Coach built V 'A' class. (1 Viewer)

[robnchris]

We've looked at both and think that big area in the cab is just wasted space, why would you want to swivel a driving seat round for your lounge area, my first thought when arriving at a destination is lets get out of the cab.
One thing always on my mind re an 'A' class is that is one big window I wonder how long it would take to get a replacement screen if you broke it enroute.

 

[Lenny HB]

And there you have it folks , took a while but it's arrived , if you don't own an A Class you are not a proper motorhomer . all the smilies in the world can't disguise the arrogance . Perhaps the proper motorhomers would like to go and form their own community website ? " Proper Motorhome ( A Class Owners only ) Funsters perhaps ?

And some folks on the forum who are incapablee of understaning the use of a smily after a post.

Where as my post was a light heart jest, yours is a downright rude personal attack.

Congratulations on being the first on my ignore list.

 

[funflair]

We've looked at both and think that big area in the cab is just wasted space, why would you want to swivel a driving seat round for your lounge area, my first thought when arriving at a destination is lets get out of the cab.
One thing always on my mind re an 'A' class is that is one big window I wonder how long it would take to get a replacement screen if you broke it enroute.

I reckon our screen is as big as they come, (other than a Burstner Grand Panorama) and when we needed one it was in stock in the UK and ours is a 10 year old not very common German van.

Martin

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[funflair]

And you folks on the forum who are incabable of understaning the use of a smily after a post.

Or don't want to

Martin

 

[Robert Clark]

We've looked at both and think that big area in the cab is just wasted space, why would you want to swivel a driving seat round for your lounge area, my first thought when arriving at a destination is lets get out of the cab.
One thing always on my mind re an 'A' class is that is one big window I wonder how long it would take to get a replacement screen if you broke it enroute.

What you say is correct, but you look out of your windscreen all day, every day.
You never replace your windscreen - others do - maybe once in a lifetime
I'd rather look at the world through a large panoramic window, rather than through a letterbox
Once you've owned an A class, I don't expect you'd ever go back to a coachbuilt

 

[deleted-member02]

I've owned two A Class and one PVC also taken many coachbuilts for a test drive.
PVC are great for busy holidays - if you're doing lots of miles (fast and economical), sightseeing and not spending much time lounging.
Parking is easy apart from height barriers, where you're restricted just like other motorhomes.
Downsides are the managing the limited storage and space, lots of moving things around and reorganising.

A Class - my vehicle of choice. Spacious, light and airy. We don't have a cab area, it's integral to the living space. Dashboard doubles as a table, lots of cubbies and storage, easy access to android head unit, comfy swivel chairs with armrests, lots of light. When the bed is dropped it only reduces living space, still plenty of room for lounging.

The clincher for me (apart from the openness) is how the vehicle drives compared to a coachbuilt.
The structure is far more rigid (one piece as opposed to cab & hab), so no noises or rattles, I can easily have conversations with rear passengers.
I have yet to drive a coachbuilt that is even close to being as quiet as an A Class. Another issue is the overcab bed (bulge), the overhang creates noticeable wind drag, affecting the drive and noise levels.
When travelling, the A class has similar characteristics to a PVC, just bigger and slower whereas with a traditional coachbuilt you are clearly driving a luton van.
I haven't driven any low profile vans (not family friendly layouts) so don't have an opinion yet...

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[Spidey]

I think all motorhomes are lovely and even though (of course) I love my new coach built Hymer. The cost of the equivalent A Class was an eye watering £20K more. Would I have gone for an A class if the same price, maybe, would have considered it. But for the price of my new CB hymer I could get a 3 year old A class. By the way our seats swivel fully and would not want a motorhome that didn't have these. The lounge area is really important to us. I have absolutely amazed at how quiet it is compared to our Chausson. No rattles or squeaks at all This has been a huge surprise because we were expecting the same level of noise. So our preference is biased by price, love new shiny new things

 

[Adbt]

We don't have a cab area,

O yes you do , just as a clue it's situated near your steering wheel

 

[Forestboy]

And some folks on the forum who are incapablee of understaning the use of a smily after a post.

Where as my post was a light heart jest, yours is a downright rude personal attack.

Congratulations on being the first on my ignore list.

The first Blimey I've got 5 or 6 on mine and its a much nicer place without them.

In fact I might even put everybody on there and just talk to myself cos I'm the nicest bloke I know.

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[maz]

Had both and not bothered either way. Chose current van (Hobby 750) based on its layout and that wasn't available in an A-class anyway.

Points made earlier about difficult access to the engine compartment are very valid. For example, replacing the front shocks on my previous Burstner Elegance would have meant removing the entire dashboard.

I'd say look at each van as an individual entity. Why rule out what could turn out to be your perfect van just because it's not of a particular 'class'?

 

[Manic]

One thing always on my mind re an 'A' class is that is one big window I wonder how long it would take to get a replacement screen if you broke it enroute.

