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Subject Topic: hobby or fendt vans are they any good?
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Personmendip
02/1/2009 at 7:24pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Hobby Prestige View mendip's Profile View Profile   Reply to mendip Reply   Quote mendip Quote  
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I hope that people keep up the attitude about Hobby's because it means I'll get them cheaper for the rest of my caravanning life.......

I've never had a problem so far and to be honest, I couldn't care less. The Hobby is far far superior in build quality and design to any other van I've had. Not only has it got more cupboard space than a British Van, it tows better due to the wheelbase. It has rope lights in it for god's sake. Not even the top-of-the-so-called-range british van has this. The British vans are dated with little brass clocks and old style seating. Get a Hobby because it's modern and kicks the british vans into touch.

I turned down a Bailey and saved three grand by buying a hobby. When I told the dealer that thanks but no thanks for the deal, he told me that I would be illegal because the door would be on the wrong side!

I've never been turned away from a site and even the wardens come up and say, can we take a look inside because we've heard these are fabulous vans.


Persondavid&anne
08/1/2009 at 11:15pm
 Location: northumberland
 Outfit: Bailey pageant bordeaux & Xtrail View david&anne's Profile View Profile   Reply to david&anne Reply   Quote david&anne Quote  
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No problems yet with my Hobby van great build quality and mines a 540uk so mine  is under the legal width

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dad,anne,dan,jen


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PersonEddieF
20/2/2009 at 6:17pm
 Location: Inverness-shire north of Loch Ness
 Outfit: Discovery 3 '08 Fendt Saphir 410 View EddieF's Profile View Profile   Reply to EddieF Reply   Quote EddieF Quote  
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To add to the question, we've just bought a slightly used '08 Fendt 410 Saphir - the smallest model. We had previously looked at a new Adria 423 and shied away from it as it didn't seem too 'solid' to us, it sat very high and was a bit too long (for us) and had a fixed double with a corner missing which didn't seem comfy. The Fendt was a private sale bargain, but we have been very impressed by the quality and solidity of it. Very well fitted and there are lights everywhere. Only things we're not keen on are the strange Truma Therme water heater (uses the blown air system to heat water) but we would never use it anyway as we stay on club sites and use the site facilities, and the 'fight with the cushions' bed. I've found what I think is a novel way of improving it, which I'll post separately. I don't believe Fendts suffer from 'Hobbyitis' so it may be an alternative for you.

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Each life is short. Make the most of this one while you can, you may not have a Land Rover or skis next time.


Personalan hartley
24/2/2009 at 5:36pm
 Location: Barlby Selby North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Home-Car Ralli GTI(Dutch )Caravan View alan hartley's Profile View Profile   Reply to alan hartley Reply   Quote alan hartley Quote  
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Don't be put off they are really well made. However, most are also (unless UK spec) very heavy and very wide (most over 7 feet 6) so towing can be a problem you need a very big 4x4 or a Ford Transit type van, if you buy a big one.

So yes sites will assume you are a traveller! Look on ebay but make sure you inspect and check legal ownership before you buy.

I have a 20 year old 5 berth Car-Home (Dutch), it is in great condition and everything works, yes the door is on the wrong side but I have never been turned away from sites and some "travellers" still use these. There are some pictures in my profile; when I decide to change it I will be buying a HOBBY.

Good luck, Alan


Personanlocam
24/2/2009 at 8:40pm
 Location: None Entered
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we have a hobby 750ufm got it on a seasonal pitch and  we love it  had a elddis before and loved that to but the hobby is much more spacious great vans  would recommend them to anyone

anne



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PersonDOBSONK
27/2/2009 at 1:07am
 Location: Inverclyde Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey GT60. 620 6 and Hyundai i800 View DOBSONK's Profile View Profile   Reply to DOBSONK Reply   Quote DOBSONK Quote  
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Its the bumpy outside panels that I don't like, think they are great inside and if they came with smooth panels on the outside I would be sold.


Personalan hartley
27/2/2009 at 11:46am
 Location: Barlby Selby North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Home-Car Ralli GTI(Dutch )Caravan View alan hartley's Profile View Profile   Reply to alan hartley Reply   Quote alan hartley Quote  
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Yes well it would be no good if we all liked the same would it?

