Ford vs Fiat (1 Viewer)

[BusyBuilder]

I currently have a 2009 Ford based HymerT552CL and find the drivers seat a little high so that I look through the very top of the windscreen, and the steering wheel is non adjustable as well.

I'm looking at a 2011 Fiat based T654CL so would like to know will the driving position be any better for me ? I'm 6'5" tall.

I live way up north in the Highlands so difficult to find a vehicle to try, so any info would be welcome.

 

[Northernraider]

I currently have a 2009 Ford based HymerT552CL and find the drivers seat a little high so that I look through the very top of the windscreen, and the steering wheel is non adjustable as well.

I'm looking at a 2011 Fiat based T654CL so would like to know will the driving position be any better for me ? I'm 6'5" tall.

I live way up north in the Highlands so difficult to find a vehicle to try, so any info would be welcome.

Its usually the swivel seat bases that cause this issue although at 6ft 5 you'll probably struggle on any coach built conversion
Have you considered an A class?
Windscreens are huge

 

[Podney]

Doubt if the Fiat will be much better. I'm currently buying a 2006 Fiat Rapido,and am 6 ft 3 so having a new seat box fitted from Marcle Leisure. Also having the swivel mechanism taken out but storing it so it can go back on when I sell the van or decide it will give me enough space.
I reckon this will give me an extra 3 inches. ( lower seating that is!).

An A class seems to give the best visibility.

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[BusyBuilder]

Yes we are also considering a 544SL from Bundsvan , may be better option, and also a N & B Arto 69.

To be honest the 544 is what we would like but the costs are slightly prohibitive for anything newer than 2008/9.

 

[busby]

Can you not have the seat lowered,,My Boxer luckily had it lowered before i purchased it,,BUSBY,,,

 

[Podney]

Yes we are also considering a 544SL from Bundsvan , may be better option, and also a N & B Arto 69.

To be honest the 544 is what we would like but the costs are slightly prohibitive for anything newer than 2008/9.

Don't know anything about those particular vans,but seems to me that some of the older ones are better built than the later versions. Often reading on here about problems with new vans,either bad design or poor workmanship.
Less depreciation too on an older van,I guess.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.

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[Lenny HB]

Hired a Hymer low profile on a ford some years ago. The seat was far too high even for me at 5'10 only drove it for 5 days got terrible neck ache. The one I drove had Ford seats later ones offered ISRI seats as an option they were lower.
Now on 3rd Fiat based Hymer, seats much lower relative to the screen shouldn't be a problem for you but you may struggle to see the dash as steering wheel will block part of it if you are tall.

 

[Feltwell]

I feel your pain, and I'm a relative shorty at 6'2"! I have the seat on my van as far back and high as possible - I do look through the windscreen a bit higher than I'd like but lower the seat and I suffer for being too close to the pedals. Admittedly on my van I think the hab furniture behind the driver's seat does restrict it a little - something to watch for on whatever you go for.

 

[grasscutter]

Have to agree that the Ford seat position is high. I am only 5'10 and the position in my Hobby is very high. What makes it worse is the top rail for the cab concertina blind. Certainly had a better driving position on my old Swift on a Fiat chassis.

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[mikebeaches]

I feel your pain, and I'm a relative shorty at 6'2"! I have the seat on my van as far back and high as possible - I do look through the windscreen a bit higher than I'd like but lower the seat and I suffer for being too close to the pedals. Admittedly on my van I think the hab furniture behind the driver's seat does restrict it a little - something to watch for on whatever you go for.

Agree with Feltwell, if you lower the seat and you are tall, you'll be too close to the pedals.

And I experienced exactly the same problem as him with kitchen furniture obstructing adjustment of the driver's seat on our first van - it was a tiny 5.5m Rapido 709F coachbuilt (2004). Thought I'd manage when I bought it, but had to change van after 6 months! Would not have been a problem in the French LHD version - just a case of pushing the dinette table back, but no good for long legs in the RHD Brit layout.

 

[JFD]

I have seen adverts for lower seat plinths for Fiat based motorhomes. Removing the swivel will certainly get you a couple of inches, but at the cost of losing the flexibility of turning the seat.

Try googling for seat bases - you may lose the drawer, but that could be well worth the sacrifice!!

 

[Garfields]

I'm 6'4 and have a Fiat (Globecar) and the seat is ok.
Last van had a cabinet behind the seat that restricted adjustment backwards which was more of an issue than the hight

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[Larrynwin]

Yes we are also considering a 544SL from Bundsvan , may be better option, and also a N & B Arto 69.

To be honest the 544 is what we would like but the costs are slightly prohibitive for anything newer than 2008/9.

We're on our second B544 and love it. Previously had RVs so liked lounging space , the 544 gives lots instead of the restricted space of front dinette type layouts which seem to be commonplace.

 

[MR. FUSION]

At 6'3" I found the FIAT cab has enough space for me to comfortably fit in. Mrs CC at 5'2" requires a plastic stool to put her short legs on when sitting in the passenger seat, so I would say you should be OK.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Have to agree that the Ford seat position is high. I am only 5'10 and the position in my Hobby is very high. What makes it worse is the top rail for the cab concertina blind. Certainly had a better driving position on my old Swift on a Fiat chassis.

I removed the drivers side, just leaves the top rail which gives me better view, only drawback is light so drop the visor at night.

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[Wissel]

I'm only 6foot, but I'm all back so have this issue.

At the moment I have a Boxer without a swivel and it's fine. With a swivel I'd have a problem.

The answer is probably a lower box for the seat, which is easily available. Just 4 bolts into the floor and 4 into the chair, so a quick and easy job.

Have a look here:
http://leisurevehicleservices.co.uk/sportscraft-seating-parts/

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I still have a rotating base that I took from my Transit based Chausson. Never put it back it gained and inch below the steering wheel so that I could actually drive it with my legs under the wheel and not bow legged, As I am only little I had to do it. Anyone want to buy a rotating seat base?????

 

[The Nomad]

Just go to any metal fabricators and get the seat lowered a bit.

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[BusyBuilder]

Just go to any metal fabricators and get the seat lowered a bit.

Try doing that in a transit, with 2 batteries under the drivers seat bloomin impossible.