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For our budget of about £6.5k, I've seen a 2003 Hymer Nover and a 2005 Alpine Sprite 4, both with fixed side bunks which we particularily want.

I've never seen this Sprite before but my research on here suggests the German Hymer, although a couple of years older, would be a better long-term buy - any opinions?

PS: I've just realised from the photos that there may not be an extra rear dinette in the Sprite as there is in the Hymer - can anyone confirm what is opposite the bunks in the Sprite?

Hi,

If its a major 6 sprite there will be a side dinette opposite the kitchen with the bunks at the back,

Personally, I would go for the Hymer, We have just sold our Swift (swift make sprite also)  in favour of a german van as I read lots and lots of posts on here who couldn't praise the german ones up enough and that was what gave us the final push, especially when I read on here about someone with a 2007 sprite being found with damp. I got very very worried.

We are getting our new van tomorrow and cannot wait!

Hymer - without question

To expand on my previous reply - yes, check the weight, but apart from that the Hymer is light years ahead of the Sprite (or any other UK van) in construction terms.

Hymer are, imo, the best made caravans in the world - and that includes the American travel trailers that use 3" square roof timbers!

Reason? - Hymer have a patented method of panel construction called, 'Pual'  This is similar to the traditional bonded panels used on other vans (including other German vans) but is *much* superior.

The 'core' foam looks and feels very similar to the 'oasis' stuff used by flower arrangers, it doesn't transmit water - and, even if it did, the inner wall board is made of treated marine plywood.

Hymer,use no timber framing in their vans - none at all.  The panels (roof/walls/floor etc) are joined by galvanised metal plates.  No structural timber means nothing to rot.

Finally, Brownhills (Newark) used to have an outdoor display stand featuring a section of Pual wall.  An oval section of the outer aluminium skin had been removed, leaving the foam exposed.

The panel was mounted, face down, beneath a constant stream of recirculated water, directed straight at that exposed foam.  Despite being left to get soaked every single day of the year the inner board was as dry as a bone - the water just ran off the foam, and couldn't permeate the structure.

An impressive display - and a very good reason for buying a Hymer caravan or motor-caravan.

Quote: Originally posted by Lassie on 23/6/2009

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I wish i could have a Hymer but the model i like is to heavy for our car. Maybe next best thing is a Geist? Have you had a look at them?

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Quote: Originally posted by Lassie on 23/6/2009

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I wish i could have a Hymer but the model i like is to heavy for our car. Maybe next best thing is a Geist? Have you had a look at them?

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We have but the only Geist we want (with fixed bunks and side dinette at the back of the van) is not less than £10k because they've only been out a couple of years (the 495, I think?).

We have a 2003 Hymer Nova, and to answer one of the questions above, yes it does have the pual system.

It is without any shadow of a doubt the best engineered and best designed (for us) van I have seen, and for that reason we haven't changed it.

As I mentioned in another thread, apart drom a few inevitable stone dents on the front, and th odd ding where it has been caugjt by an awning pole, it is as good and fully operative as the day when we bought it.

The beds are the most comfortable, everything works as it should, it has in-board water tanks - none of this lagging an outside aquaroll for fear its going to freeze - the pump is switchable, and can run off in-board or outside tanks BTW.

So, personally, it would be Hymer every time.