A class and coach

[Jewellbags]

It’s a moot point as I’ve a new coach built - and I love it but I never been in a A class . I can appreciate that the A class can probably make better use of space (because it’s not fixed to a can base) - but what , fundamentally is the benefit ?

stiffer chassis ?
More “solid” feel?

just intrigued and not wishing to start a then and is war . (I do this the a class look nice though )

 

[Silver-Fox]

Less of a compromise in using the available space maybe.

 

[Jewellbags]

I could understand that. No cab to “bolt into “

 

[funflair]

Better insulation, better view out the front, better integration of the cab into the living space,

Martin

 

[Jewellbags]

Yep , I can see all that as well

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[rosalan]

The chance to sit a long way from the front of the vehicle.

 

[Lenny HB]

Cab much more spacious, great views through the big windscreen and larger side windows, cab better insulated, less road & engine noise.
Great driving position, easier to manover in tight spaces due to flat body sides & to reverse. Most have a double floor for storage and better insulation, fully winterised.

 

[Lenny HB]

The chance to sit a long way from the front of the vehicle.

Distance to the front is exactly the same a a standard cab.

 

[pelican]

It’s a moot point as I’ve a new coach built - and I love it but I never been in a A class . I can appreciate that the A class can probably make better use of space (because it’s not fixed to a can base) - but what , fundamentally is the benefit ?

stiffer chassis ?
More “solid” feel?

just intrigued and not wishing to start a then and is war . (I do this the a class look nice though )

Snob value?

 

[Lenny HB]

Snob value?

Well it is a proper Motorhome.

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[monzer]

Less chance of water ingress?

 

[GWAYGWAY]

The chance to be driven mad by trying to do ANYTHING under the hood. A class have got a letterbox slot that allows you to do nothing with ease, even topping the oil up is difficult.
Apart from that if it is newish then it is lovely to be inside and not worry about 'under there'.

 

[pelican]

Well it is a proper Motorhome.

Most owners are not?

 

[pappajohn]

Distance to the front is exactly the same a a standard cab.

I said that a long time ago and got shot down in flames.
It was said some makers move the bulkhead, steering wheel and pedal box further back.
To this day I can't see how this is possible.

 

[funflair]

The chance to sit a long way from the front of the vehicle.

As Lenny says the position is actually the same as it’s dictated by the dashboard position on the chassis, unless of course you buy an A class on IVECO chassis and then most of them have the dashboard raised and moved forward so that you sit much closer to the front than any coachbuilt.

Martin

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[pappajohn]

Better insulation, better view out the front, better integration of the cab into the living space,

Martin

Cab much more spacious, great views through the big windscreen and larger side windows, cab better insulated, less road & engine noise.
Great driving position, easier to manover in tight spaces due to flat body sides & to reverse. Most have a double floor for storage and better insulation, fully winterised.

A lot less passenger protection in a frontal or front side impact.
All the metal is removed and replaced by lightweight materials, fiberglass and ply/foam etc offering next to no impact protection.

 

[funflair]

I said that a long time ago and got shot down in flames.
It was said some makers move the bulkhead, steering wheel and pedal box further back.
To this day I can't see how this is possible.

It is possible and is usually done by a specialist chassis engineering company, Meier in Germany do the chassis prep for MORELO and PhoeniX, Concorde do their own and I can never remember who does N+B but they are Dutch.

If you look at MORELO you will see that the original dash is completely removed and rebuilt into a bespoke Fibreglass moulding, this does all make the vans more expensive though.

Martin

 

[pappajohn]

If you look at MORELO you will see that the original dash is completely removed and rebuilt into a bespoke Fibreglass moulding, this does all make the vans more expensive though

And the steering?
Unless it's a steering box and drag links that can't be moved.

 

[funflair]

And the steering?
Unless it's a steering box and drag links that can't be moved.

Maybe you should take a factory tour and see how they do it.

Martin

 

[tonyidle]

I said that a long time ago and got shot down in flames.
It was said some makers move the bulkhead, steering wheel and pedal box further back.
To this day I can't see how this is possible.

All they do is move the windscreen forward over the engine. There may be some liner-class that move the controls but it would be a very costly exercise for little gain. What I really like is the luxury size drop-down, ready-made, bed. My wife uses the similarly ready-made fixed bed at the rear. Bed-time conversations are a bit difficult as apart from the distance there are two sliding door sets in the way too.

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[pappajohn]

Maybe you should take a factory tour and see how they do it.

Martin

I assume you have so maybe you could tell me how.

 

[pappajohn]

All they do is move the windscreen forward over the engine

Agreed, windscreen position and sides moved forward but the controls remain as they were.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Distance to the front is exactly the same a a standard cab.

Yes but 60 cm in front of the windscreen is the front of the vehicle. Been in A class for 6 years and still getting used to it

 

[Rosemary1]

We really like the improved views while driving, it just seems to be a lot clearer for watching other traffic etc and using the mirrors.

Don’t like - any work involving lifting the front bonnet

 

[poppycamper]

Strikes me that yoos can't decide the difference... why not admit yoos really want a real motor home and get a PVC. Oh yea I rmbr some of yoos don't consider us worthy!!!!

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[jongood]

The chance to be driven mad by trying to do ANYTHING under the hood. A class have got a letterbox slot that allows you to do nothing with ease, even topping the oil up is difficult.
Apart from that if it is newish then it is lovely to be inside and not worry about 'under there'.

My N&b arto isnt too bad for access actually and we dont get the leaking scuttle problem suffered by the ducato coachbuilt.
I can also spin the driving seats around easily and open the big side windows without the key in the ignition.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

As well as the better insulation, a slightly better payload the doors and other steel bits on a coach built carry a weight penalty.

 

[Pops 1]

Strikes me that yoos can't decide the difference... why not admit yoos really want a real motor home and get a PVC. Oh yea I rmbr some of yoos don't consider us worthy!!!!

.??????

 

[jongood]

As well as the better insulation, a slightly better payload the doors and other steel bits on a coach built carry a weight penalty.

I dont think you're correct there as the increased glass would surely make most A classes slightly heavier.

 

[bobandjanie]

Must admit when we had our a class eura mobil, one of the things I was not over impressed with was, the front seat belts were only attached to the seats, don't know if all a class are the same. ?
And yes I would recommend a factory tour, you will then know why you have such a job removing anything, ? they build them from the inside out. ? Bob

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