Hill starts? (1 Viewer)

Wizbangs

Free Member
Nov 8, 2011
379
148
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Hi

I soon take delivery of a new Rapido on a Mercedes chassis. It's an automatic. What are they like for hill starts compared to a Fiat comformatic please? Also, can someone explain what a soft ride actually means as a lot of reviews put this as a negative.

Thanks,
Mary
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
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35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
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45 +years with breaks
Hi

I soon take delivery of a new Rapido on a Mercedes chassis. It's an automatic. What are they like for hill starts compared to a Fiat comformatic please? Also, can someone explain what a soft ride actually means as a lot of reviews put this as a negative.

Thanks,
Mary

Hi Mary
They seem to have skirted round this post
Not an expert in either ford or Merc Auto's but hill start and gradient take off will vary not just manf to manf, but vehicle to vehicle and is subjective depending on expectations and driving style

Soft ride in a Motor home would be in my opinion a negative,
Soft (Ride)suspension will result in a lot of unwanted roll on corners and on roundabouts. whereas a Hard ride would be a positive in these ares, it might be a negative on straight roads
Firmish would be a compromise, and as near perfect as possible

Don't judge your vehicle until it is in full running trim, with all on board thatyour likely to carry
Suspension and ride changes with loads carried,
A brand new empty motor home might well be described as a soft ride but when loaded could be just right
If you still require firmer or softer rides when loaded there are many after market solutions so all is not lost.
Just remember most of your motor homing experience will generally be a compromise, the perfect vehicle has not been built yet
Geo
 
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makems

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 23, 2011
3,435
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Ingleby Barwick,,Teesside
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Sadly had to give up
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2010-2017
We have a Rapido 983M automatic.
Hill starts? That's what automatics are for! Release the handbrake, press the accelerator and away you go. No rolling back even when fully loaded and we've been up some wicked steep mountains and ramps.
Soft ride? What it means for us is that when fully loaded the back end can whip violently from side to side on speed bumps, potholes and uneven surfaces. Quite uncomfortable and if everything isn't properly secured things can go flying about.
Easily cured by fitting air suspension - the best accessory we've added to the van since we bought it. We got the air bags from Airride at Lincoln show for £500 fitted. Some people say they are an easy DIY job so you can save quite a bit, but for me there is no such thing as an easy DIY job!!

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Peter JohnsCross MH

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Jan 5, 2008
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From memory, the Rapido Merc Auto's will not hold you on a slope, you do need to use either the handbrake or footbrake to stop rolloing back.

Not a problem.

Peter
 
Apr 27, 2008
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My manual Merc claims to have an automatic hold on the footbrake to prevent you rolling back. I've never actually risked trusting it.

My only automatic is my Discovery, and that can hold on a 1in2 gradient and do a hill start without using the brake (off road of course, I don't think we have any gradients like that on the roads.:roflmto:)
 
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Wizbangs

Wizbangs

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Thanks for all of the replies. I hate hill starts with a vengeance. Our auto car holds on hills thank heaven. As to the soft ride, I guess I will be learning another new driving skill or two and neater packing and storage. Living in Milton Keynes there are roundabouts everywhere. I hope it doesn't wallow around like a pregnant whale.

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7

7735

Deleted User
Thanks for all of the replies. I hate hill starts with a vengeance. Our auto car holds on hills thank heaven. As to the soft ride, I guess I will be learning another new driving skill or two and neater packing and storage. Living in Milton Keynes there are roundabouts everywhere. I hope it doesn't wallow around like a pregnant whale.

