A Class v Coachbuilt?

[ValkyrIe]

The more I research motorhomes the less sure I am on what I want! I want something relatively small to fit in my drive so started off looking at PVCs. Then started thinking that coachbuilts seem much more spacious inside for only a little extra width. Now I've noticed that the coachbuilt I saw and liked yesterday (a Rollerteam T-Line 590) is also available as an A-Class. Almost identical dimensions and layout but the A-Class Pegaso 590 costs around £9k more. What are the advantages of going to A-Class rather than coachbuilt?

 

[9526]

The search facility is your friend here

A class and coach

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...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Coach built V 'A' class.

What do you think? Coach built you loose a bit of space up the front, seats don't always swivel very successfully & the body is wider than the cab! 'A' class, looks like a caravan with the engine inside but you can use almost all the space, swivel seats work, the width of the cab is the width...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Speve]

A class : no draughts in cab area
Good all round visibility
Good all round insulation
No corners inside where in Coach-built———- Cab meets habitation area
And I like them??

 

[golly]

Think about possible service costs with A class, ie access to engine through the "letterbox" bonnet opening.

 

[funflair]

In 8 years of A class ownership I never had any negative comments re engine access, possibly it depends on what they are trying to do.

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[Speve]

Think about possible service costs with A class, ie access to engine through the "letterbox" bonnet opening.

Never had any extra service costs as compared to the coach builds we have had?

 

[spitfire]

A class : no draughts in cab area
Good all round visibility
Good all round insulation
No corners inside where in Coach-built———- Cab meets habitation area
And I like them??

How warm is the front given the windscreen is huge and not double glazed

 

[Speve]

How warm is the front given the windscreen is huge and not double glazed

Toasty we have heating vents along the windscreen and cab side windows??

 

[Minxy]

We bought our first A-class in October and used it for just over 2 months in France/Spain over winter from mid-Dec to mid-Feb. We found it lovely and warm and we didn't need to have the heating on as much as we did in the PVC partly due to the better insulation and also because when we opened the hab door it didn't let so much cool air in as the sliding door did - with having 3 dogs and one who needed to go out a LOT we had to open it quite a bit.

We were a bit concerned about the cab area but found it warmer than the PVC as despite having the same dash with the vents etc no cold came through, also having a single cab door with a double seal meant no draughts at all - we liked to sit there on an evening watching an hour of DVD/USB and it wasn't cold. The ONLY thing that hubby did mention was that the overcab bed was cool to the touch when he first dropped it down as it hadn't had any heat etc being right up against the roof but he didn't find it cold to sleep in despite the large windscreen. We did use external screens occasionally if we knew it was going to be cool overnight just as we did with the PVC and obviously that made a difference to how warm the inside was and especially condensation which takes a bit of clearing with a much larger screen ... thank goodness for our Karcher window vac!

 

[TinaLes]

After 2 years of ownership we are still enjoying our C Class motor home, from selling the caravan.
I think looking back we only really looked at buying a C Class motor homes as our "Initial" wish list for layout was similar to our caravan, so it had to be UK built, and they UK builders dont offer A Class vans.

Having been let down by the UK manufacturer on build delays and rising concerns about common defects rolling off the production line on new ones, we cancelled our order.
It was to be our first MH, wife was ill, didn't want to take any chances with build quality, so we tore up our internal layout wish list to a fair degree, and went for the continental layout, and a German Brand.
We haven't looked back since then, and apart from The Dometic FF, we haven't had a problem, certainly not with build quality at least.

Our current C Class is so well insulated, and completely quiet & rattle free when on the move its a pleasure to drive, provided TinaL has stacked the crockery & glasses properly.
I would love to move up to owning something like a Carthago Chic Supreme, although they are not a lot different in layout to ours,just a little wider at the cab end,as they are an A Class.

