Honest opinion..

[Jay Butts]

As some already know, I’m on the cusp of joining the motorhome owners fraternity. As an avid researcher, I’ve been reading tons and tons of stuff around the different manufacturers on the WWW and some defo look better than others....at least to me. I did start off considering the brilliant Mobilvetta K Yacht 80 as my most likely choice but several reviews later I now find myself looking at the Germans, mainly Knaus. Can I expect German build quality with these i.e. solid, few rattles and premium feel or are most vans much of a muchness? What’s your experience?

Thank you all.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Risky putting the heading honest opinion ?

Seriously it’s what suits you at the end of the day ?

 

[Figaro]

German marques are built to a better standard than British vans especially if you want to use it in winter months as they are properly insulated and are designed and fitted to prevent freeze ups.
But they all rattle unless you put some effort into packing carefully.

 

[Lenny HB]

Some German makes but not all have wood free construction with both inner & outer walls of aluminium & GRP floors. Carthago, N&B, latest Hymer's and the upmarket vans like Morelo & Concorde.

 

[Jay Butts]

Risky putting the heading honest opinion ?

Seriously it’s what suits you at the end of the day ?

Thanks for your reply, yeah, of course it’s what suits me but I know nothing of build quality or reliability so it was that that interests me at the moment. Many look so similar and I don’t want to spend so much to have it fall apart after 3 years.

John.

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[pappajohn]

It's said German vans are built for a cooler northern climate whereas British vans are built for a warmer Southern climate

.

 

[Jay Butts]

Some German makes but not all have wood free construction with both inner & outer walls of aluminium & GRP floors. Carthago, N&B, latest Hymer's and the upmarket vans like Morelo & Concorde.

Interesting Lenny, so the wood free vans are better then?

 

[Jay Butts]

German marques are built to a better standard than British vans especially if you want to use it in winter months as they are properly insulated and are designed and fitted to prevent freeze ups.
But they all rattle unless you put some effort into packing carefully.

Thanks mate, yeah, the ‘rattle free’ thing is a big ask but I’d rather have less than more.

Probably will see use in the winter too so maybe best looking at the Germans then... valuable info.

 

[63720]

IMO British vans are still built with a caravan mentality but European models are not. For example, the water tank on mine is kept from freezing buy routing the heating pipes nearby but on a well known British van the tank has an electric blanket, glued on, that can't be used off hookup.

 

[138go]

Our first MH was British and although it pains me to say it, never again. We now have an Italian Laika and I can honestly say it’s wonderful. It’s sturdy, well built and has real class.

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Our dealer is Southdowns of Portsmouth and they have been brilliant.

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[Reallyretired]

My Rapido is wood-free except furniture of course but I dont know if they all are.
Wood free is best because wood rots if it gets damp.

 

[Jim]

I don't worry too much about wood. Most every 10 year old and older; dry as a bone motorhome out there, and there are zillions of them, is made with wooden carcasses. As long as seals around doors, vents windows and lockers are kept sealed, wooden motorhome bodies will outlive most of us.

 

[Poutie57]

Our Motorhome is also a Laika but a kreos it’s fully winterised, made in Italy but the company is part of the Hymer group so we call it and Ferrari with Porsche engineering

 

[Lenny HB]

Interesting Lenny, so the wood free vans are better then?

If any water does get in it doesn't do any structural damage. Where as in a van with timber construction if water gets in it can cost thousands to repair. Brit built vans are prone to leaks.

 

[Tincataylor]

You will never find a van that suits you by doing "research". Look at as many as you can and decide on the layout that suits you first and whether it is the right size that suits the type of use you intend for it, an eight metre leviathan will not be much use for touring Cornwall but it would suit a long stay on a site in Spain for the winter.
Regarding statements on "quality" what you will get is lots of well intentioned opinions but companies that comply to an ISO (or similar) standard will give a better indication of likely quality. Buy a damp meter for less than £20.00, check the van over thoroughly and use your common sense.................then enjoy yourself,

The Tincas

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[Jay Butts]

IMO British vans are still built with a caravan mentality but European models are not. For example, the water tank on mine is kept from freezing buy routing the heating pipes nearby but on a well known British van the tank has an electric blanket, glued on, that can't be used off hookup.

Interesting, the blanket being useless when you’re without hook up! Many thanks.

 

[Jaws]

I hate to say this, and doubt you will like it either Jay Butts , but as this is your first van the chances are quite high you will change it within 18 months.
At the moment it is all about build quality for you.. eventually chances are it will become about layout and use

 

[Parrot Face]

We had a Knaus Sun TI. Sold it this year because it was only really a 2 berth and we are considering taking the grandkids with us. The build quality was excellent, with loads of storage spaces and double floor.

 

[Jay Butts]

I hate to say this, and doubt you will like it either Jay Butts , but as this is your first van the chances are quite high you will change it within 18 months.
At the moment it is all about build quality for you.. eventually chances are it will become about layout and use

Thanks Jaws, you’re probably right mate! Just have to make the best decision I can based on what others say and visits to see vans. I’ve so far seen about 20.... many more will be seen before I get my wallet out!

