Shower gel better than soap? It just won't wash

Read article : Shower gel better than soap? It just won't wash

• Eight out of ten people wash themselves with gels costing up to £4 a bottle
• Tesco has 94 gel brands on sale, each with its own name, ingredients and unique smell
  

By David Derbyshire for MailOnline
Updated: 16:16 BST, 17 October 2011

208 View
comments

Cleaning up: Gels first appeared in British bathrooms in the Seventies. Today some 200million bottles are sold in Britain every year

Whoever invented shower gel must lie awake at night — no doubt in a gold-plated, four-poster bed — chuckling at the audacity of it all.

Here is a product that is expensive, packed full of man-made chemicals, difficult to use and wasteful. And yet, thanks to the persuasive power of marketing, bottles of it sit proudly in almost every bathroom in the land.

Once, we cleaned ourselves with bars of long-lasting soap that cost the equivalent of a few pence a week. Today, more than eight out of ten people wash themselves with gels costing up to £4 a bottle.

Not that shower gel manufacturers admit they are involved in the business of washing, of course. Instead, they sell their wares as revitalising foams, honey shower milks and rebalancing body experiences.

Imperial Leather’s Japanese Spa Foam Burst is, it claims, designed to help you wake up in the morning. Palmolive’s Absolute Relax is supposed to send you to sleep.

You will struggle to find a shower gel that admits what it is really intended for: as a way of removing dirt, sweat and grease. Long gone are the days of explicit adverts for Lifebuoy — the soap that said ‘No to BO’.

But if Britain has gone crazy for shower gel, with an estimated 200 million bottles sold in the UK each year, there are signs of rebellion.

Former Tory MP, television presenter and newspaper columnist Matthew Parris recently went on the offensive.

In a passionate attack against pointless toiletries, he highlighted the design flaws of shower gels.

long time regarded as the traditional hard soap for middle-class families" class="blkBorder" />

Gels have come a long way since PZ Cussons, the makers of Imperial Leather for a long time regarded as the traditional hard soap for middle-class families

He pointed out that most of the bottles don’t stand upright on curved soap dishes, or they leak when hanging from their plastic hooks. They are difficult to open, easy to spill and hard to apply (how do you use shower gel to wash your feet?)

And most of the gel squirted into the user’s hands slides to the floor to be washed down the drain.

While the secret of soap-making goes back to at least the Ancient Babylonians in 2800 BC, when animal fat was mixed with the ashes of wood fires and melted, the first liquid soap was patented in 1865

Parris — who stopped using shampoo years ago and who claims his hair has never been cleaner — estimates that millions of gallons of gel are washed away unused every year.

Despite these flaws, Britain’s love affair with shower gel is going strong. Tesco, at last count, had 94 brands on sale, each with its own name, ingredients and unique smell.

Most sane people would struggle to come up with 94 different conventional fragrances for toiletries. But the clever people at Unilever and Cussons have got round that by persuading consumers that what they really want to smell like is food: thus we can wash ourselves with Chocolate and Mint shower gel, Milk and Honey shower creme, or Cranberry and Honey shower scrubs.

Evidently, gels have come a long way since PZ Cussons, the makers of Imperial Leather — for a long time regarded as the traditional hard soap for middle-class families — introduced its first ‘Luxury Shower Gel’ in 1978.

Tory MP Matthew Parris recently highlighted the design flaws of shower gels" class="blkBorder" />

Former Tory MP Matthew Parris recently highlighted the design flaws of shower gels

Gels were, in part, a response to a change in bathroom habits that saw showers growing in popularity as our lives became busier and we all became more aware of the need to use water sparingly.

But the rise of shower gels can’t be explained simply by the move from the twice-weekly bath to the daily shower. After all, showers had already become a staple of homes by the Seventies, and for at least a decade after that, most people were happy with soap — or occasionally the more exotic ‘soap on a rope’.

The secret of their success lies in the fact that while they are cheap to manufacture, they are easy to brand as a luxury. By selling them as modern, convenient and indulgent, cosmetic companies cleaned up.

While the secret of soap-making goes back to at least the Ancient Babylonians in 2800 BC, when animal fat was mixed with the ashes of wood fires and melted, the first liquid soap — the forerunner of today’s shower gels — was patented in 1865.

Modern gels are more complicated to make. But their basic ingredient, a detergent that sticks to grease and water, is similar to the detergent in hard soap bars.

'Most of the differences between brands are trivial in terms of what they do functionally — removing dirt and grease. But the real difference — and this is the genius of marketing — is how those small differences, like the fragrance and the associations that come with that fragrance, can be used to create something more than the product'

In order to remain thick, perfumed and coloured, a typical shower gel must contain around 20 chemicals, some man-made, others derived from plants. It will have a couple of plant-based detergents, an array of perfumes, salt to thicken it, glycerine — a clear, sticky liquid used in cough mixtures and icing on cakes — to make the gel silky, film-forming agents, lactic acid (found in sour milk to counteract the alkali and make it pH- neutral), preservatives, agents that reduce static in human hair and natural plant extracts.

Most of these plant extracts have very little practical purpose and are just for marketing purposes so that the gels can have fancy names.

And marketing is what it is all about. From the earliest days of industrially produced soap, manufacturers realised that to sell more soap, they needed to persuade Britons to become more ‘hygienic’: the more people washed, the bigger the profits.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the earliest and most successful advertising campaigns were for soaps.

Costly: Today, more than eight out of ten people wash themselves with gels costing up to £4 a bottle

The English company Lever Brothers created Lifebuoy in 1895 and sold it as an antiseptic soap. The company also invented the term BO for body odour. Pears devised a sophisticated transparent soap and launched the yearly search for Miss Pears.

Yet no marketing campaign for soap was enough to fend off the advance of shower gels.

Those who prefer gels say they are happy to put up with the extra expense for the sake of convenience: unlike soap, they don’t leave scum or mess around the shower, and small amounts go a long way.

But for many, they are a victory of marketing over common sense.

One of the UK’s top marketing gurus, who has worked with many gel manufacturers, said: ‘Most of the differences between brands are trivial in terms of what they do functionally — removing dirt and grease.

‘But the real difference — and this is the genius of marketing — is how those small differences, like the fragrance and the associations that come with that fragrance, can be used to create something more than the product.

‘That value to the brand is real. If a product has associations of being refreshing in the morning or relaxing in the evening, it can be a genuine bonus for the consumer; it might help people feel relaxed or refreshed.

‘Some of that association is intrinsic in the ingredients of gel, but much of it is created through advertising.’

So are we being taken for a ride by the marketing types? The answer is probably yes. But then, how many of us would really want to go back to using half a bar of soap in the shower when we could be reaching for a bottle of that oh-so fragrant Japanese Spa Foam Burst?

 

Taps very solid brass bath shower taps with thermostatic mixing valve rrp £185.99 Appraisal: New/

Read article : Taps very solid brass bath shower taps with thermostatic mixing valve rrp £185.99 Appraisal: New/

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SALE

1. Interpretation

1.1. In these General Conditions the following words and expressions shall have the meanings set opposite:

“Auction” any auction (whether a Live Auction or an Online Auction and whether conducted independently or simultaneously) conducted pursuant to these General Conditions and the Special Conditions;

“Auctioneer” the person conducting the Auction or to whom the conduct of the Auction is delegated under General Condition 4.9 below;

“Bidder” any person who offers to purchase any Lot whether by bidding at Auction or offering to purchase by private treaty or tender;

“Bid” an offer to purchase any Lot whether by bidding at Auction or offering to purchase by private treaty or tender, and “Bids” and “Bidding” shall be construed accordingly;

“Buyer” any person who agrees to purchase any Lot whether at Auction or by private treaty or tender and as determined under General condition 4.12 below;

"Buyer`s Premium" a commission payable by the Buyer on the completion of a Sale the amount of which is set out in the Special Conditions; The Auctioneer, when acting as Agent for the Seller, may also receive commission from the Seller.

