Best motorhome brand for semi full time touring? Possible warranty issues with Roller team?

[SweetPotatoFries]

Hi everyone! I'm considering selling my van conversion and buying a motorhome for long trips around Europe and the UK. I've spent hours searching and looked at what feels like every brand and model on the market already. My head is spinning so I'm looking for some advice regarding which brand to choose for reliability and good warranty service.

Ideally I'd like something compact (less than 7m) with a garage and enough space on the roof for a big solar panel as I'll be working remotely. I'd like it to be as off grid as possible while not too much bigger than my 6.4m van.

I've narrowed it down to the Roller Team Zefiro 665 and the Benimar Tessoro 440 up. The Benimar doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK. The Zefiro I can get quickly but the warranty seems poor. They don't like you staying in it full time which might be a problem depending on how they define "full time". I've also heard nightmare stories about long delays with repairs.

I'm struggling to find anything else that fits my needs under 7m, so might have to look for something larger.

So I guess the question is, which brands should I look at for reliability and good warranty service considering I'll be spending 3 months at a time in Europe plus long trips around the UK? Am I right to be concerned about the warranty?

 

[BreweryDave]

Imho, you are focussing on the wrong thing!
For full time or long term, the van needs to work for you!
The brand is kinda secondary, but generally speaking European and particularly German vans are better built, and better insulated for different climates.
Everybodys requirements are different, but a fixed bed is generally seen as very important for long term, as is storage.

Search the forum for fulltimer posts, check out blogs and vlogs, and most importantly focus on what you will need, rather than a particular brand. ( and I wouldn’t focus on new either, used is a better deal, snags are sorted, and extras are added )

……..and the above just scratches the surface!
Good luck

 

[SweetPotatoFries]

Imho, you are focussing on the wrong thing!
For full time or long term, the van needs to work for you!
The brand is kinda secondary, but generally speaking European and particularly German vans are better built, and better insulated for different climates.
Everybodys requirements are different, but a fixed bed is generally seen as very important for long term, as is storage.

Search the forum for fulltimer posts, check out blogs and vlogs, and most importantly focus on what you will need, rather than a particular brand. ( and I wouldn’t focus on new either, used is a better deal, snags are sorted, and extras are added )

……..and the above just scratches the surface!
Good luck

Thanks for the reply and the tips!

At first I've been searching for what will work for me and thought I'd found the perfect MH with the Zefiro 665. but I've been put off by warranty horror stories and some dubious terms and conditions. This might be the same for all brands, though I expect there's some that are better than others.

 

[ontheroadagain]

We are very happy with our Adria Compact SC (7m long) which we purchased last Nov.
The build quality appears to be very good and we have had very few issues.
We are however currently waiting on two items to be replaced under warranty.
Fortunately these do not stop us from using the motorhome, but I have no idea when we will receive the parts.
One of them (a garage door lock) has been on order since mid July.
I think we will be lucky if we see the parts before the end of 2022.
The warranty on the Adria is two years, with a ten year water ingress warranty, subject to yearly checks.
Sorry, but I don't know if this covers full time use.
I think there is currently a long wait for parts/warranty work with all manufacturers.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Imho, you are focussing on the wrong thing!
For full time or long term, the van needs to work for you!
The brand is kinda secondary, but generally speaking European and particularly German vans are better built, and better insulated for different climates.
Everybodys requirements are different, but a fixed bed is generally seen as very important for long term, as is storage.

Search the forum for fulltimer posts, check out blogs and vlogs, and most importantly focus on what you will need, rather than a particular brand. ( and I wouldn’t focus on new either, used is a better deal, snags are sorted, and extras are added )

……..and the above just scratches the surface!
Good luck

I think his concern around Roller team is that they do not honour warranties on full timers vans which stinks, what they are admitting is that their vans cannot take proper use, I suspect they expect their vans to be parked in storage for days on end

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[VXman]

I think his concern around Roller team is that they do not honour warranties on full timers vans which stinks, what they are admitting is that their vans cannot take proper use, I suspect they expect their vans to be parked in storage for days on end

But the OP stated 'semi' full time and long European trips. To me that doesn't constitute full time - and how would a manufacturer prove how long you had been in it?

Our MH is only 18 months old and we have done 15000 mile and probably spent 7/8 months living in it. I would guess that is a lot more than average but warranty is not affected.

 

[Lenny HB]

For your intended use I would be looking at German A Class van. The two vans you have mentioned are both budget vans and not really up to the kind of use you are going to give them.
You don't say what your budget is, assuming it's in the range of the vans you are looking you would be better off looking at second hand German Vans.
If you want a small van with good storage & a garage have a look at the Carthago Compactline they have a lot more storage and are better built than similar size Hymers.
If you do want a new you are looking at over a year for delivery a lot of manufacturers now quoting 2024 deliveries.

