• Home
  • Reviews
  • Advice
  • News
  • Buying Guides
  • Travel
  • For Sale
  • Forums
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Best of British
    Your browser is out-of-date!

    Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

    ×

    NewsletterWinHave Your SaySubscribe
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Best of British

    Home › Reviews›Hymer›Feeling›430

    Hymer Feeling 430 2011

    £20,425
    Hymer Feeling 430 with elevating bed roof, standard of finish is superb
    Hymer Feeling 430 with elevating bed roof, standard of finish is superb
    Rear lounge area with luxury upholstery, plenty of roof lockers too
    Rear lounge area with luxury upholstery, plenty of roof lockers too
    Kitchen is a little small but three burner hob does get spark ignition
    Kitchen is a little small but three burner hob does get spark ignition
    What no shower? No but the compact design does have good storage facilities
    What no shower? No but the compact design does have good storage facilities
    Front single dinette converts into a bed. It’s a little tight for adults to use
    Front single dinette converts into a bed. It’s a little tight for adults to use
    Plain design furniture is well made, roof lockers though are quite shallow
    Plain design furniture is well made, roof lockers though are quite shallow
    Feeling looks good in its option pack – those black side flashes look very neat
    Feeling looks good in its option pack – those black side flashes look very neat
    Hymer Feeling 430 with elevating bed roof, standard of finish is superb
    Rear lounge area with luxury upholstery, plenty of roof lockers too
    Kitchen is a little small but three burner hob does get spark ignition
    What no shower? No but the compact design does have good storage facilities
    Front single dinette converts into a bed. It’s a little tight for adults to use
    Plain design furniture is well made, roof lockers though are quite shallow
    Feeling looks good in its option pack – those black side flashes look very neat

    Published: April 7, 2011

    With the French factory now shut, all Hymer caravans are built in Germany so new models have been slow coming through. Expensive but solidly built, Hymer pop-top models are a niche product that provides solid compact tourers for couples and families. The new 430 Feeling model comes with an optional bed in the elevating roof.

    Verdict

    The Hymer Feeling 430 is a robust, smart-looking tourer. It’s ideal for those with restricted storage and smaller cars. It’s not cheap to buy in its Diamond pack guise, but without it the Hymer would feel basic. There are some nice interiors and some excellent designer touches but it all comes at a price. 7/10

    Pros

    Smart looking with robust construction, the Feeling 430 sports some pleasing design touches and a tasteful interior
    Weights are low, given the sturdiness of the construction
    Washroom really excels

    Cons

    This van would feel basic without its options pack, and there’s no shower in the washroom
    Kitchen isn’t as well-specced as we’d like
    Roof lockers aren’t very deep so don’t offer masses of storage space

    Pitching & Setting-up

    The Feeling 430 is so easy to set up and handle on site. The Al-Ko chassis comes with the AKS hitch stabiliser and also has heavy duty corner steadies, too. The exterior is solid and very well finished and with the Diamond plus pack (which most Feelings will be sold with) the exterior has a classy white with an off-grey and black finish. In fact, it looks a little like the latest Eccles models. A wet locker and alloy wheels are further additions of the Diamond pack.
    A decent-sized front locker allows for good storage and also large gas cylinders. Access is easy too, with the large locker door. While moulded corners not only give the Feeling 430 good looks, they are also immensely strong. And due to their construction using special glues and foam, plus an aluminium framework, the Hymer is robust yet MTPLM figures are 1300kgs. The elevating roof allows for extra sleeping, making the 430 a five-berth family layout.

    Living

    The 2.12m width gives the Feeling 430 a surprising amount of living space. Wood finish (Alder) and soft furnishings are contemporary with the roof locker design being very unfussy yet attractive. We liked the corner roof lockers, with silver sliding doors adding to the Hymer’s overall modern feel. Clever radius corners have enabled the designers to fit small shelves. Twin single settees have curved corner backrests which enhance the spacious feel – you could sit six here if needed so five would prove easy for meals. Lighting is excellent, with corner spots plus central ceiling-mounted twin spots. Twin single beds or one large double bed can be made up while only a twin central chest of drawers is fitted.

