Which motorhome to buy?

[wildebus]

ref the PVC versus Coachbuilt question, I think it is very much down to the individual and their own balance between time spent at the wheel against time spent in the living area.
I've had 3 self-built campers, converted from what would be panel vans, and my current vehicle is a Coachbuilt.
When driving, the current Coachbuilt has been the least enjoyable to drive due to the rattles you get on a coachbuilt compared to a PVC, and the extra width of the habitation area behind you which makes it a lot less relaxing to drive when off Main Roads. (I have never driven an A class, so not sure if having the cab as wide as the habitation area makes a difference in driving perceptions?).
However, when parked up, the extra width and general space of the Coachbuilt wins hands down over the PVC Campers. And for myself, I think that swings it to the coachbuilt option as I spend more time in the back than the front (and I don't tend to chose to go down narrow roads and off the beaten track. never did even when I had various 4x4s)

 

[trevskoda]

Documented service history is important

No they are not, many have stamp paperwork which is all it is and never been serviced, my car came with 5 of them all stamped, never had been looked at.
You eyes and ears are the best tool when going over a van/car etc, look at pedal rubber wear, seat edges, s wheel wear and how clean it is, inside and out.

 

[Fisherman]

ref the PVC versus Coachbuilt question, I think it is very much down to the individual and their own balance between time spent at the wheel against time spent in the living area.
I've had 3 self-built campers, converted from what would be panel vans, and my current vehicle is a Coachbuilt.
When driving, the current Coachbuilt has been the least enjoyable to drive due to the rattles you get on a coachbuilt compared to a PVC, and the extra width of the habitation area behind you which makes it a lot less relaxing to drive when off Main Roads. (I have never driven an A class, so not sure if having the cab as wide as the habitation area makes a difference in driving perceptions?).
However, when parked up, the extra width and general space of the Coachbuilt wins hands down over the PVC Campers. And for myself, I think that swings it to the coachbuilt option as I spend more time in the back than the front (and I don't tend to chose to go down narrow roads and off the beaten track. never did even when I had various 4x4s)

Its all down to personal preferences David, and owning what I own now I know were you are coming from.
Don't get me wrong I love driving my big white box, but I am not getting any younger.
But one thing I don't want anymore is to look too much like a motorhome, and I think (maybe wrongly) that vans blend in better.
I know we can all spot a PVC a mile away, but not always so members of the public.
We are looking forward to our PVC, but we know we will miss things about our current A class.
As for driving an A class David, its just the same as driving a coach built. The only difference being you see the full width of the van in front of you, and that actually makes driving easier in my honest opinion.

 

[wildebus]

Its all down to personal preferences David, and owning what I own now I know were you are coming from.
Don't get me wrong I love driving my big white box, but I am not getting any younger.
But one thing I don't want anymore is to look too much like a motorhome, and I think (maybe wrongly) that vans blend in better.
I know we can all spot a PVC a mile away, but not always so members of the public.
We are looking forward to our PVC, but we know we will miss things about our current A class.

Good point about the blending in. From the photos you post, I could well imagine that a PVC would be both easier to get there in AND not stick out like a sore thumb.

As for driving an A class David, its just the same as driving a coach built. The only difference being you see the full width of the van in front of you, and that actually makes driving easier in my honest opinion.

I can see having the cab width matching the hab width would make it better to navigate narrower gaps. The large expanse of dash in front of you and the Windscreen so far away looks very different from your typical van or car though. Like I said, never drive an A Class, just sat in one. (one van which I really like and would likely get if my lucky numbers came up would be the Autotrail Grand Frontier GF-70 A Class. Perfect Layout (for me) and pretty compact).

 

[Okta]

(I have never driven an A class, so not sure if having the cab as wide as the habitation area makes a difference in driving perceptions?).

It makes an enormous difference, the A Class is far easier to drive than a Coachbuilt. You do not have to think about extra width behind, you are sitting in the widest bit. I have had a Van a couple of Coachbuilts and a couple of A Class motorhomes. I will never buy another Coachbuilt the other two types are just so much nicer and easier to drive.

 

[TJBi]

It makes an enormous difference, the A Class is far easier to drive than a Coachbuilt. You do not have to think about extra width behind, you are sitting in the widest bit. I have had a Van a couple of Coachbuilts and a couple of A Class motorhomes. I will never buy another Coachbuilt the other two types are just so much nicer and easier to drive.

I've never found habitation width to be an issue when driving a coachbuilt; the rearview mirrors are the point of greatest width and I can see those.

 

[Okta]

I've never found habitation width to be an issue when driving a coachbuilt; the rearview mirrors are the point of greatest width and I can see those.

It is not the mirrors that matter, that takes your eyes from the road and then relies on judgment. With Vans and A Class the knowledge of the width is intuitive because you are surrounded by the widest part. Have you owned an A Class? I am not alone in finding them far nicer to drive.

