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We were originally looking for a German built caravan after reading many reports of poor quality with the British caravans. However there is a problem:

We are a family of four and the layout we would be looking for would be either a double dinette or fixed bed and 2x singles that make up to a double. As the kids don’t want to sleep in the same (double) bed they will need  lounge singles that are long enough to sleep on. This is where the problem with the German caravans comes from – their lounge single beds are too short.

So finally is the quality of the British caravans (circa 2004 – 2007) really that much worse than those made Germany? Are there any particular makes/models that are better than others?

Unfortunately I won’t be able to see the individual models and compare quality because I am buying from abroad.

Thanks for your reply

Just a cautionary note...buying from abroad and your contract with the seller will be governed by the laws of that country. They may or may not have the benefit of our Sale of Goods Act protections unless the seller happens top be in the EU. Then if you do have a problem you have to go back to that seller and from the distances you are talking about that has its own problems. They don't all have an equivalent CRiS scheme either.

Phil

Are you planning on buying something in Europe and have it shipped to NZ?

Seems a very expensive way of doing it, just to get the right layout...surely the shipping will cost almost as much as the van?

Quote: Originally posted by nelmo on 05/8/2011

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Are you planning on buying something in Europe and have it shipped to NZ?

Seems a very expensive way of doing it, just to get the right layout...surely the shipping will cost almost as much as the van?

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Quote: Originally posted by Fat Bum on 05/8/2011

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Are brand new vans not available in NZ? That might be your best bet or ship from Australia - must be cheaper than shipping from Europe.

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Just Googled New Zealand caravan dealers. Found a Sterling Eccles Jewel for 59000 NZ dollars which equates to about £32000, UK recommended price about £18000!

David

Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 05/8/2011

Just Googled New Zealand caravan dealers. Found a Sterling Eccles Jewel for 59000 NZ dollars which equates to about £32000, UK recommended price about £18000!

David

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Quote: Originally posted by kow1 on 05/8/2011

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So finally is the quality of the British caravans (circa 2004 – 2007) really that much worse than those made Germany?

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UK recommended price about £18000!

It would be even less as they wouldn't have to pay VAT in the UK.

Saxo1

ladybailey caravans export quite a few vans to NZ.

We have had English vans but now have switched to a german built Geist (LMC relabelled van)

In our opinion this van is built far better than anything we have seen in the Uk, Our previous 2007 swift bought brand new had nothing but problems and even started to leak in water around the washroom wall. We kept it for 2 years and bought our German van and have never looked back.

That is just our opinion, but having owned a freedom, an ace, an elddis and a swift we just wouldn't now buy anything brittish. People will of course argue that their brittish vans have been brilliant but like I said just our opinion from a owner who has tested and well used both Brittish and German vans (all year round with various amounts of children and 2 large dogs)