Why I decided NOT to wait for the GC

[Vanlife1964]

I see that you have opted for the 17" Knaus alloy wheels, I have a TGE on order and was told by my MAN supplier that if you have 17" Alloys you cannot have a full size spare wheel you have to have either a space saver spare or a canister of sealant and compressor. I opted for 16" steels with the idea of going Alloy later and keeping the 16" steel spare.
What were you told or have understood?

I have not ordered yet, looking at maybe 2 years time but want to ensure I get everything right and find a good dealer. Are you ordering a van for conversion rather than a Knaus Boxdrive 680me, which uses the MAN TGE.
Thanks for your reply
Tracie

 

[rod_vw]

I have not ordered yet, looking at maybe 2 years time but want to ensure I get everything right and find a good dealer. Are you ordering a van for conversion rather than a Knaus Boxdrive 680me, which uses the MAN TGE.
Thanks for your reply
Tracie

Yes Tracie, it is for conversion. MAN have 'quoted' a delivery date of no earlier than May 2022 and I am currently looking at a conversion something like this made by Atlas Sport Homes. Maybe they will be the convertor of my vehicle.
You will find an attachment to a post on the previous page of this thread which is the specification of the TGE that I have on ordered. Apart from a confirmation of receipt of the deposit and actual order I have no other clue as to a build date.

 

[Vanlife1964]

If you don't mind me asking what sort of prices are they charging for a full conversion?

 

[rod_vw]

If you don't mind me asking what sort of prices are they charging for a full conversion?

As what they create in each conversion is bespoke to the customer it is impossible to say accurately but £25k is a very very ball park figure.
One thing that I don't think any bespoke convertor can replicate (yet) is the circular shower/toilet door of the Boxdrive. Although no doubt if you were to throw enough money at that someone would do it.

As our next camper may be our last we are planning a well equipped vehicle suitable for a pair of pensioners to hopefully roam Europe successfully and enjoyably.

 

[Vanlife1964]

Yes that is pretty much our thinking. I looked into a conversation company called Celtic Motorhomes and their starting price (without van) is £38000, stunning workmanship though, although your one looks amazing! I think our perfect Boxdrive is going to hit £85000'ish, so with MAN LWB TGEs going for in excess of £45000 for the spec we'd want, I figured it might be easier to order it all through one dealer, as conversation with the extras we want would work out more than that. Would love to keep up with the progress of yours.
Tracie

 

[rod_vw]

Yes that is pretty much our thinking. I looked into a conversation company called Celtic Motorhomes and their starting price (without van) is £38000, stunning workmanship though, although your one looks amazing! I think our perfect Boxdrive is going to hit £85000'ish, so with MAN LWB TGEs going for in excess of £45000 for the spec we'd want, I figured it might be easier to order it all through one dealer, as conversation with the extras we want would work out more than that. Would love to keep up with the progress of yours.
Tracie

A couple of things that steered us away from the Boxdrive were right side habitation door, no fitted gas tank and only two years warranty plus Knaus don't give the flexibility of options that are available on the base vehicle from MAN.
The bespoke conversion also offers an electric raising bed and a slightly lower position for the bed in sleeping position. My wife is not too agile for the higher one and we can manage with the shallower storage below. I may look into two level options for this at the time of conversion.

 

[Vanlife1964]

I may look into the conversion company you are using. Do you mind me asking how much your MAN TGE was in the spec you required? And once you receive your van how long are they stating for the conversion to be complete?

 

[rod_vw]

I may look into the conversion company you are using. Do you mind me asking how much your MAN TGE was in the spec you required? And once you receive your van how long are they stating for the conversion to be complete?

My first comment is not to be too set on any particular conversion company, there are quite a few offering good conversions and worth viewing and talking to.
As the figure that we have ended up paying for the TGE, that was around £46k BUT that was before the recent price rise from MAN.
You may find some very interesting comments and contacts in this Facebook page if you haven't found it before.

