Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
I'm not a "tin tent" person but have to say after stumbling on this thread and then looking up the top of the range Hobby I could be converted... wow! Very modern and stylish!
17th Aug 2012 3:00 pm
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
What type of person are you?
17th Aug 2012 3:13 pm
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
Well.... it all began about 39 years ago......
17th Aug 2012 3:24 pm
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
The problem with hobby vans is that our friends like em so much that forget the rules about ownership rights etc. and some sites won't let you on if you have a hobby,
But yes they do look fab.
17th Aug 2012 4:14 pm
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
On the basis it's only to stop undesirables entering their site, if you turned up with one attached to the D3 with no hint of bulk lavender or clothes peg storage... would they really turn you away?
Or is it that they're flippin' huge and look far too smart to have everyone else giving the green eye?
17th Aug 2012 4:45 pm
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
It's not the second, as to the former I really don't know they might, some have big signs up saying no hobbys etc.
17th Aug 2012 4:48 pm
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
Re Hobby's, it might be the width. I tow an Eriba Troll (which is much the same as towing nothing for a D3) therefore dogs must fit neatly into a jacket pocket For some strange reason Brits seem to favour vans fitted with ovens! Suggest to my missus that a roast dinner would be nice on hols and you had better take cover. Hymer or Dethleffs would be my recommendation.
By the way, our dog is quite comfy in our Troll.
17th Aug 2012 6:16 pm
bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
Funnily enough I have a hymer and it is fab.
17th Aug 2012 6:19 pm
airstreamer
Member Since: 03 Nov 2012
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 40
8) Have to agree they are the coolest van sorry trailer going and they should last a lifetime!
Ted Newman wrote:
If the Hobby is the Discovery of the caravan world then the Airstream must be the Rolls Royce
We have the two berth 532 and we have towed it all the way to the Sahara.
'scuse the Sorento
3rd Nov 2012 10:45 pm
mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
Another vote for Coachman. We're on our third, a 2013 Laser 620/4. We have also had others over the years such as a Bailey Senator (yeuk), a Swift Conqueror (Nice enough) and an Elddis Crusader which fell apart in under 2 years. Having said that, the more modern Baileys are nicer than the old ones but I just wish someone would take the crayons away from their interior designer.
I have also looked at a Dethleffs and a Burstner which were really nice but the width put me off. You need really wide extension mirrors and it makes for a tight squeeze on some sites, oh and most of the Germans have the door on the wrong side.
Like I said, we've just taken delivery of our third Coachman and for us it's the best in class. Build quality is fantastic, trim levels are very good and this latest layout really suits us. I am a bit of a snob on sites, refusing to stand in someone else's shower dregs so I always use the van's bathroom. Oh and the Alde wet central heating system provides perfect comfort levels and lashings of hot water for showers.
4th Nov 2012 8:10 am
twoakers
Member Since: 15 Nov 2010
Location: Harwich
Posts: 367
We agree with the choice of a Coachman.
We got our first Coachman, a 2006 Laser 650/4 earlier this year and can't fault it.
At 6 years old it is still like new 8)
So IanT599 what did you get in the end ?Cheers, Dave in Essex
D3 07 TDV6 HSE
Clubs - Turbo changed, EGR valves replaced, General Grabber ATs, Hawkeye FC reader, Front/rear wishbones, manual gearbox change, autobox flush, cam belt change, HPFP belt change, oil pump change....
Coachman Laser 650/4 caravan
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4th Nov 2012 12:54 pm
Eyeball
Member Since: 14 Jun 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 81
Very happy with our 2008 Sterling Elite Searcher (Swift). Wet central heating excellent (a must in my opinion). Rear bathroom very generous (ideal with two children). Full size fridge freezer and microwave. We don't have need to use site facilities. Fixed Double-bed comfortable to a fashion (needs a topper). Disco3 tows like a dream.....especially useful as I don't have a mover on this twin axle. Did nearly get turned away from a municipal site in France for the twin axle (Q:- pourquoi...A:- Nomade!! !). All other comments and advice seem good though. Hope my input helps.
4th Nov 2012 10:23 pm
IanT599
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 600
Still not got a caravan yet.
We are looking at the Bailey Madrid as our starter van. Not many on the 2nd hand market but we're hoping for more choice in the new year when people will be getting the new ones delivered.
Ideally we wanted the 2013 Coachman Laser 620/4 as it is our favourite layout and huge but it's out of our price range.
As we both have no holiday time until new year we thought we'd wait till then to purchase a van.Ian
No longer a LR owner
2018 BMW M240i
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Gone
2004 TD5 ES - Gone
2008 TDV6 G4 -Sold and missed very much
4th Nov 2012 10:50 pm
cold_n_wet
Member Since: 05 May 2009
Location: Bergen
Posts: 1509
I worked in a caravan repair workshop as part of the dealer network 16 years ago.
Hobby were the cheapest of the cheap, we tried our hardest not to take them in Part ex, due to the poor build quality.
We ranged the caravans then in this order. Very sorry if we step on peoples toes here.
Hobby
Tabbert.
Dethlefs
LMC
Burstner
Knaus (my personal favorite for a summer van)
Hymer.
Stavsjo.
Kabe.
Bjølseth (Norwegian winter wagon).
If you want it all year look at something with an Alde water central heating, this would run on 240 or gas, just that little extra comfort.
Do the dogs get dirty ? would you like to wash them maybe an external shower point may be useful.
Will you move everyday, do you need an awning ? large or small ?
Not a tin tenter myself, and like I said its 16 years since I fixed caravans, and quality changes too.
GlenIDTOOL PRO / Faultmate programing and BAS remaping services in Norway.
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friends like em so much that forget the rules about ownership rights etc. and some sites won't let you on if you have a hobby,
For some strange reason Brits seem to favour vans fitted with ovens! Suggest to my missus that a roast dinner would be nice on hols and you had better take cover. Hymer or Dethleffs would be my recommendation.
!). All other comments and advice seem good though. Hope my input helps.