I needed a new screen for my 2001 Hymer A class, it had a crack, and Autoglass had on in stock, just had to wait a few days for their motorhome team to come and fit it.

 

[scotjimland]

a) How many have changed a cam-belt themselves in the past year, 10 years.. lifetime ?

b) Ditto .. Front shocks or springs ?

b) How many have had a smashed windscreen .. rendering the van un-drivable ? .. laminated screens don't generally smash .. the chip and or crack..
but you must ensure your insurer gives adequate glass cover.. A class screens don't come cheap.. £3k to be safe.

c) How many do all there own maintenance.. ?
I used to do all my own repairs and servicing.. now I leave it to the garage.. so none of the above will ever worry me..

That is what garage mechanics are for..

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[robnchris]

I needed a new screen for my 2001 Hymer A class, it had a crack, and Autoglass had on in stock, just had to wait a few days for their motorhome team to come and fit it.

That was my concern about having the big window screen , waiting a few days to get one fitted when you're enroute to another location could seriously affect your plans, ferry times bookings etc.

 

[tonyidle]

Having owned all 3 types -A-class -coach and of course PVC plus a couple of Ambulances that I converted I still like both my last ambulance and the PVC The A class is a lovely roomy van lots of room but for me it is simply not how I use a van -yes the space is great but I like feet up lounging and using the van just like I use the car -bigger is not always better the PVC has everything in it that the A class has except size -A class ok for entertaining but limited as to where it goes -PVC limited on entertaining but goes anywhere I have not mentioned CB simply because they vary so much in size that depending on how you use a van would depend on the size of CB you bought which also applies to the A class -PVCs rool for me yet I may end up making more money on the A class than any van I have owned Thanks @Munchie
terry

My 6M MWB A class will go anywhere I'd take a car. It's shorter than LWB PVCs and only around 6" wider. I haven't found it restricts where I go at all. Your point about use just like you use a car assumes all A class vans are large vehicles.

 

[Larrynwin]

With modern cars and Motorhomes I never attempt any fixes , straight to the guys who know how to fix them ( hopefully ) far too technical .

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[tonyidle]

I needed a new screen for my 2001 Hymer A class, it had a crack, and Autoglass had on in stock, just had to wait a few days for their motorhome team to come and fit it.

I had one in my FFB - it took 5 days from Germany and cost (my insurance company) £2300. Delay isn't usually an issue - as has been mentioned they normally crack. It's hard to envisage a situation that would smash one so badly that the van was undriveable.

 

[tonyidle]

With modern cars and Motorhomes I never attempt any fixes , straight to the guys who know how to fix them ( hopefully ) far too technical .

The problem with that is you're totally in their hands. I can't say I could resolve every problem I'm likely to come across but up to now I've done so. The day will come when I have to trust someone else to work on the van but I'd still expect to do that from a position of knowledge. I have very little faith in flow-chart-trained parts-swappers.

 

[Manic]

That was my concern about having the big window screen , waiting a few days to get one fitted when you're enroute to another location could seriously affect your plans, ferry times bookings etc.

But would they stop you from travelling, as they usually crack and Autoglass come to where you are.

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[Larrynwin]

The problem with that is you're totally in their hands. I can't say I could resolve every problem I'm likely to come across but up to now I've done so. The day will come when I have to trust someone else to work on the van but I'd still expect to do that from a position of knowledge. I have very little faith in flow-chart-trained parts-swappers.

I think it's an age thing Tony, can't be bothered now and nothing like a Morris Minor under the bonnet

 

[ivorantony]

a) How many have changed a cam-belt themselves in the past year, 10 years.. lifetime ?

I changed mine in April, a bit tight but still manageable,

b) Ditto .. Front shocks or springs ?

last year replace the rear shocks on the Alko chassis,

b) How many have had a smashed windscreen .. rendering the van un-drivable ? .. laminated screens don't generally smash .. the chip and or crack..
but you must ensure your insurer gives adequate glass cover.. A class screens don't come cheap.. £3k to be safe.

again last year had one cracked on the autobahn, it was ordered and replaced within 3 days in Trier.

c) How many do all there own maintenance.. ?
I used to do all my own repairs and servicing.. now I leave it to the garage.. so none of the above will ever worry me..

After fifty years in the trade I don't trust any bugger to work on my A class, mind you I nearly gave in when I had to replace the turbo unit a couple of years back, many expletive were heard coming from under the van, unfortunately the designers of the modern motor vehicle have no idea about accessibility! IMO they should be forced to work on the vehicles they design and I guarantee the second design would be a whole lot easier to work on,

That is what garage mechanics are for..

I Agree! it's what's kept me in beer and a roof over my head for many years

 

[Terry]

My 6M MWB A class will go anywhere I'd take a car. It's shorter than LWB PVCs and only around 6" wider. I haven't found it restricts where I go at all. Your point about use just like you use a car assumes all A class vans are large vehicles.

