I love listening to your views and agree with what you’re saying. After some 30+ years of caravanning I can say that the issues we encountered with our ‘vans over that time were relatively minor compared to what we are seeing highlighted now on social media. From my observations, I would like to say that we’ve seen a lot of misuse and lack of care taken by some owners, ie levelling up by use of the steadies, or not bothering to level up at all, thumping the caravan over the sites speed humps, closing hatches and doors with the foot, poorly erected and tensioned awnings plus the general chucking about of tools and accessories. My caravans had cost me an awful lot of my wages and were treated as a valued possession, sadly in this “easy come, easy go” age, that’s no longer so evident.

Our Eriba Touring hits the sweet spot for us. A focus on the basics. It has all the services and kit (gas,hob, fridge, heatng, light, storage, hot water, bathroom, shower) but without the extras - no computer and touch screens, simple catches, no Alde heating (not needed for an Eriba), no chasing the latest fashion.

Love the Alde heating. We use the caravan all year and often camp in the UK and Europe when the temperatures are below freezing. The Alde keeps us warm and toasty even when it is freezing outside. I don't like 'screens' and 'apps', I would much rather have a physical button or switch that can be repaired easily. You appear to get more people moaning on 'social media', than happy customers. I believe that most people are happy with their caravan and quietly enjoy it. With 'social media' someone with a complaint joins a forum then trashes the product, then having done the damage they never appear on the forum again. The 'complainers' are often the people who make the most noise. Absolutely agree about the showers and hobs etc. If people didn't want them, they would have purchased caravans without them!

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

Definitely, we might just be hearing all the bad things and there are lots of vans and customers out there with no problems at all..

@Exelsor12-v9z

11 күн бұрын

I purchased a new swift elegance 835 this year, so one of the caravans with all these gadgets, i love the alde heating and the reason i went for the elegance was the underfloor heating. It is amazing on a cold scottish winters night. I caravan year round and spend more time in my caravan than i do at my home. So far i love the caravan, i was fully expecting there to be things wrong with it from new after hearing all the complaints about quality issuses you hear about. Theres only one thing i have found that i need fixed and that is one of the chrome grab handles at the rear is starting to pit and tarnish. Apart from that the caravan has excellent build quality and feels solid. I am so happy with it and would 100% reccomend swift. We had a 2018 swift elegance before this one and loved it, that one was solid and after 6 years of carefull use could still easy pass as a brand new caravan to someone who wasnt in the know. but we changed to the new one because we wanted a different layout with a seperate bedroom. We went into other caravans such as the coachman lusso and buccaneers and were horrified at the bulid quality and interiors. Opening the drawers and cabinets in the buccaneers felt like they were made of cheap wafer thin ply, And felt horrible in the hand. Hated the tinted windows which made them both dark and dreary. And were not keen on interior fabrics and such. The only drawbacks of the swift elegance is its mega heavy at over 2 tonne, and was hitting £50,000 after adding options on it. But, i am very very happy with my purchase and so far couldnt recommend it enough

Thanks for your prompt reply..I watch your videos regularly and they are brilliant. Very informative . Yes your right eriba caravans are stupid money both new and second hand considering no oven...no microwave...and unless you are 4ft tall and 4 stone you can't shower .but the structure is tubular steel so no timber and they last for years so I'm taking the plunge. Keep up the great work cheers.

What a true and honest video. My wife and I started in 1992 with a brand new Adria Optima (remember them?) the most basic simple caravan you could imagine. We kept that caravan for 22 years, maintenance was cheap, nothing to go wrong, and we had many happy years with our three children. It was cheap to buy (4.5k) had a simple 3-way fridge, truma gas heater (not blown air) and a hob you lit with a gas mask. You are spot on when you say we expect too much today. We have had a 2013 Sprite (new) and now have a 2022 Bailey entry level Phoenix + which we like, but don’t need anything extra that is offered in top end vans. I love your honesty, very refreshing:)

I think most important is the caravan dry that one of the biggest worry water ingress the other improve the flooring spongy need bit more structure any thing else is the luxury and the plastic needs something in It to stop it splitting Great video love your honesty 👍👍

Evening. Another great consumer useful vlog. All your points are very valid regarding manufacturer's they build what they believe we want. Our first compass had blown air, a manual fridge and a pump operated toilet, no microwave. We coped just fine.😊 Then had a 2011 bailey too many issues to list. Moved to a Sprite alpine 2 2019, fantastic van but with swift command and auto fridge. Only sold due to fed up having to make the bed up 😢 Now have a dealer special Alpine 4 2022 with all the extras as this seems to be the way vans are now produced. Never had alde heating prefer blown air, heard too many stories of leaky pipes. Sorry if this seems a bit long winded. We do believe you are correct back to basics and built well 👍. Paul and Joanne 😁

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

I just don’t think the market would react to it well, and there isn’t a way of really finding out and conveying it to the manufacturers.

