OK..back to basics- shape/length (1 Viewer)

[Fifiwi]

Apologies if this is a much asked question, but.......

to anyone......why did you choose an A-class, over a semi-integrated MH ? (or vice versa, of course). Do they drive differently, is one type more manouevrable, what are the advantages of one type over the other ie longevity

Thank You.

 

[DBK]

Apologies if this is a much asked question, but.......

to anyone......why did you choose an A-class, over a semi-integrated MH ? (or vice versa, of course). Do they drive differently, is one type more manouevrable, what are the advantages of one type over the other ie longevity

Thank You.

Neither, we went for a panel van conversion (PVC) And why? It had the layout we wanted in a small package, a good kitchen and felt light and airy inside with very comfortable lounging seats.

But generally most folk say layout is what you need to choose on so find what works for you first before deciding on a type of MH.

 

[funflair]

We have an A class so slight bias, I guess I always liked the style of the A class and I never drooled over a van that wasn't this style. On the plus side I would say the A class does not show its age as a Coachbuilt does, you get a great view out the front when driving and parked up, they are warmer as the fully insulated side panels run all the way to the front and ours has double glazed side windows in the cab lots of A class have no cab doors so again no draughts , more useable space as the cab and seats are more part of the lounge (this might be model specific).

Downsides? Not sure really, yes the windscreen is expensive so just make sure it covered on your insurance, there are very few A class UK built vans so if you don't like continental layouts you are stuffed.


Personally I don't think we will ever have anything other than an A class.

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[Judge Mental]

A class: Lighter weight normally, better insulated....normally shorter then a comparable coachbuilt, usually have double floors but so do some coachbuilts. As they are the same width all the way and usually the front seats are wider apart they feel more spacious. none of the drafts associated with a coachbuilt. heating goes all the way to the front so more snug for winter camping.

you really have to tell us more about yourselves as if its just for summer use may be not necessary as they do cost more..far better value if you buy an import though..

a rear transverse bed over a garage for all your junk, bikes etc....makes the best use of space and keeps the length reasonable. a longer van with twin singles or a french bed popular these days saves all the climbing over each other.

just keep on going to look at them. I tried an A class for the first time this summer at Carthago City in Germany and enjoyed driving it very much, very maneuverable. It will be our next van eventually all being well.

Eddie

 

[funflair]

You don't get a cockpit like this in a Coachbuilt or PVC.

Martin

 

[gus-lopez]

You don't get a cockpit like this in a Coachbuilt or PVC.

View attachment 85494

Martin

Each to their own. I don't like the giant screens to much on view too much heat/sun coming in & blinding you. Same as I can't see the point of the glass car roofs . What's that all about ? Prefer the coach built with a nice shady overhang.
I like to see without being seen.

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[Reallyretired]

I prefer the Aclass because for its size an Aclass always feels more spacious than a coachbuilt. When not driving the rotated front seals add to the the space without the cab being a separate area.

I find them nicer to drive as the greater width of the cockpit feels better, the large windscreen gives a great view, and being set quite a way forward from the seating position means that there is no glare from the sun unless its very low. (This is also true of the overcab bed coachbuilt but not the low profile type). A coachbuilt retaining the van bodywork can make the front of the MH cold in the winter.

There is no visible steel bodywork on an A class so body rust doesn't happen. Many A class vans are very old and still look good.

 

[Judge Mental]

I prefer the Aclass because for its size an Aclass always feels more spacious than a coachbuilt. When not driving the rotated front seals add to the the space without the cab being a separate area.

I find them nicer to drive as the greater width of the cockpit feels better, the large windscreen gives a great view, and being set quite a way forward from the seating position means that there is no glare from the sun unless its very low. (This is also true of the overcab bed coachbuilt but not the low profile type). A coachbuilt retaining the van bodywork can make the front of the MH cold in the winter.

There is no visible steel bodywork on an A class so body rust doesn't happen. Many A class vans are very old and still look good.

That being said the latest lightweight versions can be as wide as a panel van...

 

[tonyidle]

I prefer the Aclass because for its size an Aclass always feels more spacious than a coachbuilt. When not driving the rotated front seals add to the the space without the cab being a separate area.

I find them nicer to drive as the greater width of the cockpit feels better, the large windscreen gives a great view, and being set quite a way forward from the seating position means that there is no glare from the sun unless its very low. (This is also true of the overcab bed coachbuilt but not the low profile type). A coachbuilt retaining the van bodywork can make the front of the MH cold in the winter.

There is no visible steel bodywork on an A class so body rust doesn't happen. Many A class vans are very old and still look good.

As above + the drop-down bed suits me. The pull-out single is full size for wifey & I have the huge drop-down. I like everything about the A-class - big windows, front lounge with swivel seats, hab door at the back (well on mine anyway). It's like driving a big, comfy, lounge with a bay window.

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[Badknee]

Layout, layout, layout. Each to there own.

 

[Kool Kroozer]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy !

