Coachbuilt or A Class? (2 Viewers)

[Sidders]

Hello Funsters,
After some advice please.
Currently got a Laika as per pic below. Always had coachbuilt Motorhomes and this one really is lush for an old girl.
We spend much of our time in the Highlands of Scotland. I noticed on our last jolly that the view out the front windscreen was somewhat limited height-wise. Got me thinking that an A-class with a large windscreen screen would suit our needs better….something along the lines of a Hymer, Rapido or this one….

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It’s at least a 10k jump from what we currently have and just want to be sure I’m not looking at it through my rose tinted glasses…
Has anyone done the same or vice versa that could give some input?

 

[TUCANO]

One coach built and now onto third A class, far better view from the A class cab.

 

[Blueboy 1878]

We have a Bavaria i650 A Class and it was love at first sight!

 

[Sidders]

Just my own personal opinion…..
So, having had a Rapido 2011 9095df (bought and imported from a dealer in France)… loved the space, LHD ( imo, only buy a LHD A class, as the drivers door is on that side, unless you buy the new Autotrail, or your budget can stretch to a Morello, Concorde and the like, as they only have a hab door…plus, when it’s time to sell, your market is Europe wide, not just Blighty if you have RHD drive)
A class vans don’t age that fast, look at Carthago, Hymer, Rapido and the like.
Be careful of your payload, as ours was plated at 3850kg, but was not nearly enough for our likes.
Make sure the windscreen insurance covers the cost… as it’s a specialist item.
There easy to drive, even in our own country.
Headlights are s..t
Make sure (again, imo lol) it’s on the heavy chassis, as the brakes are far superior.
Having said all this, we changed to a coachbuilt in 2019, another Rapido for more payload, 3 litre engine with 180bhp, even though the 2.3 fiat 130bhp performs well enough, you just change gears more…a lot more when in the Alps…
It takes time to find the right combination for your needs… so good luck and happy travels with whatever you end up with

If my numbers come up on the lottery, I’m off for a Carthago S plus

Thanks Mr B , have shied away from left hookers (when it comes to Motorhomes at least) as some of the roads we frequent are really quite tight with oncoming traffic inc trucks and coaches particularly on the A82 Loch Lomond road. I’ll def try one though now that you’ve mentioned the benefits

 

[Sidders]

Having owned both types over the years I do believe that if I was replacing now it would be a coachbuilt. The improvements to coachbuilts over the last few years mainly in the sleeping department mean that one of the main attractions of an 'A' class is not so relevant. The only other real edge the 'A' class has is visibility but that would not be a deal breaker. Another point not often raised about 'A' class vans is the windscreen. I have had 2 replaced over the years and both have incurred long periods with the van off the road whilst screens were sourced. Not a problem I would think if based on commercial vehicle. At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and how deep your pockets are.
Jobla

Good point re the beds, I’m really surprised how large and comfortable our current ones are in the Laika. The overhead bed is the largest I’ve been in - inc height, possibly due to the convex style of the roof.
It’s the size of screen and view out that’s swinging me towards the A class, and in the missus’s case less of a climb to the overcab bed

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[Sidders]

Having to use the side *door for the driver, only one door at the front on the passenger side, sitting on/over the gas bottles, the locker directly under driver seat, drop down bed in front, massive dashboard complete waste of space *A pillar caused massive blind spots, replacement windscreens having to wait not an off the shelf item, servicing, really restricted space, MPG much better on a coachbuilt, does not look like a converted bread delivery van! At the end of the day only 6 inches wider but, wait for the comments about 6 inches making all the difference! We tried we didn't get on with it, we changed, its all down to personal choice.

Great points, thanks for that

 

[Mr B]

Thanks Mr B , have shied away from left hookers (when it comes to Motorhomes at least) as some of the roads we frequent are really quite tight with oncoming traffic inc trucks and coaches particularly on the A82 Loch Lomond road. I’ll def try one though now that you’ve mentioned the benefits

After reading your comments about the A82 and Loch Lomond, and actually doing it in our coachbuilt Rapidio…2 things spring to mind, avoid the A82!!!, A class mirrors don’t fold in!!!
On the plus side, LHD makes it easier to get close to the walls

 

[Wanders from Glos]

After reading your comments about the A82 and Loch Lomond, and actually doing it in our coachbuilt Rapidio…2 things spring to mind, avoid the A82!!!, A class mirrors don’t fold in!!!
On the plus side, LHD makes it easier to get close to the walls

We had no problem getting to and from Loch Lomond, although I agree we had to stop a couple of times to let logging lorries through and would have done in a coach built too.

Lovely parking on the edge for a couple of days.

 

[nicholsong]

After reading your comments about the A82 and Loch Lomond, and actually doing it in our coachbuilt Rapidio…2 things spring to mind, avoid the A82!!!, A class mirrors don’t fold in!!!
On the plus side, LHD makes it easier to get close to the walls

Our manual mirrors will fold in - with a good tug.

