Since launching the new website, we thought we'd add a page on what Vanmaster owners think about their caravans and what experiences they have had with them. We hope to get a few more soon, but for starters, here's a few questions answered (with our thanks for the time spent) by Graham & Katie Bull of Lancashire

How long have you owned a Vanmaster? Since September 2006 - Sadly, only a few months. What influenced your to purchase? My wife and I have well over 30 years of experience with touring caravans. We have seen 3 children come into this world, travel and holiday extensively with ‘us’, and since ‘fly’ the nest. During this period of time we have probably purchased at least 7 or 8 new caravans, each fitting our then requirement. From several 4 wheel, 5 berth leviathans, to the current 2 berth Vanmaster. On each occasion, we did considerable ‘research’ before completing the purchase, thus enabling the caravan to fit ‘what we wanted – at that time’.

In recent years we have increasingly experienced poor build quality, apathy, total lack of customer care from several ‘major’ manufactures, apparent total apathy from their dealerships, especially with aftercare which in many cases has been all but non-existent!

The Vanmaster interest probably started well over 2 years ago, when through the then current frustration, being experienced, my wife and I visited Vanmaster. We called in without any appointment, introduced ourselves and expressing an interest in the caravans. We experienced the friendliest of receptions considering we were unknown, given a personal comprehensive tour, and then refreshments, which I supposed influenced us then as much as anything else. For various reasons we did not purchase a caravan then. But, some 12 months later, after yet more frustration with the then mass produced caravan we owned, we deliberated on an immediate replacement.

So we did our usual research, and remembering the previous visit to ‘Vanmaster’ we returned after discounting any other new caravan which was available then (September - 2007 model year).

Once again we were greeted by Cyril and Pauline, introduced to, and then had several lengthy conversations with the craftsmen building the caravans in the production area, no pressure, no hassle. We were convinced there and then - it was too be a Vanmaster for ‘us’. The rest - they say ‘is history’. We completed the purchase of our new caravan there and then.

Caravan or Hotel, and why?

We do stay at hotels, given the circumstances and the occasion at that moment. For instance the more formal occasions which we are attending at or indeed parents of groom - Which happily recently occurred! But really we use a caravan the vast majority of the time. We tend to try and ‘get away’ on as many occasions as we possibly can throughout the year, as well as taking main holidays in a caravan. I suppose costs are also a prime mover in the equation.

Q.4. How does your Vanmaster compare to other caravans you may have had?

Answered quite easily in our case – ‘there isn’t any realistic comparison’. We have experienced over the years, in all but one of the new massed produced caravans a deplorable build quality and the pre-delivery inspection. Many have been quite costly, but this did not equate to their finished product. With these massed produced models, the after sales service and customer care has been appalling. It strikes us over the years, that once any ‘deal is done’ you are of absolutely no interest to anybody, even if you have genuine ‘problems’. At this point in time with the Vanmaster compared with the last two mass produced caravans, it would have been back to the dealership already at least once – probably more, with a considerable list of faults, followed by many others. With the Vanmaster – absolutely nothing!

What’s the build quality like?

Quite simply – outstanding, solid, well finished and a credit where credit is due - too those craftsmen who built them. We are more than pleased with everything, and have visited the factory before and since becoming Vanmaster owners and we have been pleasantly impressed by the very interested and friendly manner of the craftsmen in the factory. They take time to converse with you and show a genuine personal interest in you. It’s also rewarding to us, as customers to meet the craftsmen who built your caravan and with their quite obvious pride in the finished caravan.

What are your favorite features?

There’s no one ‘favorite feature’. We’re totally happy with the ‘whole’ Vanmaster, which is why we bought it. We knew what we wanted - this had it - deal done! If you really wanted a favorite feature, we would suggest ‘happiness and contentment with peace of mind’ with the caravan, which unfortunately we have not experienced for many years with other manufacturers.

How easy is it to use?

Very – Once you are mobile, you hardly know it’s there, especially if you have the correct vehicle to tow it in the first place. So - drive to wherever, switch on, that’s it!

Who in your family uses the caravan?

Only my wife and I use it – hence the two berths, we’ve tried to ‘downsize’ for many years, and now have eventually succeeded! Doubtless, if grandchildren ‘appear’ then ‘we’ might have to re-assess where we go from there – but that’s another story!

Where have you been? Having only owned the caravan for a short time, we have not used it to any great extent as yet. We have already attended several caravan centre rallies; the first was straight from the factory – that’s confidence for you! We use the caravan all year, and now that we have taken possession of the ‘Vanmaster’ we intend to use it extensively on many more occasions. There is no ‘closed or out of season’ for us. Invariably, every summer sees us heading off onto the Continent somewhere, usually decided around Christmas time. Next year – who knows?

What was your best holiday and why?

As already mentioned, unfortunately we haven’t had this caravan long enough to take a main holiday in it as yet! Having said that, as a family we have toured extensively throughout Western Europe for many years, and covered countless thousands of miles in doing so. We have visited numerous countries, seen some wonderful places, and experienced very pleasant company and the local cuisine many occasions. Once we are both fully retired we intend to use it more comprehensively and to extensively tour this country and venture considerably further when we are abroad – probably for many weeks/months at a time.

Would you buy another caravan, and would it be a Vanmaster?

Yes - without any hesitation! The total experience has been most satisfying!

Have you any other observations?

Yes – We have met other Vanmaster owners on rallies and it's pleasing to hear their comments, and having made us most welcome in their company – we have not previously experienced the phenomenon with any other marques of caravan! So much so, we have since joined the ‘Vanmaster Owners Club’ and hope to meet many more owners in the future. We have noted that the caravan does attract interest whilst out and about and we have been very pleased to relay our caravan experiences which are now very much enhanced.

Graham & Katie Bull - Lancashire