“Catalogue” the catalogue incorporating these General Conditions and the Special Conditions;

"Clearance Date and Time" the date and time on which all Lots must be removed by the Buyer from the Location as specified in the Special Conditions;

“The Company” Boulton Vehicles Ltd T/A Bpi Associates Auctioneers & Valuers (company number 07279488 ) whose registered office is at Ripley House, Ripley Drive, Normanton Industrial Estate, Wakefield;

"Deposit" the sum payable by the Buyer to the Company as set out in the Special Conditions;

"Live Auction" any auction conducted at the Location or at such other location(s) as shall be notified by the Company in the Special Conditions or in the Catalogue;

“Location” the premises at which the Lots are located, details of which are set out in the Special Conditions;

“Lot” any Lot described in the Catalogue, on the Website or on the Company’s invoice;

"Online Auction" any auction conducted over the internet via the Website pursuant to these General Conditions and the Special Conditions;

"Sale" the sale of any Lot by Auction, private treaty or tender and as determined under General Condition 4.11 below;

“Seller” the person upon whose instructions the Company is conducting the Sale, details of whom are set out in the Special Conditions;

“Special Conditions” any additions to these General Conditions set out or referred to in the Catalogue, announced at Auction or otherwise specified by the Company;

"Website" the website at: www.bidspotter.co.uk;

"VAT" value added tax chargeable under English Law for the time being and any similar additional tax.

2. Application of these General Conditions

2.1. These General Conditions apply to every Sale of plant and machinery, chattels and trade stocks conducted by the Company.

2.2. These General Conditions, the Special Conditions and any terms set out in the Catalogue shall together comprise the "Conditions of Sale".

2.3. To the extent that these General Conditions are inconsistent with any Special Conditions, the General Conditions shall prevail.

2.4. Bidding for any Lot shall be deemed to be an acceptance by the Bidder of these General Conditions and the Special Conditions.

2.5. These General Conditions shall be governed construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of England and Wales unless the Location is in:-

2.5.1 Scotland in which case the laws of Scotland shall apply; or

2.5.2 Northern Ireland in which case the laws of Northern Ireland shall apply.

2.6. A reference to writing or written shall include e-mail.

2.7. Any word or phrase having a meaning defined in these General Conditions shall have the same meaning when used in the Special Conditions.

3. Identity of the Parties

3.1. The Company offers each Lot as agent of the Seller and not as principal unless otherwise indicated in the Catalogue.

3.2. The identity of the Seller is set out in the Special Conditions.

3.3. Unless the Company has previously acknowledged in writing that the Bidder Bids as agent on behalf of a named principal, every Bidder shall be taken to Bid on his own behalf as principal.

3.4. Any Bidder acting as agent on behalf of a named principal shall remain liable to the Seller and the Company for all obligations and liabilities of his principal jointly and severally with the principal. The Bidder warrants that he has the authority of his principal to make each Bid made.

3.5. Every Bidder is required to give his name and address and provide satisfactory proof of identity and such other information and documentation as is required to the Company before making any Bid and in the case of:

3.5.1. a Live Auction by the completion of a registration form;

3.5.2 an Online Auction by online registration at the Website; and

3.5.3 a private treaty or tender by prior registration or notification of details, as and when requested by the Company.

3.6 The Company reserves the right at any time to reject the registration of any persons and refuse access to the Auction at its sole discretion.

3.7 On registration for an Online Auction Bidders will be added to the Company`s mailing list for the purposes of notification of future sales by email. If a Bidder wishes to stop receiving such notifications they can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link provided at the bottom of each email.

3.8 On registration in accordance with General condition 3.5 the Bidder acknowledges that only adults aged 18 years and over are entitled to enter into a legally binding contract and as a result they are the only people entitled to register for the Auction. By registering the Bidder warrants that he is aged 18 years or older and is capable of forming a legally binding contract.

4. Conduct of Auctions

4.1 Any Lot may be subject to a minimum bid or reserve price. The Seller is entitled to change these at any time before the conclusion of the Sale.

4.2 The Seller, Auctioneer or any representative, agent or person acting on behalf of the Seller may Bid for any Lot. Persons entitled to Bid pursuant to this condition 4.2 shall be entitled to place Bids on any Lot up to the reserve price including by placing Bids in response to other Bidders.

4.3 Lot descriptions will be amended as appropriate as and when information becomes available to the Company. Prospective Bidders must read Lot descriptions before making a Bid so that they are fully aware of any amendments to the description appearing in the Special Conditions and/or on the Website or in the Catalogue in relation to a particular Lot.

4.4 The Auctioneer may at any time before the conclusion of the Sale withdraw or divide any Lot or combine any Lots.

4.5 The Company may sell any Lot by private treaty or tender before or after the Auction. The Auctioneer may reject any Bid at his sole discretion and without being required to give a reason.

4.6 No Bid shall be retracted without the consent of the Auctioneer.

4.7 The Auctioneer may where there is a dispute between Bidders, summarily determine the dispute or immediately again offer the Lot for sale, in each case without being required to give a reason.

4.8 The Auctioneer shall in every other respect decide how the Auction is to be conducted and without being required to give a reason.

4.9 The Auctioneer may in his sole discretion delegate to a person whom he believes to be competent the conduct of the Auction in accordance with these General Conditions.

4.10 The Auctioneer may from time to time act jointly with an associated Auctioneer who will be named in the Catalogue and/or in the Special Conditions.

4.11 A Sale is concluded (constituting acceptance of the Bidder`s offer, subject to General Condition 4.12 below) when:

4.11.1 in the case of a Live Auction, on the fall of the Auctioneer`s hammer; and/or,

4.11.2 in the case of an Online Auction, at the close of the timed Online Auction Sale as specified on the Website and as defined by General Condition 4.17.3 below or;

4.11.3 in the case of a private treaty or tender, when the Bidders Bid is accepted by the Company, such acceptance to be communicated to the Bidder in writing by way of receipt of the Company’s invoice.

4.12 The Buyer shall be the person who made the highest Bid before the conclusion of the Sale pursuant to General Condition 4.11 above subject to approval and acceptance by the Company, the Auctioneers and the Seller or such other Bidder as the Auctioneer and/ or the Company may declare to be the Buyer without being required to give a reason. The Auctioneer and/ or the Company and/ or the Seller is not bound to accept the highest Bid or any other Bid placed in the course of the Auction.

4.13 In the case of an Online Auction the Buyer, as determined under General Condition 4.12 above, shall within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the Sale receive by email an invoice in respect of the monies due for the Lot(s) purchased.

4.14 In the event that the reserve price is not met, the Company may consider the Bids received below the reserve price with the Seller who at its sole discretion may accept, reject or place a counteroffer.

