Found the right layout but what manufacturer do we choose?

[HumBea]

Hi

We've been looking at motorhomes for a while now, and have gone to many dealers/shows over the years, working out exactly what we want. We think we have finally decided on a layout and have found 4 different manufacturers producing what we're after (basically a sub 7m motorhome with 4 belts, a separate shower and a good size garage):
1) Swift Escape 640
2) Chausson 640
3) Bailey Adamo 69-4
4) Benimar Tessoro 487
Of all of them are very similar (payload/layout/price wise), although at the moment I'd say the Swift seems the nicest, followed by the Chausson, Benimar and lastly the Bailey. We're off to the NEC in October to hopefully get another look and to compare them all. Does any one have any particular opinions on these motorhomes, or can point us in the right direction of things to look out for to help us decide?

Thank you

 

[Miggs]

It will be more about what is available and when do you want it!
Build quality issues and faults is just a roll of the dice with any of them.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Hello and welcome?

I was told some advice when we first bought a motorhome by some friends that had been at it for years. The habitation chassis are usually Alko but it the build on that is the quality bit. The cab bit is very important. I was told Fiat and I have stuck with that. Never buy French. That was their opinion. Swift have been making motorhomes and caravans for years and know what they are doing. They are a bit like Marmite. Bailey are late comers to the party and look very boxy to me. Definitely do not get one based on a Ford Transit. As mentioned on many threads here, they are easily nicked.

So for me the Swift, but it is your choice that matters.

 

[Simon Select]

Hello and welcome?

I was told some advice when we first bought a motorhome by some friends that had been at it for years. The habitation chassis are usually Alko but it the build on that is the quality bit. The cab bit is very important. I was told Fiat and I have stuck with that. Never buy French. That was their opinion. Swift have been making motorhomes and caravans for years and know what they are doing. They are a bit like Marmite. Bailey are late comers to the party and look very boxy to me. Definitely do not get one based on a Ford Transit. As mentioned on many threads here, they are easily nicked.

So for me the Swift, but it is your choice that matters.

This is an amusing post.
So the Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat are identical apart from the engine. The base vehicles are all built in the same factory in Italy. So which one should you stay clear off?
In regards to the new Transit, customers rave about the new auto box on the Adamo (Its only Auto, they do not offer a manual) Also in terms of getting nicked. We have had a Swift Bolero stolen on a FIat, There was a Bailey (Peugeot) and a Roller Team (Fiat) stolen.

With regards to the original poster. Buy what you like. I have a couple of spare build slots for both. They are all much of a likeness, they are all built as good value and all are nice vans.

I love the Adamo and the 640, they are all different for their own quirky reasons.

 

[Riverbankannie]

This is an amusing post.
So the Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat are identical apart from the engine. The base vehicles are all built in the same factory in Italy. So which one should you stay clear off?
In regards to the new Transit, customers rave about the new auto box on the Adamo (Its only Auto, they do not offer a manual) Also in terms of getting nicked. We have had a Swift Bolero stolen on a FIat, There was a Bailey (Peugeot) and a Roller Team (Fiat) stolen.

With regards to the original poster. Buy what you like. I have a couple of spare build slots for both. They are all much of a likeness, they are all built as good value and all are nice vans.

I love the Adamo and the 640, they are all different for their own quirky reasons.

The Adamo appears to have 2 belts on sideways facing seats. I am quite surprised as it would not be suitable for children. I may be wrong in interpreting the photos though. The OP may not have children of course.
From lifesure website
Although side facing seats, with or without seat belts, are not illegal, we would not advise that they are used. This is because seat belts are not designed to be used with such seats. In the event of an accident, seat belts on these side facing seats may help to prevent the wearer being thrown around the vehicle or from being ejected, but in a frontal crash they can increase injury risk by subjecting vulnerable parts of the body to higher loads than seat belts used on forward facing seats. If you intend to carry children aged 12 years or under, the seat belt wearing regulations require them to use a suitable child restraint. You should bear in mind that child restraints cannot be fitted to side facing seats. In order to fit the required child restraints, you would need to have forward or rearward facing seats with full three-point seat belts.”

