Out priced yourselves same things going to happen to the sites greed,greed.

I thought that most of the UK manufacturers had the issues with water ingress covered from the introduction of their new technologies in the manufacturing process from about 2014. Seems not! Why would anybody plough £25-50k + into a depreciating asset that is poorly built to last five years and the manufacturers have fingers crossed that it doesn't come back before the warranty runs out. Is it the same as car dealers model for caravan dealers? Financing their new stock purchased for 30 days at a time and then paying the interest on the balance of vans not sold? Probably a lesson to dealers taking on a bad quality poor product, from manufacturers making a quick profit for investors and are not quality products. Not a good Investment and longevity and trust of product for ownership of the end user. It will be survival of the fittest so only the very best will survive of what is coming very soon.

It's only going to get worse. Wealth is increasingly concentrated into older demographics. Anyone under the age of 45 neither has the capital nor the vehicle, and is too saddled with education debt, housing debt, and wage stagnation. We're an earning household in the top 5% of income, but could never afford to buy or run a caravan. To put it simply, all the caravan buyers are giving up as they get older, and the next generation isn't interested because they're too broke.

I have a Elddis affinity 540 2013 and still water tight fingers crossed, I have emailed Elddis a few times but never got a reply and even phoned but that was a waste of time. All I require was some info regarding what type/name of the jointing strips on my caravan interior, never did find out what a waste of time.

p.s. I'm sure you want customers to buy wisely so i really think you have a small duty (only on a slight moral level obviously) to also mention that the end panels are ONLY made of thin flimsy ABS plastic which has a poor history of cracking, letting in damaging water/rotting the wooden frame underneath & that Elddis does not cover the panels after 1 year (google the issue if unsure). Swift & Bailey abandoned ABS just for this reason. Customers should shun ABS in favour of GRP (fitted on other caravans) because it is so much superior (GRP= glass re-inforced plastic).

Selling Bailey products is it suprising, Ive had three bailey caravans and everyone had damp issues. I can't believe we cant make a "box" which is waterproof. The other thing is when you do have "issues" they just 'DON'T WANT TO KNOW'. Thecaravan industry is a total disgrace at the moment. YES all dealers say their market is bouyant, "well they would wouldn't they". They should concentrate on "customer care" NOT CUSTOMER SALES.A disgrace all in all.

The market is in trouble for two reasons: 1. Prices of new scaled out of control during Covid and are simply correcting themselves, albeit dealers are stuck with stock at a higher price than they can sell them for. And 2. Demand has dropped off because Covid campers are now going abroad again, and UK campsites haven't got the 'drop off in demand' memo and stubbornly are keeping their prices high putting people off.. Even the CAMC sent out begging emails this week offering discounts, right in the middle of the high season; that in itself tells a story; mostly one of greed... Vans are too expensive! campsites are too expensive! Camping is no longer the cheap family holiday it once was, and it's struggling to compete. Flights to guaranteed sunshine have never been cheaper leaving only those hardened campers and those with dogs still doing it... The market is convulsing after the 'very very' good years of profits! - Let's hope dealers put enough of those profits away for a rainy day cos the forecast is heavy cloud....

The price of new caravans has got ridiculous since Covid while the product is of a very questionable quality. I for one will never buy another Elddis product after the ongoing problems that my current Buccaneer has had and that is from someone who prior to Covid changed my caravan every 3 years with the last 4 being Elddis caravans.

If so many caravan manufacturers didn't make caravans with inbuilt water ingress design, over time, then perhaps customers would buy them ? I have no confidence in caravans made with the first line of defence against water ingress being sealant ?

Andy one of the things that I think hasn't really been addressed with dealers closing is the issue of warranty and serving. I know many dealers now are reluctant to service or accept warranty work for caravans they haven't sold. Whilst the warranty is obviously with the manufactures they don't seem to have a stipulation in dealer contracts that makes dealers offer aftersales services to owners of products not brought from them. This is really concerning as whilst there are obviously independent mobile caravan service providers - surely there is a need for manufacturers to step up and now make sure the after-sales is there across the country. Interested in your views on this.

Here is a very good explanation from a caravan dealer, why dealers go bust and why more will follow . kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKeakJWuhJmXjNE

o me god so cruck old bandsit escroc u are lallaalala

Charming couple Andy, great to see young people with great enthusiasm 😊

Hi Andy Great vlog again, your thinking always interests me. I've had a Bailey Phoenix brand new about 2 yrs ago, got rid after 6 months, terrible build quality, costly mistake, I will stick with Swift. Look forward to the Motorhome book launch. Going looking at an OMAR Park home soon, the wife Julie is excited about it. Conrad.