SORRY IF i gave you that impression and I have spent lots of time in @beerdrinker1 Kens van, one of the shortest A CLASS (and nicest) I know My own Aclass is only just shy of 7 mtrs and holds no bar as to where I go but I WOULD NOT want to use either as a everyday vehicle instead of a PVC -6 ins wider does not sound a lot yet inside it is I loved my Ambulance and that was only 6 ins wider than a PVC but the way I use a van give me a PVC any day-It does more MPG is faster and better to drive -I have everything in the PVC that I have in the A class except room but then again I have enough room for my needs -one cap does not fit all
terry

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[Minxy]

We've had a classic Autosleeper Commer camper, a converted ambulance, a couple of high top coachbuilts, 3 low profile coachbuilts and 2 PVCs and for our type of use the PVC wins hands down - we take it down the 'daftest' of roads - some people wouldn't even take a car down - so the narrower width is what makes it most suitable - we went across a 'pontoon' bridge the other day and on the approach were width restriction barriers at 2.20m - our van is 2.10m wide! We made it through fine and then went over the pontoon bridge - interesting to say the least!

We found that when we had our last coachbuilt, a Chausson Flash 04 at 6m long but with a width of 2.30m, it was the width that made it less 'take anywhere' than even our previous Rimor at well over 7m long but approx 2.20m wide - the extra few cm of width really can make quite a difference.

We've found that for us the PVC suits our needs perfectly but in the future ... who knows!

 

[tonyidle]

SORRY IF i gave you that impression and I have spent lots of time in @beerdrinker1 Kens van, one of the shortest A CLASS (and nicest) I know My own Aclass is only just shy of 7 mtrs and holds no bar as to where I go but I WOULD NOT want to use either as a everyday vehicle instead of a PVC -6 ins wider does not sound a lot yet inside it is I loved my Ambulance and that was only 6 ins wider than a PVC but the way I use a van give me a PVC any day-It does more MPG is faster and better to drive -I have everything in the PVC that I have in the A class except room but then again I have enough room for my needs -one cap does not fit all
terry

 

[tonyidle]

I think it's an age thing Tony, can't be bothered now and nothing like a Morris Minor under the bonnet

I know. I'm getting there .

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[Allanm]

We looked at a lot of A class vans before we bought our C Class Autosleeper. We didn't like the dinette and the non removeable table in most of the A class vans we looked at. It seemed there was a lot of wasted space. We had 2 side facing sofas and a fixed bed at the back, all in around 7.3 metres.
Now, we sold the Autosleeper and bought ourselves an A Class.
Nice and roomy, sleeps 6, seats 10 and a proper bedroom with an island bed.
You can even access the engine fully by lifting the housing between the front seats, the bonnet is there just for checking oil and water.

 

[Shrimp]

We've looked at both and think that big area in the cab is just wasted space, why would you want to swivel a driving seat round for your lounge area, my first thought when arriving at a destination is lets get out of the cab.
One thing always on my mind re an 'A' class is that is one big window I wonder how long it would take to get a replacement screen if you broke it enroute.

Our Hymer (A class) windscreen had some bad scratches then developed cracks from a stone chip.
Autoglass (in UK) sent their specialist (motorhome) team out to replace it, seeing as it was still useable there was no hurry but it was very quick & efficient service and cost £60. a new screen is well over £1000.00-I think!

 

[Shrimp]

And there you have it folks , took a while but it's arrived , if you don't own an A Class you are not a proper motorhomer . all the smilies in the world can't disguise the arrogance . Perhaps the proper motorhomers would like to go and form their own community website ? " Proper Motorhome ( A Class Owners only ) Funsters perhaps ?

Now now!
This post was a way of opening up a discussion! There are no 'proper' Motorhomes!
Some of us like A class!
Some of us like C class!
Horses for courses.
Like everything in life there is no right or wrong way just your own personal way!

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[Shrimp]

And some folks on the forum who are incapablee of understaning the use of a smily after a post.

Where as my post was a light heart jest, yours is a downright rude personal attack.

Congratulations on being the first on my ignore list.

I agree, see my last post.

 

[Shrimp]

I am not A class mafia.
I like the space and I like the van as we live in the van fulltime we wanted the space and the airy feel it gives us.
We had the fixed table chopped and hinged-the leg lives in the wardrobe, and yes I agree that a dinette is handy but I feel like a fixed bed they are a waste of space. We live in 6 mtrs and there is no way it feels cramped.

 

[Phillybarbour]

A Class for insulation qualities, but then again I am a ski man.

Re all the comments about the big dashboard, it's exactly the same on a Coachbuilt the only difference being your bonnet and bumper are outside the van.

The distance between the steering wheel and furthest point forwards is the same.

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