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Grand or not?

CampervanTime

CampervanTime

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1,061
Location
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 204 4 motion
Nice looking van, but could really do with being offered on a VW / MAN platform too as they're going high end with it and the Ducato will put some people off for sure. It would give Knaus and VW some competition in the high roof (c.3m tall) shortish van category. Upper bed mechanism looks clever and good to see the rear bed fill in piece is integrated too.

I think it's the first time I've seen the bench seat have seats that can move apart from each other too, that is clever. Obviously the sliding forward/reclining thing the Westfalias do (Sven etc). Interesting stuff.
 
W

Wondering Star

Messages
310
Location
Cambridgeshire
Vehicle
T6 Beach 150
Was told yesterday the Globetraveller are in negotiations to supply vehicle on VW or MAN platform.
Having said that even though I drive a 6m Merc van and in some ways prefer VW/ MAN/Merc the Fiat's trump card is size at 6.4M.
For me I would like the extra space of the Fiat, a VW or similar at 7M would be oversized for my needs.
 
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B

Billylou

Messages
66
Location
Uk
Vehicle
Cali now sold
Good morning CaliforniaTime

Yes, it was a 2020 Sven on the Man TGE chassis.

1) The heating system is one of the reasons I have gone for the Sven Hedin again. It is far superior to all of the systems I have had before. I had the second battery and 200w of solar power. The solar kept the batteries topped up, however the weather was good and the heating was rarely used, but the hot water was always on.

2) I don’t recall there being an ‘auto dump’ frost protection system, nor did I have any issues, although there weren’t many cold nights. I have had issues with the Truma system in other vans, it is annoying.

3) I didn’t have the underfloor heating.

4) I had the 177bhp DSG. I covered approximately 7k miles in it whilst I owned it. General running around was no more than 25mpg. On longer journeys it would do 30mpg.

5) Design flaws:

- The bathroom door would catch on the work top - fixed with a rubber stop
- Needed to add some small rubber stops on other furniture e.g. the bed step to protect them
- The fridge was problematic initially, the compressor etc. is remotely mounted under the bed. This was fine once the problem was identified and fixed.
- You can leave the bed made up, but the pop out means you have to keep sorting the bottom sheet out
- No awning light option - easy to sort out
- The mixer taps are plastic, I assume for weight saving, however, the van fully laden with full tanks was only around 3400kg
- The bathroom door catch was a clever magnetic catch, never worked properly, I see Westfalia have changed the design.
- The rear door handle has a strap fitted so that the handle can be reached in an emergency, the strap needs to be perfectly positioned or it stops the top of the door latching.

Mostly niggles that were/are easy to fix.
Hi @Svenhedintony, did you find an owning light solution? Thanks
 
S

Svenhedintony

Messages
18
Location
Hertford
Vehicle
Just browsing
Hi @Svenhedintony, did you find an owning light solution? Thanks
Billylou

I have taken delivery of a new Sven Hedin and Westfalia have made some changes, which include an awning light as standard. The light also acts as a drip rail to stop water dripping on when the side door is opened. I haven’t had to fix this!
 
B

Billylou

Messages
66
Location
Uk
Vehicle
Cali now sold
Sorry @Svenhedintony but I’ve just read your response again and noticed you didn’t say anything about 12v sockets, does that mean there aren’t any? Apologies for all the questions. Thanks
 
S

Svenhedintony

Messages
18
Location
Hertford
Vehicle
Just browsing
Sorry @Svenhedintony but I’ve just read your response again and noticed you didn’t say anything about 12v sockets, does that mean there aren’t any? Apologies for all the questions. Thanks
Hi

There are no 12v sockets in the habitation area, but there are some in the cab area.
 
soulstyledevon

soulstyledevon

https://www.instagram.com/kennycalifornia
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5,564
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Cali now sold
Globetraveller have launch a new MAN 4x4 called the Falcon

Not sure about that layout.
Accessing the toilet with the bed made is a bit of a hassle.
With a bigger van do most people want a fixed bed?
On the plus point, lots of day-time hangout space.

It’s interesting…
 
H

hmy7k

Messages
15
Just collected my Knaus Boxdrive 600XL, which is the equivalent of the GC600, so far very impressed with everything about it.

Build quality is excellent, the main factors for me over the GC were the less clinical interior and the less challenging appearance, they have made a better job of hiding its bulk in my opinion.

Well worth a look if you are not sure about the GC.



IMG_0690.jpeg
 
Eber123

Eber123

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Messages
1,102
Location
Kilcock, Kildare, Ireland
Vehicle
Grand California 600
The Knaus Boxdrive 600 looks really good.

I just watched a few YouTube videos about it. It seems that there are a few things better designed as in the GC.

I wish you always free roads, cheap diesel and save traveling.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
rod_vw

rod_vw

VIP Member
Messages
984
Location
Shropshire
Vehicle
Motorhome
Just collected my Knaus Boxdrive 600XL, which is the equivalent of the GC600, so far very impressed with everything about it.

Build quality is excellent, the main factors for me over the GC were the less clinical interior and the less challenging appearance, they have made a better job of hiding its bulk in my opinion.

Well worth a look if you are not sure about the GC.



View attachment 106092
Did you opt for the sliding fly screen in the sliding door area? If so is there a makers name anywhere on it please?

PS take care that you don't ground that step!
 
H

hmy7k

Messages
15
Did you opt for the sliding fly screen in the sliding door area? If so is there a makers name anywhere on it please?

PS take care that you don't ground that step!
Yes I do I have the sliding screen and there is no branding on it at all, looks to me to be made up from various standard profiles and sections.
 
rod_vw

rod_vw

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984
Location
Shropshire
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Motorhome
Yes I do I have the sliding screen and there is no branding on it at all, looks to me to be made up from various standard profiles and sections.
Thanks, I believe that they are made by Horrex, I'm looking for a supplier of one for a left sliding door on a MAN TGE. However as far as I have been able to discover the price is horrendous, they are over £700 for a T6!
 
H

hmy7k

Messages
15
Its a £460 option on the Boxdrive although mine came in a package of optional extras so I didn't specifically opt for it.
 
J

Jester

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Dorset
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Grand California 680
It looks like the standard fit in the GC and use it all the time to keep fly’s and mosquitoes out
 
rod_vw

rod_vw

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984
Location
Shropshire
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Motorhome
Just had a price for the sliding door screen for the TGE and asked my converter to order the Horrex one. Time will tell if it fits and works well!
 
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