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 Topic: american vs celtic rambler
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23/4/2012 at 8:45am
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Coachmen Mirada 300qb. American RV
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the celtic rambler being a european made in wales is priced accordingly as are european motorhomes which =very expensive. Its also heavier than most american lightweights and knowing a couple that have had them,and both changed from a eruo style pickup to a yank pickup so that they felt in control, had enough power for hills etc.
Have to say the celtic is a nice van with a high spec finish and each one can be designed with your own style layout or bits in
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30/9/2014 at 12:03pm
Location: Chippenham
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Cabriolet and tents
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Hi, redbmw. I picked up some old messages on this site re:5th wheel and long term living. We will be in a similar position in less than 2 years time so trying to plan what we will do next as we love the 5th wheel caravans but have heard lots of negatives about them being pulled by pick ups like the Nissan Navara.
We have started the journey of ruling out what we dont want but like you want to avoid wasting such a large sum of money. We have thought that it might be worth buying the 5th wheel we like best but get someone else to site / tow as we want to be on a permanent site. We have also thought about keeping our old tourer for short distance touring / moving around when we cant stay at a site / holidays etc..
It would be great to speak with you regarding your experiences and avoid any pitfalls
you can e:mail me on asdj at btinternet.com
Regards
Andy
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26/11/2014 at 2:05pm
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We have a 2014 Celtic Rambler (with lots of mods, inc washing machine, inverters, external wifi/4G etc., many of which are not easy to spec with many van brands). We live in it full time and travel between North of Scotland & South of Spain, and will go further afield later.
Never towed before but have found driving it, parking it and getting on pitches or aires no big problem. We tow using a Navara V6, which is effortless, even up mountains with hairpins etc., and to date have averaged a genuine 22+ mpg when towing. No problem in wet fields up 20 deg slopes, so I don't know why people worry about wet fields.
Yes is it heavy - fully loaded at 4.2 tons, but if you live in one you appreciate the 1.1 ton payload! Single slideout gives plenty of room, plus we have a massive Thule 5m x 2.75m awning and residence room - very solid. More slideouts don't add much that I care about, assuming you can open them all on a typical pitch, and have awnings up... Also it is extremely well built and appointed inside and out. Nothing like flimsy plywood or whatever is hidden on these vans!
I note that a lot of US rigs sit high off the ground, which is not saying that they are taller, but they often have very little underslung storage on the sides. The Rambler has masses of locker storage. I carry everything I need to be as self-sufficient as possible in a home, including my guitar+valve amp, 3 laptop PCs, wife's massive clothes collection, tools, ladder, winter gear, walking gear, large tent, small tent, beach equipment, BBq, 2 outside tables & 4 chairs etc.... Check where you'd actually stow all this stuff on some of the US vans - they may have huge living spaces, but that's not storage!
Also check things like insulation/winterization for cold weather. In common with many US vans we have aircon, under-floor heating and hidden radiators with fans, fridge freezer, microwave, full oven/hob/grill etc., except it all looks modern clean and sharp.
US v UK choices depend on taste, pocket and expected usage. I found that the US vans were good value, but arguably flimsy in many regards, and I hate that look of living in 1973 beige chintz. The Rambler is like a chic, upmarket European studio apartment - but if you don't full time, that may not matter.
I cannot believe that 100% of imported US vehicles are totally compliant with UK and Euro regs - the Rambler IS, and I know of at least one other established brand/importer that is. You can see Ramblers being made in Wales, get mods done and get spares and things fixed too!
I'm currently on Costa Del Sol - there are 4 Ramblers on this site, all being pulled by V6 Navaras. I have not seen a single US 5th wheel rig anywhere in my travels so far, which is odd given they are much more affordable. We are constantly having to show the van to German and Dutch folk who love the germanic quality and modernity of the thing.
Easy to say buy an expensive Rambler, but bear in mind we don't also have a house!
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26/11/2014 at 7:25pm
Location: Argyll Scotland
Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4
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Many thanks to all who have contributed to this topic. We had looked at Celtic 5th wheelers in the past but their cost put us off.
However these American/UK 5th wheelers are more affordable as a reasonable alternative to a new caravan and being based in Scotland, are a more practical solution for us, being just one hour's drive away.
So, perhaps by this time next year we will have joined the ranks of the Motorhome and Campervan fraternity that we thought we had left for good a few years ago.
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Lobey.
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27/11/2014 at 7:27am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar
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IIRC, if you are thinking about using a 5th Wheeler in France, just remember that they may not be allowed in the Aires
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27/11/2014 at 11:10pm
Location: Argyll Scotland
Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4
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Whilst I can understand that those who caravan full time can afford to buy expensive and top of the range 5th wheelers, it is our intention to use any future 5th wh purely as a caravan, albeit a very comfortable one, and just use it for touring about the UK.
Do any of you who also use these units for UK travel have any do's and don'ts that we should consider before we go and look at possible future buys?
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Lobey.
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