Motorhome advice

Normandy

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Hi all
We are looking to purchase our first motorhome and are currently looking at an Auto-trail Cheyenne 632 (2003) with a mercedes 316 CDI 2.7 engine, can anyone offer any advice on the pros and cons of this make , we will be full timing so are looking for a 2/3 birth with fixed rear bed, any feedback would be very much appreciated , also if you have any views on comparing the Mercedes with the Fiat options?.
 
Motor Home advice

Hi,
We are now on our fourth Motor Home which is a T615 Burstner. We have had 3 German and 1 English. This one has a fixed bed, separate shower and full size fridge freezer which is fantastic ( we would never go back to small ever again). I think it averages at about 30 to the gallon at 50-60mph. It is officially a 4 berth perfect for 2 people. It is a 2004 and it the best one we have ever had. We were going to sell it for a newer motor home but I am told that from 2002 - 2006 the 2.8 fiat they more reliable an engine. All ours have been bought privately , personal opinion, dealers rip you off and the guarantee from a dealer is basically worthless. Hope my personal opinion is of some help to you .
P and J
 
Hi Pamjon
Thanks for the reply , we thought a smaller motorhome would give us more access options and buying from a dealer would give us some peice of mind due to the Warranty,your motorhome sounds like its given you a lot of pleasure and i will be sure to look at prices for similar models to compare ,we looked at the Cheyenne due to feedback from peole we have spoken to but are open to look at a wider range.
 
That's a big question with many different answers all possibly correct. Mercedes v a Fiat, personal choice which is often decided by some who want the rear wheel drive offered by the Merc, other than that the Fiat will do all you need it to. To me the converter is much more critical and I feel that in general the German products are much better. I've had one british and two German vans currently Burstner, take a close look at things like waste valves, cupboard hinges, plus all the things you touch and decide for yourself. It's not about price because you can buy either it's just the German product may be slightly older price for price.

Hymer Dethleffs Burstner Niesmann Carthago would get my money every time but that's my personal opinion, based on both mine and my brothers experiences.
 
Motor Home advice

Hi, Thank you for your reply. The Burstner we have is only 22ft long. We feel it is the ideal size. We go to France and Spain 3 times a year and I have not found anywhere yet where I cannot park it. As from buying from a dealer for peace of mind that is fine but normally, they try to have a get out clause for anything. In October last year, a friend of mine came over from Spain to buy a Motor Home and I found him a 2006 Hobby (German). Nearly the same spec as ours ie. full size fridge freezer and fixed bed.
It had 14000miles genuine on the clock, loads of extras and he paid £21000. I think he saved a good £5000 on dealer price especially with all the extras. £5000 goes a long way if you have a problem. Hope this was useful.
P and J
 
Type in Auto-Trail Problems in Google and have a read through. At least you will know if there are any problems to look out for ..

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Travelling through mainland Europe in a motorhome provides an opportunity to meet many like minded people. It also offers the chance to see inside their vans and the many different motorhome layouts. I love the quality of the German and French vans but can't come to terms with the poor lounge and lounging layouts.
Many seem to be centred around a fixed table up front, not perfect for two people to relax, lay out, read or watch tv. (in my opinion)
I full time in an Autotrail Chieftain and couldn't live without my twin, three seater couches, below eye level tv, massive kitchen, seperate shower and bathroom, fixed rear bed and garage.
The knowledgeable members on the many forums say, finding your perfect layout is the most important and sometimes the most difficult challenge. It took me three years, but it was worth the effort.
Good luck.
 
Hi all
Thank you for some really helpful information , sounds like german engineering is coming out on top , we have an absolute budget of £25,000 so will continue with our search , i will google the problems we may encounter with Auto trail models, if we were to decide on that option.

Nomandy
 
Hi if you are going full time just make sure you are happy with storage space would be our advice
 
I agree with Kath, first thing I did when buying my German vans is remove the fixed table and replace it with a foldaway table. Other than that the German products are great allround vans.
 
We meet an Irish couple in Turkey. They were living full time on a 32ft yacht. They had one golden rule. If you buy anything new something has to be thrown away. They were merrily wandering around the Med when we first meet them. :boat: Meet up with them again the other year and they had run out of money so were working as a lead crew on a flotila.

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Autotrail Chieftain length

Kath, could I please ask if you could tell me, honestly, if you have any/many problems with the length of your motorhome when in Europe? We have had some wonderful times in our faithful Pilote, but have now got a Chieftain and am I wrong to anticipate parking problems/issues? Do most aires accommodate the length, and frankly have you had any hostility from fellow motorhome. Thanks for any comments you can make.
 
Pilotprobablyalaxy said:
Kath, could I please ask if you could tell me, honestly, if you have any/many problems witin the UK the length of your motorhome when in Europe? We have had ssupermarketful times in our faithful Pireceptionisthave now got a Chieftain and am I wrong to anticipate parking problems/issues? Do most aires accommodate the length, and frankly have you had any hostility from fellow motorhome. Thanks for any comments you can make.
Click to expand...

Hi
I love touring mainland Europe in the Chief and have only experienced one problem in the years I've owned him. That was on a French campsite when, an anal retentive caravaner pointed out to the young girl receptionist, that twin axles were not allowed. I simply upped sticks and moved on to the next site (better).
As you will probably know by now, the only problem with the tag is that the back end swings out when turning sharply in confined spaces. So you have to pick your spot carefully in the supermarket car parks. I always grab an end bay or park length ways on and block off the bay behind.
Take no notice of the 3.5 ton restriction signs, they don't apply to us.
The French are so laid back, they are a pleasure to live with. They hate rules and life is so much better than motorhoming in the UK! As for the aires/stelplatz/sostas etc and the Chief........it was love at first sight.
Enjoy!
 
phillybarbour said:
I agree with Kath, first thing I did when buying my German vans is remove the fixed table and replace it with a foldaway table. Other than that the German products are great allround vans.
Click to expand...

Agreed. We love the big lounge layout on our Starline, but we quickly Installed a folding table. We used the big table only once last season so it is staying at home this year and the folding dog cage is going behind the passenger seat where it used to live!
John

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...-folding-dining-table-hymer-640-starline.html
 
Rear wheel or Front wheel drive

Rear wheel has advantages but cost more !
Also under 3.500kg is handy for Tolls and maybe licence.

Also a big MH has parking issues.
We are not too bad but I suspect coach built is more of a problem
We have a Front wheel drive van based on a Renault master 7.5 metres
It is fine for us !!
For full-timing I agree fixed bed almost mandatory.
We "full-time" from May to September so winter heating not an issue.

In winter you need to consider insulation of habitation area and water and waste tanks

Motorhome - Phil and Nida

how you spend the winters may be the deciding issues

Get Gasit or gaslo (we have gasit)

I sat Rear wheel or front wheel as getting stuck in winter is a concern !
 
I have an autotrail 696g 7.4m plus the bike rack ,I can honestly say parking in France using aires and exploring little villages has been no problem at all ,find the layout that suits don't worry about size
Good luck
 
PiloteGalaxy said:
Kath, could I please ask if you could tell me, honestly, if you have any/many problems with the length of your motorhome when in Europe? We have had some wonderful times in our faithful Pilote, but have now got a Chieftain and am I wrong to anticipate parking problems/issues? Do most aires accommodate the length, and frankly have you had any hostility from fellow motorhome. Thanks for any comments you can make.
Click to expand...

Whats an Aire?:confused:
 
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