Hymer 314 van (1 Viewer)

2buy4rob

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Hello to you all,
i'm a new member on here looking to buy my first motor home. A bit about me, i'm a single male ,55, fit and healthy and have been looking/saving for the past 3ish years towards a small motor home to go mainly wild camping - Scotland and Ireland and maybe take in the odd Motogp round in Europe. I like the look of the Hymer 314 van, Burstner Travel van and the Knaus van Ti. The Hymer would have to be new but it does seem to do everything i would like. Can anyone offer any advice as i would like to buy right first time - if possible!

Thanks, Rob
 

scotjimland

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Just my opinion Rob, .. but for a single male and mainly for wild camping , I'd be looking for a PVC (panel van conversion) the models you are looking at are all coachbuilt..

PVCs are less 'obvious' and more suited to finding these wild lonely places at the end of dirt roads.. being narrower they are less likely to be damaged by hedges etc ..

my choice would be a Globecar / Possl van conversion, made in Germany
 

Anthea M

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Hello Rob. Welcome we have a Hobby van and love it . It's 6metres long but has a big garage and transverse bed . All the makes you are looking at are similar! Good luck

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Oct 15, 2012
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Hi and welcome to FUN, I'm Jim on this one, don't write off PVCs until you've looked at a few, good luck in your search. (y)
 

pops

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Yes you definitely want to look at the PVC's that are on the market. Plenty of good offers around at the present moment.

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May 7, 2011
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Hi Rob , 314 looks a nice van ideal for 1 person, only 2 burner cooker & very small fridge, no oven or grill not a lot of storage for pots & pans etc otherwise very nice.
 
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2buy4rob

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Thanks for replies so far! I have looked at PVCs ( Hobby Vantana, Knaus Boxlife, Westfalia Amundsen and Adria Twin are the ones i have seen so far and i did like them ) Take your point about stealth capability of PVCs. Forgot to mention i was thinking of maybe taking my motorbike on a carrier with me too. How well insulated are they in real world use, does anything annoy owners about the layouts how comfy are the rear beds? Will have a look at the Globecar/Possl.
 

scotjimland

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How well insulated are they in real world use, does anything annoy owners about the layouts how comfy are the rear beds? Will have a look at the Globecar/Possl.

There are three owners that I know of on here , @MinxyGirl @chockswahay @Judgemental (believe his is for sale, check the Fun classifieds ) ..maybe more, all speak highly of the Globecar/Possl vans. there is a time lapse video on Youtube of the construction .. quit impressive.

We were going to buy one but decided against as there are still three of us.. perhaps in the future..

Not forgetting Murvi.. also well screwed together

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DBK

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Thanks for replies so far! I have looked at PVCs ( Hobby Vantana, Knaus Boxlife, Westfalia Amundsen and Adria Twin are the ones i have seen so far and i did like them ) Take your point about stealth capability of PVCs. Forgot to mention i was thinking of maybe taking my motorbike on a carrier with me too. How well insulated are they in real world use, does anything annoy owners about the layouts how comfy are the rear beds? Will have a look at the Globecar/Possl.
Have a look at the British made Murvi as well. Excellent build quality and very light and airy inside.

I've just been on a Murvi owners club rally and I can vouch for most of the owners being quite normal! If normal includes taking your vehicle to Iceland which three folk did this year. However, I wouldn't recommend it for say winter skiing although that has been done but only by draining out all the water. The Posl is very good on insulation but has a very cramped sitting area compared to Murvis. I can only suggest look around and check layout, quality and comfort. The latter is important as many MHs have for example short, vertical seat backs which are fine if you like being reminded of going to church!
OI000017~2.jpg
 

Judge Mental

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Thanks for replies so far! I have looked at PVCs ( Hobby Vantana, Knaus Boxlife, Westfalia Amundsen and Adria Twin are the ones i have seen so far and i did like them ) Take your point about stealth capability of PVCs. Forgot to mention i was thinking of maybe taking my motorbike on a carrier with me too. How well insulated are they in real world use, does anything annoy owners about the layouts how comfy are the rear beds? Will have a look at the Globecar/Possl.

Welcome...panel vans far less troublesome and easier to live with, no damp issues in comparison and more secure....

My Globecar/Possl for sale in classified section..great van. Sale due to health

Eddie

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/2013-globecar-possl-636-fr-french-bed-model.114486/
 
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Paddywack

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If you want winterised I'd have a look at the Le Strada Nova in classified as well as the Judges - both class vans

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Chockswahay

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As a Globecar owner I do indeed have a bias :love:

We are very happy with ours, it does suit 'wild camping' and would have all the room you need. If I were you I would have a look at the shorter (5.6 mtr) Roadscout due to tighter turning circle, however the fridge is all electric so you would need a stack of solar panels for more than 2 nights off grid :eek:

Broken Link Removed They can be had for much less (y)
 

Cal54

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If you do decide that a PVC is right for you then you could do worse than have one fitted to your own specification. Ralph of Ralph and Bev did one this year and it was truly amazing. A Funster member Terry does this also. I have a PVC and I think it is great but would love to commission one to my own specification.
 
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2buy4rob

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Judgementals PVC looks great but a bit too long for me, was looking at 6m max as i would like to keep it on my drive. Signature in Preston is not too far away so will try and have a look there. Building your own sounds good but i think you need to of had one to know what you would like.

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scotjimland

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Building your own sounds good but i think you need to of had one to know what you would like.

yes.. but the same applies for buying 'off the shelf' .. it's rare for someone to buy the 'perfect' van first time...

the most important and basic question when deciding .. do you want a fixed bed.. or prefer a U shaped lounge ?
 

Judge Mental

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Judgementals PVC looks great but a bit too long for me, was looking at 6m max as i would like to keep it on my drive. Signature in Preston is not too far away so will try and have a look there. Building your own sounds good but i think you need to of had one to know what you would like.

its 14 inches 0r 36 mm longer then a 6 metre van..But that makes a hell of a difference inside as you end up with a much better layout:)

We previously had a 6 m Adria there is no comparison for traveling

Eddie
 

hilldweller

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take in the odd Motogp round in Europe.
Thanks, Rob

Tricky one this. Stay at circuit and get no sleep at all. Stay outside circuit and you have to be able to get there. Forestboy has best of all worlds with his Versys in the garage, though not an option in a smaller van.

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pops

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Have you looked at the Pilote F60 at Lancaster Caravans in Bolton Le Sands ( on eBay). Had nothing to do with seller but have a 2013 Pilote f630 which we have been very pleased with. Also Hayes Leisure have new ones in stock.
 
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Try one of the independant's as they will alter things around for you where as the big company's won't. Ours is a wildax the one to go for would be the Ih but you'll have to win the lottery for that
 
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2buy4rob

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Hmm, Pilote looks good too, will try and get up to see it. Was pretty much set on a PVC originally then saw small narrow coachbuilts, now back looking at PVC's... oh dear!

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Charlie

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Judgementals PVC looks great but a bit too long for me, was looking at 6m max as i would like to keep it on my drive. Signature in Preston is not too far away so will try and have a look there. Building your own sounds good but i think you need to of had one to know what you would like.

The small extra length that comes with the longer PVC is something you will not feel from the drivers seat . But the benefit will be felt when it comes to day to day living...
We have the more usual PVC at 6 metres. I wish we had gone for the extra long one now but it's too late.

Do we concentrate on what we can get on the drive or the sheer usability of the vehicle when we are away ?
 

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