Coachbuilt to Van Conversion
Comments
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Tammygirl
Interesting thoughts. I don't see us going back to a caravan. We did it for 30 years and the reasons for changing from that to a motorhome are still valid. I don't think I would want to go back to towing and the associated hassle that personally I attached to caravanning immediately before we changed to a motorhome. Margaret is of the same view as well. I am not so keen on seclusion, preferring to be near to habitation. This is for various reasons, not least that it allows us to operate without moving the motorhome off site. Also I can no longer walk the long distances I once could so prefer to have places where the shops and towns are within easy reach. We don't mind public transport and often found it to be quite entertaining!!!
I am not totally convinced a PVC is the answer as like you I would be concerned about the available space and whether we would successfully adapt. There are smaller coachbuilt motorhome that we could go for but then I start to think that there is nothing particularly wrong with what we have and like everyone we have no idea how long we will be able to carry on motorhoming should we just carry on with what we have? Camping has been a big part of our life and taken us to some really wonderful places so we would be reluctant to give that up whilst we can still manage. Whether a smaller vehicle would help us extend that time it is difficult to decide. We will have a look when we go to the NEC and go from there.
David
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DK, I totally agree with you regards "nothing wrong with what we have" we have been round the houses with ours. We've looked at British vans and the German vans that BB speaks about and no doubt they are well made but again neither of us is that keen to own one. Neither do we like the new Bailey's, when it comes down to it we still like what we have, which is why 4 years on we have finally got round to having a roof satellite installed. We will be going to the Manchester show at the end of next week all being well, so no doubt we will have a good look around at what is on offer, however I don't think we would consider changing it for another 3 years or more now. Good luck with your mission.
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David, only just found this thread, i have done exactly that, downsized from a 7.6 metre Autotrail Savannah behind which i towed my Yaris car on an A-frame, anyway through health problems and reaching 70, I traded it in for a nearly new Autotrail V Line 600, we have not been dissapointed, its differant,very differant, the 600 has a very good sealed shower and you can seal off the rear as a dressing room, no ready made beds but i feel they are a waste of valuable space in a 6 metre van which is primarily for use in the UK in any weather.We also have a Labrador, who always comes with us, And yes we do manage. If you intend to tour mainly in europe then i suggest you look at continental van like the Globecar or a Rapido v33. However for the UK get a UK made van.(my opinion) have had some issues with the side windows of my van, but now resolved, thanks to a good dealer. Very pleased with the quality of our Autotrail 600 sport. Not so keen on the rear lounge SE versions, but thats down to personal taste. Good luck in your looking.
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Should add that the AT 600 sport has a double floor, largish(compared to some) water tanks,both heated, a 100w roof mounted solar panel and a second leisure battery, a replacement fibreglass roof with panoramic front skylight(same as our Savannah) the newer ones have an underslung re-fillable gas tank as well, only debateable feature is the 12v/230v only fridge, would have prefered a 3 way, but in all other respects it is perfect...for us, we all have differant needs and must haves. And there atr always compromises to be made. oh yes fitted outdoor chairs on rear door and loads of bits storage, however i had to fettle the main under settee to take our 2 duvalays, otherwise A1
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Rayjsj
Useful comments on the V-Line as that was one of the ranges I was going to look at. Would I be right in thinking the Tribute range as just a cut down version of the V-Line?
David
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Yes, David, cant speak of them,but did look as well, as at SEs no double floor though,on either, not many PVCs have a double floor, which was one of the attractions, all utilities are run inboard in the false floor, except the water, fresh and waste, and both those tanks are heated.so an ideal all weather van. We have used it in the depths and it works fine.
Main drawback is the price new, i think they are a bit overpriced, but because of the past window problems, they have not held their prices well, dealers dont like all of the warranty claims because of the windows. Might be a bargain around !!
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We went from caravans to a coachbuilt then an A Class back to a PVC which was sold four years ago.and now back to caravans.