4.15 On conclusion of the Sale and acceptance of the Bidders Bid pursuant to General Conditions 4.11 and 4.12 above, the Buyer acknowledges and agrees that he has entered into a contract with the Seller to buy the Lot and the Buyer must complete the transaction to purchase the Lot.

4.16 The Buyer may not remove any Lot he has bought until after the end of the Auction.

4.17 In relation to an Online Auction:

4.17.1 the Company cannot guarantee that the internet services will operate continuously or without interruptions and this could affect the conduct of the Online Auction and the Bidders ability to Bid online. The Company shall not be liable in any respect in the event of any dispute due to errors, omissions or disruptions to internet services or power failures or any other unforeseen circumstances which may occur during the Online Auction;

4.17.2 the Auctioneer may at any time, without notice, postpone or cancel an Online Auction or extend an Online Auction beyond the published closing time (including extension of the timed Online Auction in accordance with General Condition 4.17.3 below);

4.17.3 the timed Online Auction Sale is auto bid extension enabled meaning that where a Bid is placed within ten minutes of the original scheduled close of the timed Online Auction the scheduled close of the timed Online Auction will automatically be extended by an additional ten minutes. This continues with a new scheduled close time each time a Bid is placed until no-one places a Bid before the last scheduled close of the timed Online Auction. Every time a Bid is placed within ten minutes or less left in the Online Auction an additional ten minutes Bidding time is added until there are no more Bids. Such time shall then be deemed to be the close of the timed Online Auction.

4.18 In the event that the Auctioneer unknowingly sells a Lot that was not eligible for Sale (i.e. there is a third party interest that comes to light) then the Auctioneer shall be entitled to immediately rescind that Sale without any further liability to the Auctioneer and/or Company or the Seller.

4.19 Copies of the Auctions (Bidding Agreements) Act 1927 and 1969 are held at the Company’s and/or the Auctioneer’s principal place of business.

5. Sale and Payment

5.1 The Buyer shall pay the following sums to the Company in full and without set off:-

5.1.1 immediately upon the Sale of any Lot the Deposit, if requested by the Company; and

5.1.2 the balance of the price of the Lot purchased, together with the Buyer’s Premium by no later than 48 hours after conclusion of the Sale or, in the case of an Online Auction, after receipt of an invoice in respect of the purchased Lot(s) pursuant to General Condition 4.13 above, or such other time and date as may be specified in the Special Conditions; and

5.1.3 any other payment or amount due to the Seller and/or the Company pursuant to these General Conditions or the Special Conditions on demand.

5.2 In every case time for payment shall be of the essence.

5.3 In view of Money Laundering Regulations the Company reserves the right to refuse payment in cash. Payments in cash of more than £7,500 will not, in any circumstances, be accepted.

5.4 If the Buyer fails to make any payment on the due date for payment then, without limiting any other right or remedy available to the Seller, the Buyer shall pay to the Company interest (both before and after any judgment) on the amount unpaid at the rate of 1.5% above the bank base rate of Barclays Bank Plc per month or any part thereof until payment in full is made.

5.5 Until the Buyer has fully complied with its obligations in this General Condition 5:-

5.5.1 title to any Lot bought shall not pass to the Buyer;

5.5.2 the Seller shall have a lien over any Lot bought by the Buyer in the Auction;

5.5.3 if the Buyer effects or purports to effect a resale or any other disposition of all or part of the Lot, the Buyer shall hold the proceeds of resale or other disposition on trust for the Seller.

5.6 All sums payable under these General Conditions and the Special Conditions are exclusive of any applicable VAT for which the Buyer shall be additionally liable to pay to the Company. On written request by the Buyer the Company will provide a VAT invoice.

5.7 The Company will only accept payment under this General Condition 5 from the Buyer or its authorised agents.

6. Removal of Lots

6.1 Risk of damage to or loss of the Lot shall pass to the Buyer immediately upon the conclusion of the Sale.

6.2 The removal of Lots from the Location shall be undertaken by the Buyer entirely at its own risk and without any liability whatsoever to the Company.

6.3 Buyers are responsible for any and all costs and expenses incurred in relation to the removal of Lots and any other applicable charges, taxes and insurance costs.

6.4 The Buyer may not remove any Lot until the Buyer has:-

6.4.1 paid by cleared funds all amounts payable pursuant to General Condition 5 above in full; and

6.4.2 if requested by the Company produced satisfactory evidence to the Company that the Buyer has adequate public liability insurance in respect of the indemnity set out in General Condition 6.11 below and/or deposited with the Company, by way of security for the costs of making good any damage likely to occur, such sum as the Company may stipulate.

6.5 The Company will only permit the removal of Lots purchased by the Buyer or its authorised agents.

6.6 The Buyer must remove each Lot purchased by the Clearance Date and Time for which time shall be of the essence. Lots may only be removed during normal working hours or such hours as are specified in the Special Conditions. No clearance on Bank or Public Holidays.

6.7 Buyers should co-operate regarding order of removal of Lots in order to comply with the Clearance Date and Time. If it transpires that a Buyer makes no effort to commence dismantling and the particular Lot is preventing other buyers from removing purchased Lots, then the Auctioneer reserves the right to insist that removal take place immediately notwithstanding the specified Clearance Date and Time. In the event the Buyer does not comply with its obligations under this General Condition 6.7, then the Auctioneer reserves the right to arrange for the removal and/or storage of the Lot and charge any attendant costs to the Buyer.

6.8 If any Lot is unsold and has to be dismantled & lowered to allow the removal of any other lot, then such dismantling & lowering shall be the responsibility of the Buyer of the relevant Lot(s).

6.9 Title to computer software sold pursuant to the Sale of a Lot is not transferred under any Sale to the Buyer and use is subject to any licence or copyright restrictions and user conditions. The Sellers, Company and/or Auctioneers reserve the right to erase any private or sensitive information prior to the Sale or at any later date.

6.10 The Buyer and/or his removal contractor must liaise with the Company`s site representative prior to commencing dismantling/removal of a Lot from the Location and must at all times comply with its obligations under clause 6.11 below.

6.11 When removing any Lot from the Location the Buyer shall, or shall procure that its removal contractors shall:

6.11.1 carry out a full assessment of Lot, the Location and the land or buildings to which the Lot is fixed to assess the risks associated with detaching/removing the Lot and shall fully satisfy themselves that they can detach/remove the Lot in compliance with the Buyers obligations under this General Condition 6.11 prior to handling and/or commencing removal of a Lot;

6.11.2 obtain all relevant planning permissions (where required) in relation to the removal of building structures and plant housings;

6.11.3 buyers of Lots will be required to make good holes or voids exposed by the removal of Lots. Cladding taken off buildings for removal of plant & equipment will have to be replaced, unless otherwise specified by the Company;

6.11.4 when detaching any Lot fixed to land or buildings, do so safely and lawfully and must not use flame cutters, explosives or any other dangerous equipment or process without first obtaining written consent of the Company;

6.11.5 remove the Lot in compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, guidance, orders, rules and other requirements of any relevant government or governmental agency or authority whether Parliamentary, statutory, parochial or local including (without limitation) in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), and the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and any subsequent amendments thereof and all other health and safety and environmental legislation in existence at the time of the Sale. To the extent that such regulations are advisory rather than mandatory, the standard of compliance to be achieved by the Buyer shall be to the best industry practice;

In all cases arising under this General Condition 6.11 the costs of compliance shall be borne by the Buyer and the Buyer hereby indemnifies the Company and the Seller against all losses, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, demands, claims, actions and proceedings which the Company and/or the Seller may incur arising directly or indirectly out of any breach by the Buyer to the provisions of this General Condition 6.11 and the Buyer shall make good any damage caused to (without limitation) other lots, the Location or to any property belonging to third parties, in removing any Lot under this General Condition 6.11.

