The Caravan Owners Club

[Hobbynut]

It has become more and more apparent over a period of time that the interest in owning a Hobby caravan seems to be on the increase. It is also apparent ( due to my experiences of selling my Hobby recently ) that these vans remain mystery to alot of people. With this in mind it is also apparent that people selling Hobby's are sometimes economical with the truth in relation to the age of the van they are selling. Hence some of the diabolical strokes that I have seen on Ebay recently..eg selling a Hobby 710 UMF Excellent and claiming it is a 2002 when it's absolutely impossible for this to be the case as Hobby stopped making this model in 2000. The funny thing is out of all of the misdescribed vans I have seen, not one of them has described their van as actually being OLDER than it is, they all claim them to newer ???
My advice is don't buy without looking and checking the condition and chassis number to make sure you are not getting ripped off. If in doubt come to this website or any other Hobby related website and ask before you buy. It could save you alot of trouble. Look out on these sites for Roy Armstrong and Beejay, their knowledge is invaluable
Cheers
Hobbynut

[jandj]

Hi Hobbynut

Good point well put.
Because the hobby's and older fendts are not cris registered from the factory people wont know how to tell the age from the chassis no easily.
I have somewhere a detailed dealer spec sheet from hobby that enables
you to identify the Model no / year of manufacture and trim level from
the vin no. I'll dig it out and post it here in the next few days.
That should help people clarify things.

Cheers

David

[Hobbynut]

If you look along the chassis number from left to right, its the letter or number immediately to the right of the letter " F " which denotes year of manufacture
MOF S = 95
MOF T = 96
MOF V =97
MOF W = 98
MOF X = 99
MOF Y = 2000
MOF 1 = 2001
MOF 2 = 2002
ETC

Cheers
Hobbynut

[beejay]

Hi Hobbynut

Good point well put.
Because the hobby's and older fendts are not cris registered from the factory people wont know how to tell the age from the chassis no easily.
I have somewhere a detailed dealer spec sheet from hobby that enables
you to identify the Model no / year of manufacture and trim level from
the vin no. I'll dig it out and post it here in the next few days.
That should help people clarify things.

Cheers

David

I await that with interest. Thanks

[diamondsdame]

You have just helped me no end with the chasis number details for year of manufacture, which will hopefully clear up a query on a 720UMF sale with no CRiS or paper history. Grateful thanks, your effort is noted by this new member - a Hobby owner wannabe! Currently enduring a Coachman Pastiche, which is OK....but.... need the build quality, the extra thought in storage, the space, the style and the workmanship... slightly depressing that this all cant be found in British design.
On a similar note, is anyone aware of a year/price average list for Hobbys? a sort of Glasses guide to buying? We have been looking for ages and found vast differences in prices for no apparent reason (apart perhaps from the one "unavailable to view as it is in bonded storage" ...hmmm, that was so unbelievable).
thanks again,

[Hobbynut]

Hobby prices vary quite a bit due to condition..If they are used 24/7 by travellers, mother, father, 5 kids and 3 dogs they tend to suffer from what I describe as accelerated wear...If you have a look on Autotrader website that will help you build up a picture of what " what is fetching howe much "

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARAVANS/caravans.jsp


Cheers
hobbynut

[ceri and kev]

interested in this van on ebay, i know its a dry van, really not bothered as long as its clean and not stolen!! it looks like a 2003 in my opinion but your input would be much appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

would be willing to part with cash for this van if as it seems. ive had advice from local police, it seems all i can do history checking wise is to ring through an hpi with chassis no. if not cris reg.

any info, advise more than appreciated

many thanks, wannabe hobbyiers!

[Podzak]

hmmmm.
The clue to the year my Hobby was made was the year engraved on a plate stuck to it.