Rapido . . . . . . . Would I buy another? (1 Viewer)

[Gorse Hill]

No it's the one I said
Full garage and two single beds

Thought they wanted a central bed from OP

We spent a long time deciding what our next motorhome was going to be. We needed a central bed and a larger garage than our previous one and the 7090 ticked most of the boxes.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Mine's coming up to 2 years old and it's been fantastic. I can't fault the build quality at all.

The only issue it's had was a very minor drip on the shower tap. New one sent out under warranty and a 20 minute job to swap it over so no big deal there.

Oh and the Alde fluid needed topping up.

That's it.

 

[funflair]

So Rapido people, is the outer skin of the roof really a floating layer of fibreglass and if so how do Rapido recommend that you fit the likes of solar a sat dome/dish, it would not seem right to me just to stick them down without any connection to the roof sub structure.

Martin

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[Deleted member 29692]

So Rapido people, is the outer skin of the roof really a floating layer of fibreglass and if so how do Rapido recommend that you fit the likes of solar a sat dome/dish, it would not seem right to me just to stick them down without any connection to the roof sub structure.

Martin

I don't think that it is, at least not any more. I can walk around on mine which I don't think I would be able to do if it really was just a floating skin of fibreglass. I remember the dealer at the time making a big thing of how the roofs are constructed but I can't remember exactly what he said.

 

[Scattycat]

it

So Rapido people, is the outer skin of the roof really a floating layer of fibreglass and if so how do Rapido recommend that you fit the likes of solar a sat dome/dish, it would not seem right to me just to stick them down without any connection to the roof sub structure.

Martin

Oh dear, I must have made it all up then, just to fill space on the page, doh!

The solar panels are stuck to the roof with Sikafix, (not sure about the spelling), or a similar adhesive.
If you walk on the roof of the Rapido you can feel it is not fully attatched to the inner roof.
To demonstrate it the guy who will be doing the repairs was on a ladder at the back of the van, lent across grabbed hold of the panel and bounced it up and down slightlly, being on another ladder at the side of the van I could see it happening and could hear it.

As I have said before, we love the van but recent problems make me wonder whether, once they're sorted, we should change it for another make with a similar lay-out, but, as with most retired folks our funds are not limitless and the fear is that we might be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, so to speak

 

[funflair]

@Scattycat sorry I was not suggesting that you were making this up, it was a question to other Rapido owners re the floating roof and fixing things to it as your experience would suggest it is not a good idea to stick things on.

Since my previous post I have done a bit of googling which certainly confirms that Rapido's (not sure about all) have this floating roof, I also found a report of work on this type of roof at Rapido factory and they fixed things like solar and sat domes on with just Sikaflex and indeed this is the recommended way according to Rapido technical as any screws through into the sub structure would stop the roof from working to accommodate expansion and contraction.

To answer what was I believe your original question NO if it was me I think this experience would put me off buying another, or if I did I would certainly think twice about putting stuff on the roof, which in itself would stop me from buying one.

Martin

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[Scattycat]

It's not my intention to be, too, rude to fellow members, but, although it is always good to get a lively debate in response to threads and benefitting from the wealth of information from contributors I do find it irritating when the uninformed think they know better than the informed.

 

[funflair]

Sorry, I will keep my thoughts to myself.

Martin

 

[StitchesnFluff]

So Rapido people, is the outer skin of the roof really a floating layer of fibreglass and if so how do Rapido recommend that you fit the likes of solar a sat dome/dish, it would not seem right to me just to stick them down without any connection to the roof sub structure.

Martin

They must have faith in the strength, sooooo many Rapidos out there

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[Deleted member 29692]

Next time I go over to my van I will make a point of climbing on to the roof and see if I can determine whether or not mine is like that.

I won't really bother me either way though.

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought you loved your Rapido Mike.
I know it's a bit more difficult to import to France but have you considered looking at the German market for a replacement it could cut down the financial outlay and no exchange rate risk for you.

 

[iandsm]

I have a floating roof on my 9048 obviously the roof lights are fixed to it as are the roof rails fitted by Rapido which are screwed down. My solar panel is sikaflexed and screwed too as if this was simply stuck I am sure it would cause the floating roof to lift when travelling as surely would something more substantial like a dome. The use of screws in small areas I imaging will only stop the roof flexing or expanding in that area and will not affect the remainder of the roof. If it's OK to fix down the floating roof where roof lights are fitted I cannot see a problem in fixing it down anywhere else and in eight years of ownership I haven't had a problem with the roof fixings. I certainly would not let this, for me, a non issue stop me buying another Rapido.