 

[Vanlife1964]

Thank you. I've just added myself to that group

 

[Vanlife1964]

I may look into the conversion company you are using. Do you mind me asking how much your MAN TGE was in the spec you required? And once you receive your van how long are they stating for the conversion to be complete?

What decided you on your decision to order a MAN TGE, rather than a VW Crafter?

 

[rod_vw]

What decided you on your decision to order a MAN TGE, rather than a VW Crafter?

Flexibility of orderable options and the price, MAN work out cheaper for a very similar specified vehicle. There is also the knowledge that MAN workshops are open twenty four hours per day seven days per week in most of Europe if you need work done.
I also had the opportunity to see the full options booklet (PR list all 527 pages of it) and make decisions on what I wanted / needed and of course what was compatible / possible.

 

[Digger]

Is it not the case that both are built in the same factory with slight changes to grill etc but basically are the same vehicle. MAN being VW large commercial vehicle group. Makes sense to save the cash by going for the TGE.

 

[rod_vw]

Is it not the case that both are built in the same factory with slight changes to grill etc but basically are the same vehicle. MAN being VW large commercial vehicle group. Makes sense to save the cash by going for the TGE.

Yes, the factory is at Września in Poland and yes the only difference is the badges. MAN also offer a grater range of colours, don't ask how or why!

 

[Vanlife1964]

Flexibility of orderable options and the price, MAN work out cheaper for a very similar specified vehicle. There is also the knowledge that MAN workshops are open twenty four hours per day seven days per week in most of Europe if you need work done.
I also had the opportunity to see the full options booklet (PR list all 527 pages of it) and make decisions on what I wanted / needed and of course what was compatible / possible.

You were lucky to get a booklet, I've been trying to source one with no success!

 

[rod_vw]

You were lucky to get a booklet, I've been trying to source one with no success!

Drop me an email rod{at}vwbooks.co.uk

 

[Scrumpypops]

Your thoughts please...
Having seen on line 4/5 conversion companies, no site visits as yet.
Can i ask those further down the line or more informed than myself.
How far you'd travel for the right conversion?
I ask because if we assume the van is new, it will come with the manufacturer's warranty but anything to do with the conversion, may result in a long journey back to the workshop.
I appreciate there will always be a certain amount of travelling. Been looking into vanguard Conversions in Inverness. I'm in devon so site visits wouldnt be such a problem with flying up, its more once the van is my home and any problems arise.
Do you think in your opinion this would be a step to far or an adventure if you had to drive back up.

Sorry this is long winded, its just i have one chance at this and a life dream to live full time.
P. S i will be moving to wiltshire soon so i can knock 2 hours off my journey!!!!!

Thanks for any replies

Lee

 

[Vanlife1964]

This is pretty much the plan we have for 2 to 3yrs time. Interested to hear others thoughts, personally I would put the perfect conversion over distance and as you say make it put of your travel adventures

 

[rod_vw]

Your thoughts please...
Having seen on line 4/5 conversion companies, no site visits as yet.
Can i ask those further down the line or more informed than myself.
How far you'd travel for the right conversion?
I ask because if we assume the van is new, it will come with the manufacturer's warranty but anything to do with the conversion, may result in a long journey back to the workshop.
I appreciate there will always be a certain amount of travelling. Been looking into vanguard Conversions in Inverness. I'm in devon so site visits wouldnt be such a problem with flying up, its more once the van is my home and any problems arise.
Do you think in your opinion this would be a step to far or an adventure if you had to drive back up.

Sorry this is long winded, its just i have one chance at this and a life dream to live full time.
P. S i will be moving to wiltshire soon so i can knock 2 hours off my journey!!!!!