6.12 The Company shall be entitled to halt the clearance of any Lot if in its absolute discretion the removal of a Lot is being carried out in an unsatisfactory manner. Where the clearance is halted by the Company, the Buyer must liaise with the Company`s site representative as to how the Lot should be removed from the Location provided that the Buyer shall at all times ensure that it complies with its obligations under General Condition 6.11 above and the Company shall have no liability in this regard.

6.13 The Buyer shall provide evidence as and when requested by the Company of the Buyer`s insurance policies in respect of the following insurances and at a minimum level of:

6.13.1. Public Liability Cover - limit Two Million Pounds (£ 2,000,000); and

6.13.2. Employers Liability Cover - limit Ten Million Pounds (£10,000,000);

the Company reserves the right to vary the level of insurance cover stated above at any time, as and when required.

6.14 The Buyer shall provide to the Company a Risk Assessment & Method Statement complying with The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007, COSHH or with any subsequent amendments thereof or such other legislation as shall from time to time be in force.

6.15 Electric, gas, water, steam and waste disconnections are the responsibility of the Buyer and MUST be carried out by an approved contractor following consultation with the site representative.

6.16 It is expressly brought to the Buyer’s attention that certain Lots could contain blue or white asbestos, dangerous chemicals etc. which if not handled correctly during their removal could result in breach of Health & Safety at Work legislation and/or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations or other statutory requirements.

6.17 Any fluids, gases and/ or waste remaining in plant and machinery are the responsibility of the Buyer and MUST be removed from the Location strictly in accordance with any applicable statutory requirements.

6.18 The Buyer must use safe and lawful means of removing the Lot, must comply with all current statutory requirements and regulations including those relating to the disposal and removal if waste, and if required, satisfy the Company in relation to their removal procedures; in particular, the removal of waste materials must be undertaken by an approved and licensed contractor to an approved waste management site.

6.19 It is the purchaser’s or their removal contractors responsibility (i.e. Police, Ministry of Transport, Local Authority) to transport off site long/ wide loads, within sufficient time prior to the commencement of clearance period as stated in the Special Notes & Conditions.

6.20 The Buyer shall indemnify the Company and the Seller against any loss, damages, expenses, claims or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from the possession or use of the Lot after title to the Lot has passed to the Buyer but before it is removed from the Location.

6.21 All Lots are sold on the understanding that the Seller does not represent them as being in a condition which makes them suitable for domestic use. If any Lots are intended for domestic use the Buyer must ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and any subsequent amendments thereof or such other relevant statutory requirements or regulations as shall from time to time be in force.

6.22 The Buyer undertakes to comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 in processing data held by them in connection with any Lot.

7. Default by the Buyer

7.1 If at any time the Buyer has failed to pay the sums specified in General Condition 5 above in full by the due date for payment, or to remove any Lot purchased by the Clearance Date and Time specified in the Special Conditions the Seller may rescind the Sale of that Lot, in which case any Deposit shall be forfeit, and that Lot may be resold.

7.2 If the Seller has rescinded the Sale but the Buyer has removed the Lot purchased, the Seller shall be entitled without previous notice to enter upon any premises where he believes the Lot to be and remove it.

7.3 If the Seller has rescinded the Sale and the Lot has been resold by the Auctioneer and/or the Company or by the Seller, the Buyer shall reimburse the Seller with any shortfall where:-

7.3.1 the resale price less the Sale price; and

7.3.2 the costs incurred by the Seller incidental to the resale.

7.4 If the Buyer fails to remove any Lot by the Clearance Date and Time specified:-

7.4.1 the Seller may remove the Lot from the Location and leave it outside at the Buyer’s risk in all respects;

7.4.2 the Seller may charge the Buyer for the reasonable costs of storage;

7.4.3 the Seller may charge the Buyer rent, taxes, men`s wages and expenses incurred as a result of the Lot(s) remaining at the Location; and

7.4.4 the Buyer shall indemnify the Seller against any loss, damages, expenses, claims or liabilities incurred by the Seller arising from the Buyer’s failure to remove the Lot from the Location.

8. Acknowledgements and Exclusion of Warranties

8.1 The Buyer acknowledges that in agreeing to purchase any Lot he is not relying on any warranties or representations made by the Seller or the Company or any of their employee’s agents or representatives. All representations, warranties and conditions, express or implied, statutory or otherwise in respect of all and any of the Lots are expressly excluded and without limitation any warranties and conditions as to title, quiet possession, satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and description are excluded to the fullest extent as permitted by law.

8.2 The Buyer further acknowledges that neither the Sellers nor the Company shall in any circumstances be liable to or to compensate the Buyer nor shall the Buyer be entitled to rescind the Sale or reject any Lot for an error omission or misstatement contained in the Catalogue and/or in the Special Conditions.

8.3 The Buyer also acknowledges that:-

8.3.1 all the Lots are purchased on the basis that risk of good title to all or any of them passing to the Buyer is at the Buyer’s risk and without limitation the Lots are sold subject to any claims, liens, distraint and execution and subject to all leasing, hire or hire purchase agreements and reservation of title claims (if any) in respect of them;

8.3.2 if it shall be found that the Seller does not have title to all or any of the Lots the Buyer shall have no right to rescind, avoid or vary this agreement or to claim damages or a reduction in the price paid or payable;

8.3.3 anything found in, under, near or in any Lot which is not specifically included in the description of the Lot remains the property of the Seller;

8.3.4 any intellectual property rights or software subsisting in a Lot may be third party property and as such the Seller and/or the Company may be unable to effect transfer. The Buyer will not be authorised to use intellectual property rights or software and any such use or transfer shall be at the Buyers sole risk.

8.4 The Buyer undertakes that it shall ensure that any vehicle comprised in any Lot is in a roadworthy condition in accordance with the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and any subsequent amendments thereof or such other relevant regulations as shall from time to time be in force before using it on a public road. It is the Buyer’s responsibility to remove Company logos and lettering from vehicles. Odometer readings are not warranted.

8.5 The Buyer acknowledges that any item of plant, machinery or equipment contained in the Lot(s) may not necessarily comply with any statutory requirements or regulations governing the use of that plant, machinery or equipment in their working environment. Neither the Seller nor the Company shall incur any liability to the Buyer because of any default or defect in all or any of the Lots. Buyers are entirely responsible for ensuring that the use of any item of plant, machinery or equipment does not contravene any health and safety and environmental legislation in existence at the time of the Sale.

8.6 The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the Company is acting only as agent of the Seller and it is expressly agreed and declared that no personal liability in connection with the Sale of any Lot or otherwise shall fall on the Company and the Buyer shall indemnify the Company against all and any liabilities arising under or in connection with the Sale of any Lot. Insolvency Practitioner(s), including Administrative Receiver(s), Administrator(s) and Liquidator(s) act as agent(s) for the Seller without personal liability and shall incur no personal liability whatsoever in relation to a Sale or pursuant to any document relating thereto.