Only problems have been a leaky window which was removed and resealed, simple job. Bathroom sink tap replaced, Again a simple job and bathroom lock repaired by local locksmith. The curtain above the bed lost its elasticity on the French pleats so we took it off removed the pleats and cut the drop to fit exactly then fitted elastic sown on loops on the bottom to attach it to the bed and give some flexibility.

That's it, we are away five months of the year so over seven years we have lived in it for three of them in total so it's stood up very well to that amount of use. the layout of the 9048 suits us perfectly with its big lounge area and I have not seen anything we would change it for.

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[Techno]

Yes it is a floating skin of grp
So a leak in one place can find its way through in another
The structure is just a very thin skin of aluminium on dense foam with 4mm ply on the inside
There is more than enough stuff on mine that it doesn't bounce about at all and at same age is completely fine

 

[Techno]

Today right now

 

[Techno]

The skin can expand so much in hot weather that I've seen some examples very badly distorted.
My own is completely fine

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[Just smiffy]

Having been on my roof I did notice it being a floated panel, I have screwed down sat dish and solar and it's ten years old so no probs so far....

 

[Techno]

Thought they wanted a central bed from OP

A larger garage and the ixeo has a choice of four beds

 

[Scattycat]

I thought you loved your Rapido Mike.
I know it's a bit more difficult to import to France but have you considered looking at the German market for a replacement it could cut down the financial outlay and no exchange rate risk for you.

Yep, you're right Lenny, the layout and internal fit-out of our Rapido is, in the main, great, just what we'd been looking for. Unfortunately a couple of, to us, major problems have made us think that once they are sorted it might be time to see what else is around in our price bracket.
As for looking at German sites, sounds like a good idea. Are there any you would recommend?

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[BMStewart2004]

Mobile.de Link Removed

 

[Jagtazman]

Personally it's the layout I love of the Rapido especially the 9097/9096 etc with swivels captains chair sep and 2 bench /l bench seats make for a fantastic lounge. IMHO. Not been able to find a different manufacture with similar lounge and build quality within year/price bracket. Just payload don't like but that can be upgraded.

 

[Gorse Hill]

It's not my intention to be, too, rude to fellow members, but, although it is always good to get a lively debate in response to threads and benefitting from the wealth of information from contributors I do find it irritating when the uninformed think they know better than the informed.

Living up to ones name I see, i too am surprised about the floating roof and I think @funflair comments were aimed at other owners opinions about what they do when attaching accessories to the roof
As to being uninformed my experience of funflair contribution on the forum is the complete opposite of this

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[iandsm]

I haven't seen any distorted roofs but can't honestly ssy it's something I have looked out for. I wouldn't give it a second thought just ensure your roof top fixings are secure with a couple of screws and sikaflex where required and enjoy a Rapido.

 

[Techno]

This is Rapido roof build. The aluminium is about 0.03mm thick and you can see the GRP anti hail skin is floating above it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yep, you're right Lenny, the layout and internal fit-out of our Rapido is, in the main, great, just what we'd been looking for. Unfortunately a couple of, to us, major problems have made us think that once they are sorted it might be time to see what else is around in our price bracket.
As for looking at German sites, sounds like a good idea. Are there any you would recommend?

Link Removed is the best German site practically every German dealer lists on there and most of the private sales are listed on there.

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[Lenny HB]

This is Rapido roof build. The aluminium is about 0.03mm thick and you can see the GRP anti hail skin is floating above it.

Blimey well pleased Hymers don't come with holes in the roof like that, I might get wet.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

ive walked on my rapido roof twice now and would say that ive definately got a floating roof .

 

[Just smiffy]

If I start walking on my roof,...... Call me Jesus ....

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[BobtheBass]

If I start walking on our roof call me a badly injured fat idiot when it gives way.......

 

[peterc10]

Our new Hymer also has a GRP anti-hail skin on top of the aluminium bonded roof. However it appears to have been bonded to the aluminium in some way - certainly no "give" in it.

 

[Techno]

This is what I found when I removed the rear corner panel. How has this managed to not short the circuit in 8 yrs ?
Connection for side marker light.
Is this quality control? sub contract labour on price work? shit whatever

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