Hi Andy, again I find myself agreeing with you about family layouts. We recently traded our 2017 Pursuit 570/6, a great bunk bed van which we used loads over 7 years. The dealer has it for sale for £2,000 less than we paid for it 7 years ago. I’d add I’m happy with the trade in deal they gave us too. I’m guessing it will sell very quickly and I’ll keep tabs on their website and update you 👍 Anyway really appreciate your vlogs and industry insights. Andy Z

These videos have made my day. I absolutely adore cavalier caravans, have done since being a young child and always thought I would never have one, but I am now in possession of a 1979 460GTS in almost nearly original condition. I think it's only the curtains that are not original and they gas bottle box. The plastic underneath is still pristine, the folding step is working, paloma water heater, fridge and heater. Full cooker and oven. It even still has the cavalier smell. Thanks for sharing this. There is not many of these and on the rally scene and I get so excited when I do see one.

Hi Andy, great update as usual. Have to say I admire your confidence on likely future of Elddis (or EHG or whatever they are currently called). As you know Elddis are fairly local to me and there is talk that Thor may just pull the plug and sell off the current factory site for housing _ I hope not and that they will just move to another site - the current factory has never been ideal anyway, I believe it started out as a crisp factory or something similar.

I have never been a unicorn fan . the external trims , colours from 2010 or 11 when they first come out. im not anti bailey im still using my gt 60 which i still think is a great looking caravan

Choice

Hi Andy, nice setting for a video chat. Lots of interesting things about to happen with Eldiss and I'll be interested to see your Coachman and Swift reviews. Hope Eldiss let you video their old vans when you there. Good news about more book work coming your way. Many thanks for the shout out.

👍🙏

just goes to prove that there is life in the older statics that rip off site owners force you to sell. but i hope it brings the couple years of happiness. also they could be used here to help solve the housing crisis.

Great video, you're at your best on dealer sales. Tough time for people looking for starter caravans, it's the same in Ireland anything good between 6000 to 12000 is gone as soon as they land in dealerships. Don't believe myself that those top end vans were worth the money people paid for them. Prices holding up well in Ireland as there is a lack of dealerships here.

Love the basecamp 4

HI Andy, i never normally comment though as lovely as these refined lifestyle vans are, its the cost of them that now puts them in a completely unfordable bracket to justify what is essentially a hobby. The site fees now are no longer that affordable for couple or family holidays post Covid, with many sites not reducing their prices and now charging per person, and therefore pricing themselves out of the market. I think its all got out of hand, with dalers now cosing or reverting to motorhome sales only as these can essentially be parked anywhere for buttons when of to central Europe.

Cracking little van for an outdoorsy family. The seats seem a bit minimalist but I like the exterior funky design. I’m guessing there’s no wardrobe as the designer assumes people will leave their gear outside or in an awning. It seems a bit weird.

Great Vlog Andy, I think the Swift Basecamp 4 is a much better option, another £1000, but far superior. The Adria looks very basic.

Hi Andy, yeah very interesting video on static caravans. Two lovely people, I always thought static park owners make people upgrade very often. It's a very costly hobby over here in Ireland, the general rule is you must upgrade every 6 to 8 years. The best of static caravans are moved off sites and sold on. Be interesting what Gretta and Diamond think of the barrel wagons. Well done on coming up with something very different.

Fantastic bit of kit, great video.!

Hi there seam to be a lot of Lunar caravans on the market at present Do you think there is any reason for this

Saw an Abi Marauder and Monza 1400ct stood in a field the other day and thought if you.

I worked there from 1964 to 67 and again from 1969 to 70. Was a joiner and fitted many a caravan on the line.

Loved that video. It's good to know that prices aren't crazy anymore. Hoping to get an almost new 2 birth next year so will keep watching and learning. Cheers

Is the front pull out table the same level as the table when it’s up! In our Elddis Affinity it is.

swift roof windows WILL leak or crack , bailey floors WILL get wet. Dont know what to do next. Anyway just seen swift have brought the monza name back on a camper van.