The problem I have always had though is that TinaL thinks all A Class vans are ugly!, yes "Ugly Bread Vans" she calls them, and the top of the range vans like Concorde's & Morrelo's she says "Their not vans!, their Coaches" where are you going to wild camp or park up in those she says!.
TBH, I also think some A classes are ugly, if I did manage to convince her to change for one, then it would have to be one with more of a sloping front windscreen, as that improves the overall Bread Van look slightly
Dont worry guys I am working on her, even if she also feels that being sat 3 feet away from the windscreen in an A Class is not ideal, especially when I get "if I sit any further back I might as well put the kettle on"
LES

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[Jonno1103]

To comapre the two vans you mention...The Pegaso 590 has 50kg more payload - 77kg if you buy the drivers pack & thermo pack for the T _Line which is standard on the A class variant.

You have the ability to use the bed, which is wider, and the dinette seating at the same time.

If you spec the T-Line to match the Pegaso the figures are £55k and a (brochure) MIRO of 2915 kg.

Standard Pegaso 590, £59.6k and a published MIRO of 2838kg.

If you're considering finance and a new reg, the average cost per £1000 a month is around £11. The Pegaso for a larger payload and the chance to have a bit of two zone living is around an extra £45 a month.

Many hire firms use the full range of Roller Team vans due to their durability and reliability which means there is usually a good choice of 12 month old discounted examples out there with the advantage of the cheaper road tax.

 

[funflair]

After 2 years of ownership we are still enjoying our C Class motor home, from selling the caravan.
I think looking back we only really looked at buying a C Class motor homes as our "Initial" wish list for layout was similar to our caravan, so it had to be UK built, and they UK builders dont offer A Class vans.

Having been let down by the UK manufacturer on build delays and rising concerns about common defects rolling off the production line on new ones, we cancelled our order.
It was to be our first MH, wife was ill, didn't want to take any chances with build quality, so we tore up our internal layout wish list to a fair degree, and went for the continental layout, and a German Brand.
We haven't looked back since then, and apart from The Dometic FF, we haven't had a problem, certainly not with build quality at least.

Our current C Class is so well insulated, and completely quiet & rattle free when on the move its a pleasure to drive, provided TinaL has stacked the crockery & glasses properly.
I would love to move up to owning something like a Carthago Chic Supreme, although they are not a lot different in layout to ours,just a little wider at the cab end,as they are an A Class.

The problem I have always had though is that TinaL thinks all A Class vans are ugly!, yes "Ugly Bread Vans" she calls them, and the top of the range vans like Concorde's & Morrelo's she says "Their not vans!, their Coaches" where are you going to wild camp or park up in those she says!.
TBH, I also think some A classes are ugly, if I did manage to convince her to change for one, then it would have to be one with more of a sloping front windscreen, as that improves the overall Bread Van look slightly
Dont worry guys I am working on her, even if she also feels that being sat 3 feet away from the windscreen in an A Class is not ideal, especially when I get "if I sit any further back I might as well put the kettle on"
LES

We all like different things of course OK some A class are better looking than others but in their defence I would say that A class in general shows it's age less than a coach built.

Oh and tell Tina I will be having a word next time we meet

Martin, aka MORELO owner in waiting.

 

[nicholsong]

When I started looking 10+ years ago for my first MH I soon came to the conclusion that I wanted an 'A' Class so did not seriously look at coachbuilt. I am glad I took that decision because we still have it whereas we might have had to change up otherwise.

My reasons for preferring 'A' Class are

Better panoramic view both while driving and from the living area, bit like a rear lounge layout.

In a 'C' Class I would feel I was back driving a van

Two king-size beds.

The cab width in narrow spaces is the same as the body, so if that can get through the rest can.

Only habitation door to secure on most (some have optional driver's door)

Engine access is not so good but mostly that is garage's problem and my guys have never complained.

As to cost, yes there is a price differential if buying new, but I always advocate secondhand and after 5 years that differential has almost disappeared. As somebody pointed out above there are very few UK-made 'A' Class, so one is looking at Continental. More expensive if new, but often the quality stands the test of time so one can look at older secondhand MHs - I bought our N&B Arto privately at 6 years old for £27,500 and new probably cost £70,000 then (16 years ago)

If we changed our Arto I would not consider a coachbuilt.