People really need to learn some basic maintenance, develop habits of checking and realise looking after a caravan, needs attention beyond cleaning. Dragging a box 60mph across the country with basic suspension is going to put any caravan under strain, stress and twists. You have to expect a screw getting loose here and there, or the odd plastic screw cover coming off, or a fuse blowing, or a new brake cable fitting, windows sticking open, blinds not springing back, or things need adapting, repairing or patching. That is not to excuse fundamental design errors, or poor structural build, or poorly fitted and tested electrics or services. Manufacturers have to lot to answer for, but there is a lot of unreasonable expectation that a caravan is a buy-and-forget purchase. Every caravanner should carry a little tool bag of essentials and know how to use them and how to trouble shoot.

We currently have a 2006 Coachman which we have owned for 12 years and is starting to have some issues with water ingress in the back corner and delaminating windows but we have sort of just resined our selves to sticking with the devil we know. As you say it doesn’t have all the latest gizmos but it is perfectly functional and comfortable for our needs, we look around at the newer ones but for the money that is being asked I just worry we will have more problems than we currently have, so we have just decided to keep our old girl going until she literally falls apart around us 😅 By the way love your very informative chats and insight into the caravan market

Thank you. I was about to buy a 2022 buccaneer barracuda for £38000. From teeside. I'm not going to buy a caravan in the future 😢 My wife and I will just spend are private pension money on nice uk hotel getaways. Thanks again for your expert advice. Regards Alan.

Hi Darren, you might remember me from managing Penrose Touring more than 15 years ago, I met you on a few occasions to purchase some surplus new Baileys that you had at Stoford Farm Meadows. I thought I'd get in touch and commend you on your factual KZread presentations, they're brilliant. Your straight talking and honesty can only result in more followers and customers, your honesty shines through. I like how you have gone out on a limb highlighting the industry brands failings whilst trying to keep it in perspective. I've had a Roller Team motorhome for the last three years and have recently purchased a Adria compact DL motorhome, I follow caravan and motorhome Facebook groups, very often giving help and advice, I can't seem to let go of the industry 🤣. Your views are much in line with my findings, it has always baffled me how manufacturers can make a profit given the extent of warranty claims? I had a thought, if you could engineer a retrofit Swift skylight that has an aluminium sub frame (or whatever is required) that overcomes the leaky skylight issue you would be the UK's goto service centre, maybe this is wishful thinking! PS: You're right, manufactures are not using social media enough, this is to their detriment.

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

Hi Jon, blimey, yes that was a while ago. Thanks for your comments, it’s a general theme I keep coming across everywhere I look, and I’m sure you see the same thing. I’m still not sure as to the extent of the problem as we don’t hear about all the vans that are fine. It’s interesting bringing it out into to open though as I don’t think anyone has before.

@steamdrivenandy6880

11 күн бұрын

The conclusion has to be that manufacturer's margins are high enough to allow for a lot of warranty work and that they know that to develop and engineer out problems will cost a lot more than warranty work does. The construction methods introduced a decade ago were sold as being better for consumers but in reality they simplified production so high cost skilled crafts people could be replaced by low cost unskilled labour. The improvements to van owners were minimal, the improvement to the bottom line was substantial. The trouble is buyers want a Hymer Nova GL van for Swift Sprite money and weight.

As a moderator on Caravan Talk for a decade or so I've heard of all sorts of issues. You're right in that the buying public have a desire for cheap but glitzy vans and manufacturers struggle to make them of satisfactory quality. One other issue I've seen too often is owners who have no respect for the product, break things through misuse and then complain. They need to understand it's a light shed on wheels, not a brick built house.

@Exelsor12-v9z

11 күн бұрын

I agree, i watch other people through my caravan window setting up on site and cringe at the missuse of the caravns frequently, people are so hashy with them. I treat my caravan with respect and like i was handling a baby lol. Alot of my hard earned cash has been invested into my caravan and i want it to last. I bought a 5 year old, top end caravan last year and after a year of use from me and 5 years use from the previous careful owner the caravan could still pass as a brand new caravan. If you buy quality and look after them and treat them properly then they can hold up.

The manufacturers play follow the l leader, one will bring out a completely new model for September then all the rest will do the same in time for the February NEC show. I agree with you about Alde water system, it's a complete waste of time and expense. ( I remember the alde being fitted to the Cotswold Spirit and Celeste when i was there 1988-1990. Let's not forget the more equipment a manufacturer puts in, the product becomes expensive and increases their profit margin.