8.7 The Buyer agrees that the General Conditions and the exclusions which they contain are fair and reasonable bearing in mind that:-

8.7.1 the Buyer must rely absolutely on the Buyer’s own opinion and/or professional advice concerning the quality, state, condition, performance and functionality of the Lots any right, title or interest which is sold under the terms of these General Conditions, their fitness and suitability for any particular or any purpose, the possibility that some or all of them may have defects not apparent on inspection and examination including, without limitation, the presence of contamination and the possibility that the Buyer may not acquire title and the fact that the Buyer would have no remedy under this Agreement should that happen;

8.7.2 the Buyer has available to it skilled professional advice and on that basis agrees to purchase a Lot for a consideration calculated to take into account amongst other things the risk to it represented by the fact that the parties believe that all the exclusions and limitations set out in these General Conditions would be recognised as being fully effective by the Courts and the Seller making it clear that it would not have agreed to sell any Lot on any other basis except for a higher consideration;

8.7.3 the Buyer has been given every opportunity which might reasonably be expected to examine and inspect the Lots.

8.8 Notwithstanding anything else in these General Conditions, the Seller’s and the Company’s total liability under or in connection with the Sale of any Lot, whether in respect of breach of contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, including consequential loss, shall be limited in aggregate to the price paid for the Lot or if no price has been paid then the higher of the market value or reserve price for the Lot. This General Condition 8.8 does not apply to liability for death or personal injury.

8.9 The Buyer acknowledges that a Sale by Auction is not a consumer sale for the purposes of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended by the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994) and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Buyer shall not seek to rely upon and conditions or warranties implied thereby or by any other legislation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE

Seller: As displayed on www.bidspotter.co.uk sale details page or in the catalogue

Location: As displayed on www.bidspotter.co.uk sale details page or in the catalogue

Directions: As displayed in the catalogue

Viewing: As displayed on www.bidspotter.co.uk sale details page or in the catalogue

Access to the Location is allowed on the understanding that all persons attend the Location entirely at their own risk and are responsible for and will indemnify the Seller and the Company against any losses damage or claims occasioned by their presence at the Location.

Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed access to the Location.

Registration:

All bidders must register their details with the Company and provide identification where required. In the case of Live Auctions by way of the registration form provided at the Live Auction or in the Catalogue and in the case of Online Auctions, online at the Website (www.bidspotter.co.uk).

Bidding:

The General Conditions and the Special Conditions apply to all Sales by way of Auction, private treaty and tender and in the case of any Bids placed by way of an Online Auction stress that all Bidders must read and understand Bidspotter’s terms and conditions of registration at www.bidspotter.co.uk.

At the close of the timed Online Auction Sale final Bid figures will be submitted to the Seller for its approval and any Bid shall be subject to approval and acceptance by the Company and/or the Seller. No Bid may be withdrawn and the Company/Seller does not bind himself to accept the highest Bid or any other Bid placed in the course of the Online Auction Sale.

Buyer`s Premium:

Buyers will pay a Buyer`s premium of 10% or 15% (as displayed on www.bidspotter.co.uk sale details page or in the catalogue) (plus VAT) of the purchase price for each Lot purchased whether by Auction or, private treaty or tender. The Buyer`s Premium is payable by the Buyer to the Company in accordance with the General Conditions and, for the avoidance of doubt is payable in addition to the purchase price for the Lot. The Buyer`s Premium is not negotiable and is payable by all Buyers.

Deposit:

Buyers shall pay a deposit of 25% (plus VAT) of the purchase price for each Lot purchased as requested by the Company pursuant to the General Conditions and these Special Conditions. The company reserve the right to take a deposit by way of a credit/ debit card payment from the card presented for registration if the payment terms below are not complied with.

Payment:

All Lots shall be paid for in full within 48 hours of the conclusion of the Sale and shall be at the Buyer`s risk immediately upon the conclusion of the sale.

Cash - In view of Money Laundering Regulations the Company reserves the right to refuse payment in cash. Payments in cash of more than £7,500 will not, in any circumstances, be accepted.

Bankers Draft/ Cheques: (made payable to Bpi & Associates Auctioneers & Valuers ) will only be accepted on the basis that any Lots are not removed until cleared funds are in the Company`s client account.

Debit Cards: The Company accepts debit cards for payment of invoices (subject to a surcharge of 2.5% - £5 minimum fee). Credit cards will only be accepted for deposit payments referred to under the ‘Deposit’ section above.

All sums payable under the General Conditions and these Special Conditions are exclusive of any applicable VAT for which the Buyer shall be additionally liable to pay to the Company.

Clearance:

All lots must be cleared without fail by the date as displayed on www.bidspotter.co.uk sale details page or in the catalogue, such date and time being the Clearance Date and Time as referred to in the General Conditions, REMOVAL OF ALL LOTS WILL BE STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT, please see the Company`s invoice for contact details.

Collection from site is the Buyer’s responsibility, the Company/ Seller do not provide a packing/ delivery service.

Reserve Removal:

Lots sold subject to a reserve removal will either be indicated in the Catalogue with the date of availability or will be identified by the Auctioneer at the point of Sale. A Deposit will be payable as with other lots but in this instance payment in full can be left until five (5) working days prior to availability. Unless specified to the contrary such Lots must be removed from the Location not later than the Clearance Date and Time specified for final removal in these Special Conditions.

Fire Alarm:

In case of a fire alarm all visitors and contractors are to exit buildings and report to the Muster Point.

Smoking:

No smoking on site. Food and Drink is only to be consumed in designated areas.

Safety:

All persons including Buyers, their employees, agents, representatives and contractors are reminded that they are responsible for their own safety on site and enter at their own risk and should take the precaution of wearing protective clothing as appropriate.

Finance:

If Buyers wish to purchase Lots with the help of a finance company they should make arrangements well in advance of the Sale to ensure that they are able to make payment in accordance with the General Conditions.

Overseas Buyers:

Overseas Buyers should ensure that the country to which the items are destined:-

• holds no import restrictions on the goods to be purchased;

• has no import licence restrictions or a restriction on currency allocation;

• has no prolonged inspection procedure which might cause excess delay or refusal in allowing your goods to be imported.

Overseas Buyers will receive a fully descriptive invoice in order that they may arrange payment as soon as possible with the Company`s bank.

Overseas Buyers should employ a suitable freight forwarding organisation. Please note that many of the machinery removal companies in the United Kingdom are not necessarily freight forwarders. The [Seller and/or Company] will be pleased to advise accordingly.

The Company makes no representation and accepts no liability whatsoever to any Buyer in respect of the issuance or validity of any exportation or importation permits or the existence and exercise of exportation or importation regulations or any compulsory purchasing regimes.

VAT Payments and Returns:

All overseas Buyers (EU and non EU) will be charged VAT at the current rate on each Lot purchased. This will be refunded to the overseas Buyer as soon as the Seller receives a copy of the bill of lading as proof of export, providing this documentation is received within 3 months of the sale date. The Seller is unable to refund the VAT on the Buyer’s Premium to non EU countries.

Misrepresentation:

Whilst every effort has been made to provide reliable information, Bpi & Associates do not warrant the information contained herein and prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection as to its correctness.

Clarins Home Spa

Read article : Clarins Home Spa

We all need some “me time “ to recover, repair and re-invigorate ourselves and Clarins have a great selection of oils, scrubs and balms which will either relax you or smooth and contour you but they all have the most amazing plant aromas which will lift your senses.

