Anybody Got A Carado Van Conversion

[Neil H]

Hi, been to look at a 2021 Duacto based Carado Clever Plus Edition. Before we bite the bullet, wondered if anybody had any comments. One thing we did notice was that theirs no radio fitted, strange.
Thanks in advance Neil

 

[Soycd]

Carado is/was identical to Sunlight, the only difference being the colour scheme/decals. You may find that the Sunlight Cliff PVCs are the same spec as the Carados. Sunlight seems more popular/available in the UK. For what it’s worth we had a Sunlight motorhome (not a van) and we were very happy with it. Both Carado and Sunlight are made by Detleffs and Hymer.
The link below is from New Zealand but it gives you an overview of both Carado and Sunlight.

Carado Motorhomes — The Inside Story

Carado has built a reputation for RVs that combines great value with practical design. Learn more about the story behind Carado motorhome's success.

www.motorhomesforsale.co.nz

 

[Neil H]

Thanks soycd

 

[The Coops]

Our first van was a T337 Carado a much better van than the other German one that replaced it! Basic van no frills but less to go wrong and very well put together . Would have gone Carado again when changing but got a much better deal on the Pilote ( and quite happy with it)

 

[Lenny HB]

Looked at quite a few of them at our Hymer dealers, seem well put together just not quite as higher spec as the Hymer Car.
What's odd about no radio, quite normal in German vans, it's an advantage you can put a decent one in.

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[Neil H]

Thanks for the comments guys

 

[Sapper520]

Someone say Sunlight Cliff…..

 

[Neil H]

Been for another look at the Carado and noticed that there was some bubbling and lifting of what looked like wood veneer on one of the cupboard doors, i was gobsmacked to find that it looked like cheap wall paper and not veneer at all, are all vans like this nowadays . This van was only a year old, I think I would worry about its long term durability.

 

[Soycd]

Been for another look at the Carado and noticed that there was some bubbling and lifting of what looked like wood veneer on one of the cupboard doors, i was gobsmacked to find that it looked like cheap wall paper and not veneer at all, are all vans like this nowadays . This van was only a year old, I think I would worry about its long term durability.

Although Carado/Sunlight are built by Hymer/Detleffs you certainly will not get the same material quality. I think the manufacturers are compromised on price. I'd be wondering why the bubbling was caused by though. I'm afraid that a lot of mid-range to budget vans will use similar materials. Curves surfaces are very difficult to veneer with traditional veneer so basically what they do is photograph wood patterns or texture onto card/paper/plastic. If you look at the two pics below of a cabinet in my van you'll see the sharp curves of the front lip of the cupboard. I expect these will be textured card or paper, but have not picked at them to see! Mines not a Carado or Sunlight but as mentioned before we did have a Sunlight.

 

[peterc10]

Been for another look at the Carado and noticed that there was some bubbling and lifting of what looked like wood veneer on one of the cupboard doors, i was gobsmacked to find that it looked like cheap wall paper and not veneer at all, are all vans like this nowadays . This van was only a year old, I think I would worry about its long term durability.

Yep, unless you go for a luxury brand, you will not get real wood veneer. The good point is that the material used is lighter and harder wearing than real wood veneer. Been like that for a long time.

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[Neil H]

Thanks guys, so not to worry then , cheers Neil

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We have a Carado i339. It was a toss up between that and a Hymer. We weren’t looking based on price, we were going to live in it for a while so layout and practicality were the main factors. We preferred the layout in the Carado. Finish is good, but obviously not the same quality of fitting as the Hymer. There again less money so you pay your money and take your choice.

With regard to build quality it has been very good. We bought new which I would normally be wary of because of all the teething problems you hear about. The Carado has be very good, the only problem was with a roof light blind. Two years and 10,000 miles on it still feels strong and solid. So on build quality and layout it scores very high. There is a Facebook group for Carado owners and there seem to be very few Carado specific problems. As others have said German vans don’t usually come with a media system.

 

[Peppadog]

We bought a Sunlight 6m pvc very recently. Downsizing from a Hymer A class. Its an ex rental (two seasons) with 30k miles on the clock, so has seen real use. As stated above, it is identical to Corado models except colours and graphics. The only fault with the conversion was a stiff cutlery draw, easily fixed.
We bought it for its practical, sturdy layout. We should know what that is as we have owned campers / motorhomes consistently since 1979, and usually keep them for many years. Fifteen in one case!
I suspect you will see many more of these two brands on the roads in the coming years.