Another good video. Do we need as mush tech in caravans? recently the Caravan Place, Wolverhampton, has been showing videos with issues regarding fridges and the gas part of them not working. On investigation, most of them is due not using the gas side of the fridge, So maybe, just an electric fridge would keep costs down and less issue to worry about. Our fridges at home use a plug, and they last for years.

must say love your honest videos came back to touring 2015 bought new coachman pastiche after 12month decided on twin axle lunar ts nice van later decided on 2018 620 coachman sold simply because of the dometic toilet terrible.Finally ended up with 2020 875 laser problem after problem cannot list all jobs i have done lost the will to live still got the van love the layout no warranty now hope coachman go bust just like the others they just do not care, luv to have a chat Darren could write a book on how crap new vans are all the best keep up the vids.

@atlanticcaravansUK

11 күн бұрын

Thanks, I was a bit worried how they’d be received, but I have seamed to hit a bit of a vain of discontent, which has resulted in quite a few people giving up caravanning, which isn’t good.

We all want a caravan that's dry take Bailey's have common fault with damp floors on the corners out side known from ten years ago

I wouldn't buy a caravan without Alde heating. As used all year round. What you are saying does not excuse poor workmanship where inside panels are not fixed to the walls with the correct screws so fall away. I have had 2 conquerors 2016 and 2023, the older one has serious issues continually, the new one has so for only teething issues and love it. So I put it down to the poor quality fitting on the production line. The Friday afternoon one off the line.

For me I don't need a house on wheels. .I like a more semple caravan that don't leak..

But its costing the manufacturers so much to fix these caravans under warranty

Once again really enjoyed the video!! I do have a question. The caravans you sell i am assuming are mostly used ones. Do you give them a thorough going over before you sell them? I am planning to get into one next year but want to use it more like a tiny home in a somewhat permanent location. My wife and i split our time between Brazil, UK and germany. We are not buying new. Are there in your opinion brands that would fit our purpose more than others? We would keep the camper in the uk. I know a lot is based on layout, size etc. As always i actually enjoy the "waffling " because it always makes sense to me. It's kinda refreshing to hear your take on things. Cheers.

We’ve got a Lunar Clubman 2010. Istanbul great lightweight caravan with Alde heating and very well appointed. I am obviously concerned about the “leaky Lunar” tag so I’ve had it serviced regularly and addressed issues as they’ve been spotted. I’ve revealed the joints everywhere etc. so far no issues.

@atlanticcaravansUK

12 күн бұрын

This is a good point, you knew about the issue the Lunar had so have actively taken steps to keep an eye on them and address it. Unfortunately I think that is what everyone else now has to do with the newer caravans until the manufacturers sort it out, if they have the incentive to do so, which I’m sure they do from a financial perspective and also a PR perspective.

@tofty21

12 күн бұрын

@@atlanticcaravansUK to be honest I was thinking of changing it for something more modern. The problem is what? I looked at a Bailey unicorn and a Swift Challenger but again, there are loads of horror stories. The Lunar has so much going for it and you don’t need a tank to tow it. We done a fair amount on it and also put a solar panel on so there’s not much we are missing. The only thing that would probably make me change at the moment is the scarcity of spare parts. It may come to that but for the time being I’m loving my Lunar! By the way, I love your channel. Some great tips. Many thanks!

@atlanticcaravansUK

12 күн бұрын

⁠​⁠@@tofty21 we should have confidence to be able to buy a new caravan, this negative feedback we keep hearing isn’t good, but unfortunately, if that’s the reality of the situation it must be down to the manufacturers to change things and create some confidence.

I'm also very happy because the wife wanted a nice caravan. But I wanted the new X80 mazda car coming out this July. I've Won 🏆 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

@atlanticcaravansUK

5 күн бұрын

Bonus..

i'm going to throw this out there for your first point regarding fit for purpose, it's why i bought a phoenix and not some posh caravan, i don't need soft close hinges, or led lights that change colour, I need a bed, a cooker, and some heat... "keeping up with the jones's" always springs to mind! go on a main site what ever the club etc, and look around, its all big expensive caravans being towed by big expensive new cars. We go to farm sites, and my 2019 Phoenix is generally the newest thing sitting there (usually by a long shot)! there is no "look at me" status symbol on those types of sites, it's old school campers, mainly tents sitting outside around a fire enjoying ourselves with friends and family, not all huddled up in our £40-50k plastic boxes watching Eastenders or the football!

