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Why do Germans have something of a reputation for being humourless?.....it certainly can't be their caravans!

Our German caravan, three years old, annual damp test - less than 14% readings throughout the van  (permission granted to go and weep, Mr Swift.....)

That's more than enough cause for some smart heel clicking and a curt bow to signify my pleasure at buying a caravan from the Fatherland....

I've virtually given up preaching the gospel of German caravans - the milling throngs don't want to hear about quality construction, and will only hurl abuse and blood-curdling imprecations as they hurry off to give yet more money to the UK caravan makers in exchange for badly sealed and poorly made caravans - but, for those who haven't yet become trapped on the treadmill of, 'buy-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-again-find-it's-dampr-trade-it...', let me just quietly say that if you want a good quality van that won't leak - then you now know which country makes what you're after....

Alle ist gutt!....

Quote: Originally posted by Returnee on 28/5/2009

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Why do Germans have something of a reputation for being humourless?.....it certainly can't be their caravans!

Our German caravan, three years old, annual damp test - less than 14% readings throughout the van  (permission granted to go and weep, Mr Swift.....)

That's more than enough cause for some smart heel clicking and a curt bow to signify my pleasure at buying a caravan from the Fatherland....

I've virtually given up preaching the gospel of German caravans - the milling throngs don't want to hear about quality construction, and will only hurl abuse and blood-curdling imprecations as they hurry off to give yet more money to the UK caravan makers in exchange for badly sealed and poorly made caravans - but, for those who haven't yet become trapped on the treadmill of, 'buy-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-again-find-it's-dampr-trade-it...', let me just quietly say that if you want a good quality van that won't leak - then you now know which country makes what you're after....

Alle ist gutt!....

does that meen,

pxxs pot head....

LOL.

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Quote: Originally posted by sweetpeaheidi on 28/5/2009

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Our Swift has just suffered its first damp problem,which I suspect is a failed window seal,but then it is a 97 model and as far as I know it has never been resealed.Not bad when some on this site recommend a reseal every five years. But then again there are plenty of threads about reseal work being done under warranty on nearly new vans. Guess there are good and bad whatever the make.

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Hi,

If your Swift (memo to self:  wash out mouth with carbolic soap) really has lasted 12 years before showing signs of damp, then it's a genuine miracle - on a par with anything recorded in the New Testament

If we view these things in spiritual terms, a German van is like a Lutheran pastor - grim, dour, unsmiling, and living a life of impeccable moral rectitude as he delivers powerful sermons about Hell and Damnation reserved for all those who have not been pre-destined for salvation.

Whereas, UK vans - are rather like modern 'new age' Church Of England clergy - probably gay, full of uncertainty, and anxious to hold their Sunday service in a topless bar, where they can assure everyone that God actually approves of naked Go-Go dancers...

In short, robust certainty versus insubstantial trendy wittering.

Quote: Originally posted by pete1946 on 28/5/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by Returnee on 28/5/2009

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Why do Germans have something of a reputation for being humourless?.....it certainly can't be their caravans!

Our German caravan, three years old, annual damp test - less than 14% readings throughout the van  (permission granted to go and weep, Mr Swift.....)

That's more than enough cause for some smart heel clicking and a curt bow to signify my pleasure at buying a caravan from the Fatherland....

I've virtually given up preaching the gospel of German caravans - the milling throngs don't want to hear about quality construction, and will only hurl abuse and blood-curdling imprecations as they hurry off to give yet more money to the UK caravan makers in exchange for badly sealed and poorly made caravans - but, for those who haven't yet become trapped on the treadmill of, 'buy-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-again-find-it's-dampr-trade-it...', let me just quietly say that if you want a good quality van that won't leak - then you now know which country makes what you're after....

Alle ist gutt!....

does that meen,

pxxs pot head....

LOL.