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[Simon Select]

The Adamo appears to have 2 belts on sideways facing seats. I am quite surprised as it would not be suitable for children. I may be wrong in interpreting the photos though. The OP may not have children of course.
From lifesure website
Although side facing seats, with or without seat belts, are not illegal, we would not advise that they are used. This is because seat belts are not designed to be used with such seats. In the event of an accident, seat belts on these side facing seats may help to prevent the wearer being thrown around the vehicle or from being ejected, but in a frontal crash they can increase injury risk by subjecting vulnerable parts of the body to higher loads than seat belts used on forward facing seats. If you intend to carry children aged 12 years or under, the seat belt wearing regulations require them to use a suitable child restraint. You should bear in mind that child restraints cannot be fitted to side facing seats. In order to fit the required child restraints, you would need to have forward or rearward facing seats with full three-point seat belts.”

The Bailey and the Swift use the new Aguti travelling seat. The benches lift up and reveal a foot well with proper forward facing travel seats.
Both are 4 berth and 4 belt.

 

[Riverbankannie]

The Bailey and the Swift use the new Aguti travelling seat. The benches lift up and reveal a foot well with proper forward facing travel seats.
Both are 4 berth and 4 belt.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[HumBea]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. We saw the Swift, Adamo & Chausson at Lowdhams when we were up that way last week, so it was great to be able to compare them altogether. The Adamo had been there since 2020 though, so was showing a fair bit of wear and tear; it will be nice to see a newer, less pulled about version of it. The Swift 640 was one of Lowdhams “specials“ so we’re just trying to work out whether it’s worth the extra money from a normal 640. As we live on the south coast though, I’d prefer to buy closer to home, so might not concern myself with that too much. Unfortunately no local dealers have them in stock at the moment, so next stop NEC I think.

Thanks again

 

[us2anddollar]

Hi

We've been looking at motorhomes for a while now, and have gone to many dealers/shows over the years, working out exactly what we want. We think we have finally decided on a layout and have found 4 different manufacturers producing what we're after (basically a sub 7m motorhome with 4 belts, a separate shower and a good size garage):
1) Swift Escape 640
2) Chausson 640
3) Bailey Adamo 69-4
4) Benimar Tessoro 487
Of all of them are very similar (payload/layout/price wise), although at the moment I'd say the Swift seems the nicest, followed by the Chausson, Benimar and lastly the Bailey. We're off to the NEC in October to hopefully get another look and to compare them all. Does any one have any particular opinions on these motorhomes, or can point us in the right direction of things to look out for to help us decide?

Thank you

Hiya,
Can tell you why we chose the Chausson 640TP.
Big storage both internal and the garage.
Lots of bang for buck on the Ford base
Good warranties from Ford and Chausson
Felt ‘right’ for us
Great drive!
I would have liked to not have the oven, but that’s Defo a personal thing.

All the vans have pros and cons, chose what makes you smile!

 

[HumBea]

Hiya,
Can tell you why we chose the Chausson 640TP.
Big storage both internal and the garage.
Lots of bang for buck on the Ford base
Good warranties from Ford and Chausson
Felt ‘right’ for us
Great drive!
I would have liked to not have the oven, but that’s Defo a personal thing.

All the vans have pros and cons, chose what makes you smile!

I like that…..choose what makes you smile! A good tip for life in general!

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[us2anddollar]

I like that…..choose what makes you smile! A good tip for life in general!

Yep! It’s a bit of a motto for us!
We nearly went for the Adamo, but the extra kit for a similar price swung it for us. Plus the diesel heating, sorry should have mentioned that before!

 

[Verteuil Man]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. We saw the Swift, Adamo & Chausson at Lowdhams when we were up that way last week, so it was great to be able to compare them altogether. The Adamo had been there since 2020 though, so was showing a fair bit of wear and tear; it will be nice to see a newer, less pulled about version of it. The Swift 640 was one of Lowdhams “specials“ so we’re just trying to work out whether it’s worth the extra money from a normal 640. As we live on the south coast though, I’d prefer to buy closer to home, so might not concern myself with that too much. Unfortunately no local dealers have them in stock at the moment, so next stop NEC I think.