    Kitchen

    The kitchen area is a little more basic than we would expect. An 80-litre Dometic fridge is fitted while the hob gets just three burners and no grill. The worktop is a little limiting, while storage itself isn’t bad with a good utensils draw and cupboard space. A roof locker adds more storage while a side window allows natural light and ventilation with two down-lighters. No oven is fitted and there is nowhere for a microwave to be placed – that would possibly have to go onto the front single dinette’s table. Only one mains socket is fitted.

    Washroom

    The Feeling 430’s washroom really excels here. It’s situated on the nearside (Hymers have entrance doors on the offside) and even before you enter the washroom, a nifty storage designer console with three fitted shelves and spot lamp is placed between the washroom and the wardrobe – it’s a neat feature. The washroom is very compact yet well designed. However, you won’t find a shower, and it’s not possible to fit one, either. An electric flush Thetford cassette loo is fitted, as well as a neat corner hand basin. A great mirror and shelf storage plus a cupboard mean that you have plenty of places to store toiletries. A side window allows in natural light plus adds to ventilation.

    Beds

    The Feeling 430 comes with twin singles at the front, or one double. Both configurations should prove comfortable. The front end of the van has a single dinette which converts to a single bed. It doesn’t look very wide so we reckon it’ll be best only for a small adult or child to use. The elevating roof is called the Maxi bed. The roof is erected on site and could sleep two children in comfort. Users of the top bed also get a side window each and one in the front end.

    Storage

    There are plenty of roof lockers, but the only downside is that they aren’t very deep which limits what you can put in them. The wardrobe offers some useful hanging space while the Truma heater below will keep clothes aired. Storage under the front seats is good but access is only through the top – no access flaps are fitted. The front dinette has two side roof lockers but only a shelf over the front window and storage in these seat lockers will be restricted due to their size.

    Technical Specifications

    Berth5
    MiRO1062 kg
    Payload238 kg
    MTPLM1300 kg

    Related Reviews

    The Xplore XC Quad
    Caravans

    Xplore XC Quad 2025

    1380 kg MTPLM
    £25,499

    Good looks combine with a generous spec to make the Xplore XC Quad an appealing entry-level...

    The Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Touring hitched up to a Swift caravan
    Tow Cars

    Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Touring 2025

    1270 kg Max. Tow
    134 lbf-ft Torque
    £36,995

    If you tow a light van and tour all year round, the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Touring...

    The Elddis Avanté 520
    Caravans

    Elddis Avanté 520 2025

    2-berth
    1340 kg MTPLM
    £26,299

    A sleek new profile graces the exterior of the Elddis Avanté 520, a compact two-berth which...

    The Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG
    Tow Cars

    Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG 2024

    1600 kg Max. Tow
    184 lbf-ft Torque
    £38,485

    David Motton puts the Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG to the test to...

    The Coachman Acadia 460
    Caravans

    Coachman Acadia 460 2025

    2-berth
    1335 kg MTPLM
    £29,745

    The Coachman Acadia 460 is a comfortable two-berth that is a welcome addition to the range,...

    Buccaneer Commodore
    Caravans

    Buccaneer Commodore 2024

    4-berth
    1960 kg MTPLM
    £45,599

    The four-berth twin-axle Buccaneer Commodore is no lightweight, but it comes well equipped and would make...

    Capsule Mini R
    Caravans

    Capsule Mini R 2024

    2-berth
    750 kg MTPLM
    £16,995

    The Capsule Mini R is a clever little caravan that provides comfortable touring and contemporary style,...

    The Xplore 554
    Caravans

    Xplore 554 2024

    4-berth
    1375 kg MTPLM
    £22,399

    It’s easy to see why the Xplore 554 remains such a popular choice, especially for first-time...

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Content Funding
    • Cookies Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Authors
    • Privacy Settings

    © 2025 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
    Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.