Thoughts welcomed.
Comments
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as you've mentioned Rapido, heres a bit of a wild card...the 803f.
only 5.94m long but a normal width van. which may be a negative.
short wheelbase, like ours, supremely manourvable, compared to the typical 6m PVC, which have a larger turning circl.
A- class cab gives much more room to lounge, plus an extra drop down double if required.
usable washroom, large rear fixed bed, good storage, large fridge/freezer, good all weather van, will be one/two year old examples around if you didnt want new.
smart little van...
and another.....the Pilote G600L....as above (sub 6m A-clas) but with larger lounge and no fixed bed....even a double floor...
ooooh, the choices...
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Q, i thought you were 'sorted' with your AS.
thanks for the encouragement, but i was just trying to give Micky a few more inputs
...his requirements are a bit different to yours and he doesn't have a specific fixed idea on lounge layout. some of his 'thoughts' have implied fixed beds (in PVCs) and the consequent small half dinette 'euro' lounges.
i could easily say that twin sofa lounges dont work for us (although we've had two, in both Boleros)....no decent table, no rear seatbelts for grandkids (or others), we dont need it to become a (uncomfortable) bed as we 'dont' make up beds anymore, preferring a proper one, etc.....but thats just me..
M, in addition to the fixed bed 803f, the Rapido 604f is also under 6m and has a large lounge, but a drop down bed above to negate the bed making ritual....best of both words....
similar layouts available from Adria, Burstner, even Swift but (IMHO) not in the same league for design nor quality...
...and if you're looking at Rapido PVCs, you should check out the eqivalents from Malibu (Carthago) with 'disappearing' toilet in the shower room, Adria 640 SPX with the fullsized shower/washroom, La Strada (at Warminster or Reading) Knaus and (as youve mentioned) Hymer.
good luck.
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Lots to go at then, cheers folk. Mrssf threw me a surprise yesterday with the suggestion that a rear lounge may be worth considering, just for a complete change. That may rule out continentals. Personally I like the suggestion of the short A class Rapido myself mind but have never driven one of these. Any noticeable change in driving one of these, sitting in them they seem more bus like and I'm unsure about the lack of a driver' cab door in the continentals..
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Something a bit different, have you looked at the Moto Trek range of vehicles? I'd post a link, but never seem to get one to go live. Dealers/manufacturers based in Sheffield I think.
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Coincidentally Mrssf was looking at these using the Manchester Show Website link, like you ttda, she could not access from moto-trek's own link. Also had previously looked at the IH motorhomes but they are very expensive and quite a few optionals we would want push the price even higher.
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You'll be joining us with a Warwick Duo at this rate, Micky.
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They are a bit quirky, made with a sporting background in mind, both motor sports and I think they make quality horse boxes as well. The side slide outs are a bit different. Too much leather and gloss for our taste, but they look quality, and price isn't cheap. If you take a look at Classified Ads ( top row, above), I think they advertise via the Club.
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M, it took me about a minute to feel comfortable when i first test drove an A-class (a Hymer Exsis-i), the view is so much beter than a normal Fiat cab....windscreen higher at the top and lower at the bottom, as well as wider....a lot less metal in the way.
the seats are in exactly the same position in the vehicle, relative to the front 'extremity'...but with the screen 'falling away' you can see the road much nearer than in an X250 cab.
as in any largish vehicle, the driver will 'note' points that assist with placement on the road, its no different with one of these.
motoring along the wide open spaces the view is terrific, these vehicles are not called 'king of the road' by MH testers for nothing...
to combine this 'open perspective' with an actual slimmer width seems (to me) to give the best of both worlds.
i would try one, it will probably polarise opinion, youll love it or not.
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We bought a Chausson brand new about seven years ago, kept it for just over three and was more than happy with the quality of it. We only had one issue from memory, the habitation door started to rust along the bottom edge but the whole door was replaced no problems at all. Don't get me wrong, they're not top quality but then they're not top prices either...and might just do a small van to suit your needs.