Thanks again

Go to the show and give all the cupboards and drawers a good rattle as it will be relevant to the build quality. Do you need ad blue for the Euro 6 engine, is it easy to change a gas cylinder in the middle of the night when it is raining. Does the toilet door (empting) open on the side where the habitation door is so where you sit and eat. Is it easy to mount a bike rack, kids love bikes. USB ports for charging the everyday items.
Another important point. New motorhomes have 20% VAT. Have a good look for a used one. Used do not have VAT so there is more wriggle room to negotiate.

 

[Razamataz]

Think Hymer is better

 

[Verteuil Man]

Think Hymer is better

I would have said that, but depends on budget.

 

[BikerGraham]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. We saw the Swift, Adamo & Chausson at Lowdhams when we were up that way last week, so it was great to be able to compare them altogether. The Adamo had been there since 2020 though, so was showing a fair bit of wear and tear; it will be nice to see a newer, less pulled about version of it. The Swift 640 was one of Lowdhams “specials“ so we’re just trying to work out whether it’s worth the extra money from a normal 640. As we live on the south coast though, I’d prefer to buy closer to home, so might not concern myself with that too much. Unfortunately no local dealers have them in stock at the moment, so next stop NEC I think.

Thanks again

As you live on the south coast then get in touch with Simon-Alan Kerr. He and his team will look after you and provide what suits you.

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[Stealaway]

Think Hymer is better

They are not the greatest looking van I've ever seen and you pay a large premium for that A class front end.

 

[Verteuil Man]

They are not the greatest looking van I've ever seen and you pay a large premium for that A class front end.

But they are very warm in the winter. And they are only uglfrom the outside.

 

[nicholsong]

Hi

We've been looking at motorhomes for a while now, and have gone to many dealers/shows over the years, working out exactly what we want. We think we have finally decided on a layout and have found 4 different manufacturers producing what we're after (basically a sub 7m motorhome with 4 belts, a separate shower and a good size garage):
1) Swift Escape 640
2) Chausson 640
3) Bailey Adamo 69-4
4) Benimar Tessoro 487
Of all of them are very similar (payload/layout/price wise), although at the moment I'd say the Swift seems the nicest, followed by the Chausson, Benimar and lastly the Bailey. We're off to the NEC in October to hopefully get another look and to compare them all. Does any one have any particular opinions on these motorhomes, or can point us in the right direction of things to look out for to help us decide?

Thank you

I have the following advice

As you are new to motorhomes, do not buy new, anyway the waiting lists are long.

Buy good quality used., preferably privately(10% cheaper) You can get one for immediate delivery. It will have extras fitted and any others can be fitted cheaper than the new manufacturer's list price.

The major depreciation has been absorbed by the first owner, so if you want to change your loss will be less.

None of the MHs you list have any special star-rating.

Only being negative to give you a positive result and save you from regrets.

Good Luck.

 

[Nedge68]

We pick our Chausson 640 up on Saturday…seems like brilliant layout, I feel your dilemma. Hire a similar layout to try first?

 

[Fulham Dave]

If going to the NEC, may I suggest going towards the end of the week? We went once at beginning and once at the end and the difference in van appearance was stark.

At the beginning the vans are unspoilt, untried and in pristine condition, everything working properly and intact. At the end of the week some of the vans had wear and tear showing after a few hundred, possibly thousands of hands had touched and feet had trampled through them. Some of the vans had kitchen or shower doors hanging off, drawers removed, tired looking flooring etc. This raised a concern in my mind about build quality. Those with faulty aspects were removed from our list.

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[jako999]

I like that Fulham Dave go at the end of the week those doors will have been opened thousands of time as will everything else in the van.
look at some of the little things, like edge trims have they been cut short, clips not quite pushed in, screw head covers is it just a paper cover or a plastic cover and are they everywhere or just what you can see. These are things that show the quality. The price doesn’t always mean you get the best, some times if things are cheaper it gives you that money to put thins right when they fall off and they will.
The most important thing though is which one do you feel at home in after all it’s going to be your second home and may even get used more then your actual home.

 

[emjaiuk]

Think Hymer is better

IMHO Hymer vans are not worth a price premium.

