My 2016 Vanmaster V640 TBEW caravan after four years.

After buying a new 2014 Swift Conqueror 645 and having the dreaded pothole crease appear in the bodywork we decided to buy a forever van in the shape of the 2016 Vanmaster. I have to say having toured all over Europe as far as Croatia, it’s been brilliant. Very little goes wrong but when it does a screwdriver is all that’s needed to fix it.

[@shaneworker]

Different level of quality. Great British engineering at its best. You must be over the moon with it👍

[@huwfish]

Blimey, I didn't get notification of this. I'm still chuffed 8 years in. I've had some issues but nothing I couldn't put right myself. Then I put right what I did to fix it. All very basic stuff as it's built with a crosshead screwdriver.

[@keithfletcher6358]

evening Huw really enjoyed this video beautiful van, in the process of buying a 640tbew noticed on another vid of yours your towing cover fitted could you tell me the make and serial number so i can order one best regards Keith.

[@vincentmcardle6613]

Lovely 'van, we have a Vanmaster Ovation which we have just had re-upholstered by Steve at Vanmaster, he did a brilliant job. Thanks for sharing your 'van, they really are the best

[@huwfish]

It’s the fact that they stand updating so well that makes them so versatile. I could change the layout if I wanted (I don’t) and all the colours of carpets, curtains and upholstery. Makes them feel new all over again.

[@vincentmcardle6613]

@@huwfish You are right, they really are the best

[@CaravanVlogger]

Wow, that's some caravan you have there! Just about every possible option, really nice. Quad movers and self levelling system, both things I'd definitely have. Thanks for sharing. I'll now go and have a look up vanmaster caravans. Graham

[@paulandsarahcaravanlife]

What a beautiful caravan. Enough room to swing a 😻 lol thanks for sharing.

[@chrismalloy7688]

We bought our (same model 2012) van when it just over 1y old and still have it. The layout is slightly different but mainly cosmetic. They are very good vans but we have had issues. When I approached Vanmaster to discuss the issues the reply was ‘Sorry previous company and they have gone bust’. Therefore all of the issues I fixed myself and all were insulation issues. Front Heki didn’t have a complete sealant run, so it leaked. The rear skylight in the bathroom also leaked with the same issue and the roof joint at the rear was a real problem. When I opened it up to fix that leak I was surprised as to just how little sealant they had used within the joint and that too was a bad leak. The door frame had an issue with condensation and I eventually had correspondence with the German manufacturer who admitted, yes they do have a problem and no, they do not have a solution. My solution to that issue was to place 3x solar powered fans in the van as the condensation happens due to the change in temp between ambient and the interior heating and cooling. I also replaced the motor-movers with Reich units last year and apart from that we still love the oldie worldie feel and look of the van. Ours is plated for 2.2t and for some bizarre reason we achieve 25 - 30% better fuel consumption over our previous van and they have all been twins and lighter.

[@huwfish]

Hi Chris I did have a similar issue with the Heki over the bed. I removed it, cleaned everything and refitted it. Same issue, very little sealant. Mines a 2016 van but the business has now been sold to Steve Tudor (Ex Employee) who works from his Dad's farm in Wigan. He said he was happy to sort out the leak but pointed out that the company was now sold to him from Phil Narey (2013 - 2018) and my warranty was spent. I never went back because the small issues I've had didn't warrant the 10 hour round trip to get them done. I did it myself and learned loads in the process. They are much easier to sort out yourself and you possibly get a better job done too!

[@huwfish]

Unfortunately, due to supply issues, Vanmaster no longer manufacture caravans. They still exist but deal with servicing and repairs only at present.

[@larryward3876]

Not again we went through this a few years ago.

[@huwfish]

@@larryward3876 it’s the nature of the beast with bespoke. People are not there in sufficient numbers to make a hand built caravan viable as a business. Parts that the big companies get at huge discounts like windows and doors come in at full price as the small company can’t get quantity discounts. This makes the whole idea start to be too expensive to bother. I think mine may have been the last or second from last ever built.

[@lesliebinks5716]

Hello Hue, trying to understand what the payload is actually like. They quote 400kg off the plate. But what is actually included in the MRO? Have you weighed your van to find out?

[@huwfish]

I'm not sure exactly but there is a formula that manufacturers have to follow. Something like half a tank of water, a gas bottle and battery is included as they're required equipment. My model starts out at 1800kg. The MTPLM is 2500kg. I've added together the weight of the extras I've fitted and taken account of the load weight or payload. I had it weighed when I collected it with everything from my previous caravan included (I've since reduced this immensly) . There was so much stuff that I never used. It came in at just under 2390kg. I've never had an issue towing so long as tyre pressures are good. Had a low tyre at the same time my compressor died which didn't upset it but did change the handling passing trucks.

[@lesliebinks5716]

@@huwfish Hi Hue, Thanks for the reply, it’s a mine field trying to understand what is and is not included in the manufactures spec. I did phone Vanmaster direct but they could not advise what was included. All they Said was it depends on what the spec is going to be from the customer. Thanks again Les