Bigger vans

Wondering Star said:
Would imagine 90k is the starting point for the base 2WD, similar to Hymer's Grand Canyon S which starts at 89k.
I suspect a MB based Westfelia James Cook AWD with sensible spec would retail for 140K+
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Makes me think, 140k and more for a panel van ,most people will sit on a crowded over priced campsite with kids kicking football’s parents sat up till all hours making more noise
I think 140k + could be better spent but that’s my opinion the truth is people buy these vans thinking they will travel etc but the reality is so different most people won’t even do 3k a year then they sell at a massive loss a year later.
The California is as good as it gets in my opinion yes you can get a big panel van etc but nothing will compete with the California it’s so versatile the build quality is as good as it gets yes people have problems but that’s the same with everything.
 
CamperFam said:
Most likely. Just need work to calm down to find the time! How some of the channels do a video a week with families etc is beyond me! I barely have time to hoover the house.
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Exactly, this is why I’m holding off for the next 3 to 6 years.
Save the cash. Buy outright.
Might get a 5 year old low mileage MY25 James Cook Westfalia 4x4 on the sprinter base.
Thats if I last that long ha !
 
Dasteknoviking said:

Dethleffs Globetrail Performance

Entdecken Sie den Globetrail Performance auf VW Crafter-Basis - innovatives Raumbad, großzügiges Querbett und erstklassige Ausstattung. Jetzt entdecken!
www.dethleffs.de www.dethleffs.de

All new for 2024, Dethleffs makes very nice quality campers and falls under Hymer Group.

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That has some nice extras over and above the Sven.
Biggest for me: freezer box in fridge.
Extra large shower, nice feature. Not sure if it would be annoying in the long run.
Looks good, like the colour scheme.
 
This is worth a watch. Peter Vaughan is usually quite reliable and has gone in strong saying this van is the next step up for a Cali Couple. The comments don't agree and are worth a giggle
 
Last edited:
2into1 said:
This is worth a watch. Peter Vaughan is usually quite reliable and has gone in strong saying this van is the next step up for a Cali Couple. The comments don't agree and a worth a giggle
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Thanks for sharing 2into1 !
I viewed this van and it does have a premium feel, but that's where it ended for me sadly.
No boot space whatsoever, you don't realise just how narrow the bed is until you see it in person, long bench seat staring at the sink isn't ideal.
I really respect Peters videos and opinions, however I think he is perhaps being overly charitable to ensure that he keeps getting vans to review......
Is this really worth £30k more than a Sven Hedin??? (perhaps I'm biased :D)
 
Maybe I can chime in on a bigger van experience.

Crafter-based Knaus Van Ti 640 - Roadsurfer Edition. It's a 8spd automatic mated to a 177ps 2L TDI on a 3.5T chassis. 7m in length, 3.1m in height (roof mounted AC adds few centimeters).

I must say this versions of the Knaus is custom made for Roadsurfer as it has a flat floor inside and additional overhead storage shelf, plus few additional decors. I rented it last minute because the camper I nearly bought, got sold from under me and I had summer holidays in Poland planned.

I absolutely can not stand a camper that does not have a flat floor, as we have a dog and having him falling all over the floor when he is moving about trying to find place to sleep is a no go. We keep a dog bed behind the driver's cabin, as you can see on the pictures.

Fit n finish is quite average, maybe a step up from GC but my van has had the shower door handle installed backwards making exiting the shower a bit tricky.

The skylight shade/screen literally came loose from the roof by it's securing bolts. It feels like the bolts are stripped out as I tried to tighten it but the bolts next really go tight. Aside from this most of the cabin is rattle-free, except for the stupid Reimo door blinds that must go - rattle is absolutely horrendous.

Bed in the rear no complaints, as is the bathroom - 2 shower drains and 100l of water fresh/Grey was nice. Largest Thethford cassette toilet, very nice. The biggest selling point for me is a huge refrigerator/freezer that works wonderfully. My wife was blown away by it as well with the pull out drawer inside.

Massive garage that can swallow bicycles.

Air suspension in the rear makes leveling a breeze.

Two person bench that extends for more elbow room is nice, but for long drives it's too upright. I can't comment much on the inside table however, as we tend to dine outside and our large Labrador has his sleeping den inside.

Fuel economy is around 11.5L/100km at 120kph indicated - 114 GPS speed.

Let me know if you have any questions. Having driven this and the GC 600, I would have to be crazy to buy the GC over this van and prices in Germany are quite similar.
b72d5406fe89f962d6556161819e95b9.jpg
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Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk
 
To add I made a similar review last year with the Knaus Tourer Van 500 MQ (also from Roadsurfer) that's based on the T6.1 chassis - skip that van all together as pricing is close to the Crafter/MAN based van and you get a lot more. Provided you have space for a 7m long behemoth.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk
 
Dasteknoviking said:
Maybe I can chime in on a bigger van experience.

