Guest Peter James Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Oh Dear it looks like I am going to have to agree with Frank. If you are going to make a big long term investment in upping production and exporting abroad, you need to know how much you will actually get for your product. Look how many good exporting businesses have failed simply because they judged the future exchange rate wrong. Yes I know the Japanese assemble cars here to sell in Europe but outside Europe they have no choice but to make them in Europe if they want to sell them so easily in Europe. Her Unelected Majesty the Queen wants to keep her face on our money, and the banksters want to keep fleecing us for changing it backwards and forwards to Euros. So they try and tell us that keeping the pound is best for the rest of us too *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 peter - 2014-08-25 12:00 AM Who wants to pay 67k to faff about with cushions to make up the bed every night as in a couple of 2014 Autosleepers I peeked in the other day. I couldn't believe it, it could only happen in Britain. The truth is plain and simple. British vans and owners are old fashioned and stuck in the caravan mode mentality. I'll get me coat !!!!!!!!!!!!! Too true, also they don't even have proper tables you have to get a silly thing with folding legs out of the wardrobe. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Said tables do have their advantages and it's interesting to note that some continental manufacturers are beginning to offer them. Much more free space in the motorhome when not being used and the ability to use them outside negating the need to carry a separate table. The key seems to be in ensuring proper storage provision when not in use. In out AutoTrail it sits in a storage slot behind the wardrobe. Take me less than nine seconds to remove and erect it ready for use. To be honest apart from the fact that I always try to buy British and support British workers the single factor that has always put me off most continental motorhomes is the space taken up by their mainly massive fixed tables even when they have tried to minimise the problem by various means. The only one I have looked at that manages to do this quite well is a Frankia where the whole table slides forwards between the two cab seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Peter James - 2014-08-25 7:05 PM Oh Dear it looks like I am going to have to agree with Frank. If you are going to make a big long term investment in upping production and exporting abroad, you need to know how much you will actually get for your product. Look how many good exporting businesses have failed simply because they judged the future exchange rate wrong. Yes I know the Japanese assemble cars here to sell in Europe but outside Europe they have no choice but to make them in Europe if they want to sell them so easily in Europe. Her Unelected Majesty the Queen wants to keep her face on our money, and the banksters want to keep fleecing us for changing it backwards and forwards to Euros. So they try and tell us that keeping the pound is best for the rest of us too *-) OTOH, I would have grave reservations over joining the Euro as it presently is. And I think many present Euro states would have grave reservations over staying with it as it needs to be! I sense an impasse! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 peter - 2014-08-25 12:00 AM Who wants to pay 67k to faff about with cushions to make up the bed every night as in a couple of 2014 Autosleepers I peeked in the other day. I couldn't believe it, it could only happen in Britain. The truth is plain and simple. British vans and owners are old fashioned and stuck in the caravan mode mentality. I'll get me coat !!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't spend all day in bed so that space is wasted during the day. Especially for those with a family, utilisation of space on a rainy day is vital. Time taken to make a bed - less than 1 minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 AliB - 2014-08-26 1:30 PM peter - 2014-08-25 12:00 AM Who wants to pay 67k to faff about with cushions to make up the bed every night as in a couple of 2014 Autosleepers I peeked in the other day. I couldn't believe it, it could only happen in Britain. The truth is plain and simple. British vans and owners are old fashioned and stuck in the caravan mode mentality. I'll get me coat !!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't spend all day in bed so that space is wasted during the day. Especially for those with a family, utilisation of space on a rainy day is vital. Time taken to make a bed - less than 1 minute! Ah!..But what about all of the storage that needs to be put aside for the bedding/duvet/pillows/sleeping bags etc?..and the wrestling of it all, therein? (lol) (..not to mention the large amount of storage that can be lost, by not having a large fixed bed). Also most kids probably wouldn't want to be spending a rainy day, sitting squished on the settee next to M&D(..they'd probably prefer to be the other end of the van, sprawled on the bed with their ipad/watching their own TV...). ..and not forgetting the, "one up....all up!../..one to bed...all to bed! " ,lark which tends to be the way when a seating/bedroom area needs converting/disrupting each morning and night.. (all that lark belongs in "campervan" territory, not in 7-8mtr+ MHs..) As I've said in the past...even your average tent will have a dedicated sleeping area/bedroom