Owners Feedback

Took delivery last Saturday, I purchased a 2004 ex demo model with a hefty discount from a dealer in Burton on Trent. The handover/demonstration was done by the workshop staff and conducted in a way which gave me confidence in the dealer.

I have spent many hours looking at all manor of 2 year old UK manufactured caravans, as they all displayed the problems I am now experiencing with my 13year old Elddis, I concluded no way, they would be a bum purchase, even brand new, they install no confidence in me whatsoever. 

On holiday in South Wales we popped into the LMC dealer and were very impressed with the German display models, but after a big debate, concluded the big fixed tables and formal wrap around seating at the table was not suited to families, the kids would have driven us mad moving us out of the way to keep leaving and returning to the seats. Also, we did not want a van with the door on the off side, we imagined being pitched next to the neighbours from hell and having to face them 
from the awning each day of our holiday. 

We stumbled across the Geist earlier in the year, at the time I didn't know who made them but looked around the exact caravan I have purchased, and dismissed it, the thing that stuck in my mind were all the visible screw heads. 

I later found out they were made by LMC and went back for a further look, we thought long and hard and eventually decided to purchase the caravan. This was after spending about an hour opening and closing all cupboards etc making sure it was not as rushed during assembly at the factory as 
I first thought.

I have never purchased any item of this value, my cars are always second hand and cost below ten thousand pounds, so this is a very extravagant purchase for me.

It tows very well, but is very heavy. This is my first single axle caravan so was a little concerned over the vans high sides and single axle configuration. I have paid extra to have the Winterhoff stabiliser 
fitted to the Geist, this is the first stabiliser I have ever used. On the way home I overtook a lorry on the A38 without any undue under tow or movement from the caravan at all. 

I haven't used the van yet but have had a good play with all of the systems and pondered about use and owner ship and so far am impressed and hopeful.

Insured it with the Caravan Club for what I consider a reasonable price but had to confirm the exact sizes of the caravan prior to cover being issued.

My observations are

Far superior built quality to UK vans, it is very spacious and superb use of space.

Cleaning looks as if it will be long winded, I can not reach the awning rail (despite being 6ft tall) so will need to use an extended brush or similar, no more just nip out to clean the van before we go away.

Not sure about having the access to the toilet cassette in the awning, I would have preferred to have kept the chemicals away from the living space.

As the van is so high fitting the awning won't be as easy, and I am not sure if it will look right, I will report once I have tried it.

If the web site allows I will add comments as I get more familiar with the van, but the bottom line is I am very impressed with all the caravan promises to be.