 

[cyberyacht]

They are not the greatest looking van I've ever seen and you pay a large premium for that A class front end.

Not all Hymers are A Class. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[uzsnowdrop]

Benimar owners have a great owners forum. The vans are good too, we changed ours for a bigger eldiss ,
The tessoro on the ford is a nice drive.

 

[jako999]

We will all have ideas as to what is the best we had Pilote then a Hymer, Adria, Niesmann which we loved then a Carthago came along which looked great but I never fell in love nothing really wrong with it but just something. So now we’ve spent the extra and back in a new Niesmann again.
Its like layout’s we all think this is fine until we start using it, it’s like the Carthago large island bed great till you needed a wee at 4am in the dark trying to get down the little staircase trying to wrestle with the quilt getting more and more desperate because you’ve already put it off for an hour, so the new van is twin singles with much larger steps in the middle.
Its things like that you don’t think about to you try and use it.

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[mikebeaches]

As we live on the south coast though, I’d prefer to buy closer to home, so might not concern myself with that too much. Unfortunately no local dealers have them in stock at the moment, so next stop NEC I think.

Thanks again

I'm not sure if anybody else has made this point - but in my view, buying as close to home as possible is an important consideration, if purchasing new from a dealer.

Unlike new motor cars, it can be difficult to get a local dealer to undertake any required warranty work if you didn't purchase the van from them. With new cars, you can normally call in at any franchise dealer for warranty repairs, but usually not so with motorhomes. So it can become both expensive, time consuming and inconvenient returning to a retailer a long way from home.

So, as you've discovered, there are lots of considerations when buying a new van. But keep the geographic logistics of the supplying dealer in mind, alongside all the other decisions...

Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[Mike Rivers]

Yes, build quality broadly similar across the board. I’ve heard people say “I’d only buy German” but taking a Bailey for example. You get a cab that’s either a Ford or Peugeot, a German Alko chassis, Italian airline-style cupboards, Fiamna awning and so on. It’s a global industry so the component parts could be sourced from anywhere. So choose which layout best suits your needs.

 

[Speve]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. We saw the Swift, Adamo & Chausson at Lowdhams when we were up that way last week, so it was great to be able to compare them altogether. The Adamo had been there since 2020 though, so was showing a fair bit of wear and tear; it will be nice to see a newer, less pulled about version of it. The Swift 640 was one of Lowdhams “specials“ so we’re just trying to work out whether it’s worth the extra money from a normal 640. As we live on the south coast though, I’d prefer to buy closer to home, so might not concern myself with that too much. Unfortunately no local dealers have them in stock at the moment, so next stop NEC I think.

Thanks again

You could do a lost worst than going to Simon-Alan Kerr he’s a very fair man by all accounts and I’m sure you would get a good deal and he’s down here in the South West
and of course a member of MHF

 

[AndyPK]

Just a thought HumBea - have you ever hired a Motorhome and ‘lived’ in one for a few days…..?
It might change your mind about layout, etc.

 

[Traceymya]

We bought a Chausson and have found that the habitation door being on the ‘wrong’ side can be a bit of a pain. Something we didn’t see being an issue before we bought it. A lot of sites like everyone’s doors to face the same way so we often have to reverse into pitches rather than driving in, so when pitches look out over the sea or a lake we lose the view out of the front. Not a deal breaker but a consideration depending where you are likely to take it. Maybe we need to holiday in France instead so it will be on the ‘correct’ side.
Another vote for buying one a couple of years old too rather than brand new. We have had sooooo many problems with our new van and the dealer has been completely unhelpful, sales are fantastic customer services appalling. I wouldn’t buy new again, buy a couple of years old and let someone else iron those teething problems out for you.
Also with it being a French van the parts have to come from France for warranty work, which takes months, years! But this may be due to our unhelpful dealer, Covid and Brexit rather than Chausson, but again another consideration to maybe buy British.
If you do decide to buy new then definitely a dealer close to home as you will be backwards and forwards with it.
All that being said, we love it, we love the layout, the drop down bed, huge fridge, fab shower, plenty of storage. It feels really spacious.
Whatever you decide to go for, and whatever challenges you come across, you will absolutely love it, enjoy!