Great Video as are all the others I have recently watched, it's sad that the confidence in the market is at a low point which is mostly down to water ingress issues. Surely the big 4,s research and development departments are where we need to start looking, I believe they go so fast in creating the latest year model that faults are bound to happen on a more regular basis. Do the manufacturers actually test for water ingress at the R and D stage do they need to go back to a floor, two sides a front a back and a roof and just literally spray it with water constantly for weeks before thinking about what is the latest and greatest fridge or heating system. They may well do this but proving it to the customer through social media channels perhaps could restore confidence in the customer market for the future. Best Wishes to you. AL

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

Thanks for the comments, they do put a caravan under a ‘rain’ simulator for 24 hours to test the structure, but that is only a random sample and on new, so obviously it’s hasn’t been down the road or sat in heat or cold environments. It would be hard for the manufacturers to do anything else. My issue isn’t that there are problems, it’s how they are dealt with and the speed at which that happens, and the knowledge that the caravans are going out with known issues, but like I said, they could have their hands tied in their abilities to change fundamental issues in a timely way.

People who enjoyed camping were always very practical people and self reliant when faced with challenges, in fact further than that, would be innovative and creative minded, who could maintain their equipment and turn their hand to any problem that arose. But this stifled the UK caravan industry and they have developed a product which deters even home maintenance and has grown a multimillion pound reliance on dealerships for servicing and repairs otherwise your warranty will be invalidated. In fact these days its hard to recognised the caravan or motor home owner had ever camped in a tent and could fix their own bicycle. A caravan should be a means of camping to extend the season, in somewhere Dry, warm and off the ground. And broaden the appeal for the less able. But the product has changed so much that when you are now investigating the same sort of money you would in a car, you are bound to the more dealership products otherwise your warranty is invalidated. The industry does not want loan sailer customers, it wants people not to have any practical skill sets, or dare not to use them, even if they are an engineer or tradesperson, so it can make more money from these people. They are designing out the home mechanic or DIYer like the car industry has. If you still want to service your own car, so you know the listed items have actually been done, you have to buy a computer to enable you to reset moduals etc

Hi I'm thinking of buying a Eriba touring 540 a 2015 model what should I be looking out for .I've had nightmares with British caravans ie water ingress so I'm a bit paranoid with it being a private sale but it is of a very good friend who as had the van from New and assured me he's had no issues .

@atlanticcaravansUK

2 күн бұрын

@@philipvayro6293 hi, I’ve not had much experience with those to be honest, but I think they are pretty built proof. The build is certainly good, they are heavy and relatively expensive for the size, but that’s a testament to the quality. I think you’ll be fine as long as you’re happy with the size restrictions and the layout.

Who would have thought at one time they made caravans roof's that didn't hold water 😂 .

Hi. So the main issues seem to be with damp and water ingress. Do you think the micro caravans (Go-Pod, mini Capsule) are a good buy, as they are made from one shell and have no seams and therefore tend not to leak?

@atlanticcaravansUK

5 күн бұрын

They are for that reason, but there are many more considerations to take into account when deciding to buy one, and that’s a bonus, but I’d say not the main one.

@ToothyGrinder

5 күн бұрын

​@@atlanticcaravansUKI hear you - like their light weight and ease of towing. But it's really put me off of buying one at all after watching your vlogs as it seems the damp problems are the rule, rather than the exception. So as I would only be looking for a 2-berth anyway it goes a long way in helping me to make a decision.

@ToothyGrinder

5 күн бұрын

@@atlanticcaravansUK ...Would you say that Freedom caravans are built with superior water-tight capabilities?

and on another note, my work is technical drawings for new build houses, I see the same type of thing "new builds are utter trash, that cost too much, my parents bought a house for £3 back when they were kids" yet they forget (before we take in wages & inflation since then) that houses back then had 1 toilet that was outside, no central heating, single glazed wooden framed (that rotted unless kept in good condition) no insulation AT ALL, basic electrics the list goes on. Now they want all the mod cons, but they don't want to pay the cost it would cost to fit it all perfectly and use the "better" quality parts and lets not forget what I have to do now to make sure that houses are compliant with latest b'regs that costs builders quite a bit to comply compared to very lack of regs back then. I use the analogy of cars, your big builders building 300 plot sites are your Vauxalls of the house world, you want German engineering well then you have to pay more and go with your mid range builders, you want it to 99% not ever go wrong? well then you have to go with your coachbuilt of builders who custom build 1 off houses, but expect to pay for that as well!!

the only thing I see to add to this is (and you eluded to it) the manufacture's have a box on wheels unlike cars there is not much they can do to the exterior to make them different , so are limited to the inside so is it not more of if Bailey does something new then Swift etc have to follow or improve on, if like you say the older vans had less equipment how then did they encourage buyers to there brand ?