As a long time user of Clarins products especially the Tonic Body Polisher with a luxurious blend of essential oils of Rosemary, Rosewood, Mint, Sugar and Salt Crystals to cleanse, re-charge and polish your skin and your skin will love the Relax Body Treatment Oil especially after exercise or a hard day at work.

Contour Body Treatment Oil "Contouring/Strengthening" £40.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

Effective body-contouring, moisturizing and detoxifying with a body care product full of essential oils. Full of natural goodness that cares for skin. Energising body oil — with 100% pure plant extracts including Broom, Geranium and Marjoram — helps eliminate toxins to streamline skin and prevent sponginess. Skin is firm and energized. Hazelnut Oil locks in moisture, leaving skin soft, toned and satiny-smooth. Aromatic essences deliver an overall feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. An exhilarating treat for tired legs and feet! Body is purified, contoured and smooth. Particularly effective when used for massage. Non-staining.

Tonic Body Treatment Oil "Firming/Toning" £40.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

Clarins’ best selling firming body oil—with 100% pure and powerful plant extracts including Rosemary, Geranium and Mint making a healthy formula—helps firm, tone and improve elasticity, smoothing the appearance of stretch marks. Hazelnut Oil locks in moisture to leave body skin soft, satiny-smooth and elastic. Skin is prepared to face the strains of weight changes and stretching. The Tonic Body Treatment Oil is effective in removing stretch marks. Aromatic natural botanicals promote an overall feeling of well-being. A blend of natural agents in one body oil, to indulge in. Spending some to really relax and massage your skin with Clarins body care, can help to refresh and revitalize. Especially recommended for use during pregnancy and dieting. Suitable for all skin types.

Relax Body Treatment Oil "Soothing/Relaxing"£40.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

Aah, spa! This relaxing body treatment oil—with 100% pure plant extracts, including Geranium, Petit Grain, Camomile and Basil—helps relieve stress and fatigue for a total feeling of well-being. Hazelnut Oil locks in moisture to leave body skin soft and satin-smooth. Helps soothe tired muscles after exercise.

Tonic Body Polisher £33.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

It’s the ultimate glow-getter! Clarins’ spa-fresh body polisher—with essential oils of Rosemary, Rosewood, Mint, Sugar and Salt Crystals—feels ooh la la luxurious as it smoothes away dry cells, flakes and impurities to reveal the glowing skin beneath. Leaves skin looking toned, radiant and sleek.

Tonic Body Balm £32.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

Change your tone! This refreshing body balm treatment—with a firming blend of Ginseng and Apple Seed Oil—soothes dryness, improves vitality and promotes the appearance of toned, supple-looking skin. This soft body balm refreshes the senses with the aromatic essences of Geranium, Rosewood, Mint and Rosemary and the non-oily texture delivers a satin-fresh finish. Smooth on after Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate and Tonic Body Treatment Oil for a professional, at-home spa treat.

Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate £20.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

This concentrated cleansing treatment activates with the heat of a warm bath or shower—releasing the invigorating, aromatic virtues of Rosemary, Mint and Geranium. Extracts of Gentian and Pine cleanse and refine. Lightweight lather is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Follow with Tonic Body Treatment Oil and Toning Body Balm for sensational firming results.

Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate £20.00 Clarins (Shop Now)

Clarins’ concentrated cleansing treatment activates with the heat of a warm bath or shower—releasing the soothing, aromatic virtues of Basil, Camomile and Petit Grain. Relaxes tired muscles after a stressful day with a calming blend of St. John’s Wort, Linden and Valerian extracts. The lightweight lather is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin. Follow with Relax Body Treatment Oil for a complete at-home spa treat. 

11 Most Badass RVs You Can Buy Today

Read article : 11 Most Badass RVs You Can Buy Today

Views:264

Driving cross-country in a multi-million dollar RV is an experience few Americans will ever get to enjoy. While many may fawn over massive machines like the unstoppable Zetros 6×6, few of us have the means to obtain a purpose-built doomsday machine. Sure, there’s the obvious financial obligation, as luxury RV setups can run north of $3 million, but concerns about parking, maintenance, winterizing, insurance, and who’s going to drive the damn thing are also factors to consider.

Earthroamer XV HD is about as ferocious as it gets outside of military spec | Earthroamer" />

Riding atop a Ford F-750 chassis, the Earthroamer XV HD is about as ferocious as it gets outside of military spec | Earthroamer

Fortunately, many of the world’s elite moneymakers have the means to hire a trained driver, and with some of these land yachts running well over 40 feet long, merging and parking can be a real pain for the untrained. But RV enthusiasts aren’t just into slate tile floors and crystal chandeliers, and hardcore 4×4 vehicles are still a hot commodity as they crush terrain by day and then raise their rooflines at night for spacious living.

King Aire line takes a unique, but very ornate approach to RV-making, and the amount of time, money, and energy that goes into making one is insane | Newmar" width="757" height="482" />

Newmar’s King Aire line takes a unique, but very ornate approach to RV-making, and the amount of time, money, and energy that goes into making one is insane | Newmar

We recently took the time to peruse the web in search of some of the most over-the-top RV options money can buy, and came up with a surplus of unique options. There really is something out there for everyone, and if your pocketbook is up to the challenge, you can have an entire penthouse suite on wheels built to your personal taste.

1. IKON by Renegade

The IKON by Renegade is one purpose-built RV, with trailer towing being one of its strongest suits | Renegade

The IKON by Renegade takes semi-truck styling and combines it with luxury amenities and industry leading self-sufficiency. From handcrafted solid hardwood cabinetry and plush Villa Ultraleather furniture to quartz countertops and heated porcelain tile floors, the good life comes standard in this RV. Tech-wise, it also features things like Samsung 4K LED TVs, Bose Home Theater Sound, and a set of high-tech stainless steel appliances that deliver the goods when it’s time to eat.

It also features VegaTouch control systems, which have dual 10-inch touchscreen controllers with iPad, smartphone, and tablet compatibility. This means you can integrate interior lighting, systems monitoring, HVAC controls, window coverings, awning and slide-out controls, and a whole lot more into an all-in-one touchpad that doubles as a monitor for the perimeter observation camera system.

The Renegade IKON can be outfitted with all manner of amazing interior amenity | Renegade

Buyers will love finding features like hand crafted hardwoods, and a Theater Mode that automatically lowers the shades, dims lights, and raises the 50-inch Samsung UHD 4K TV so it can automatically tie into the Bose home theater system. While a porcelain tile shower and adjustable LED vanity lighting systems are also nice, it’s the Renegade’s attention to towing capacities and ability to be lived out of for weeks on end thanks to its oversized water, septic, and fuel tanks that make it a preferred RV for motorsport enthusiasts.

2. Winnebago Brave

Winnebago Brave takes vintage styling and applies modern technology and mechanics to form a restomod RV | Winnebago" width="757" height="424" />

The Winnebago Brave takes vintage styling and applies modern technology and mechanics to form a resto-mod RV | Winnebago

Back in the late 1960s and 1970s, there was no mistaking a Winnebago motorhome for another RV thanks to its bold “Flying W” badging, iconic “eyebrow” designs, clever interior, and boxy body lines. But over time the iconic styling of yesteryear began to morph into a mish-mash of ho-hum engineering and bland RV styling.

But now it’s time to fall in love with classic RV styling all over again, because Winnebago has followed in Dodge’s Challenger footsteps and has rolled out a resto-mod version of the machine that got America hooked on RV life in the first place.

