Hymer Aktiv?

[rockymtnb]

Originally Posted by gregmchugh

Here is a question for you all. If the chicken tax ends would it be possible for Hymer to build vehicles in their European plants on Sprinters and export them for sale in North America...

Does the chicken tax apply to completed passenger RVs? With Sprinters the tax applies to the cargo version but not to the passenger versions which can be shipped complete to the US without chicken tax.

Ford avoids the chicken tax on Transit Connect imports by temporarily adding seats and windows:

The process exploits the loophole in the customs definition of a light truck: as cargo does not need seats with seat belts or rear windows, presence of those items automatically qualifies the vehicle as a passenger vehicle and exempts the vehicle from light truck status. The process costs Ford hundreds of dollars per van but saves thousands in taxes.

Perhaps finished RV imports with passenger seating, seat belts, and windows are similarly exempt from the cargo/truck chicken tax?

[GeorgeB]

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

This is it? The Aktiv?
Already a Class C in the works for the NA Hymer Group ?

Just got a call from Desert Autoplex in AZ

UPDATE: Desert Autoplex will not be a Hymer dealer. It will not carry any Hymer vehicles. Their website posted the Hymer ML-T when they were negotiating the dealership that they didn't get. They will eventually get to update their website!

The wonderful world of the RV business!

[ClassB4Me]

Originally Posted by rockymtnb

Does the chicken tax apply to completed passenger RVs? With Sprinters the tax applies to the cargo version but not to the passenger versions which can be shipped complete to the US without chicken tax.

Ford avoids the chicken tax on Transit Connect imports by temporarily adding seats and windows:
Perhaps finished RV imports with passenger seating, seat belts, and windows are similarly exempt from the cargo/truck chicken tax?

Somehow Airstream was able to bring Mercedes Sprinter Westfalias into the United States, made minor changes at the port and sold them through Airstream dealers.

The next generation of this van was even better and was very comfortable (rented one in Europe).

https://youtu.be/y0VKU6PxntY

My hopes are HYmer will change the Class B market in the United States.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

Somehow Airstream was able to bring Mercedes Sprinter Westfalias into the United States, made minor changes at the port and sold them through Airstream dealers.

DaimlerChrysler owned Westfalia at the time, which I am sure didn't hurt.

[mlts22]

Westy also did that type of van on the Transit floor plan. Called the Ford Nugget. It would be nice to see something like this in the US.

[ClassB4Me]

Originally Posted by mlts22

Westy also did that type of van on the Transit floor plan. Called the Ford Nugget. It would be nice to see something like this in the US.

Some don't feel the raised or roof beds meet the needs of the TYPICAL US RV owner however I think it encourages us to remain active and manage our weight.

[markopolo]

Just seeing if Facebook photos show up here:




and



link to posts:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...%3A%22R5%22%7D

https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...%3A%22R4%22%7D

The photos show up for me. You can just make out the Aktiv decal on the side of the van.

[wincrasher]

Yep. Looks like the short wheelbase model

[gregmchugh]

Well, it appears that the guy from La Mesa RV might be jumping the gun trying to sell that one...

Will it be the Grand Canyon with a new name or a different model?

[markopolo]

Good point Greg - all the cutouts for appliances etc. match the Grand Canyon. Even the solitary window on the drivers side.

[Jostalli]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Yep. Looks like the short wheelbase model

No. It's the 159" standard length. Your Travato is the 159" extended length.

[mumkin]

I see no pictures... Where are they?

I didn't see any photos on the Facebook link either.

[gregmchugh]

They were deleted from the original Facebook thread and must have been linked here since they are gone here. Just two not very clear external photos of the van being unloaded from the delivery truck taken by someone from La Mesa RV.

[markopolo]

The debut image of Hymer Aktiv being loaded onto a trailer was unfortunate but could have been avoided had they simply posted an exterior photo when Roadtrek announced the new model.

[BobB]

I copied one photo to see if more detail was there

[wincrasher]

Are we sure that's the 159" model? Looks short to me.

[BobB]

Originally Posted by Jostalli

No. It's the 159" standard length. Your Travato is the 159" extended length.

So overall length 236" (5.99m) vs 250" (6.35m)? That's the length of the Grand Canyon. It will be interesting to see if it is on the 3500 platform, or on the 2500, like the Zion SRT.

[Jostalli]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Are we sure that's the 159" model? Looks short to me.

Yes. I am sure.

[Robert Ryan]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Wow, what a great RV. Looks like you could easily apply it to a Transit chassis too if you were so inclined.

It is more a B+ or more a Lowline C outside NA
Similar to this model by Trakka here
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...sr2yqw7vk.jpeg
External and internal cooking facilities
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...sfvzufukg.jpeg
Interior
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...saw0whcnm.jpeg

[mumkin]

In the photo, it looks like it is the same length as an SRT... with the short bit behind the rear wheels.

Last night I noticed that Roadtrek website has finally added the Simplicity... and moved the Promasters to the top rather than the Chevys.

The oddity was that the SRT is on the 2500 van and the Simplicity is on the 3500. I wonder if that is an error.