New British Teardrop

[angib]

I've just come across this:



None too pretty, in my view, and a scary $9,000 introductory price, but some people will covet those swivelling porthole windows.

It's made by Danbury Motorcaravans whose Type 2 VW bus conversions have been mentioned here before.

Andrew

[bdosborn]

Hey, that's Herbie. And he looks fully loaded
Bruce

[dmb90260]

It looks kind of small for over here but it should hold a couple wee Scots with no problem.
That would be two well off wee Scots.

[GeorgeTelford]

Wow

They are taking the Mick price wise, Electrics pack £799 and £899 for TV/DVD on top, even a top qulaity 20" Flatscreen and good DVD Bought retail is nowhere near that.

It looks very Naff compared to some of the home done beauties, I have seen here.

The exterior wood looks like they employed failed carpentors, very ameteur finish, I would have been ashamed of the fit and the finish (the varnish looks really bad) way back in my schooldays, did nobodybthink to sand varnish sand varnish to get a smooth deep gloss finish.

And the interior finish is very poor, in style materials and execution. They have tried to match the seat back to the cheapo mattress material

Doorway is higher than the matress! Ouch

Doors open onto the wheel arches!

2 years development ! Please, I would be ashamed of such a lame effort.

[SteveH]

Overall, it seems very pricey to me, but I do like the upholstered seat back. Looks like an idea I might try to figure out a way to incorporate into my teardrop. Siting up without a back support is difficult for an old fat guy.

[jay]

i sort of think it's cute.

it is interesting to see a trailer in proportion to the tow vehicle. some SUV monsters with a tear behind look a little out of proportion...

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi

The more I look at it the more faults I pick up.

Doors, opening imagine sitting there and trying to open, you would be really scrunched up to use the arm next to the door or a contortionist to use the opposite arm, once you have operated the latch the swing out would be arkward with either hand and dont forget to be careful of the wheel archs (fenders in US?)

Both doors sit proud of there openings a veritable water trap, there is not even a gully above to divert some of the water running down.

Even a brief look round would have shown that the doors are usually (always?) fitted the other way round.

[mikeschn]

I'm with you George,

Many design flaws... I think they should hire Andrew as a consultant!

Mike...

Wow

Doorway is higher than the matress! Ouch

Doors open onto the wheel arches!

2 years development ! Please, I would be ashamed of such a lame effort.

[s4son]

I really like those windows in the front. Any ideas on how to do that without them leaking? It doesn't look like the have any type of trim around them.

Scott F.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Scott

Other than letting in light I cant see the point of those "windows"

looks very much like plexi bonded straight into the GRP skin

[IraRat]

Even a brief look round would have shown that the doors are usually (always?) fitted the other way round.

Yep, SHOULD be always. This way, they call 'em suicide doors.

BTW:

Anyone see the RV 2005 show/documentary on the Travel channel? (Caught it yesterday.) The T@Bs looked gorgeous.

[edlfrey]

The one big positive that I can see is the weight. At 280kg, 616# this is great for the smaller European cars - or my choice in tow vehicles.
However the price is out of my range no matter what the weight!

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi

280 KG is a mythical weight in UK they have a peverse stripped out weight, reality will be 300Kg Plus in standard trim, before you have added any water, a tin of beens or any clothes.

The balance seems a little off too, did anyone spot how "Herbie" seems to be weighed down at rear by this tiny tear (big gap between front fender and tyre, while rear tyre as disapeared under fender)

If they cant design in a door opening correctly, what chance do the weight dynamics have, is it over heavy at nose?

[Junkboy999]

Just thought I post the new link to their camper. Cute but small pull out gally.

http://www.danburymotorcaravans.com/