Are the 2018 Swift Bessacarr's too Long?

[Hellboy]

Are the new 2018 Swift Bessacarr 596, 597 & 599 at 8.11m too long?...Is downsizing still the trend or has Swift got it right building these vans which are longer than most of the 2017 Bolero's...the 597 & 599 are both only available on the light Al-Ko chassis at 3850kg maximum whereas the Bolero's were on heavy Al-ko chassis at 4250kg...whats your thoughts?

 

[bigtwin]

Too long for what?

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Personally I think using the light chassis is a mistake to save money. Our Bolero is usually about 4000kg and only 2 of us but do travel with full water, bulk gas, fuel and everything we could possibly need. 3850 is cutting it fine IMV

 

[Hellboy]

I agree…the light chassis keeps the price down but at the expense of payload…the 597 Lounge is plated at 3500kg giving you a payload of only 228kg unless you pay an extra £99 to up plate to 3850kg…I think a heavy chassis option would have been good as it’s got a large garage but the long overhang will test the 2000kg max. rear axle…fitting a tow bar even more so!

 

[Hedgewitch]

Too long for what?

Half the single track roads in the Lake District?

I suppose if you're heading across the channel for winter sun they won't look out of place but they look bloomin' huge for some of the lanes round here.

Wonder how long before someone gets monumentally stuck on the Applecross Pass whilst doing the NC500?

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

Half the single track roads in the Lake District?

I suppose if you're heading across the channel for winter sun they won't look out of place but they look bloomin' huge for some of the lanes round here.

Wonder how long before someone gets monumentally stuck on the Applecross Pass whilst doing the NC500?

The Applecross pass has artic lorrys using it so I don't think these will have any problem. Mine is 7.6mtrs and I did it last year no problems at all apart from the lack of a good view at the top due to low cloud.

 

[TheBig1]

put a motorbike and towbar on that van and the front wheels would be off the ground. terrible design

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes it's 1m too long. I don't like the big rear overhangs, it must be a bit unstable to drive. Why don't they put the back wheels at the back!? I know, cost probably.

 

[bigtwin]

Why don't they put the back wheels at the back!? I know, cost probably.

I can think of two reasons:

1. The turning circle would be larger.

2. You would then increase the risk of grounding of the middle of the van over undulations on the road (or on any surface that has a ramp leading to a flat surface).

Ian

 

[Richard n Ann]

I can think of two reasons:

1. The turning circle would be larger.

2. You would then increase the risk of grounding of the middle of the van over undulations on the road (or on any surface that has a ramp leading to a flat surface).

Ian

At least the backend wouldn't ground

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[bigtwin]

I can think of two reasons:

1. The turning circle would be larger.

2. You would then increase the risk of grounding of the middle of the van over undulations on the road (or on any surface that has a ramp leading to a flat surface).

Ian

At least the backend wouldn't ground

But you'd still then be stuck with a less manoeuvrable motorhome!

 

[Richard n Ann]

Rear wheel steering and a bogey wheel in the middle for anti grounding sorted!.. err.. I'll get me coat

 

[bigtwin]

Rear wheel steering and a bogey wheel in the middle for anti grounding sorted!.. err.. I'll get me coat

Probably already patented so might be best to forget about that idea!

 

[gus-lopez]

I agree…the light chassis keeps the price down but at the expense of payload…the 597 Lounge is plated at 3500kg giving you a payload of only 228kg unless you pay an extra £99 to up plate to 3850kg…I think a heavy chassis option would have been good as it’s got a large garage but the long overhang will test the 2000kg max. rear axle…fitting a tow bar even more so!

View attachment 187599

Yes it is the rear overhang that puts me off even if it is a panel van. I want the axle as far back as possible.
Why I always liked the Autocruise models with axle just in from the rear.

But you'd still then be stuck with a less manoeuvrable motorhome!

But able to exit from a kerb without sideswiping the street furniture.

 

[bigtwin]

But you'd still then be stuck with a less manoeuvrable motorhome!