Crafter-based Knaus Van Ti 640 - Roadsurfer Edition. It's a 8spd automatic mated to a 177ps 2L TDI on a 3.5T chassis. 7m in length, 3.1m in height (roof mounted AC adds few centimeters).

I must say this versions of the Knaus is custom made for Roadsurfer as it has a flat floor inside and additional overhead storage shelf, plus few additional decors. I rented it last minute because the camper I nearly bought, got sold from under me and I had summer holidays in Poland planned.

I absolutely can not stand a camper that does not have a flat floor, as we have a dog and having him falling all over the floor when he is moving about trying to find place to sleep is a no go. We keep a dog bed behind the driver's cabin, as you can see on the pictures.

Fit n finish is quite average, maybe a step up from GC but my van has had the shower door handle installed backwards making exiting the shower a bit tricky.

The skylight shade/screen literally came loose from the roof by it's securing bolts. It feels like the bolts are stripped out as I tried to tighten it but the bolts next really go tight. Aside from this most of the cabin is rattle-free, except for the stupid Reimo door blinds that must go - rattle is absolutely horrendous.

Bed in the rear no complaints, as is the bathroom - 2 shower drains and 100l of water fresh/Grey was nice. Largest Thethford cassette toilet, very nice. The biggest selling point for me is a huge refrigerator/freezer that works wonderfully. My wife was blown away by it as well with the pull out drawer inside.

Massive garage that can swallow bicycles.

Air suspension in the rear makes leveling a breeze.

Two person bench that extends for more elbow room is nice, but for long drives it's too upright. I can't comment much on the inside table however, as we tend to dine outside and our large Labrador has his sleeping den inside.

Fuel economy is around 11.5L/100km at 120kph indicated - 114 GPS speed.

Let me know if you have any questions. Having driven this and the GC 600, I would have to be crazy to buy the GC over this van and prices in Germany are quite similar.
b72d5406fe89f962d6556161819e95b9.jpg
eb89ca7b7909d2952af535c33bd11254.jpg
7aa1388f9fbae300c7915c917158ee51.jpg
5bcbc2fc1212d8f2ab06e0a57eb10acf.jpg
5d31302466c4745061742d0930a99a38.jpg
09eed841c8b290833742a1929e53ce45.jpg


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This is my dream MH, although with the new man, no gearstick, but on the steering column
 
Californication69 said:
This is my dream MH, although with the new man, no gearstick, but on the steering column
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Not sure why not other converters have picked up the Crafter for a semi-integrated camper.

Knaus seems to be the only one, all the other vans are just camper vans - and Crafter are quite narrow inside just like Sprinters.

Knaus is mid-range in terms of conversions - probably somewhere with the Sun Lights, Cardo.

For sure it doesn't come close to Dethleffs or Hymer which are on the higher end, of course below Concorde or N&B which are the top motorhomes.

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Have a look at Etrusco (Hymer owned, hymer parts, made in Italy in the same factory as Laika).

We collect an Integrated 7.4m (behemoth) in two weeks time, separate toilet/washroom, separate shower, 4 berth, 4 travelling seats, a garage for a motorbike, all for the same cost as an Ocean.
 
secret lemonade drinker said:
Have a look at Etrusco (Hymer owned, hymer parts, made in Italy in the same factory as Laika).

We collect an Integrated 7.4m (behemoth) in two weeks time, separate toilet/washroom, separate shower, 4 berth, 4 travelling seats, a garage for a motorbike, all for the same cost as an Ocean.
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Those Etrusco vans look amazing value for money !
Diesel 2.2 Fiat with Auto box.
Which model are you having ?
 
Billylou said:
Has this one already featured?

www.vanyx.io

VANYX | Luxury without compromise: The high-end offroad camper

VANYX: ・Handcrafted exclusivity ・Individual design ・Maximum mobility | Only 99 unique pieces worldwide. ➤ Become a VIP member now!
www.vanyx.io www.vanyx.io
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They don't even know what they are selling...

Says 7spd automatic on their site. Unless they swap in the 7spd DQ500 DSG from the T6 into this, it's just a nogmal 8spd Aisin automatic transmission - which btw is quite good match for the Crafter. 250ps power is what a proper remap does to a 177ps engine.

At this price I would be looking at Concorde or Phoenix.

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I looked at their interweb site, looks quite interesting but found it a little sparse in some detail. They don't really show you the interior in any detail and the cost is simply insane! Does look pretty cool though.
 
I would just buy an Affinity van for 100k and opt for AWD configuration + VB Air Ride and chip tuning and save myself 750k. Sleeping in a alcove like bed for 900k? No thanks.



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