All I have ever wanted is a dry and well manufactured van that is a step up from camping. Not something that resembles a penthouse suite. I have never asked for more technology and kit. But it is the Caravan manufacturers who have competed against each other for years. Those that didn’t adapt were left behind and eventually closed (Lunar). Manufacturers have priced themselves out of what should be a relatively cheap hobby and motorhomes are heading the same way. But, even with all the third party kit and technology, poor workmanship and practices is inexcusable and I don’t believe linked to levels of kit within a van.

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

My comments of the kit in the van and the build quality being linked were more to do with money and time being saved by not having those expensive time consuming heating systems and fridges ect. A more basic caravan would be quicker to produce therefore, if some of the money and time saved in not including those things was put towards building the caravan better, we might not see the issue we’ve been seeing.

one piece front window.( 1 hole) same as the germans. no sunroof. ( no holes). same as the germans. 7ft 2 "wide no more. money waiting. as for touch screen this and that (as a retired engineer). stick it where the sun dont shine . not reliable and expensive to repair.

Can’t find Touring caravan issues on FB 🤔

@atlanticcaravansUK

12 күн бұрын

Here you go… facebook.com/share/E3ePWNfrZ6iosgca/?mibextid=K35XfP

@alexrankin8263

9 күн бұрын

@@atlanticcaravansUK , thanks, I’ve asked to join

Can’t find Facebook group

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

Here you go… facebook.com/share/HddF1qdrxiFoVFQC/?mibextid=K35XfP

Whilst the manufacturers are unable to supply a product that does not leak I don't think there should be any call to back off from the manufacturers. The manufacturers make promises left, right and centre about their products but generally fail to back them up with a solid product. There is no unrealistic expectations from the buyers, it is solely that the manufacturers setting them. Unfortunately in a free market if the manufacturers are unable to deliver they will wither and die.

@atlanticcaravansUK

11 күн бұрын

That’s a good point, they do publicise leak free caravans, that’s where the lack of trust probably stems from..

@robertwilson1827

3 күн бұрын

Not true. We have a company here in Australia that has been around since forever and manufacturers' 100s a month, yet a lot of their van's are faulty! So much for Aussie Built!😅😅😅

I had a old Monsanto 500s many moons ago Just basic and no issues at all Could one of the problems be that the customer wants all the new technology in their caravan just like every thing else ( IE cars ) For me give me a product with a few issues as possible no sunroof surely the caravan would be a bit cooler Caravan and MH holidays are about enjoying the countryside and getting away from all the technology

@atlanticcaravansUK

13 күн бұрын

Yes, that would be a great, but I think the majority of customers are used to all the mod cons now and we can’t go back to those days.

Watching you on this video it struck me, WHY do caravan manufacturers still fit sash curtains in there vans , its not 1970! Unfortunately , just like a new car, people will not be prepared to "do without". It is the stupid way of consstruction that is at fault, it would cost no more to overlap the roof panel. Plus the fact that the customer has no recourse with the manufacturer, if you could take the manufacturer to court for selling such a bad product , things would sharp change!

@raymondporter2094

12 күн бұрын

If you buy a new caravan and it has proper faults (I'm not talking nit-picking here) you CAN chase the manufacturer for it. The man. might prefer you to go through the dealer, and if the dealer puts the issue right, he'll no doubt be happy. But, otherwise, you COULD chase/sue the manufacturer. A problem is that people buying a "pre-owned van" cannot expect a factory fresh van that is perfect. The other side to that coin is the price: they are not paying "new van prices".

@raymondporter2094

12 күн бұрын

Good video!

I have just changed from a swift sprite which was a pile of rubbish to a so called better quality coachman .i am holiday with no interior lights at the front and no offside services light is this so called quality on a expensive caravan i just feel like packing it in and going on a package holiday

@atlanticcaravansUK

12 күн бұрын

Everything is just too complicated, the question is, would you sacrifice all that loveliness for more reliability?

My advice to anybody do not buy new try and find a one owner well looked after van 2008 era possibly £8000 mark enjoy for few yrs then do the same again its still doing the same job as a £50,000 load of rubbish, paid £36,000 in 2020 same van now is £46,000 my van now is trade value £25,000 listen to me save your hard earnt cash.

Why would anyone buy a bucket with a hole in it! 😊 some people with all the money in the world just love to get out and camp. Don’t want all the bells and whistles just get back to basics but don’t want to wake up in a damp tent with a bad back. Hate 5* hotels. Just wanna get out and enjoy the best country in the world. Do you camp? 🏕️