 

[Lenny HB]

But the OP stated 'semi' full time and long European trips. To me that doesn't constitute full time - and how would a manufacturer prove how long you had been in it?

A lot of the budget brands like Roller Team consider trips of over 2 weeks to be long term use so invalidates the warranty.

 

[Spriddler]

The Zefiro I can get quickly but the warranty seems poor.

No doubt from your research you're aware that warranty work will only be undertaken by the supplying dealer. I would certainly buy a used one so that someone else has had the loss of use and the hassle of taking it back to get faults sorted out.

 

[Riverbankannie]

A lot of the budget brands like Roller Team consider trips of over 2 weeks to be long term use so invalidates the warranty.

That’s mad, anyway how do they know?
As others have said, buy second hand and check any original issues already sorted. Warranties a bit of can of worms especially as you always have to travel back to dealer and wait weeks/months. Better to get one where you can go local if you cannot fix yourself.

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[SweetPotatoFries]

For your intended use I would be looking at German A Class van. The two vans you have mentioned are both budget van and not really up to the kind of use you are going to give them.
You don't say what your budget is, assuming it's in the range of the vans you are looking you would be better off looking at second hand German Vans.
If you want a small van with good storage & a garage have a look at the Carthago Compactline they have a lot more storage and are better built than similar size Hymers.
If you do want a new you are looking at over a year for delivery a lot of manufacturers now qoutin 2024 deliveries.

Thank you I'll have a look into A class vans, it looks like there's more within the 3500kg limit than I thought. I expect to be on the move quite a bit, visiting different mountain bike trail centres and Aires around Europe so fuel efficiency will be a concern. Not sure how a similar size class A vs class B would perform in that regard.

Budget is up to £70k. I'm used to long trips in a van conversion, so any MH is going to feel spacious in comparison.

Seems like the general consensus is to go second hand and higher quality rather than brand new.

 

[Bailey 15]

For long term use remember to consider PAYLOAD
Benimar can be low

 

[Orion]

At first I've been searching for what will work for me and thought I'd found the perfect MH with the Zefiro 665. but I've been put off by warranty horror stories and some dubious terms and conditions. This might be the same for all brands, though I expect there's some that are better than others.

The Adria Compact SP has a very similar layout to the Zeffiro 665 - fixed transverse rear bed and an overall length of 599cm. The other models in the Compact range, the SL, SC and DL also have fixed bed layouts and come in at (just) under 7m.

Adria Compact Range

 

[eddie]

Winnebago

 

[Riverbankannie]

Winnebago

Under 3500kgs?
I think that is what he is looking at.

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[eddie]

Under 3500kgs?
I think that is what he is looking at.

And.........

 

[Two on Tour]

And......... View attachment 672866

Starting At: $210,292, .............. just a little over the OP's 70k budget and weighs in at over 4 tonnes.

 

[suavecarve]

Had 2 RollerTeams from new and snagging with first one sorted without issue.
2nd one had relatively major issue with fridge sorted locally in agreement with dealer so from my point of view I havent seen any of the alleged issues with warranties.
I would never have thought of buying new but the offers for both were (imv) remarkably good and would never consider buying new again unless the offer was remarkably good.
If spending 70K and spending 3 months abroad at a time, the LHD option has to be considered (if i were you)

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you I'll have a look into A class vans, it looks like there's more within the 3500kg limit than I thought

Very few with enough payload for long term use, we have just ordered a CompactLine but on the 4250 kg chassis as it makes life so much easier.

Bear in mind quoted payload is for the basic vehicle before any extras are added so before you start you have lost 150kg or more. More so with German vans as they are always well speced with extras that are often standard on UK vans.

 

[GMLS]

Hi everyone! I'm considering selling my van conversion and buying a motorhome for long trips around Europe and the UK. I've spent hours searching and looked at what feels like every brand and model on the market already. My head is spinning so I'm looking for some advice regarding which brand to choose for reliability and good warranty service.

Ideally I'd like something compact (less than 7m) with a garage and enough space on the roof for a big solar panel as I'll be working remotely. I'd like it to be as off grid as possible while not too much bigger than my 6.4m van.

I've narrowed it down to the Roller Team Zefiro 665 and the Benimar Tessoro 440 up. The Benimar doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK. The Zefiro I can get quickly but the warranty seems poor. They don't like you staying in it full time which might be a problem depending on how they define "full time". I've also heard nightmare stories about long delays with repairs.

I'm struggling to find anything else that fits my needs under 7m, so might have to look for something larger.

So I guess the question is, which brands should I look at for reliability and good warranty service considering I'll be spending 3 months at a time in Europe plus long trips around the UK? Am I right to be concerned about the warranty?