Vintage interior within the Winnebago Brave looks straight out of the 1970s | Winnebago

The all-new Winnebago Brave takes vintage styling cues and blends them with modern practicality, efficiency, safety, and useful amenities in order to give the next generation of motorhome enthusiast an RV that is both retro and reliable. While you won’t be able to pick one up for the $4,000 price tag associated with the original, these classic and quirky motorhomes are priced to fit a more modest budget, and can be customized in a wide array of colors and interior design layouts.

3. Global X Vehicles Pangea “Perky Mog”

Pangea roof lifter" width="757" height="504" />

Global X Vehicles takes safety orange and gives it a new purpose on this Pangea roof lifter | Global X Vehicles

Global Expedition Vehicles’ Pangea Lifting Roof version of the unstoppable Mercedes-Benz UniMog can be built on either a medium or heavy duty chassis, and can be tailored around various cab configurations. Referred to as the “Perky Mog,” this clever 4×4 RV has a unique lowered position that allows the windows to be covered with the hard side top section, while maintaining full walking height within. Once in the raised position, a huge loft area becomes exposed, which can be reconfigured to the buyer’s preferred sleeping layout, and can hold up to two queen size beds.

Pangea Lifting Roof monster are gorgeous living quarters that feature ornate wood floors, and a loft for sleeping | Global X Vehicles" width="757" height="504" />

Inside the Pangea Lifting Roof monster are gorgeous living quarters that feature ornate wood floors, and a loft for sleeping | Global X Vehicles

Since each vehicle is tailor-made to the buyer’s specifications, there is no cut-and-dry approach to purchasing one of these machines, so be prepared for a lengthy build list and turnaround time. A few of our favorite touches include the G-KAS mounting body isolating mount system, having cab-to-cabin access, exterior tool/utility boxes, how the seating area converts into an additional sleeping space, and how the stair treads are hinged and lift to reveal hidden storage. Add on a duo of high efficiency 200-watt PV solar panels, a 140 gallon fresh water tank, amazing off-road capabilities, and the ability to buy one in 16- to 18-foot lengths, and you’ve got one hell of a capable 4×4 RV on your hands.

4. Newmar King Aire

Engineered to embody “the pinnacle of luxury travel,” the Newmar King Aire takes style, comfort, and technology to a whole new level, with the 2017 model sporting a restyled exterior, and a Spartan K3 tag axle chassis that has been attached to a steel superstructure. Inside, contrast cross stitching highlights the dash, which features a wireless non-slip charging pad, full LCD driver display, and two 12.1-inch touchscreens for system controls and 360-degree outward visibility. Meanwhile, a one-off 11-speaker JBL cockpit audio system and exclusive fabrics from Ralph Lauren add additional flare to the front of the cabin.

King Aire line takes a unique, but very ornate approach to RV-making, and the amount of time, money, and energy that goes into making one is insane | Newmar" width="757" height="482" />

Newmar’s King Aire line takes a unique, but very ornate approach to RV-making, and the amount of time, money, and energy that goes into making one is insane | Newmar

For tailgating purposes, two Girard Nova side awnings extend over a specially designed sidewall housing a 43-inch Sony 4K UHD TV and a Bluetooth-compatible Bose soundbar, which rests atop one of the tallest basements in the Class A segment. Buyers can choose Maple, Cherry, or Rift Oak hardwood cabinetry, while polished porcelain plank tile, heated and cooled Pompeii leather front seats, and a 49-inch Sony 4K UHD TV come standard, with a Blu-ray/DVD player and Bose CineMate home theater system. The King Aire’s master bath is available with an industry-leading 50-by-34-inch shower, complete with full tile and a Fresca panel with massage sprayers and a foot washer, and even comes finished with a Whirlpool stacked washer and dryer.

5. Earthroamer XV HD

Earthroamer XV HD is about as ferocious as it gets outside of military spec | Earthroamer" width="757" height="409" />

Riding atop a Ford F-750 chassis, the Earthroamer XV HD is about as ferocious as it gets outside of military spec | Earthroamer

EarthRoamer has just expanded its product line in order to offer the highly anticipated F-750-based XV-HD. Designed to accommodate up to eight people comfortably and sleep six, this off-road RV features enough ingenuity to make living off-grid for a few days a breeze, as the HD offers anyone looking for wilderness adventures both driving prowess and fantastic amenities.

Extra windows and a raised roof allows living quarters to feel anything but confined in Earthroamer’s XV HD | Earthroamer

The XV-HD takes luxury off-grid ingenuity and infuses it with solar panels, a monolithic battery bank, 46-inch military tires, 200 gallons of fresh water, a compact washer/dryer, and a whole lot more. At just over 35-feet long this is no mini RV either, giving all the more reason for Earthroamer to utilize Ford’s 6.7-liter PowerStroke Diesel engine and all 725 pound-feet of torque.

6. Bespoke Coach Sprinter Van

typical Bespoke Coach Sprinter is not overtly adorned with external upgrades, but leans more toward a VIP look | Bespoke Coach" width="757" height="466" />

A typical Bespoke Coach Sprinter is not overtly adorned with external upgrades, but leans more toward a VIP look | Bespoke Coach

This next road trip specialist is a bit of a hybrid, because while it isn’t a massive RV, it isn’t really a van either. Bespoke Coachworks has been customizing vehicles in Southern California since 1985, and over the past 30 years has created countless custom audio, video, interior, and exterior solutions for celebrities and the elite. So when the Sprinter van finally began getting imported and badged by Dodge and Freightliner back in 2007, requests for customized versions flooded their ears.

After decades of working with companies like Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Mercedes-Benz, the thought of pimping out vans seemed a bit strange, but after one luxury van conversion spawned the next, Bespoke Coachworks knew it was on to something. From opulent mobile offices, to family coaches with built-in beds and entertainment suites, this unique chassis offers an endless array of options for anyone wanting a small and swanky RV, all without the headaches associated with piloting a land barge.

The interior of one of Bespoke Coach’s Sprinter vans may not be large, but it certainly is luxurious | Bespoke Coach

Bespoke Coach’s luxury mobile office incorporates the best technology, design, and materials into a first-class experience, tasking top engineers, designers, and fabricators to make coaches that are both user friendly and innovative. A few of our favorite options include the driver wall partition with motorized privacy window, custom upholstered walls and ceilings, the marine-grade circuit breaker panel, and those Maybach inspired captains chairs. There are also standard iPads, Samsung TV screens, power inverters, customizable lighting, Focal audio upgrades, and Dynamat sound deadening throughout, with a laundry list of unique upgrade options waiting on the wing for the right price.

7. Marathon Show Coach

Marathon Coach, Inc. is widely revered as the world’s largest luxury bus converter and dealer, and specializes in taking commercial buses supplied by Prevost and customizing them into the most opulent RVs imaginable. Built around a Prevost H3-45 chassis, these custom buses feature engineer-driven technologies and a unique “California design viewpoint” that leans toward shades of warm taupe and rich chocolate brown, with deep indigo blue accents inside and out.

Inside, buyers will find things like a marble, limestone, and travertine “basket weave” floor inlay that has been surrounded by Italian porcelain tile, as well as a custom fireplace enclosure designed for both ambiance and warmth. There are soft touches like velvet tufted sofas finished with chrome nail heads, and a stitched leather recliner at the large work desk for when duty calls on the open road.