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A rough translation reads:

"My German caravan is bone dry, and I don't have to post on internet forums bewailing the fact that my almost new UK van is already as rotten as a market stall pear"

Your dictionary might render it differently, of course.....

Quote: Originally posted by Returnee on 28/5/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by pete1946 on 28/5/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by Returnee on 28/5/2009

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Why do Germans have something of a reputation for being humourless?.....it certainly can't be their caravans!

Our German caravan, three years old, annual damp test - less than 14% readings throughout the van  (permission granted to go and weep, Mr Swift.....)

That's more than enough cause for some smart heel clicking and a curt bow to signify my pleasure at buying a caravan from the Fatherland....

I've virtually given up preaching the gospel of German caravans - the milling throngs don't want to hear about quality construction, and will only hurl abuse and blood-curdling imprecations as they hurry off to give yet more money to the UK caravan makers in exchange for badly sealed and poorly made caravans - but, for those who haven't yet become trapped on the treadmill of, 'buy-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-find-it's-damp-trade-it-again-find-it's-dampr-trade-it...', let me just quietly say that if you want a good quality van that won't leak - then you now know which country makes what you're after....

Alle ist gutt!....

does that meen,

pxxs pot head....

LOL.

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A rough translation reads:

"My German caravan is bone dry, and I don't have to post on internet forums bewailing the fact that my almost new UK van is already as rotten as a market stall pear"

Your dictionary might render it differently, of course.....

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It would be interesting to see what percentage of each brand have reported damp problems rather than individual numbers.  For instance, the likes of the Swift Group, Bailey etc must sell thousands more vans in the UK than Geist, Burstner etc so you are bound to see more damp Baileys because more are sold.  But what percentage of Baileys report damp?  That is the important figure surely?

The van next to us last year was an Adria, less than 3 years old and had been in the workshop for 10 months waiting for an entire side to be replaced due to damp.  It is not unique to UK vans by any means.

BTW I am not saying for one minute that German vans aren't better, all I am saying is I wonder what the actual percentages are?

Ali

Would love a geist or Hymer but couldn't afford one yet, Agree with you on the German thing,

What German caravan do you own returneeee?

I raised the problem of humour with a German friend of mine, and he said

"We Germans take our humour seriosly"

Alan

People talk about German caravans being of superior build, now I love my 2003 Hymer and yes it is bone dry all the way through but the interior fittings leave a great deal to be asked of them. I have lost count of the number of screws that have come loose and been found in the middle of the floor after travelling, the cabinet that holds the fire is continually coming loose and if you study why it is simply becasue not enough care was put into fastening it into place, fastenings fitted to the floor about 1/4 of an inch away from where the panels that come down should fasten to it, screws of insufficient strength to hold things into place. I am slowly going through the van and sorting these problems out having relied upon repairs done by the service agents before.

Would I buy another one, yes if I could afford it but my 12.5k van is now 20.5k  and out of the price range that I am prepared to pay( I traded a 10 year old van in and had 9k to find now I would have to trade a 6 year old van in and find  16.5k ), I could almost have two new Baileys for the price of one Hymer. I love the way it tows, and the solid feel of the body and the way it retains heat in the winter and everything about it apart from the lackadaisical way in which the internal are put together.

Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 28/5/2009

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It would be interesting to see what percentage of each brand have reported damp problems rather than individual numbers.  For instance, the likes of the Swift Group, Bailey etc must sell thousands more vans in the UK than Geist, Burstner etc so you are bound to see more damp Baileys because more are sold.  But what percentage of Baileys report damp?  That is the important figure surely?

The van next to us last year was an Adria, less than 3 years old and had been in the workshop for 10 months waiting for an entire side to be replaced due to damp.  It is not unique to UK vans by any means.

BTW I am not saying for one minute that German vans aren't better, all I am saying is I wonder what the actual percentages are?

Ali

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CandP there was a survey done on the Caravan Club's website but it is quite out of date now.  Have a google and see if you can find it, might give you an idea of the state of play.

Ali