I think smooth panals are boring but then again I drive a W reg Volvo V70 estate which all my four granchildren say is very boring!


PersonMartyM
27/2/2009 at 1:22pm
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If you look at sideways at the bumpy panels in a moonlit night or a bit of artificial light you will see what was random bumps by daylight form a nice pattern.

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Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!


PersonSilvasava
24/5/2009 at 8:22pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Fendt Diamant 650TF & Ford Expedition View Silvasava's Profile View Profile   Reply to Silvasava Reply   Quote Silvasava Quote  
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Bought a Fendt Diamant Twin Axle last year to replace our 2001 Swift Conqueror 650. We tow with an american SUV so the width is OK for us.  Very pleased with the build quality & stability but have had a glitch in the control panel last time we used it so booked to go back to dealer for replacement in June. No quibble with dealer at present but I'll post an update after the work has been completed. With regard to the 'bubble' effect on the panels - we also had a Bessacar (before they were taken over by Swift) that had the same finish - no problem at all so we were not put off  - in fact I prefer it to the smooth panels as they show every mark! The Caravan Club would not insure the Fendt  because of the width but they have no restrictions in using their sites & we havn't found any problems on any other sites yet either..

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Spending the Kids Inheritance


Persongm4pgv
24/5/2009 at 9:09pm
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I am on a site and hobbys are seasonal , been no probs at all, I think alot of it is hear say, TA of any make are magnets yes, cos they are a good size for them. take the wheels off, put winter wheels in there place. van on axle stands, hitch lock etc. like you do with any van seasonal.

Y'know what, an English translation would be nice!


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PersonRonnier8
25/4/2014 at 12:25pm
 Location: None Entered
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We owned a Hobby -520 TQM which we had for over 20 years. When we decided to get a new caravan we opted for Hobby as the old van had been extremely reliable and was well built. We spent virtually nothing on the old van apart from routine servicing.
Our new caravan is a Hobby 645 VIP and we have had nothing but problems with it. The faults include: the drain from the water tank broke emptying the contents of the tank inside the caravan; the kitchen tap was cracked and leaked; the large from window cracked inexplicably; the double glazed windows often get condensation between the layers; the fire has been problematic in terms of whether it lights or not; the latest problem is that, just a few months out of warranty, the fridge freezer has stopped working. Add to this a general poor build quality e.g. Things not being screwed together properly.
In summary we now regret buying another Hobby and would never have another one.


Personmichell8
25/4/2014 at 12:40pm
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Quote: Originally posted by MartyM on 27/2/2009
If you look at sideways at the bumpy panels in a moonlit night or a bit of artificial light you will see what was random bumps by daylight form a nice pattern.

He's right y'know.


PersonRibbed Tickler
17/6/2014 at 4:01pm
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: None Entered View Ribbed Tickler's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ribbed Tickler Reply   Quote Ribbed Tickler Quote  
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How easy are they to get parts for?

I've been looking at a 2004 Fendt 650 Platin - Decent price but just not 100% convinced. Some of the interior seems cheap compared to our Elddis.


Personfixings
17/6/2014 at 4:30pm
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Chassis & interior appliances/electrics are no different from UK built caravans. Same makes, Al-ko chassis etc common to most caravans, so can be serviced by any UK caravan garage. As for specific body panels & windows, you would struggle to get them for 10yr old UK built caravan so spares availability not really a deal breaker.

Lower spec German built caravans do tend to have rather plain interiors & often no oven.


Personmartin3520
18/6/2014 at 8:38pm
 Location: wrexham
 Outfit: renault master campervan and caravan View martin3520's Profile View Profile   Reply to martin3520 Reply   Quote martin3520 Quote  
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i prefer the layouts of the continental vans. I have a caravelair ambience style 450 and have been very impressed with it.

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:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


PersonRibbed Tickler
02/10/2014 at 2:18pm
 Location: Glasgow
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Checked out loads of Fendt & Hobby vans, and ended up buying another Elddis - Not sure what it is about them, but for some reason I prefer the English vans inside.



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