 

[Northernraider]

I've had 4 coachbuilts and I'm now on my 6th A class. Truth be told I wouldn't consider it my number one priority when choosing my next van. Layout, price and condition always comes before that.

There are some brands of A class that have 2 cab doors , euramobil being one of them . There's a few nice second hand ones on ebay just now.

Depending on layout not all A class vans make use of the larger cab or bigger windscreen...euramobil again being one of them.

Lhd on older vans is only really beneficial if you spend more time in Europe than you do in the UK.... you won't increase your market as it now costs far more to buy a motorhome in Europe than it did prior to 2001 ...and as there are far more available in Europe noone from Europe is going to travel to the UK to buy one from you so that point is moot.

There are pro's and cons to both as many people have said .

If you are buying a new van as many of the a class owners commenting have then it's a different situation to buying an older model.

Budget does make a difference.

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[WESTY66]

After reading your comments about the A82 and Loch Lomond, and actually doing it in our coachbuilt Rapidio…2 things spring to mind, avoid the A82!!!, A class mirrors don’t fold in!!!
On the plus side, LHD makes it easier to get close to the walls

I had LHD and was nearly touching the Armco, didn’t stop the tool in his coachbuilt coming down the white line and a huge clash of mirrors, sure mine folded in but wasn’t damaged (the mirrors were the bottom fixed ones)

 

[Sidders]

Having to use the side *door for the driver, only one door at the front on the passenger side, sitting on/over the gas bottles, the locker directly under driver seat, drop down bed in front, massive dashboard complete waste of space *A pillar caused massive blind spots, replacement windscreens having to wait not an off the shelf item, servicing, really restricted space, MPG much better on a coachbuilt, does not look like a converted bread delivery van! At the end of the day only 6 inches wider but, wait for the comments about 6 inches making all the difference! We tried we didn't get on with it, we changed, its all down to personal choice.

I thought the drop down bed would be a good thing?

 

[Sidders]

After reading your comments about the A82 and Loch Lomond, and actually doing it in our coachbuilt Rapidio…2 things spring to mind, avoid the A82!!!, A class mirrors don’t fold in!!!
On the plus side, LHD makes it easier to get close to the walls

Haha, it can be a bit hairy. We had a truck coming towards us a few years back round a bend and edged onto our side - I’ve no idea how I missed him….oh wait I do, I was in a coachbuilt
Took our old caravan along it which was perhaps a step too far…

 

[stevewagner]

I would dispute that coach builds are more economical. My Carthago averages 31 mpg. With coachbuilts the air gets trapped under front cab overhang.

 

[Guigsy]

I would dispute that coach builds are more economical. My Carthago averages 31 mpg. With coachbuilts the air gets trapped under front cab overhang.

I agree. Frontal area is the same. But it's more messy with a semi integrated. And the back, which is where much of the drag is, will be the same. I suspect they're both as bad as each other.

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[Mr B]

I would dispute that coach builds are more economical. My Carthago averages 31 mpg. With coachbuilts the air gets trapped under front cab overhang.

They (A class or coachbuilt) are more economical than MrsB

 

[Northernraider]

I thought the drop down bed would be a good thing?

It is if you're going to use it.

All my A class vans have had the front drop down bed.
But I never used it in my first mobilvetta, my frankia or my hymer as they all had fixed beds in the rear of the van so with those vans I'd rather have had cupboards than a drop down bed.

In my euramobil and in this current mobilvetta the drop down bed was the main bed so I've used them both.


It's something else to consider but unless they were ordered from new without the front drop down bed most A class vans will have it fitted.

If you have kids etc then it's worthwhile, but if only 2 of you and you also have a fixed lower bed you'll most likely not use the drop down

 

[Northernraider]

I would dispute that coach builds are more economical. My Carthago averages 31 mpg. With coachbuilts the air gets trapped under front cab overhang.

I don't think any of them are economical ...they're all similar to driving a brick in to the wind, and the air isn't all at one level so whether it's a class , lowline or coachbuilt there won't be much difference overall.

 

[vkr15s]

Having had both would go with the A Class every time. I have coachbuilt at the moment but only because of C1 licence issue.

 

[Guigsy]

We've got a stubby 6m a-class. There's only one bed and it's over the cab. We did look at semi-integrated coachbuilds with a similar layout, but the bed dropped through the lounge. It meant the lounge couldn't be used when the bed was down, and all the overhead lockers over the lounge disappeared with the bed in place. Plus we've gained an extra outside locker where one of the cab doors would be. For our limited footprint, the a-class added a ton more usability and storage.

Plus the boys love the extra sundeck...