Have fun deciding!
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Chausson has certainly one of the most innovative and prolific MH design teams on the market, just so many different variations of layout....should be something for all, in terms of design.
ive been in plenty (Highbridge is a big dealer) and not my cup of tea re ambience etc, but certainly very popular.
their small 'one box' type vans (generally with drop down beds) have huge showers and some manage to incorporate large (doors on three sides) garages, too.
drop down beds can be transverse (they now claim to have the widest bed, at 1.60m, on the market), longitudinal or even seperate drop down longitudinal singles.
theres even one an now with four seperate Captains chairs in the lounge (all with belts) with a habitation door on both sides making entey a doddle.....add in a drop down bed over a rear lounge and you have a very unusual and (again) innovative design.
well priced, too.
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Hi BB,
To start, I have to say that, I enjoy your comments on here, you clearly have loads of experience of motorhoming and it is good that you are able to share that experience on here. Keep it up.
However, with regard to your comment about Swift and their quality, compared to the German build, I have to say that you get what you pay for. I looked at a sub 6.5m German option, both Hymer and Carthago and by the time I added the necessary options the price of both had shot up well over £80K, for a very small van.
I bought my Swift Kontiki 2 years ago for under £70K and it came with engine upgrade, auto gears, alloy wheels, 2 batteries, two solar panels and all the extras anyone will need, all as standard and with plenty of room.
I accept the different type of design between UK and EU, and thats a personal choice, but I am not sure that the price of those that I reviewed reflects that much quality difference for that much price difference.
We are very happy with our Swift, no real issue with the quality and, as I say, all the extras bundled in at a reasonable price and loads of space. Like any make of caravan, MH or car the quality improves when you pay more for something higher up the range. The quality of the Kontiki is superior to that of the lower priced ranges of Swift MHs, as with any make.
Its a pity that shorter UK models dont have garages like their EU conterparts.
But, the OH wants something shorter next time, so she can drive it and it must have a large garage. So we continue to look around and read these posts on these pages with interest.
Still waiting for Chelston to take delivery of their 2018 Carthagos!
BillC
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Hi Bill....i didnt knock Swift just for the hell of it, merely to reflect my person observations
my comment was
"similar layouts available from Adria, Burstner, even Swift but (IMHO) not in the same league for design nor quality..."
and when comparing the Adria Compact, Burstner Ixeo (and the Rapido 600f i had mentioned earlier in that post) i have to say the Swift competitor (Rio 325) is off the pace.
only my opinion of course...but im relating those experiences to the OP who is looking for a small van.
Despite what you think about German prices (and yes, the catalogs are manna from heaven to the sales staff) these vans can be bought for a lot less than the numbers you mention...i know, i have done it twice...
but not at Chelstons
PS a Kontiki 635 with auto and sat sytem is over £80k.
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....and dont forget Westfalia, some wonderfully well made PVCs, mainly on Ducato but a couple on VW, one new one already out on the new Crafter...
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rare as hen's teeth but Fuller Motorhomes (Gunthorpe, Nottingham) has a used one (LHD) at £65k if new seems a bit steep...
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I've looked at a few Wingamms myself at past motorhome shows. As has been said they are beautifully designed and built. I'd suggest the drop-down bed, if suitable for you, is likely to be well-constructed. There are several models available - on VW, Fiat and Merc - they're just not all available for inspection in the UK!
As for insulation in glass-fibre bodies, I had a La Strada Nova with a similar monocoque structure which was superbly insulated and so, whilst you need to enquire, it's unlikely to me that an Italian van will not be designed to cope with overwintering in the Alps. It's only older Brit vans that didn't bother overmuch with insulation (for summer use only). Euro vans have treated it seriously for decades.
As for buying from distant dealerships, I suspect there would be less need to do so than with lesser brands. But Aston Leisure, Edinburgh do hire them out - so you could try before you buy. I didn't get around to that!
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