Side vision and safety in fiat cabs.
We are now looking at getting a lovely new panel van conversion. Going to NEC in Feb. The new Transit as a base looks really good but very few convertions it appears by the major players. Murvi at the moment are favourite . We also like the Auto trail V
Line 620 but I'm concerned over side visabilty of the Fiat based conversions. The cab windows seem incredibly narrow and with blinds fitted even worse. How do others find these to live with? Have not test driven one yet but are they a safety issue with lack
of side visibility?
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Don't know. I've looked at the cabs of all the base manufacturers and by the time converter has fitted blinds and raised the seat so it swivels, the visibility is relatively poor. I also have trouble with some quarter lights obsucring the driver side wing
mirror. Motorhomers I speak to say you get used to it and in reality, it's not a problem.For me, I won't go back from a A class to something that converters have made worse.
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Biggarmac, I used to have trouble with visibility at junctions when on my own. My brother, a bus driver, told me to pull up to the junction 'face on' instead of at an angle. I used to pull up on the right of my lane at a junction if turning right and on
the left if going left [as we all tend to do]. By sticking to the centre of my lane at a junction and being at right angles to the road I'm joining, I find the difficult junctions easier. I don't need to do this all the time, and its not always safe to do
so, although I do ensure I have on my indicators!0 -
If you are looking at a FORD you will need to ADD Security to it. You can open the door on a FORD in a few seconds using adjustable keys found on ebay. Once inside you can add the new key to the onboard computer using the service plug. Take all of 30 seconds
to drive one away. If it has an alarm fitted then opening the door with a key switches the alarm off. Have a look at http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/stolen-motorhomes/0 -
IIRC, our 2010 Fiat had side window blinds that were '2-piece' in that the quarter light and main side window had seperate blinds....this meant there was quite a large plastic 'join/housing' which got in the way....
later models had a one piece blind which meant the only thing obstructing the view was the original 'join' just as jn any other fiat van without blinds....
as Aspenshaw says, even A-classes with huge panoramic windscreens are not without vision issues....
having the side windows further away from you makes it impossible to lean out and glance to the rear diagonal (hence the tip to approach junctions in a slightly different way...
similarly, large 'bus mirrors' are truly wonderful for seeing backwards, but can obscure some forward three quarter vision, so some weaving/bobbing might be required at hectic junctions and roundabouts....
a bit disconcerting at first but, as with all modified vehicles, after a period of acclimatisation, things arent too bad....
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Thank you for all your replies. Interesting also about van security on the Fords. Will certainly look into that. Many thanks for bringing it to my attention. Any more feedback would be very welcome.
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, Hmmm, yes ,with the motorised screen blind down far enough on the 'Concorde' ,the coach mirrors have a tendancy to be 'blanked'
!! Thinking of fitting some suitable mirrors lower down .
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Yes I agree, the glass area in the side windows is quite small and I do have to lean forward to get a good sideways vision.
The other thing I find annoying is that the bar down the drivers side window falls in line with the wing mirrors and therefore reduces visibility through that!
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I'm not sure if I really want to " get used to it " safety has to be very important to me and my passengers and I can't see that this setup is safe. I do stress though I have not driven but only sat in these cabs. I can't believe the manufacturer hasn't
had pressure to re-design them and the window blind makers make a safer option which does not involve restricting vision even more. Only my opinion of course.0 -
Unlike driving a car you can't look over the seat and look out the side windows. I have to admit I was a bit concerned when I first experienced it but you do adapt. Its only in certain positions. One of the Tesco forecourts I fill up at requires me to do a sort of U turn to get out on the exit road and that requires leaning forwards. Coming down a slip road I just use my mirrors.
David
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Thank you for all your replies. Interesting also about van security on the Fords. Will certainly look into that. Many thanks for bringing it to my attention. Any more feedback would be very welcome.
Write your comments here...after looking for a transit based PVC for quite a while, we have taken the plunge and bought an Autotrail V line 600, a nearly new one (2014) but with only 2500 miles on the clock, I noticed that the 620 was on your short list.
I have been driving a 2012 Fiat based coach buit for 3 years now and have never had a problem with visibility, a few other problems, but visibility fine.Good luck in finding a Ford based PVC, the Murvi looks a lovely vehicle. Don't know of many others (apart from Devon & Wellhouse ).
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Some adaptation of driving methodology particularly positioning at junctions is needed when you change from a car to (any) van but with care and experience you can be just as safe in a van. I am assuming you have no age or mobility issues because you may
find you have to turn your head further to make a proper observation before manoeuvring Just think how many road miles a courier puts in in a year. I do think that cab blinds do partially inhibit visibility. I had them in my last van and didn't like them.
I would spend the money on a good external screen instead. In order to deal with concerns about "normal visibility" driving a van why not invest in a days hire of a Ford Transit it won't cost much and you will learn a lot (probably positve). Part of the secret
is properly setting up side mirrors before you drive away. The mirrors on the Ducato are super, wide and easy to adjust with separate adjustment for the wide angle part. I expect the Ford mirrors are similar.0 -
Yes thank you for that Bluevanman. Its a good idea to hire one for the day then test Drive the fiat based. I have driven vans all my working life. VW transporter. Vauxhall vivaro and Fords. My current camper van is vwt4 based so am very used to driving vans.
Had a vw t5 based karman Mobil coachbuilt up to 5 years ago. Actually I prefer vans to cars due to the better vision sitting higher. I think that's why It struck me as being not so good with the Fiats. I do however raysj love the looks of the V Line Sport
and think you will be very happy with the 600.0 -
I'm not sure if I really want to " get used to it " safety has to be very important to me and my passengers and I can't see that this setup is safe. I do stress though I have not driven but only sat in these cabs. I can't believe the manufacturer hasn't
had pressure to re-design them and the window blind makers make a safer option which does not involve restricting vision even more. Only my opinion of course.the side window blinds are easily removed....our pals have an Autocruise and they have quilted sucker-fitted press on window 'blinds' which would give you less concern about visibility.
however, the 'bar' really isnt as much of a problem as you might imagine.....a test drive might reassure (or not) you.....
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