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Subject Topic: What van to Buy 5 berth
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23/4/2007 at 11:02am
 Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
 Outfit: Adria Win
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Joined: 15/10/2002

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My 1997 Avondale is for sale and fits your required lay out - see the Free Ads.

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Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.


23/4/2007 at 3:24pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Avondale Argente
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The Explorer group do a few with that layout, you can buy Branded vans or Dealer specials (Mendip, Compass). Sterling also do one. The single axle tend to have smaller rear diners though, that you make into a double, with the option of a bunk over.  If you want long rear daybeds, it tends to be twin axle. 

I had a look at a lovely van in Mendip in Newport the other day, that had "Proper" single beds, and you walked in between them to get to a rear bathroom.  I think Bucaneer do one in the same layout.

 



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Karen

www.utilityzoo.co.uk



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23/4/2007 at 7:42pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Joined: 21/6/2006

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Thanks for all the advice.

What I really want to know though is what you think of the build quality of these vans you have recommended.

 I have to say, having looked at the Geist Direct webpage, and the feedback from Geist owners, that this has impressed me.  These vans just seem to be better put together and a new Geist is no more expensive than the Swift, Abbey, Compass, Avondale etc. etc.  The only downside would be that there is no trade in.

What I really want doesn't exist.  A British made van at a reasonable price, no lengthy wait for delivery, with the right layout built to German standards - but am I really asking for the earth? 



23/4/2007 at 9:24pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Avondale Argente
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Apparently (I say that because I've never had one), the build quality of the Sterling is very good.

We've noticed with our new Avondale that manufacturers seem to be stuck in the 70s - they use tiny little tacks instead of No-Nails or something better.  We had to remove the draw from our centre chest because magazines fell under it - the inside support on one side then promptly fell off, so OH had to do a quick DIY job on it - and its only 6 months old!

Our neighbour works in the industry, repairing mobile homes, and he confirmed that most companies haven't moved with the times.  Everything looks great on the surface but is a bit wobbly underneath.

I wouldn't worry about the trade-in price if you intend to keep the van for a good while, in any case, there are a lot more "foreign" vans about than they used to be.

 



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Karen

www.utilityzoo.co.uk



24/4/2007 at 8:02pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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What I really want doesn't exist.  A British made van at a reasonable price, no lengthy wait for delivery, with the right layout built to German standards - but am I really asking for the earth? 

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I thought Sterling were owned by Swift.  Are they all built at the same place?

As far as Geist vans go, what I meant was being able to trade my old van in against the new one, as they don't seem to operate with a dealer network and you buy direct from them.  In some ways this is a good thing (after reading about some of the dealers on these pages) but it means selling you old van privately  - still on the lookout for a suitable Geist used van as the build quality does seem much better than the UK vans.




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