Marathon Show Coach is a swanky, multi-million dollar cruiser designed for the world's elite | Marathon Coach Inc." width="757" height="504" />

The Marathon Show Coach is a swanky, multi-million dollar cruiser designed for the world’s elite | Marathon Coach Inc.

In the back you will find features like an oversized glass and limestone mosaic shower with a telescopic, glass pocket door that goes opaque at the touch of a button, an integrated, 8-inch rain shower head, as well as a hand-held shower wand. There also are Hans Grohe faucets and fixtures, custom-made hammered stainless steel sinks, a walk-in closet, a TechLink electrical system, and Crestron controls.

8. Sportsmobile Classic 4×4

With the camper lowered and doors closed, this house on wheels turns into a 4×4 Ford battering ram | Sportsmobile

The Sportsmobile Classic is one of the most recent creations in a long line of heavy duty 4×4 “Adventure Vans” coming out of Sportsmobile. After a successful prototype testing phase, the Classic 4×4 can now be had in a Ford Cutaway body that molds it with a steel reinforced fiberglass shell and an integrated penthouse top that drops flush into the shell for streamlining purposes.

The Sportsmobile 4WD Vehicle is designed to appeal to the most discerning off-road enthusiast, and in order to do so only the best heavy-duty components are installed for a balance between maximum off-road performance and on-road comfort. Over five decades of experience in the designing and manufacturing of van campers has led to this point, and while these machines can only be had on 2008–2014 Ford E-350 models equipped with the 6.8-liter V10 and barn doors, sourcing a gently used donor shouldn’t be an issue.

Sportsmobile has long been synonymous with hardcore off-road vehicles that can be lived out of | Sportsmobile

Full production of the Classic started in late 2016, and the 4WD Conversion model includes a lot of hardcore 4×4 upgrades. A few key features include an Advance Adapter Atlas II All Gear Driven transfer case, a Dynatrac Pro-Roc 60 front axle, Dana 60 rear axle, Fox 2.0 Performance Series Shocks, a high knuckle front end for extra tie rod clearance, and an extra heavy duty steering arm.

We could go on about the military wrap springs that were specifically designed for this van, or how the front sway bar comes with a quick disconnect system and custom shocks, but it would take forever to go over this list of performance upgrades. Finished with a practical and rugged, adventure-ready interior, this RV is a pop-top for the most discerning 4×4 enthusiast.

9. ShowHauler Motorhomes

melding semi tractor trailer strength with high dollar RV resplendency | ShowHauler" width="757" height="568" />

ShowHauler specializes in melding semi tractor trailer strength with high dollar RV resplendency | ShowHauler

ShowHauler Motorhomes are heralded as “the safest motor coach on the road,” and their coach frames utilize a unique tubular steel structure consisting of super strong floors, sidewalls, and ceilings. The underbelly is completely undercoated, block foam is placed between steel side-wall supports prior to bonding aluminum exterior walls to the frame, no rivets are used, interior walls are reinforced to create a structural cage, and adhesive bonding is used to apply a bubble type insulation.

Being built on a standard truck chassis with a higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) than a typical motorhome allows for greater carrying capacities, so weight is never a concern and neither are highway crosswinds nor oncoming traffic. Internally, buyers get to choose the hardwood they want for cabinets and fabric patterns and colors, all window framing is finished with hand-formed hardwood, counter-tops are genuine Corian, and buyers can choose either polished ceramic tile floors or carpet.

A ShowHauler interior can be outfitted with anything the buyer desires, it just depends upon how deep your pocketbook goes | ShowHauler

We personally dig the cab pass-thru, having 7-feet of interior headroom, the cab-over bunk and vent, the 12 gallon gas/electric water heater, 30,000 BTU ducted gas furnace, and the ability to tow damn near anything. ShowHauler Motorhomes are part luxury living quarters, part big-rig, and all cross-country cruiser.

10. Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 A 6×6

Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 A 6×6 is one hell of an intimidating RV | Daimler

We eluded to it in our intro, and here it is up close. The all-wheel drive behemoth commonly referred to as the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 A 6×6 is based off a semi with a cab-behind-engine layout, and offers sensational traction and versatility, plus customizable living arrangements.

This triple-axled truck typically weighs in between 25 and 27 tons, and while its powertrain and chassis configuration either come out of the Actros and Axor series of full-size work trucks, it also utilizes a unique Unimog/G-Class 6×6 approach. Powered by a 7.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine, this lumbering beast only puts down around 326 horsepower, but generates around 1,000 foot-pounds of torque in the 1,200–1,600 RPM range.

With room for ATV loading in the rear, this 27-ton monster is all you need to dominate the wild | Daimler

Buyers can opt for either a hydraulically/pneumatic nine-speed manual transmission (eight forward gears plus crawler), which has a direct-ratio top gear, or they can get the six-speed Allison 3000 SP/PR automatic. The permanent all-wheel drive VG 1700 transfer case has an off-road ratio that is about 20% lower than its all-wheel drive cousins, so crawl control is a strong suit here. Towing capacity has also been increased by about 70% when compared to the on-road gears, and torque distribution between the front and rear axle(s) is 1:3.21 thanks to the splitter box, which becomes 1:1 if the differential lock is engaged.

All told, the Zetros has three mechanical differential locks, all of which can be easily selected via a rotary control that shows the logical sequence in which they need to be engaged. Drivers must start with the center-axle before engaging the rear, with the front remaining the final option, reserved for when terrain is at its most extreme.

11. Iveco Astra HD8 8×6 Expedition Truck

Expedition Truck Brokers" width="757" height="505" />

Expedition Trucks always has something insane on its for sale page, like this 8×6 behemoth for instance | Expedition Truck Brokers

Our final contender today comes from Expedition Truck Brokers, a company that has specialized in connecting buyers and sellers of expedition trucks for over 20 years thanks to a crew that tackles every aspect of the purchasing and customization process. Everything from buying and building, to long distance overland travel and selling transactions get attended to by this highly trained team of 4×4 specialists, and getting things right requires “first hand experience with vehicle based travel in rough conditions through remote regions.”

Simply put, Expedition Truck Brokers sources hardcore off-road “wheel estate” for private individuals and professionals in order to provide the ideal vehicle for overland journeys, expedition support, promotional events, and film. While most people would never need something as insane as an 8×6 diesel behemoth, there is a very particular kind of clientele out there that has the bankroll and need for something like what you see here.

Iveco Astra HD8 8x6 also features 8 wheels and more torque than an ocean liner | Expedition Truck Brokers" width="757" height="504" />

It may take eight hours to parallel park, but this Iveco Astra HD8 8×6 also features eight wheels and more torque than an ocean liner | Expedition Truck Brokers

While plenty of other heavy-duty RV options are available on the Expedition Truck Brokers’ website, it’s this Iveco Astra HD8 that has our vote for most badass of the bunch. Professionally manufactured in Germany, this chassis has been widely revered internationally as a construction and mining industry staple, but never a weekend getaway machine … until now.

A few of our favorite highlights and features outside of the Astra’s massive cabin and practical living quarters are the highly autonomous multi-climate design that handles both tropical and frigid environments, and the 600 horsepower EURO-5 Cursor 13 diesel engine. There’s also that dedicated motorcycle platform, all those external storage units, and a slew of locking differentials designed to tackle any terrain.

(cheatsheet.com, https://goo.gl/I0gYaI)

Comments

comments