 

[Kool Kroozer]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy ! Fixed Double beds in the rear over a very generous garage, nice bathroom and living area for film watching
View attachment 85541

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[Mr Ed]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy !
View attachment 85541

Looks nice what is it?.......Martin

 

[Kool Kroozer]

Hobby Premium 65 GE

 

[The Cruisers]

Our first MH is a 2013 Majestic 175 what type of build is it?

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[Judge Mental]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy !
View attachment 85541

This Carthago A class same length/width more of less as our panel van. plus it works well @ 3500kg
panel van 6360
Carthago i 138 6400

 

[funflair]

Our first MH is a 2013 Majestic 175 what type of build is it?

Coachbuilt.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

We had a Swift Bessacarr E450 (fixed french bed layout) for four years and loved it, but I always hankered after a Hymer B544. We changed earlier this year when one came up at Lowdhams at a reasonable price. The B544 is much quieter when driving, far warmer, much better storage/seating options, half a metre shorter and the drop down bed is the most comfortable that we have ever had, including home. No change to insurance price, cheaper road tax because it's classed as HGV and it does slightly more to the gallon. The Swift was a 2.3 130 and this is a 2.3 150. The only downside was biting the bullet and paying for it.
We always thought fixed bed was the best and we were wrong.

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[GeriatricWanderer]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy !

Now that really looks stunning....... but..... as someone mentioned earlier - layout, layout, layout..... and this one for many doesn't have that "day lounging" layout so as nice as it looks I doubt the layout, and so the van, would appeal to many.
Just as well we all have different ideas of what we like - wouldn't it be boring, and confusing, if, on returning to the aire/campsite/parking spot we were faced with a line of identical vans.

 

[The Cruisers]

Thanks Funflair. What are the definitions of panel vans, A class, coach built, and any other MH builds?

 

[mitzimad]

A panel van is a van thats converted a coach built is a cab with either the original chassis or an aftermarket one and the motorhome is built on that, an a class is completely built on a engine chassis unit from scratch usually you cant immediately see what vehicle its built on

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[peterc10]

I have just moved from an Adria coachbuilt to a Hymer A class. They were similar layouts, with fixed twin single beds at the rear over a garage. The A class is only 270mm longer but looks so much bigger inside and out and has so much more usable space.

Early days yet but we already think we have made the right decision.

 

[Fifiwi]

Many Thanks for all your replies. I must admit, I had a bit of an issue with the look of A class- maybe it was all that window/windscreen, would I feel like I was in a goldfish bowl? However, I finally understand the panoramic view etc..after yet another trip today to a local-ish dealer. we are even re-considering layouts.

Judgemental asked for more info on us...fair point. We hope to use the MH year round, certainly not just for the Summer months, and Winterisation is on the wish list. I have also heard from elsewhere that A class provide better insulation in the cab area. I can see the budget being tweaked a bit...

 

[funflair]

Hi Fifiwi

Sorry my answer comes a bit late but it might still be an interesting read.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclu...tingstarted/newtomotorhomes/typesofmotorhome/

Martin

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[pappajohn]

You don't get a cockpit like this in a Coachbuilt or PVC.

View attachment 85494

Martin

You do if you photo it with a fisheye lens as well.

 

[funflair]

Go on then, convince me.

 

[Stealaway]

I really don't like A class, they look to much like a mini bus for me.
I don't think driving them would be an issue and they do have more room at the front.
But I don't like not having a drivers door, but hey - each to their own.

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[Gorse Hill]

We have just fell in love with one of these - Why ? Its only just over half a meter longer than a LWB Panel van, its more or less the same width as a panel van, its slightly lower than a Panel van it drives very much the same as a Panel van, yet it has bags of storage (which i think most Panel vans lack) and i have seen many Panel vans that costs more to buy !
View attachment 85541

I have the 65HFL, lovely van to drive and with the drop down bed at the front and French bed in rear plus very good size garage all below 7mtrs get around 28mpg from 150bhp fiat

 

[Lenny HB]

Our last van was a low profile Hymer current van is an A Class Hymer, having the A Class has convinced us we will never want any other type of van.
We find the A Class very quiet on the road due to the fully insulated front end, great view of the road much more relaxing to drive, much easier to reverse with the sides being flat for the full length.
Much warmer than the coachbuilt feels and is more spacious, when driving in hot climates despite the large glass area it is cooler as you are sitting much further away from the glass.
@Stealaway said doesn't like not having a drivers door, ones that don't have a drivers door, it is normally on the options list usually in a pack you wouldn't buy the van without, I have only ever seen the odd modern van without a drivers door.

As you are planning to use the van all year round an A Class is the best option, if you specify the winter pack it usually includes double glazed cab side windows, latest Hymers even offer heated seats & heated front screen.

 

[peterc10]

I agree with almost everything Lenny says. However you will rarely see a RHD A class with a driver's door. Most have a passenger's door though!

Having said that I do not miss my driver's door at all. In fact we have rarely used the passenger's door either in the few weeks we have had the van. I find it much easier to use the habitation door with its electric step when I want to get out to fill up etc.

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