from a beach but a family of 5. This video has Mede me convinced the best way to go is what we have done. MAN TGE 3 with factory poptop. Then a converter to do exactly what we require. Looks about same price as many of those but exactly what we want. We are not doing a bathroom though. Also check out Chris Sloane channel for the truth about the grand California.
No problem ! Thanks for watching and getting in touch. I'd be intrigued to hear more about your MAN TGE project. I do feel we should now have a closer look at the Grand Cali, but have heard many stories about 'issues'...maybe build our own is the solution...you can catch me on campervanjourney@gmail.com it would be great to hear what you are planning. Cheers JT
@@CampervanJourney message on its way!
My mate this summer contracted with a converter who then went bust after taking a 50% deposit. Choose carefully!
@@SCOJO98765 Absolutely, great advice !