Bigger vans

[CamperFam]

Will you being doing a video on your new van.

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.

 

[Californication69]

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.

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]

Dethleffs Globetrail Performance

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

www.dethleffs.de

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

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[Californication69]

Dethleffs Globetrail Performance

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

www.dethleffs.de

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

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

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.

 

[2into1]

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

 

[Barry Chuckle]

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

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 )

 

[Dasteknoviking]

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.

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[Dasteknoviking]

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.

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[Californication69]

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.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

This is my dream MH, although with the new man, no gearstick, but on the steering column

 

[Dasteknoviking]

This is my dream MH, although with the new man, no gearstick, but on the steering column

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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[secret lemonade drinker]

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.

 

[Californication69]

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.

Those Etrusco vans look amazing value for money !
Diesel 2.2 Fiat with Auto box.
Which model are you having ?

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Etrusco I7400SBC 9spd Auto 2,2 140hp

 

[Californication69]

Etrusco I7400SBC 9spd Auto 2,2 140hp

That’s amazing value for money.
Really like the colour scheme inside too !

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

That’s amazing value for money.
Really like the colour scheme inside too !

Type X package gets you cream gloss cupboards and a lighter fabric, it feels really huge inside

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

This is what is going in the garage, an electric moped (50cc equivalent) 40 mile range

 

[Billylou]

Has this one already featured?

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

 

[2into1]

Has this one already featured?

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

Yikes, "a face only it's mother could love", and that's coming from someone who owned a smurf for 5 years.

No doubt it's practical. Maybe it's better in real life.

 

[Dasteknoviking]

Has this one already featured?

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

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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[Barry Chuckle]

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.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Just when you think it couldn't get any more rediculous there is this for 890K Euro based on a Man chassis:

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=387269311&action=topOfPage&ref=srp&refId=a472831b-64fe-ea1b-3258-b90e70bb293e&searchId=a472831b-64fe-ea1b-3258-b90e70bb293e%252

 

[Dasteknoviking]

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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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Just when you think it couldn't get any more rediculous there is this for 890K Euro based on a Man chassis:

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=387269311&action=topOfPage&ref=srp&refId=a472831b-64fe-ea1b-3258-b90e70bb293e&searchId=a472831b-64fe-ea1b-3258-b90e70bb293e%252

Oops, didn't see this was already posted above. Sorry for that! Need coffee.

 

[CamperFam]

For those interested re our switch-up in size.

Our first proper trip in the GC600 is coming up after living with a T6 for 4 years. We've done one local 'trial night' just to make sure we have the bare essentials and understand the 'workflow' of the van, which was a mix of excitement and upset with the kids for the routine change, didn't like the height of their bunk bed etc (5 & 3, so understandable). But ironically had the best nights sleep ever; even at home!

On the flipside, i've now done three weeks of living with it as my daily (school run + commute to office/station etc. No regrets yet, but certainly does have it's compromises as expected. A range of places (inc the station and local park) dont allow motorhomes, so had to sweet talk my way around that and get an exception. But the seating position, drive, and overall comfort is lovely.

But there is a certain degree of luxury versus the Ocean for our wider uses. With standing height, a toilet, and a seating area with more usable 'desk space', it's an absolute god-send both for working remotely (and escaping my home office), as well as days out with the kids.

I do miss the Ocean's convenience of drive (size, performance, etc) and build quality (a few bits on the GC which aren't at the same level of quality), but so far, i'm still happy with the switch.

 

[Campingrookie]

As a family of 5 I’m a Beach owner but still continually mull over my options as we’re not really using it as we’d planned when we bought it 5 years ago.

Don’t want to go too much bigger but I’ve been looking for 5 seats, 5 births in under 5.4m, which is obviously a big ask and quite a challenge…

I have stumbled across this one though which might be of interest to other families of 5. Appreciate it’s a Fiat base which might put people off but it does fit a lot in a small van!

Robeta Ares - Youtube

Robeta Ares - Website