Thanks for any replies

Lee

From the position of just starting on this road I can warn you that if you are ordering a new base vehicle you should be prepared for anything up to (I hope no more than) twelve months to actually receive it. I ordered a MAN TGE in late August and was told not to expect delivery before May 2022. Then of course there is the conversion time to add before you can use it!
If you look back at post #352 of this thread you will see one company that I looked seriously at and they won't be too far from you when you have moved.

 

[Vanlife1964]

Your thoughts please...
Having seen on line 4/5 conversion companies, no site visits as yet.
Can i ask those further down the line or more informed than myself.
How far you'd travel for the right conversion?
I ask because if we assume the van is new, it will come with the manufacturer's warranty but anything to do with the conversion, may result in a long journey back to the workshop.
I appreciate there will always be a certain amount of travelling. Been looking into vanguard Conversions in Inverness. I'm in devon so site visits wouldnt be such a problem with flying up, its more once the van is my home and any problems arise.
Do you think in your opinion this would be a step to far or an adventure if you had to drive back up.

Sorry this is long winded, its just i have one chance at this and a life dream to live full time.
P. S i will be moving to wiltshire soon so i can knock 2 hours off my journey!!!!!

Thanks for any replies

Lee

This is pretty much the plan we have for 2 to 3yrs time. Interested to hear others thoughts, personally I would put the perfect conversion over distance and as you say make it put of your travel adventures

 

[Scrumpypops]

My thoughts also,
always been too fearful but life events, i see the world differently and now it would be to me an adventure. Anyone reading this from devon/cornwall, any companies this way, so far my research hasnt turned much up. Except a few but doing their own layout, which doesnt work for me.

 

[Scrumpypops]

Yes rod, read up on that with interest. Thank you.
Will certainty visit them. Moving next few months or so, plan to rent for a year + due to lack of anything. Have thought back to orginal van, Westfalia Sven hedin. A few arriving soon.
Appreciate to most a year + is a lifetime, but thats how long ive been waiting
Cheers

 

[The Merle]

Yes rod, read up on that with interest. Thank you.
Will certainty visit them. Moving next few months or so, plan to rent for a year + due to lack of anything. Have thought back to orginal van, Westfalia Sven hedin. A few arriving soon.
Appreciate to most a year + is a lifetime, but thats how long ive been waiting
Cheers

Westy are great vans.
I travelled from Southampton to Scotland to get my 2nd hand joker.
Hire car loaded up with camping gear, once I got van spent a few weeks travelling around up there.
Great holiday, plus chance to iron out any bugs, if any.

Rob at campersales has a few Sven and jokers next year, can recommend them

 

[Scrumpypops]

Thanks buddy, had planned to visit them in the summer, whist in reading but traffic was a mere and couldnt stay any longer. There doesn't seem to be many dealers, I'll do a trip there and harbour creek, only other one i know is the place up Hull way, thats hell of a trip though. Might have to let the train take the strain. Just to see it in the flesh or fingers crossed at the NEC in February
Hopefully once i move I'll find proper time to travel around.

 

[The Merle]

Thanks buddy, had planned to visit them in the summer, whist in reading but traffic was a mere and couldnt stay any longer. There doesn't seem to be many dealers, I'll do a trip there and harbour creek, only other one i know is the place up Hull way, thats hell of a trip though. Might have to let the train take the strain. Just to see it in the flesh or fingers crossed at the NEC in February
Hopefully once i move I'll find proper time to travel around.

Campersales has a demo Sven at the moment phone first if you want a nose as it is reserved.
Plus 2 of the 5 Svens coming in next year are sold so don’t hang around to long.
I drive that all the time only 460mile trip.

 

[Vanlife1964]

Yes rod, read up on that with interest. Thank you.
Will certainty visit them. Moving next few months or so, plan to rent for a year + due to lack of anything. Have thought back to orginal van, Westfalia Sven hedin. A few arriving soon.
Appreciate to most a year + is a lifetime, but thats how long ive been waiting
Cheers

My problem is finding a van with a lengthways lifting bed