Lunar Motorhomes

[Keith T]

Any one with experience of these? We've been directed to a new model Lunar X-Star, which has the 6m length and rear lounge we are looking for, but is on a Renault chassis. Any info on either the motorhome manufacturer - quality comparison with Rapido/ Burstner? - or the Renault base, and comparison with the new Fiat would be helpful. Thanks

[Guest TC01]

Hi Keith,

 

I have a Lunar Champ, had it for A little over a year now from new and have had no problems at all with it, though I have read others who have. The water pump on mine seems slightly under powered so might be worth checking and having upgraded if necessary. Mine is on a Fiat so can’t advise as to Renault except to say that I've the hand brake in the Renault is in the centre of the cab which could be quite annoying when moving about.

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

First of all we'd decided on an Autosleeper but when we  went to the NEC and looked at the Lunar range we chose its sister model, the Telstar, over the X-Star. Whilst we liked the end lounge there is absolutely no working space in the kitchen, whereas the Telstar, with its L-shaped kitchen offers far more surface area for cooking utensils and pots and pans etc.

The Telstar is the same spec, two six foot singles or a double and is the same length and chassis etc.

Now the facts: Naturally, we think it's excellent or we wouldn't have bought it. It feels so much more airy than other models that we looked at. It's only drawback is a smallish bathroom but I convinced myself that I only spend twenty minutes a day in there if I shower, so I can put up with it!

I've nothing but praise for the Renault Master chassis. It's 2.5 litres is larger than most in this category and it cruises at 70mph easily and its six-speed gear box means that the engine is hardly turning over. My advice would be to go for the cab air-con and the GT pack which includes a wind-out sunshade, microwave and a Free-to-Air receiver with a drop-down TV/DVD player in the cab.

Since I bought it last month I've had a reversing camera and a satellite dish fitted and on Monday I'm having a Gaslow installation (refillable gas bottles that you fill at petrol stations with the same LPG that cars use).

Finally, so far, everything works perfectly as well! As for the hand-brake mentioned above, we have found this to be no problem at all. Even when it's on it is down at the bottom. It doesn't stay up like a normal handbrake and as soon as you apply it, it slips back down to the base.

If I can help any further please PM me and I'll be happy to oblige.

[foxy]

Hi keith

Had a Lunar Roadstar, had endless problems from day one, the company may have got thier act together by now, I vowed never to have another.

The base was on a Fiat so cannot comment on Renault.

 

Foxy

[Vernon B]

We were delighted with the two Lunar caravans we had in the 90s and then went on to buy a 590 Roadstar in 1999/2000 that too met all our expectations. The company subsequently sold out to a large European group and I've since heard that there are many reported quality problems -hearsay I know but it did come from a source I respect. The same source said that the only current UK manufacturer that was worth a candle was Autocruise - but I'm sure others out there might have different ideas.

 

Vernon

 

PS because motorhomes have engines we tend to expect the same quality standards that we now enjoy from motor cars - regrettably that ain't the case!

 

 

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Hi Keith

Like Frank I have a Lunar Telstar on a 2.5dci Renault Master and I think its a cracking motor, The new breed of Renault is a very good motor and supposed to be very economic, Although I have not checked the fuel consumption yet I have been in touch with the previous owner and he claimed that he managed 30/35 mpg, and they claim that the 2.5 engine is a better motor than the 3ltr

 

Terry

[myshell]

I used to work for Lunar Caravans at Lostock Hall.

I always thought they where a good quality, solid van, that is untill the works manager wanted one for his own use, would he have one straight off the production line like you or I ? would he hell no! his had to be specially made with extra insulation, extra coats of varnish on all cabinets & furniture, better quality lights and fittings etc, etc, and only a select few coachbuilders allowed to work on it.

 

You pays yer money and takes yer chance !

 

 

 

[Guest Frank Wilkinson]

myshell - 2007-01-04 10:39 PM I used to work for Lunar Caravans at Lostock Hall. I always thought they where a good quality, solid van, that is untill the works manager wanted one for his own use, would he have one straight off the production line like you or I ? would he hell no! his had to be specially made with extra insulation, extra coats of varnish on all cabinets & furniture, better quality lights and fittings etc, etc, and only a select few coachbuilders allowed to work on it. You pays yer money and takes yer chance !

That doesn't necessarily mean that there's something wrong with the standard ones, which as you readily admit, you thought were good solid vans. Lunar are middle market, mass production vans, like most of them. Who can blame the works manager for wanting to give his a bit of extra attention? I feel it encouraging that he was happy to use one of his own products as no one would know better than him how good they are.

I once had a chum who was a director of a large bakery and he wouldn't eat one of his own meat pies at any price, although this was a few years ago!