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[Carpmart]

Our (dirty 1500kms of rain) C Class identifies as an A class!

 

[Sidders]

Our (dirty 1500kms of rain) C Class identifies as an A class!


View attachment 900483

Now that’s a Moho, I didn’t even know there was a C class

 

[Lenny HB]

Our (dirty 1500kms of rain) C Class identifies as an A class!


View attachment 900483

A deluded man.

 

[robnchris]

A few things put us off an A Class, First when we arrive we want to get out of that cab area and those seats, we love a U shaped lounge that we can sprawl out in.
Don't understand this drop bed concept, some say if you have children they are brilliant, hang on the youngsters go to bed earlier than the adults but in an A class that is the lounge lost once the bed comes down, or do the Children get the luxury bed at the other end.
Don't like this one door at the front design.
Happy to stick with our Coach built thanks.

 

[VXman]

....At the end of the day only 6 inches wider but, wait for the comments about 6 inches making all the difference!

An A class is only wider at the cab section. Some A classes are smaller than coachbuilts overall

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[Blaydon]

Hi there. Having had a few coach builds and now an A Class, I would say there are a few things to consider. Yes, the view from the cab is great with a huge expanse glass, but, A pillars are usually quite big and we have had to be aware at roundabouts and in traffic. Things can be obscured and catch you out.
Also that big windscreen is expensive. Make sure your insurance covers the complete replacement cost. Our first policy gave only a continuation to the replacement cost. It cost over three grand and they covered only one thousand. Ouch!
We feel the cab is really part of the living space rather than a squeezed add on. While driving it is easy to see the edges as everything is square. However getting onto ramps is tricky as you can’t lean out of the window in the same way.
You pay your money and take your choice. For me, I would rather have an A Class - especially a short one, so making best use of the space.

 

[Lenny HB]

A few things put us off an A Class, First when we arrive we want to get out of that cab area and those seats, we love a U shaped lounge that we can sprawl out in.
Don't understand this drop bed concept, some say if you have children they are brilliant, hang on the youngsters go to bed earlier than the adults but in an A class that is the lounge lost once the bed comes down, or do the Children get the luxury bed at the other end.
Don't like this one door at the front design.
Happy to stick with our Coach built thanks.

I don't see that logic, in an A class the cab is part of the living area, the cab seats are the most comfortable in the house just swivel them round and relax.
With the bed dropped down you only lose the cab seats the rest of the lounge is useable.
A U shaped lounge is a huge waste of valuable storage, the garage won't be big enough to get bikes thats if it has one. No way would I want thousands of pounds worth of bikes hanging on the back of the van.

 

[Kamperkev]

First thing I noticed when I set off in my first A Class was the panoramic view out of the windscreen

 

[Northernraider]

Now that’s a Moho, I didn’t even know there was a C class

C class = coachbuilt

 

[Northernraider]

I don't see that logic, in an A class the cab is part of the living area, the cab seats are the most comfortable in the house just swivel them round and relax.
With the bed dropped down you only lose the cab seats the rest of the lounge is useable.
A U shaped lounge is a huge waste of valuable storage, the garage won't be big enough to get bikes thats if it has one. No way would I want thousands of pounds worth of bikes hanging on the back of the van.

I have to say I disagree about the cab seats being the most comfortable, I've always preferred sitting in the lounge. I almost never have my cab seats swivelled round . I prefer my L shaped sofa ... I can even lie down if I want to ... that's why I always like a van with good lounge space I just couldn't live with these ones that are all bedroom and bathroom and have a half dinette and 2 cab seats up front. .. I've 2 x 6ft long sofas in mine one which is L shaped and that corner is definitely the most comfortable seat in the house.

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[Northernraider]

A few things put us off an A Class, First when we arrive we want to get out of that cab area and those seats, we love a U shaped lounge that we can sprawl out in.
Don't understand this drop bed concept, some say if you have children they are brilliant, hang on the youngsters go to bed earlier than the adults but in an A class that is the lounge lost once the bed comes down, or do the Children get the luxury bed at the other end.
Don't like this one door at the front design.
Happy to stick with our Coach built thanks.

I don't see that logic, in an A class the cab is part of the living area, the cab seats are the most comfortable in the house just swivel them round and relax.
With the bed dropped down you only lose the cab seats the rest of the lounge is useable.
A U shaped lounge is a huge waste of valuable storage, the garage won't be big enough to get bikes thats if it has one. No way would I want thousands of pounds worth of bikes hanging on the back of the van.

The u shape lounge is mainly a British thing left over from caravan builds , it's not common in European vans , my euromobile did have one but it also had the drop down bed up front .

It's fine if you have another bed but cushion jenga before bed is no fun aswell as the limited storage underneath it .

But it's all horses for courses.

There's no such thing as the perfect layout there's always a compromise somewhere . So it's just what works for each person.