Downsizing from coachbuilt to PVC

Andy MacD

Andy MacD

Joined
May 30, 2019
Posts
799
Likes collected
1,143
Location
Aberdeen, UK
Funster No
61,293
MH
Adria Twin Supreme
Exp
Since 2018
I’m thinking of downsizing from a Benimar 282, a 7.4m coachbuilt, to a PVC and looking for feedback from anyone who has actually done this in the last couple of years. Currently looking at either Adria Twin Supreme 640 SLB or Malibu 640.

Reason for change? Benimar has transverse drop down double and would I prefer longitudinal singles. Length/width can be a pain in B roads and when parking in car parks or at tourist attractions. Finally a PVC will fit on my drive so save on hassle and cost of storage. Both the Adria and Malibu have loads of storage with “garage”areas, avoid the dreaded shower curtain and have dealers on Scotland.

Concerns? Will the small lounge area at the front be claustrophobic on rainy and dark days? Will the width and length reductions be that noticeable in real life? Are there drawbacks to PVCs I’ve not thought of.

I’m taking a hire of a Malibu in a couple of weeks to try a PVC for 4 nights, assuming Sturgeon doesn’t impose travel restrictions on us.

I know there are lots who will have strong opinions on their preference for coachbuilt or PVC, feel free to add comments however what is of interest to me is those who have downsized and how they have got on since making the decision.

Thanks.
 
Not seen Malibu yet but Adria has just as much storage than Benimar.
 
Also consider slimline coachbuilts which are almost as narrow as a PVC with similar lengths, but with more space inside. Not as cool looking, though.
 
We have the 6m Malibu having changed from large caravan.
So far been very happy with it. Rear high level double bed means loads of storage space. Build and finish looks and feels very nice. Very innovative shower/loo makes it totally practical and relatively spacious.
Yes the living area is different to the caravan, but it’s not claustrophobic. In fact when the sliding door is open it feels more connected to the outdoors which has been great.
Good plan to try one out, shame the weather is turning but you’ll get a feel for what it’s like when you‘re closed up.

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The Globecar Campscout is a great van. Loads of storage. We found the lighting to be lacking and comfort is rather 'vanish.
 
Andy MacD said:
Thought the inside of the Globecar was quite dark compared side by side with the Adria.
Click to expand...

This is our H-line Globecar, pic below and registered at 4.5T too. Like the Malibu and Adria it has a fresh interior.

The D-Line Globecars have darker interiors, yes, but that's because they've been built that way for many years now and the Germans won't change anything that is as well built as the Campscout, Revolution, Roadscout etc.

I'm not sure if the Malibu and Adria vans can be ordered with the heavy chassis (better chassis, bigger brakes etc) but I personally would never buy a PVC on a light chassis - just too much of a compromise.

Good luck hunting,

Andrew

Screenshot_20200922-222517_Gallery.jpg
 
Just Paul said:
Just doing the same thing.
Going from Bailey 75-2 to Auto Sleeper Warwick XL.
Click to expand...
So are we!

We pick up our new PVC - an Auto Sleeper Warwick XL next Monday.
We are downsizing from a Benimar 264, which we only had for a year from new.
An expensive mistake but ‘you can always get out of trouble by paying’! F
 
We downsized from a Bessacarr E795 to a Vantage Cub which was a step too far so went to an Autocruise Rhythm. Storage was the main issue (outside chairs in particular although the Rhythm had a top box so they went in there) The reason we are now in an A Class is the lounging - the Rhythm had 2 single sofas/beds and it was a tad cosy when the weather outside is not so good and seeing as we use the van all year it became an issue for us.
 
We have a Malibu 640 GT Charming which we collected on 9th September as it was delayed due to Covid. Have only had 3 nights away in it so far. We downsized from a Rapido A class which was only 18 months old due to health issues and not being able to pass the medical for my C1 licence so the light chassis was a compromise. No issues with length and width. The bed is excellent loads of storage under it, as a previous person commented when we emptied the Rapido 40% of what we were carrying never saw the light of day!! The bathroom design is excellent and no problem with sitting inside in the evening. Two extra travelling seats which are useful, and we can go places we would have found difficult with the A Class.
 