pod... :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamw Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Auto Sleepers has recently appointed an importer for Scandinavia, and will be attending two major Continental shows (Düsseldorf and Elmia) to promote the Auto-Sleepers brand and portfolio. Interesting to see how well they are received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 JudgeMental - 2014-08-25 10:11 AM Most on that list are static's (holiday homes) Presumably its much cheaper to market static caravans abroad than motorhomes. With static caravans you only have to reach a few campsite owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Brian Kirby - 2014-08-26 1:03 PM OTOH, I would have grave reservations over joining the Euro as it presently is. Well if we had joined from the start we would have got 1.6 Euros for our pound instead of 1.255 today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 pepe63 - 2014-08-26 2:02 PM Ah!..But what about all of the storage that needs to be put aside for the bedding/duvet/pillows/sleeping bags etc?..and the wrestling of it all, therein? (lol) Bedding gets stored in the drop down overcab bed. pepe63 - 2014-08-26 2:02 PM (..not to mention the large amount of storage that can be lost, by not having a large fixed bed). Can't put the kids in the storage. pepe63 - 2014-08-26 2:02 PM Also most kids probably wouldn't want to be spending a rainy day, sitting squished on the settee next to M&D(..they'd probably prefer to be the other end of the van, sprawled on the bed with their ipad/watching their own TV...). Not true, ours have a great liking for board games and card games for which that lovely big table in the U-Shaped lounge is ideal. pepe63 - 2014-08-26 2:02 PM ..and not forgetting the, "one up....all up!../..one to bed...all to bed! " ,lark which tends to be the way when a seating/bedroom area needs converting/disrupting each morning and night.. Again not true. The Swift 630L can have 3 separate sleeping areas. Overcab double, dinnette double, rear lounge which can be 2 single or one massive double. Each area is separated by curtains. It works well when differing bed times are required. (all that lark belongs in "campervan" territory, not in 7-8mtr+ MHs..) :-D This all go to show that the choice of layout is the most important decision. What works for one couple or family does not necessarily work for another. I won't be long before we are just a couple so our requirements will be changing and we will have to consider that downsizing lark. On second thoughts the Swift is ideal accommodation after and argument - move to the other bedroom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Hi Ali... But you do actually have a "fixed", ready to use bed, though anyway...;-) AliB - 2014-08-27 9:17 AM Bedding gets stored in the drop down overcab bed....//.... The Swift 630L can have 3 separate sleeping areas. Overcab double, dinnette double, rear lounge which can be 2 single or one massive double. Each area is separated by curtains. It works well when differing bed times are required, ...and which you can use to store stuff on...or which could be sprawled on in the day if so required.. ..and as you have a front dinette, you even having the option of leaving the rear bed(s) made up, if you felt inclined to, without it dominating the van's floor area?... (friends ours, have Bessacar, with a similar layout to yours and as they have a young family,it works very well..) What I(and I presume Peter?) was really referring to, were the popular/common UK layouts, where pretty much the entire van is little more than a seating/lounging area(consisting of inward facing settees or a U shaped lounge), with just a loo room and kitchen just stuck at one end. :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 peter - 2014-08-25 12:00 AM Who wants to pay 67k to faff about with cushions to make up the bed every night as in a couple of 2014 Autosleepers I peeked in the other day. I couldn't believe it, it could only happen in Britain. The truth is plain and simple. British vans and owners are old fashioned and stuck in the caravan mode mentality. I'll get me coat !!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are people on this forum so desperate to justify their purchase of foreign vans they come out with things like this? Do you really think you can't get a fixed bed British van for less than £67k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread24800 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Looking round the accent tends to be a typical Euro van, Ducato 130ch, Aircon, rear fixed bed, front L shaped dinette, 160l Fridge low profile and a cost of C 42000€ (£33000). Small wonder that the average British half timbered cottage on wheels at £50000+ doesn't sell in Europe. Or for about £30,000 Sunlight Motorhomes Made in Germany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Brian Kirby - 2014-08-26 1:03 PM OTOH, I would have grave reservations over joining the Euro as it presently is. "Well if we had joined from the start we would have got 1.6 Euros for our pound instead of 1.255 today. " At 1.60 UK industry would be uncompetitive and we would be in recession like much of Europe. This is one of the problems for UK MH manufacturers selling in Europe, they could set up a lhd production line, the exchange rate worsens for them, (better for holidaymakers) and they can't sell them. European imports are about 20% cheaper than five years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread24800 