We have a 2008 Rapido 966M with the merc automatic gearbox. I find the ride is good, far better than the Fiat 2.8 that we had before, it will roll a bit on roundabouts but its not a sports car just slow up a little and it will be fine. The auto box will not hold on a hill without using foot or hand brake but I have never had a problem. My mercedes has not been without problems, all electrical but hopefully now sorted.

spongy
 
Oct 5, 2009
348
315
anglesey
Funster No
8,762
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Autotrail Delaware
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since 1999
Idon't think you will be disapointed with your new Rapido.
We collected our 891M 3litre auto a couple of weeks ago,it drives like a dream the Mercedes suspension coupled with the stability control gives a brilliant ride.
Just travelled up from North Wales into the Derbyshire peak district in really strong winds solid as a rock on the road even when passing HGV'S.
The seven speed auto is smooth as silk although to be honest i have stuck to about 60 MPH for the time being,hill starts are no problem and you can reach the hand brake easily.
Hope you enjoy your new motor home we could do with some more Rapido owners on here
 
Feb 22, 2008
12,258
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Norfolk
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Since 2004
Hi Mary
They seem to have skirted round this post
Not an expert in either ford or Merc Auto's but hill start and gradient take off will vary not just manf to manf, but vehicle to vehicle and is subjective depending on expectations and driving style

Soft ride in a Motor home would be in my opinion a negative,
Soft (Ride)suspension will result in a lot of unwanted roll on corners and on roundabouts. whereas a Hard ride would be a positive in these ares, it might be a negative on straight roads
Firmish would be a compromise, and as near perfect as possible

Don't judge your vehicle until it is in full running trim, with all on board thatyour likely to carry
Suspension and ride changes with loads carried,
A brand new empty motor home might well be described as a soft ride but when loaded could be just right
If you still require firmer or softer rides when loaded there are many after market solutions so all is not lost.
Just remember most of your motor homing experience will generally be a compromise, [HI]the perfect vehicle has not been built yet[/HI]
Geo

[HI]Oh yes it has , I have got it [/HI]:RollEyes:::bigsmile:

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Spenders

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Jan 19, 2013
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I have an Autotrail Scout on a Merc chassis but it has the 'Sprintshift' box, which I'm told is an automated manual (6 speed) and not a traditional auto.

It was a bit disconcerting at first, as there is a noticeable delay in changing from one gear to another, much more so than with a traditional auto, but now I've got used to it it's no problem. It doesn't have 'creep' like a traditional auto, but does seem to hold still for the moment when you take your foot of the brake and apply accelerator.

I won't willingly go back to a manual box in the future!
 

jeepmadmike

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Dec 23, 2012
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Devon
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I don't like auto hand brakes you need to think quick if a car in front starts reversing

I really like most autos for hill starts but have no experience with the chassis your talking about, my land cruiser will spin all 4 wheels doing a steep hill start with a 3+ Ton trailer but that's a whole different animal.
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
Hi
I soon take delivery of a new Rapido on a Mercedes chassis. It's an automatic. What are they like for hill starts compared to a Fiat comformatic please? Also, can someone explain what a soft ride actually means as a lot of reviews put this as a negative.
Thanks,
Mary


What a coincidence ! I met them at Wokingham motorhomes today, noticed the Fun sticker in their windscreen and said you will have to get another one from Jim:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Enjoy the van Mary, nice choice and best dealer in UK for Rapidos

Peter

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Wizbangs

Wizbangs

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Hi Peter,

It was lovely to meet you and very informative too. :winky:What a great team at Wokingham. So friendly and helpful. Yes, I will need another Funsters sticker as that one is well and truly stuck on. So far I am thrilled with the Merc chassis. So very different from a Fiat for driver appeal.
 
7

7735

Deleted User
Hi Wizbangs
I see that you went to Wokingham Rapido, we bought ours there as well. You have made a good choice, you will always find Martin and his team very helpfull and obliging and will always give you excellent after sales service. Hope you enjoy your Rapido, we certainly do.

spongy
 

s123wba

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May 23, 2012
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low profile coachbuilt
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since 2011
with the sprintshift you have a minute or so before any roll ... the latest auto is fully automatic

so no problems with roll i av a merc auto 2008 fantastic gearbox . ::bigsmile:

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Wizbangs

Wizbangs

Free Member
Nov 8, 2011
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Well, it drives like a dream, with no rollback at all. I have had a year from hell with the Fiat comformatic. I will never go the Fiat route again. EVER!

The lights over the bed don't seem to work, perhaps there is a hidden switch. Overall, Mary is a very happy lady.
 

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