Do we go bigger ?

[Neuromancer11]

I was originally looking at the Knaus but when I saw it at the NEC show, the mechanism allowing the raising bed reduced the length of the bed to the extent that being 6’ tall there wasn’t really enough room to stretch out. The Columbus has a longer bed, although it does taper at the foot end - though I don’t find this an issue. Reviews I’ve read suggest the heating vent into the pop top doesn’t work well. A concern I’d have of the 70k Hymer vans is where the money’s been saved, again, I’ve read on reviews that there no insulation in them at all. But I agree it’s a big saving and well worth considering.

ah yes my thoughts exactly on the bed, glad i wasn't the only one, the Columbus is excellent i guess you get what you pay for. I had considered were the savings might off come from, the materials clearly are as good quality, plus my kids have no respect so this works in my favour lol, also I'm not really a cold weather camper so if it is from reduced insultation that wouldn't have a major impact to us, the sceptic in me things that its a lot to do with Westfalia's margin profile

 

[Neuromancer11]

The 2025 Laika ecovip on a fiat maxi chassis really blew me away.
I was terrified I’d spent £100k on a fiat and not a Merc, although I couldn’t stretch the other £40k needed for a carthago.
So thought I’d settle for the fiat.
The handling up hairpin bends at 10pm at night whilst I was racing to get the the Bro-in-laws was sublime.
I have had the £1200 MAD air assist on the rear and it just keeps it planted.
In sport mode, it was brilliant.
Felt like that bloke driving the coach up the hairpin bends in The Italian Job.
The dashboard ain’t too bad, and the modifications I’ve done helps. (Added some 3” ducting from passenger footwell to drivers footwell, as drivers feet had no heating in the winter)
The air con is icy cold.
The front brakes are Brembo.
There’s nothing I can fault.

i haven't seen an Evovip in the flesh, but really loved the Kosmo Supremo if i could have a 6m van that would be right up there, the configurator again makes the Ecovip almost 90k with everything on it, which actually makes the Kosmo look a great deal, shame about the payload and my small driveway

I'm currently talking to a few dealers, i'm not sure what(if any) discounts are available on the list prices for these type of vans, given the deal i got on the Cali, i'm not keep on paying list for anything!

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

ah yes my thoughts exactly on the bed, glad i wasn't the only one, the Columbus is excellent i guess you get what you pay for. I had considered were the savings might off come from, the materials clearly are as good quality, plus my kids have no respect so this works in my favour lol, also I'm not really a cold weather camper so if it is from reduced insultation that wouldn't have a major impact to us, the sceptic in me things that its a lot to do with Westfalia's margin profile

The Westfalia heating system must be quite a bit more expensive than the normal Truma blown air systems. The heat source is an Ebar*** diesel heater similar, I think, to the Cali, but there’s also an electric plugtronic option when on hook up. This then feeds 5 x individual mini-radiators throughout the van each of which has a fan that can be used to boost the heating effect. In addition, there’s underfloor heating in the van and bathroom as well as separate thermostats allowing for different temperatures in the van and bathroom. All makes for a very comfortable environment throughout the year.

 

[acer]

The Westfalia heating system must be quite a bit more expensive than the normal Truma blown air systems. The heat source is an Ebar*** diesel heater similar, I think, to the Cali, but there’s also an electric plugtronic option when on hook up. This then feeds 5 x individual mini-radiators throughout the van each of which has a fan that can be used to boost the heating effect. In addition, there’s underfloor heating in the van and bathroom as well as separate thermostats allowing for different temperatures in the van and bathroom. All makes for a very comfortable environment throughout the year.

The 6m versions are understandably warmer when the weather is poor, but how do they do in the heat compared to a California (my only reference point).

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

The 6m versions are understandably warmer when the weather is poor, but how do they do in the heat compared to a California (my only reference point).

My guess would be that they’re much cooler. There’s less glass in the vehicle (Cali is like a car) plus the metal panels are insulated (no insulation in the Cali) thereby reducing the effect of the sun. You can also fit a roof fan (or even AC) neither of which is an option in a Cali.

 

[stoobthealien]

The Westfalia heating system must be quite a bit more expensive than the normal Truma blown air systems. The heat source is an Ebar*** diesel heater similar, I think, to the Cali, but there’s also an electric plugtronic option when on hook up. This then feeds 5 x individual mini-radiators throughout the van each of which has a fan that can be used to boost the heating effect. In addition, there’s underfloor heating in the van and bathroom as well as separate thermostats allowing for different temperatures in the van and bathroom. All makes for a very comfortable environment throughout the year.

A plugtronic option on the Cali would be brilliant!

 

[andyinluton]

The big sliding door is an Interesting observation that I hadn’t considered.

I found the sliding door makes a huge difference.

With an ordinary caravan style door you are either in or out.

With a slider you can have someone outside cooking thats not isolated from those sitting inside or vice versa. You are all camping together.

I found the GC slider especially good in this respect.

 

[Neuromancer11]

not having much joy with a potential Corado 540 order, spoke to a dealer, really low p/x price on the Cali and only a 1.4% discount off list