the general Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 This will be my 1st visit to nec show. I am planning to buy a van conversion in 2014 done some research this year short listed Vantage East neuk Ih Can any members recommend any other van converters to look at during the event and any tips I plan 2 days to have a good look and take notes etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Hi 'general', if you can give us an idea of what type of layout you are thinking of we can probably suggest some suitable ones to look at, other than that you'll just have to see what's on show as not all manufacturers will have vans at the show. Also, worth considering, is whether or not you want a RHD or a LHD one, as you'll pay a fair bit less (as I understand) by buying in mainland Europe (Belgium or Germany usually), than in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 With two days you should be able to look at every van conversion in detail. you haven't said what size or layout your considering so hard to recommend say Globecar if they don't do what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the general Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 Yes should have gave more info sorry RHD REAR LOUNGE 55 inch? ( small ok as I am single traveller ) Small dinette traverse bed ok Base vehicle.swb (5.4 mtrs ) upto lwb(6mtrs) a compact PVC Have seen several PVC at shows during year some looked cheap builds ie Mickey Mouse catches , roller doors on cabinets looks cheap I want a good robust quality build PVC one that would stand long trips without shaking and falling apart i just finished 5000+ mls trip around uk in my basic transit but now I am approaching 60 I want a bit more comfort!! Budget upto£45/50 k maybe in the end buy a quality IH second hand. Can any PVC owners give me their favourite builds/base vehicle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi 'general.. Although we haven't got a PVC now, the '03 A/S Duetto (RWD Transit) we had a few years back(our first van)was streets ahead of the Compass Suntor CB that we followed it with...?! :-S Although even that still had the odd "mickey Mouse" fitting/catch..as unfortunately, which ever manufacturer/converter you use, they all tend to be using the same windows/blinds/skylights etc, with their iffy plastic catches/components... I'd like to think that some of the more "bespoke"/lower volume converters( eg IH and Murvi etc) would offer better, more durable build quality but having never owned one, I can't really say... I tend to agree that it it'd probably make sense to looking at a decent used( and sorted!) quality item.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Very good build quality from Murvi - that's why people hold on to them - and the awards they have had over the years must be a good sign. IH also look pretty solid. Good luck with your choice. ( Just take your time and hopefully get it right ! ) ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 :$ :$ :$ oops -double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 We have visited NEC (too) many times whilst searching for our present van. Our critria meant that ducato/tranny/master/sprinter PVC MWB/LWB where all looked at, we found that this would take us 1 day. with two days you should be able to look at every PVC then go back for more detailed look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 the general - 2013-09-12 6:43 PM Yes should have gave more info sorry RHD REAR LOUNGE 55 inch? ( small ok as I am single traveller ) Small dinette traverse bed ok Base vehicle.swb (5.4 mtrs ) upto lwb(6mtrs) a compact PVC Have seen several PVC at shows during year some looked cheap builds ie Mickey Mouse catches , roller doors on cabinets looks cheap I want a good robust quality build PVC one that would stand long trips without shaking and falling apart i just finished 5000+ mls trip around uk in my basic transit but now I am approaching 60 I want a bit more comfort!! Budget upto£45/50 k maybe in the end buy a quality IH second hand. Can any PVC owners give me their favourite builds/base vehicle MMM's Buyers' Guide section indicates that (besides Vantage, East Neuk and IH) up-to-6m-long panel-van conversions with a rear lounge layout are currently marketed by Autocruise (Rhythm, Accent), Auto-Sleepers (Warwick Duo), Devon (Aztec, Monte Carlo), Laika (Sport 100) and Wildax (Aurora). Amongst these converters, the base-vehicle choices are Citroen Relay/Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer or Renault Master/Vauxhall Vivaro (Devon, Vantage). Specifying a rear-lounge layout and a maximum length of 6 metres as 'must haves' means (as I'm sure you appreciate) that you are limiting your choices severely. For example, many people would consider a Mercedes Sprinter or VW Crafter to be the best bet for long-term reliability, but nobody seems to market a sub-6m PVC version with a rear-lounge layout. Are you fussy about motors with cam-belts? If so you'd need to avoid PVCs with the Fiat 2.3litre powerplant. A company called "Moto-Trek" will be exhibiting on Stand 11-40 at the NEC Show. They produce well-priced, well-specified PVCs under the "Leisure-Treka" name. http://www.moto-trek.co.uk/motorhome/test/technical-information All Leisure-Trekas are built on the 6.36m-long Peugeot Boxer, so exceed your 6m limit. Nevertheless, it would be worth you visiting their stand as specification/price seems very attractive. I'm not sure if Carthago will have a stand at the October NEC Show but, if so, it might be worth you seeing if the "Malibu" PVC is being exhibited. http://www.premiummotorhomes.com/carthagomotorhomes/malibu/carthagomalibu Neither of the Malibu models meet both of your length/layout prerequisites, but the quoted price (from £38,500) is interesting and Carthago is renowned for its build quaity and style. (Just look at the photos.) As you've got a pretty good idea what you want, you might also want to consider having a PVC built to your particular specification. This company has been around for more than 20 years and has a good reputation for quality conversions: http://youngconversions.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the general Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thank you Derek for info very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 I forgot about Shire Conversions. Their Phoenix 3 model http://www.shiremotorhomes.co.uk/Phoenix3motorhome.html is well specified and priced, and meets your length/layout requirements. The "View PDF Specifications" button on the Phoenix 3 webpage doesn't seem to work (for me) and I'm pretty sure the 2012/2013 Shire brochure I've got is outdated. The NEC Show's exhibitor-list indicates Shire Conversions will be on Stand 11-110. This 2012 thread may be of interest http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Shire-Conversions/29036/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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