The PVC was an Autosleeper Warwick which we owned for four years after an A Class. The reduction in living space was`nt too much of an issue though the bench seating was short in length, the reduced storage was mainly the wardrobe which was tiny. One of the biggest drawbacks was access in very wet weather rain/drips from the body soon wet the interior and we took to using the cab doors, also the cold which penetrated all round, caravans are from my experience better overall than motorhomes for keeping warm in cold weather. Driving a PVC is the best of all worlds, we went on roads in the Alpes etc that might be daunting in a large motorhome, parking can still be difficult due to overall length. If you like to keep your van in pristine condition a PVC is one of the best vehicles to achieve this partly due to size but its steel surface as per car. Overall I`d say they are the best to reach those out of the way places and roads but you do pay a price - living comfort
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Hi DK and all
I had my dream motorhome in 2008, an Autotrail Chieftain tag axle with a huge garage for my Harley and a tow car on a frame. We started working for the club in 2010 and found ourselves with a nice compound to park and get plumbed in. Two years of that saw some hefty repair bills due to not turning a wheel for eight months at a time, new wheel bearings, brake discs, abs unit, chassis welding, all on a four year old van, so, we bit the bullet and went for an Autocruise Rhythm, basic build quality but sturdy enough. For a time there were lots of conversations involving "move your legs" and "you're in the way" type thing but you soon learn. Only 3 small lockers each instead of the endless cavern of the beloved chieftain. Winter 2014 saw us on a site in Spain for four months happily plumbed in with a caravan porch awning on the side, plenty of space now we're used to it. It happily tows my twin axle caravan and as it's 3.5 tons it's happy to sit at the legal limit when solo.
We'll probably change it this year, and will look at the v line or the Autosleeper warwick xl which is a similar layout to ours.
You have to bear in mind that when comparing coachbuilts to pvc's that any coachbuilt however small or wherever made are susceptible to water ingress. pvc's only have a few holes in the roof of what is in essence a van, All coachbuilts have joins, I've just spent today helping a guy reseal the leaky roof on a three year old concord charisma, that's a big money german van!
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I mentioned the Murvi Morello a while back. It can be had on the latest LWB Ford Transit base - in front, or rear, or even all wheel drive. It's all on their website.
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BB
Interesting you mentioned the Fiat autobox. I am used to driving automatic cars and a motorhome with an auto box could suit me and I wonder if there is anyone with experience of the Fiat Comfortmatic gearbox, good or bad?
David
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David
We too drive an Auto Car (VW with DSG box) but also have the Fiat Conformatic on the MH. The VW is smooth as silk and fast however the Fiat is a robotised affair so the change from 1st to 2nd is a bit "lumpy" but once it is going it is fine and the changes between the higher gears is fairly smooth and un-noticable. MPG seems fine and it is much easier to drive without worrying about gear changes so you can concentrate on the road etc.
Dropping gears to overtake/go up hills is very good and even in manual it will not stall and drop down to first if you forget. The uphill button keeps it in lower gears for longer (a boon on Porlock Hill!!)
Main reason we chose it is so Mrs T could drive the MH and she too likes it.
Obviously there is a weight difference so has to be taken into account but we love it and would not have a manual.
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I'd consider a short A-class, second hand. I'm on my third; two including the current one at 6m, the other at 6.3m. Get a double floor one and you have increased storage space although weight restrictions need to be considered. If you think second hand, then Peterborough's National Motorhome Show might be a better option than the NEC. There are pros and cons of A-class ownership so do your research if you want to consider one. For example, drop down beds can save you 1m in length but are not suitable for every couple.
I've a 2013 130bhp with Comfort-matic that's done just over 22,000 miles without a problem. It's slow off the mark in first gear which can make entering fast, busy roundabouts from a standing start an interesting and possibly frightening experience if you are nervous. It can get confused in the Pennines when the roads have sharp downhill and uphill stretches mixed with sharp bends. It sometimes chooses the right gear just too late and so it becomes the wrong gear. Fortunately, the Comfort-matic has a manual setting so I sometimes switch to manual. For routine UK driving, there are no other problems. It's a relaxing drive. Reversing on to our drive or driving on is much easier with the Comfort-matic. Around towns, the Comfort-matic chooses the gears well and makes it less stressful. Mine has an 'Up button' to help with hills and also Hill Start which is brilliant.
Two of my friends have the 150bhp engine with Comfort-matic and have similar experiences to me. They tour on the continent and report no issues.The only reason I wouldn't recommend the Comfort-matic is the cost. I'm not convinced it is worth it although if you have limited capability to change gear with a clutch, then it would be good value.
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Oh David - come back from the Dark Side ......
Remember those days of a well equipped 2 berth with a spacious bathroom and a luxurious shower, an awning to double the living space or zip out the sides for a sun awning, a motormover to pitch in exactly the right place - and best of all, a 2 litre Auto mid-sized 4x4 for all the sightseeing......
Was it really so bad?
Pabst
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I thought David had already said he was thinking of a PVC, AND wanted a habitation door on the UK kerb side ? I dont know of any A-class 6 metre or so vans, with a UK kerbside door (apart from a cab door) do You ?
If i am wrong I stand corrected?
If staying with a coachbuilt, he cant go far wrong with what he has already, a Bailey.
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"Concorde" are making those such models !! Nearside door etc.1