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Billggski - 2014-08-27 3:39 PMBrian Kirby - 2014-08-26 1:03 PM European imports are about 20% cheaper than five years ago. All due to the exchange rate going from near parity to todays 1:1.255. There has been a constant devaluation of Stirling since a short Yorkie Claimed that devaluation would not change the pound in your pocket. Why is it that Germany can recover half its country and repair the ravages of Communist rule and still remain the 'Power house' of Europe and UK manufacturing are unable to match World prices without constant devaluation? I would wonder if perhaps it's because UK ltd is based upon a casino model centered on the City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Billggski - 2014-08-27 2:39 PM At 1.60 UK industry would be uncompetitive We need to aim for the top, competing with countries like Germany on quality and innovation. Not aim for the bottom competing with Bangladesh on price, because they will beat us on that. Even if British workers would work for 20 pence an hour (and they won't because they have had better, and they can't because the cost of living is higher ) we still couldn't compete with them because our infrastructure costs like property, legal costs, green compliance etc etc are far higher too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Had Enough Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Just driven about 150 miles to our latest stop. On the motorway we passed a very new looking Sprite Alpine caravan with a Dutch plate. So Swift is clearly having success selling caravans in Europe. Then again there's no LHD / RHD problem with them. It looked a really nice caravan, a cut above our first one, which was also a Sprite Alpine and cost £300 from a pal. We were newly married and poor but we had some good holidays in it and I made it really sophisticated by fitting a Whale foot pump. Cold water only though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 pepe63 - 2014-08-27 9:57 AM What I(and I presume Peter?) was really referring to, were the popular/common UK layouts, where pretty much the entire van is little more than a seating/lounging area(consisting of inward facing settees or a U shaped lounge), with just a loo room and kitchen just stuck at one end. :-S[/quote Ah, that is bit different but presumably some folk like it as it seems a popular layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 1:1 to 1:1.255 is a strengthening of the pound, not devaluation, and makes exporting harder. Wilson's devaluation actually helped the UK finances at the time. But since the First World War, when it was 14 US dollars to the pound, sterling has been "re-aligned" with major currencies, the euro is an artificial currency where the exchange rate is set by politicians rather than the real world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread24800 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Billggski - 2014-08-27 6:05 PM1:1 to 1:1.255 is a strengthening of the pound, not devaluation, and makes exporting harder. Wilson's devaluation actually helped the UK finances at the time.But since the First World War, when it was 14 US dollars to the pound, sterling has been "re-aligned" with major currencies, the euro is an artificial currency where the exchange rate is set by politicians rather than the real world.So a 14:1 devaluation is 'Realignment'. Shades of 1984. My favourite word would have been disaster. If it was up to politicians to set exchange rates then the various political shenanigans practiced by UK politicians would have had some effect. Oh yes devaluation makes exports more competitive ( Seems even with this we are still unable to maintain a positive balance of payments) but at the same time increases the cost of fuel, food and raw materials to such an extent that the SP needs to be increased to the former real level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 AliB - 2014-08-27 5:03 PM pepe63 - 2014-08-27 9:57 AM What I(and I presume Peter?) was really referring to, were the popular/common UK layouts, where pretty much the entire van is little more than a seating/lounging area(consisting of inward facing settees or a U shaped lounge), with just a loo room and kitchen just stuck at one end. :-S[/quote Ah, that is bit different but presumably some folk like it as it seems a popular layout. most probably not experienced or ex caravanner's where these layouts dominate, they just buy what they are shown and think is available...poor things....sad really :-D put a picture up a while back with panel van with central bed made up of 11 separate cushions...looked so much fun (not). its not in UK dealers interest to promote European layouts as the ridiculous price deferential would fly out the window if euro layouts caught on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Along with straight bananas, Vacuum cleaners that you have use twice over an area because its not powerful enough first time, there will be an EU directive to have habitation doors in the rear, so that neither LHD or RHD can step into the steam of traffic. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Despite all the Daily Mail claims of being dictated to by Brussels, keeping the pound, like Britains illegal invasion of Iraq, shows they only follow EU law when it suits them. Usually when its something they agree with, but want to blame on the EU because its unpopular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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