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There are two types of German vans on the Market firstly there are the straight imported vans which probally don't have ovens or a 12v battery and the door on the "wrong side"

Secondly there are German vans that were supplied with the British Market in mind so do have battery, oven and door on the Right Side.  Dethleffs, Hymer, Knaus Starclass are examples Geist is a British owned company who imported vans built in Germany to a UK spec made either by LMC (Lord MunsterLand Caravans) or Dethleffs.  The price of the pound v euro has made this uneconomic.

We first bought a Hymer swing 6 years ago it was a UK supplied  van so it had a Battery and oven but the door was on the offside which we never found to be a problem it has as many advantages as disavantages.

We never had a problem insuring it, the build quality is was fantastic. the weight interest the MIRO was 1190kg the MPTLM is 1600kg so actually a real world figure rather than the fanatsy figure often quoted.  No problem insuring it (Caravan Club).  The only problem in siting was last year at the CC national Rally they (the suits) insisted that it was parked the other way arround so all the door faced the same way.  So that's why or van was front centre of the picture of the rally they put in the magazine.

Would I buy another German caravan?  Well a drove 200 miles to get the Hymer Nova that we have just bought.  The only problem ith this van is that the door is on the UK side but nothings perfect

We have a Geist 520DL and we are very pleased with it. We did a fair bit of research re insurance, etc before we bought a German van and have had no problems insuring it or with anything else.  We do have the "British" version but have never ever been asked when booking a site what kind of van we have. You will never better these vans for build quality etc.  We would only every have a German van. As in an earlier reply, we too have looked at hundreds of different vans and I'm afraid they just don't measure up.

Happy hunting - you won't regret buying a German van and the layout is great with kids, etc in mind - my grandkids love coming with granny and grandad!

Quote: Originally posted by bnmuk on 09/5/2011

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We bought a new Hobby last year, no problem insuring and never been refused a site, it wasnt fitted with a battery so we had one fitted, the charger they put on was i think they call them step chargers are much better than the normal caravan chargers as they charge to 100%, as for the door being on the wrong side we find it more sociable as you are facing the next vans door, of course we could always be next door to somebody not as nice me, if i did i would turn the van around and ignore them,

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After reading all the horror stories on here about damp vans that were only a few years old, and the other stuff about how good German vans were, we did some research....ended up buying our current van - a Hymer Nova (with the door ont he wrong side).   Never regretted it, built like a tank, great design and when it goes in for service, the damp meter doesn't even register.   Has all mod cons fitted including an oven and an electric flush on the loo!!

We have had no problems with insurance (done with the C&CC) and have never been refused access to any sites - most are very accommodating about how we want to pitch so that the awning doesn't overlook "next door" etc.   

If we ever have to replace this van, I will definitely be looking for another German model,preferably Hymer.

We have a Hobby 495Uk, it's single axle and the layout is exactly what you want. Fixed bunks and dinette at one end then another big double/dinette at other. We don't have battery fitted but hubby is looking at doing it and no oven but to be honest I manage fine without and we bbq/ george foreman stuff. Never had any probs insuring it and no problems on any site.

I wouldn't swop it for a british van, quite happy being different!