We bought it from kimberley caravans nearly £15000 and from 1st trip sink in bathroon leaking pipe not connected properly. Then unbeknown to us the underside of the tap was leaking in the kitchen sink. That was repaired on warranty but water had settled on the offside corner behind the boiler and the floor in that area had to be replaced . Then on service kimberley found water ingress on the nearside corner around the window again done on warranty. Then the straw that broke the camels back on service the found cracks on the rear panels near the awning rails . Kimberly told us that Eldiss dont warrent panels after a year old so i had to pay myself £300 before the next service i found more cracks on the rear panel in same areas . Kimberley advised me to ring Elddis direct . They were not interested and blamed pot holes on the roads but for 2 years the van was on a seasonal pitch and never moved .because aventually water would have got through the cracks we sold it on . Elddis treated us like dirt . This wasnt a one off this model of caravan had the same issues . On the caravan chat forum it was unbelievable how many people were having the same problems . One guy spent £1500 on a new panel then 18 mnths later it cracked again. If Eldiss have rectified this issue include it in the 10year water ingress policy they won't so im afraid i will not be giving Elddis Hymer my business again .

Great video Andy as always, caravan prices have been high recently, but if your looking for a bigger van new or used and you need a bigger car to tow it, your into motorhome prices, more attractive??

I had a brand new xplore caravan 6 years ago suffered with water ingress and in the end after 3 years the rear panels started to crack Eldiss didn't want to know consequently we got rid I wouldn't touch one of these caravans with a barge pole.

Good review as ever. Wandahome was an option when we bought our current Sprite but my wife hated the interior of their Ace version that year (2018). Now desperate to see the 2025 Sprite and also the Unicorn if , as you say, Bailey are about to change it - Harrogate could get expensive for me!! Just looked at GT Towing website but very little left and don't particularly want to buy in Hertfordshire. Prices do seem to be all over at the minute - was at Newark for National Motorhome Show last Saturday and even motorhomes had a lot of offers on them - however some dealers seemed optimistic - £208,000 for a Carthago and Coachman (Kabe) not much less. VW camper makers wanting over 60K in what to me is a saturated market !!!

Great video as ever Andy and thank you for the shout out once again! It is really an interesting place, our local dealer, you know is White Arches and they have very few vans in… let alone the lower end like they once used to. Keep up the good work :) Andy

There is a new swift Trekker being launched in October at the nec, end lounge. No pop tip

Interesting video Andrew, more please

Prices are now becoming more ridiculous so far as build quality is concerned. The bubble has burst with overpriced vans and if the likes of Elldis dont up their game they will be gone within the next 12-18 months. That’s my opinion of course.

Another industry that flooded the market post COVID ( like cycling, paddle boarding) seems people don't want caravans any more when they can go abroad, and the quality of stuff coming out of factories is utter dog poo, so it's maybe payback for these manufacturers whose quality is in the gutter. If the car industry had the same quality they would be going bust. Maybe manufacturers should take a long hard look at themselves.stop making expensive poncey caravans.

Good video Andrew, when entry level vans are over £20k and used prices are similar if not more than they were when new, I think people are questioning the value of touring caravans. Especially as the prices creep towards motorhome prices at the top end, whilst quality seems to have worsened. I think industry greed will kill the caravan if not careful

Just taken delivery of a new Pegasus Ancona, we got a very attractive deal with ££££ off list price. They discounted it without us even asking. Also got them to switch our mover and a new set of shocks fitted. The final piece of the jigsaw was the attractive trade in price offered on our old 2017 Pursuit. I think it was a deal both parties were happy with.

There’s another gone. 😪. Let’s hope we don’t end up with a monopoly in the world of touring vans like what happened to statics .

Thank you for this video I am in the process of buying one and this video was so much help for me and was lovely to find out the history of the company to

Great Vlog Andy, we store our motorhome in secure storage, we dont have space at home, and our insurance require it secure. Our storage is £140 per month, lot of money, but hopefully its safe. By the way my other half is Julie Gough, i know she messages you a lot. Look forward to the next one. Conrad.

I think, as you say, part of the problem are the associated costs. We had caravans for 32 years and then 5 years ago moved to a Motorhome which we find easier. But it costs £120 to fill up and we only use CL 5 van sites, but they are now £25 to £30 per night, so 7 nights could cost £330 which makes it no longer a cheap holiday. That's before you factor in the purchase price of the caravan or motorhome. I know of two people who bought MH's during covid and have now sold them and are going abroad again for holidays.