 

[Fisherman]

I've never found habitation width to be an issue when driving a coachbuilt; the rearview mirrors are the point of greatest width and I can see those.

Yes that makes sense, and I agree.
But I will never forget picking up my A class after trading in my coach built with the same width.
Somehow its more intimidating at first driving the A class, you are more aware of the width.
But after a few drives the penny drops, and you realise there's actually no real difference.
Your point about mirrors, I always felt my mirrors being so far out on the coach built were more exposed.
But yet again thats just a false perspective, funny how your minds plays tricks like this.
But overall I find the A class is better to drive, less noisy than the coach built.
But on the downside I got 29mpg on the coach built, and only 26mpg on the A class.

 

[TJBi]

Yes that makes sense, and I agree.
But I will never forget picking up my A class after trading in my coach built with the same width.
Somehow its more intimidating at first driving the A class, you are more aware of the width.
But after a few drives the penny drops, and you realise there's actually no real difference.
Your point about mirrors, I always felt my mirrors being so far out on the coach built were more exposed.
But yet again thats just a false perspective, funny how your minds plays tricks like this.

I think that the mirrors on at least some A class are probably more exposed, though perhaps above the level of some hazards, and certainly more expensive to replace if damaged/lost.

 

[Fisherman]

I think that the mirrors on at least some A class are probably more exposed, though perhaps above the level of some hazards, and certainly more expensive to replace if damaged/lost.

As I said it's all about perspectives I was not being factual.
But the A class mirrors I have are much less exposed, very close to the body, and well above coach built vans.
I had to replace two mirrors in three years on my coach built both caused by other other motorhomes.
The one on arran being caused by a total idiot driving a hired van like a madman.
The roads on Arran can be narrow, I slowed down got myself into position, but the hired van came motoring downhill and smacked my mirror.
The other time was when leaving Oban, a guy waved at us, then whacked our mirror.
So far in four years my A class mirrors are fine. (touching wood as I type).
But yes you are correct not only are mirrors more expensive, so are windscreens, and any other part of an A class.
Not only more expensive, but they have to come from the manufacturer, and that can take months.
I have enjoyed driving my A class, its been great.
But I am now waiting for a PVC later this year (finger crossed).
The first thing I will buy, well mirror protectors.

 

[trevskoda]

I have had my drivers mirror smashed to bits by a transit in the hills overlooking a bad place, did he stop, yo ho.

 

[molly 2]

Definitely not a romahome no fixed bed

 

[gypo]

Thanks all for contributing, I know what I want as far as layout etc and size/shape of the van. A few people have commented on the fact that German vans are the ones to go for, I didnt know this so that was really helpful
Are there any vans to avoid due to build quality?
Ta
D

 

[trevskoda]

Thanks all for contributing, I know what I want as far as layout etc and size/shape of the van. A few people have commented on the fact that German vans are the ones to go for, I didnt know this so that was really helpful
Are there any vans to avoid due to build quality?
Ta
D

Swift for one, they used to be very bad, maybe better in the last few years.

 

[gypo]

Thank you Trev

 

[wildebus]

Thanks all for contributing, I know what I want as far as layout etc and size/shape of the van. A few people have commented on the fact that German vans are the ones to go for, I didnt know this so that was really helpful
Are there any vans to avoid due to build quality?
Ta
D

You will also find lots of people have had problems with German vans

 

[gypo]

Bit of a minefield I suppose when looking, I’m fairly knowledgeable as far as motors go and as someone has pointed out make sure it’s had a habitation report. The search begins…..

 

[Okta]

You will also find lots of people have had problems with German vans

I am on my third German van and none of them have leaked and all have been well constructed. The last leak I had a problem with was on an Auto-Sleeper. Check out the cupboard hinges and catches, it is often a good indicator of the quality of construction.

 

[barryd]

I think you also have to consider Swift sell a lot of vans here in the UK. They can't all be bad. Had my Kontiki 15 years. It's had a few issues but don't they all? The fact that I've found nothing as good that ticks all my boxes to replace it (and ive been looking for years) speaks volumes I reckon.

 

[Fisherman]

There’s no point in buying a van based purely on where it’s made. What’s most important is it meets your requirements. You can buy a Hymer or a Carthago and get issues, and buy a swift and enjoy years of trouble free use. But what you won’t do is buy a van which is the wrong spec and enjoy using it. I would have loved to have bought a Malibu charming PVC, but the fridge was to small, there was no oven option then, (there is now), it only took two small cylinders, I did not fancy the toilet set up, and the additional extras were overpriced. The same auto box on the Malibu was a grand dearer than any other van. Yes if you can buy a German van to your spec it’s worth considering, but if not go to where you can get the nearest to your spec. You will not get a van that ticks every box, that’s were compromise comes in.