 

[missmollie]

We have a Knaus Sun TI, had it from new and is now 6 years old. The build quality is very good and we have only had 1 major problem with it when it was 2 years old, the main electric control unit was faulty, this was repaired under warranty. We now spend 6 months a year touring Europe, I don’t think our 2 previous vans (Autotrail and Swift) would have stood up so well to this constant use.
I do agree with other comments that as it is your first van you will probably change it in the first 2 years.

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[MichaelT]

WE had a Knaus Sky Ti for 3 years till we traded in earlier in the year (still for sale at pullingers) and must say build quality and features are excellent.

 

[AXO66]

Think about repair costs of the van.
Reading this forum A class vans appear to cost more for windscreen replacements, wing mirrors etc and also, on some ,difficult to get to mechanical bits in the engine when things wear out.

 

[Figaro]

Windscreens for A class motorhomes are expensive but covered on insurance usually, just check before taking out cover.
The mirrors can also be expensive but I've just changed both of mine for £60 after loosing one to a Croatian tipper truck !
Access into engine bay can be an issue depending upon the problem and so repairs could be more costly than on a cab based c class.
All things to consider but don't let any become too important or a deal breaker for the right motorhome that suits your needs.

 

[Jay Butts]

Ok, thanks all. I had looked at a couple of Knaus, the Sky models I think. That looked great for my needs and not too massive (compared to the coach built A class ones I’ve seen) yet far from cramped.

It may well be that I change it after a couple of years but I’m determined to get i right first time. Believe me, there’s plenty of questions to follow! Whilst I’m at it, the garage refillable (LPG) bottles that I’ve read about, are they worth investing in? Are the available garages easier to find than a standard butane camping gas supplier and do the refillable bottles have a standard Euro filling connector? Gaslow or Alugas???

 

[Jay Butts]

BTW, my requirements will have to be about reliability first due to the miles we intend to cover, a very, very close second will be layout. Fixed single beds that can be converted into a double with another double available periodically, like once or twice each summer. We will also need a garage big enough for two bikes.

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[DuxDeluxe]

Thanks Jaws, you’re probably right mate! Just have to make the best decision I can based on what others say and visits to see vans. I’ve so far seen about 20.... many more will be seen before I get my wallet out!

It is great to see some serious research and not buying the first one you see. Just try and imagine living in every one you sit in, the consider “must haves” against “I would really like”. Two things really matter at the end of the day: layout and payload - don’t believe the figures on the latter, plus everything eats payload for breakfast. Happy hunting

 

[MR. FUSION]

Interesting Lenny, so the wood free vans are better then?

Mine is made of wood at the base, with a 5 year warranty. I ignore what the habitation report says and check every centimeter underneath and on top. So far nothing to report other than a tiny flake of underseal coming off so I replaced it. That's all you need to do is check the sealant is OK.

I changed my van after 3 years but needed a garage.

Under 3.5 tons is the magic number if you go to Europe, for access etc.

Many hire companies in Europe use the Sunlight/Carado brand as they are simple and robust, so that would be my opinion.

 

[MR. FUSION]

Ok, thanks all. I had looked at a couple of Knaus, the Sky models I think. That looked great for my needs and not too massive (compared to the coach built A class ones I’ve seen) yet far from cramped.

It may well be that I change it after a couple of years but I’m determined to get i right first time. Believe me, there’s plenty of questions to follow! Whilst I’m at it, the garage refillable (LPG) bottles that I’ve read about, are they worth investing in? Are the available garages easier to find than a standard butane camping gas supplier and do the refillable bottles have a standard Euro filling connector? Gaslow or Alugas???

You have to use adaptors for european pumps there are two that are most common. But I have a little bag of 3 !!! These can be supplied by Gaslow etc they screw on to the existing fitting.

 

[WillH]

Layout first, second, and last, after all, you are going to live in it. Then sort out the make, model etc.

 

[BobtheBass]

You might laugh at this but try the toilet out for size first! Some motorhome designers seem to run out of ideas and common sense when they get to the loo and stick it anywhere it fits. I speak from experience having bought a brand new Chausson a few years back only to find that on its first trip abroad when I wasn’t using campsite facilities I couldn’t sit on the damn thing no matter how hard I tried. Legs dangling (it was on a plinth), a cupboard on one side forcing me to cross my legs and a curved door the other side. Have you ever tried pooing stood up? It’s not nice and it’s not clean so we had to buy a replacement van (loss = £10,000) when we got home. Salesman’s comments, "it’s funny that, you’re not the first person to say that about this model".....

Anyway, we have had 2 new English vans, both average to poor build quality. Very squeaky and rattly on the road. Staples and nasty wood bits where you couldn’t see.

2 new French vans. Much better but still built to a price point with shabby upholstery, evidence of cost cutting and sometimes noisy on the road.

2 new German vans. Wonderful quality build by comparison with our others. Well designed facilities. Lovely and quiet on the road. Nice to drive, no wood construction. Worth every penny of the perceived higher cost.

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