We downsized from a Itasca Navion (made by Winnebago) to a Campscout and I'll tell you the reasons we bought the Campscout instead of anything else. Campscout has the heavier chassis as standard. You can get it with white fronts to the lockers making it much brighter. The Adria has a nice front overcab window but the Campscout has storage there instead and that's where our outside jackets and the dog stuff get stored. Don't actually see the point of the skylight window over storage. Campscout has the 130L 3 way fridge which we find much better for storage and wild camping. Fitted a underslung LPG tank which frees up massive storage space (storage is already big) and gives us an outside BBQ point as well. Agree the lighting is a bit short in some areas so we bought two more lamps that fit the lighting strips and in the process of putting a reading light into the cab area.
 
Hi Andy
Did you consider the WildAx range? (British Converion of Citroen Relay Panel Van. (Other base models also available, Merc/Renault)). I drive a Constellation. 6.0 m long without bike rack. 30-35 mpg. sleeps 2 adults comfortably. Lots of customisation options. Shower/wash room/toilet is set up as a wet room. https://wildaxmotorhomes.com/
They are made in Elland Yorkshire but have a few dealers. In my opinin- they are good value for money. I'm happy to say more....
 
We went for a U shaped lounge as we like somewhere nice and comfy to relax in especially in cooler weather and evenings. This also gives a huge amount of storage in our IH630RD. We still have the front seats turned round to sit on with the sliding door open for a coffee and a sandwich lunch. We wouldn’t like just two bench seats.

I agree the bathroom is a compromise but we’ve used it a lot the last few weeks and the clingy curtain has been fine but we aren’t very big. I can see that it would be a pain if you were a bit chubby!
I think the front dinette is fine for lots of people, especially in fair weather when you’re living outside a lot.
The over cab storage area in ours is very useful for bedding during the day, it has a door as well which keeps it tidy.

PVCs are a compromise, I’d look at all sorts before you decide and think about how and when you’d be in it.
It’s a Fiat Ducato LWB so 6.4 m.

Vantage and Consort do nearly identical vans.

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Weve more storage in our 2 birth PVC as the gas, water, waste etc are all underslung and the batteries are under the seat. This frees up lots of storage that was taken up in our previous 6 birth coach built van.
 
cmcardle75 said:
Also consider slimline coachbuilts which are almost as narrow as a PVC with similar lengths, but with more space inside. Not as cool looking, though.
Click to expand...
Oi, our Carthago is lovely and 'cool' looking ... :h:

Okeyjon said:
Only problem with the globecar is the small inner lockers &finding utensils that fit.
Our Adria Coral had spacious lockers.
Click to expand...
No problems when we had Globecars, this is about or last one, a Campscout with twin singles:

 
We downsized from a Hobby Siesta 6.4m coach-built to a Timberland PVC with rear lounge. The only real problem for us was the width especially between the kitchen and bathroom. While we weren’t looking to change we got a great deal against a Burstner 6m coachbuilt and so changed. As with all things it is swings and roundabouts - PVC was narrower and was easier to go down B roads and to park but the narrowness was a disadvantage when on site. We also found the PVC colder (especially camping in winter).
 
We down sized from a tag axel Hymer B774 to a Burstner Bravio 6.3 metres bags of storage amazing toilet shower room with both the toilet and shower being able to slide away to give a good size shower. Just finishing 12 days on NC 500 not missed the Hymer at all

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Life in a PVC is a trade off on space against most of the bigger coachbuilts although I have seen some really awful layouts in coachbuilts.
We went from 6mt pvc traverse bed to 6.4mt longitudinal rear couches so we now have front dinnet and vehicle seats and another lounge at the back to stretch out and relax. Ideal in our opinion and if you want a really massive bed that's an option as well.
Unfortunately theres also a very clever bunk arrangement that fits in the back so you can take the grandkids.
I refused to have a bigger vehicle so its easy to parkup at home and when out and about touring although the slightly longer length is a bit more of a challenge.
 
Are there many PVCs with French style beds? Is there storage under the bed? Any views on these from Funsters?
 
Autocruise Alto is one with a French bed with storage under the bed there are a few variations of the model
 
Andy1954 said:
Autocruise Alto is one with a French bed with storage under the bed there are a few variations of the model
Click to expand...

I have just being looking at them but they only have small water tanks

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