.
But able to exit from a kerb without sideswiping the street furniture.

Perhaps, but that'd be offset by the difficulties you'd have exiting any gateways where you'd be at risk of scraping the sides of the van.

The fact is that the axle configurations and vehicle lengths are already pretty much optimised and a wheel on each corner ain't going to happen!

Ian

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[tacr2man]

Thats a baby , seriously tho , the real downside has got to be the GVW , its all very well giving lots of space , but you need a decent payload to make safe use of it . Rear swing is just a matter of pre thinking and positioning , dragging the tail is a bit more of a problem eg ferry ramps and entrances. having just returned from a trip thru Poland/Germany size seems to be going up all the time .
Doesnt look that ungainly , on a strictly visual basis

 

[MillieMoocher]

IMHO the rear overhang is way too big. I could envisage difficulties getting on and off ferries with that overhang. Imagine it with a bike rack or scooter on the back too...

 

[Hellboy]

The rear overhang is about 2.4m...this has been reduced by using the longest wheelbase Al-Ko chassis I have seen at 4.7m...the Swift Kon-Tiki 625 or 635 are about the same length with a shorter wheelbase of 4.6m making there overhang 2.5m...I have also seen tag axle vans the same length at 8.1m...

 

[Reevsie]

Half the single track roads in the Lake District?

I suppose if you're heading across the channel for winter sun they won't look out of place but they look bloomin' huge for some of the lanes round here.

Wonder how long before someone gets monumentally stuck on the Applecross Pass whilst doing the NC500?

Done the Apllecros in Kontiki 649 at 8.56 meters long a few months ago. No problems what so ever. Even low cloud att he time reduced visibility to 50m.

 

[Nasher]

If you put a sack of potatoes in the back, I reckon it will need wheelie bars!

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[jezport]

The light chassis is completely unsuitable for pretty much all motorhomes.
Even the standard Maxi chassis has rear leaf springs that almost touch the assisters once the van has been converted into a motorhome. We fitted full air suspension on our Maxi chassis and the difference in ride is massive.

 

[rico]

All I can say that my Swift Toscane 794 LHD version of the Bessacarr 597 is superb.
Road manners are impeccable. Very little roll and very smooth ride
Alko chassis helps in this direction.
No problem wth ferry ramps last year either.
Rear vision is through 2 X cameras as std
Having owned various vans on Fiat Ford VW and even a Commer Highwayman with Perkins diesel I can safely say that this is the ultimate long distance cruiser
Hats off to Swift for design.

 

[Richard Glew]

We have had our Swift Bessacarr 599 10 weeks now and it does drive really nicely. The rear overhang hasn't been an issue, you just need a bit of thought when manoeuvring.

 

[Reevsie]

Half the single track roads in the Lake District?

I suppose if you're heading across the channel for winter sun they won't look out of place but they look bloomin' huge for some of the lanes round here.

Wonder how long before someone gets monumentally stuck on the Applecross Pass whilst doing the NC500?

I have Kontiki 649 with an Amratige motorbike trailer on the back. Total length just over 9 meters. Done applecross earlier this year without any problems. I also spend a lot of time in the lake district without any major problems. It is not just the length of the vehicle that can get you in trouble. It is also your confidence in you ability to manouver the vehicle. I have seen people in a 6.5 meter motorhome struggle where I would not have any problems in mine even though it is 2.5 meters longer.

 

[DaveandJen]

Its not just the length but those sticking out wing mirrors that cause problems trying to share the road when visiting some parts of Devon and Cornwall. Good if happy to park up on site and tour by foot, bike, or local transport but a van of this size will straggle to find a suitable parking space in many car parks.

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[Burgo]

Yes it's 1m too long. I don't like the big rear overhangs, it must be a bit unstable to drive. Why don't they put the back wheels at the back!? I know, cost probably.

Back when I worked in jig & tool we used to say that if it looked right it was probably somewhere near right. That amount of overhang looks wrong.