Geoff

 

[peterc10]

Our first motorhome was a C class Adria. Our second, and still our present one, is an A Class Hymer. We loved the Adria, but nowhere near as much as we now love the Hymer

The Hymer is much warmer than the Adria, partly because of the Alde heating rather than the Truma in the Adria. But also because the heating is integrated into the cab area itself. We have a radiator each side of the cab area, a radiator below the driver's seat, a boost fan with radiator below the passenger's seat and two radiators at the front directing warm air over the inside of the windscreen. All of these can be used when we are parked, or when driving. If driving we can utilise the heat from the engine coolant to provide the heating throughout the motorhome. In addition to this the cab side windows are double glazed and the insulation in the cab sides and roof are much better than the standard Ducato cab.

The windscreen is large, but the advantage with that is that, along with the large side windows, it gives a much better panoramic view of the scenery and the road ahead. In the C class I was always bending my head down a bit to see all of the road ahead, even though I am only 5ft 8 inches in my stocking feet. And that big windscreen can be an advantage on cold but sunny days. We find that the thermal gain from the sun shining in can heat up the whole of the motorhome to the extent that we do not need the heating on.

All of this, coupled with the A class also having a lot more room in the cab area, means that the cab area feels more like an integral part of the habitation area once we are parked up, rather than just an add on. We also often use the large dash area, which would have been the external bonnet area in a C class, as extra storage for stuff when we are parked up.

I also much prefer the A class unified look rather than the C class, which to me can sometimes look like a caravan has been bolted onto the back of a truck. But I agree that looks are very subjective, so each to their own.

The only drawback I have with our A class is its terrifyingly expensive wing mirrors. I now drive a lot more carefully past trucks and buses and when using narrow lanes.

Having said all that it really is a matter of personal choice with whatever motorhome you choose. Its still fun whatever you have.

 

[two]

Welcome.
You've spotted the difference: about £10k on a new one.
A-class has a few disadvantages but will provide more internal space. If money is not an issue, I'd get an A-class.

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[Minxy]

The problem I have always had though is that TinaL thinks all A Class vans are ugly!, yes "Ugly Bread Vans" she calls them, and the top of the range vans like Concorde's & Morrelo's she says "Their not vans!, their Coaches" where are you going to wild camp or park up in those she says!

Mine's quite pretty ... it's not quite so flat fronted as some and has a deep windscreen so less 'letter box' looking.

 

[Minxy]

We find that the thermal gain from the sun shining in can heat up the whole of the motorhome to the extent that we do not need the heating on.

We've found that too ... I call it my conservatory!

 

[TUCANO]

I think mine is pretty also

 

[Pausim]

I have had both and I am now on my second A class. Lots of good A class reasons given above, panoramic view, better insulation than a van cab, easier to judge driving width etc. etc. For me it is also the greater sense of space when parked up. Once the seats have been rotated they feel part of the living area whereas in a C class I feel they are still part of the driving cab, just facing backwards. In an A class they are not cramped up against a door but leave elbow room to lounge in them and hang over the arm rests. It is simply a much nicer living area.

 

[Speve]

Welcome.
You've spotted the difference: about £10k on a new one.
A-class has a few disadvantages but will provide more internal space. If money is not an issue, I'd get an A-class.

What are the disadvantages??

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[johneeeeski]

We've just swapped from a coachbuilt (low profile, Chausson) to an A-class (Dethleffs Globebus). What we discovered was that there are "compact" A-classes by a number of manufacturers. These are barely bigger dimensionally than a PVC, except for the length in some. We reckoned you get all the benefits of a coachbuilt/A-class, with almost the niftiness (is that a word?) of a PVC. Finally the weight MIRO is sensible meaning that there is a bigger payload if you are limited to 3.5T like we are. The compromise seems to be a little bit less internal space for moving about inside the van and maybe a little tight for space if you are, say, 6'3" or taller. If that sounds appealing then there's Dethleffs (Globebus), Knaus, Burstner, Hymer (Exsis) and the very lovely Carthago Compactline which I think is in the picture above.