Have a look that the Rolling Rucks on Youtube.Fulltimers having a nightmare with their Roller Team and warranty claim and irrespectove of that, dealer not much help either so watch where you buy from.

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[Otter Spotter]

But the OP stated 'semi' full time and long European trips. To me that doesn't constitute full time - and how would a manufacturer prove how long you had been in it?

Our MH is only 18 months old and we have done 15000 mile and probably spent 7/8 months living in it. I would guess that is a lot more than average but warranty is not affected.

It’s Roller Team in particular who have refused a full timers warranty claim,that’s what the OP was eluding to, your Burstner wouldn’t be affected . How do Roller Team anything, did easy, as so9n you say you have no where to live so you want your van fixing ASAP they have their proof.

 

[SweetPotatoFries]

Have a look that the Rolling Rucks on Youtube.Fulltimers having a nightmare with their Roller Team and warranty claim and irrespectove of that, dealer not much help either so watch where you buy from.

That video is one of the things that put me off, but I wonder how RT would know if I was full timing and what even qualifies as full time. I guess if I'm starting to lean towards second hand then the warranty isn't such an issue.

 

[CazPaul]

Research different vans and how they are constructed is my advice if you want long term use.
Roof, walls, floor, furniture, winterisation, FWD v RWD chassis height etc etc.

 

[suavecarve]

That video is one of the things that put me off, but I wonder how RT would know if I was full timing and what even qualifies as full time. I guess if I'm starting to lean towards second hand then the warranty isn't such an issue.

One of the better things about this site is the advice.
Unfortunately your advice runs out after your next post and it may be wise to join up then you can ask as many questions as you want and also have the ability to search eg search engine for "665" will bring up all posts with those numbers in them and many of those will include your roller team. Other searches are available !

 

[barsteward]

I'm in agreement with Lenny HB on this, pay load on a 3.5t for full term or long trips is probably the most important starting point, you can have the largest garage in class but if you don't have the payload then its wasted space.
There are a number of quality s/h motorhomes within or around the 7mtr and similar layout as the ones you have referenced but for 3.5t you are going to have to be v,very carful as to what and where you carry items whilst travelling.
As Lenny has said if your license permits I would certainly be looking at a Heavy Chassis Compact Line second hand, if you by from a reputable dealer you will in most cases get a warranty of around 2/3 years.

Good luck with your search

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[SweetPotatoFries]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far! I'll have a look round the local dealers tomorrow for some inspiration. I quite like the look of the Sun Living S 70SP. It's a great layout for me and they're made by Adria who seem to have a good reputation. The trouble is actually finding one!!

 

[CazPaul]

Older Hymers upto 2006 are nice quality.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far! I'll have a look round the local dealers tomorrow for some inspiration. I quite like the look of the Sun Living S 70SP. It's a great layout for me and they're made by Adria who seem to have a good reputation. The trouble is actually finding one!!

Sun living were built for rentals so be wary, check the fittings and etc and see where corners may have been cut. With rentals they are expected to have regular repairs done by rental company unlike a privately owned one which would be expected to last longer between repairs.

 

[TheBig1]

Controversial as it is, ALL manufacturers quantify normal usage as a few weeks per year being used for related travel and temporary living. ALL say that fulltiming invalidates the warranty under one clause or another. I am still very much involved with the camping & caravanning club and can state that the same issue is apparent with caravans.

I used to buy and sell motorhomes and caravans and you can clearly tell "heavily used vans" over well kept but barely used driveway ornaments. Bailey for instance have a policy that vans used for more than holidaying, as in more than 7 weeks a year are excluded from habitation warranty. The same as hire vans are explicitly excluded.

As for nightmare warranty claims, again, ALL manufacturers have their issues and are much worse if the supply chain is under pressure. They don't make most parts, they assemble them from standard bits on a mostly financial based theory. The specialists make their bits like fridges and everything from switches and wiring through to windows doors and skylights and provide these direct to the converter/builder. The third party supply chain then takes anything left to sell to customers. When there is a shortage of anything on the parts list, build days slip and warranty claims are only satisfied if they have the parts to spare

As to which manufacturer to choose, go with one with a good reputation for build quality rather than focus on what might be. If it does not break, it won't require repairing under warranty. If it does and you are fulltiming then focus more on being able to find somebody local or fixing it yourself. Most faults are relatively simple to fix and the time saved makes a massive difference if it is your home

 

[Ridgeway]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far! I'll have a look round the local dealers tomorrow for some inspiration. I quite like the look of the Sun Living S 70SP. It's a great layout for me and they're made by Adria who seem to have a good reputation. The trouble is actually finding one!!

Sun living is Carado under a different name (same factory) we sold our Carado after 1 yr after we realised it would fall apart with “reasonable“ use. OK we are a family with pets, more like a circus really but those vans just weren’t built for long term use or anything heavy.