 

[two]

What are the disadvantages??

Access to the other side (especially if a liner)
Access to engine compartment
Cost of windscreen
Cabin heating (Fiats)
Forward vision (Wing mirrors & Dash, poor visors)
Appearance (does not matter to me)

 

[Speve]

Access to the other side (especially if a liner)
Access to engine compartment
Cost of windscreen
Cabin heating (Fiats)
Forward vision (Wing mirrors & Dash, poor visors)
Appearance (does not matter to me

Ok windscreen I would agree however never had any complaints about servicing and the heating in our Fiat based Hymer is great ( if referring to automatic footrest problem it doesn’t affect LHD) forward vision is no different than on our previous coach builds They all have windscreen pillars, we have had low level wing mirrors and now have coach style not a vast difference to either IMHO
But everyone to their own?

 

[peterc10]

Access to the other side (especially if a liner)
Access to engine compartment
Cost of windscreen
Cabin heating (Fiats)
Forward vision (Wing mirrors & Dash, poor visors)
Appearance (does not matter to me)

Not sure what you mean by access to the other side.

Access to engine compartment is not too bad on our Hymer. Not been charged extra AFAIK.

Windscreen on insurance policy so the same excess as anybody else. And this is a bit of a fallacy. Autoglass charged my insurer just over £1000 for my Hymer A class windscreen including fitting. Yes, more expensive than a C class, but not as expensive as some suggest.

Re cabin heating - see my post #14. Much better than my previous C class and both were on Fiats.

Forward and side vision much better on the A class and our visors work fine. Mirrors are bigger and better, but really expensive.

Appearance personal decision.

 

[Jonno1103]

I do find that the wing mirrors on our Pegaso 590 create a large blind spot at junctions and roundabouts.

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[Sucoz]

We've only had an A class so it's hard to judge advantages.
For me the main advantage is two large fixed doubles that don't take up all the living space, but that's not a requirement for many.
Potentially a disadvantage is that in the UK not all garages, in my experience, that deal with motorhomes are as happy to work on an A class. Still there are plenty that will.

 

[two]

Access to the other side (especially if a liner)
Access to engine compartment
Cost of windscreen
Cabin heating (Fiats)
Forward vision (Wing mirrors & Dash, poor visors)
Appearance (does not matter to me)

Access to other side: Liners have only one door. C-class have doors that provide easier access.
Engine compartment can be through a letter-box. Not easy. I'm sure that servicing will take longer (and some things be less-well executed).
Some windscreens, I'm told, are in excess of £5k, also difficult to get and can carry an insurance premium.
Forward vision you get used to but big mirrors (OK for looking back) block the view to the sides at corners.
Cabin heating on mine is feeble. The dealer says this "is normal". Surprising, since the bigger vans I've had before (Mercs) were fine. Overcome by using the habitation heating and secumotion.
I was only pointing out that nothing is perfect. In my view the A-class beats C-class (more space).

 

[Kniste]

I like the Hymers, on the Sprinter chassis. Most integrated have a bed above the Driver. at my height I found this a little claustrophobic, and the need and/or the tendency to bend my head. There were also these two extra beds that would never be used. The semi integrated has a big picture window above the driver.
I realise that with new vans you just check the tyres, it is more fun with the integrated checking the oil..
Steve

 

[orridge]

. The ONLY thing that hubby did mention was that the overcab bed was cool to the touch when he first dropped it down as it hadn't had any heat etc being right up against the roof but he didn't find it cold to sleep in despite the large windscreen.

A couple of hot water bottles in winter soon sorts that out.

 

[TUCANO]

I usually drop the overcab bed half an hour or so before going to bed to let the warmer air circulate.