Malibu motorhomes

[Lenny HB]

Just remembered another différance you don't get the 180 hp engine & auto or Merc equivilant as standard on the Malibu so price difference is not as much as it looks between a Malibu & Carthago.

 

[Minxy]

Our orignal order for one on the Maxi chassis was cancelled ended up wit a 3.5t one. First trip out we were 300kg over now plated at 4000kg, even with the rear axle uprated to 2240kg we are still 20-40kg over on it.
Stupid design, water tank is behind the rear axle.

Maybe you should have resisted changing all the electrics for better, heavier, stuff!

 

[Lenny HB]

The problem with the paper exercise only is that it won't increase your actual axle capacities so you are still likely not to have enough on the rear axle. We had this with our Carthago, paper exercise but still 2000kg max on rear axle, added semi-air and got to 2240kg. A lot of dosh at £2,000 for the semi-air if it was only to get 240kg however we wanted it anyway for the better handling, ride etc.

Yep, we had to do that cost us £2.5k it's gone up since then, didn't notice any difference to ride or handling.

 

[Minxy]

Yep, we had to do that cost us £2.5k it's gone up since then, didn't notice any difference to ride or handling.

Probably because it was already so weighted down.

 

[Lenny HB]

Maybe you should have resisted changing all the electrics for better, heavier, stuff!

The Multiplus is only 19kg if I had gone for separate units it would have been 4kg heavier and I would have only had a 30 amp charger rather than the 120 amp one I have.

 

[Lenny HB]

Probably because it was already so weighted down.

No, because it had VB front struts and cross wind stability.
The old bangers didn't have that.

 

[Gellyneck]

Stupid design, water tank is behind the rear axle.

Just remembered another différance you don't get the 180 hp engine & auto or Merc equivilant as standard on the Malibu so price difference is not as much as it looks between a Malibu & Carthago.

Believe you can order on Merc chassis 170bhp but you need to to leave Mrs and dog at home to manage no payload!
Just moved to the top of my list!

 

[raysalaugh]

£336 but you will get a refund on the VED that could be over £150.

Just an update Lenny, SV tech now charging £290 + vat.

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[Graydo]

The problem with the paper exercise only is that it won't increase your actual axle capacities so you are still likely not to have enough on the rear axle. We had this with our Carthago, paper exercise but still 2000kg max on rear axle, added semi-air and got to 2240kg. A lot of dosh at £2,000 for the semi-air if it was only to get 240kg however we wanted it anyway for the better handling, ride etc.

Would probably put semi air on it, transformed the ride on my current Burstner.
Probably a necessity given two heavy ebikes.in the garage overhang and like Lenny said the water tank is under there too.

Graydo

 

[lorger]

It did seem nicely finished, the salesman said it was a paper exercise to up plate it to 3.7-3.8 t.

Not sure of the model no either, but this one also had two single beds in the back with a short joining cushion.
Unusually it had a separate toilet and shower arrangement.
Also the truma 6E boiler is positioned under the fridge which I found a bit strange

Graydo

Is the one with separate wc and shower not 7.5m, we have the twin single layout in our Knaus at 7m if we wanted the separate ones all the vans we could find were 7.5m.

Also have a look at the Knaus range, good vans for money.

 

[Graydo]

Is the one with separate wc and shower not 7.5m, we have the twin single layout in our Knaus at 7m if we wanted the separate ones all the vans we could find were 7.5m.

Also have a look at the Knaus range, good vans for money.

IIRC, the Mercedes was the one with the separate shower and WC at 7.1 mts and the Fiat was combined at 6.9mts

 

[lorger]

IIRC, the Mercedes was the one with the separate shower and WC at 7.1 mts and the Fiat was combined at 6.9mts

That has to limit space elsewhere then.

 

[Gellyneck]

IIRC, the Mercedes was the one with the separate shower and WC at 7.1 mts and the Fiat was combined at 6.9mts

Looks like the T470 (7.1m) and T480 (7.18m) can be got on a FIAT chassis at 3.5t with separate wc and shower.

 

[cyberyacht]

Also the truma 6E boiler is positioned under the fridge which I found a bit strange

Under the fridge on my i138 Compactline too

 

[Graydo]

That has to limit space elsewhere then.

I would say that the shower in both is small compared to my Burstner, also seems to be over a wheel arch.
Every van is a compromise, the plus being a large garage and fixed beds.

Graydo

 

[Gellyneck]

Would probably put semi air on it, transformed the ride on my current Burstner.
Probably a necessity given two heavy ebikes.in the garage overhang and like Lenny said the water tank is under there too.

Graydo

Would it be worthwhile, given the additional expense, etc, looking at the 4.2t version of it? I know it'll be more money but maybe less faffing about.
Or have I got it all wrong?

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[Lenny HB]

Would it be worthwhile, given the additional expense, etc, looking at the 4.2t version of it? I know it'll be more money but maybe less faffing about.
Or have I got it all wrong?

Main advantage of the Maxi chassis is higher capacity on the rear axle which is where you need it.

 

[enark]

Yes your correct,
Although mine was a new Malibu PVC and wouldn't have another if they were giving them away....
Dread to think the state it would be in on my current trip, it fell to bits in France and Spain never mind my current adventure in the wilds of West Africa!

We looked at one at a dealership near Nottingham, it was brand new and falling to bits, really surprised they displayed it in that state, their Hymers were much better, so maybe a tactical decoy?

 

[Lenny HB]

I know a couple of people with Malibu PVC's both very pleased with them.
CaptainPaul last one was a disaster but I think he was pleased with the one before.

 

[Lenny HB]

Andrew & Clair have Malibu A Class Wanders from Glos

 

[Minxy]

No, because it had VB front struts and cross wind stability.
The old bangers didn't have that.

We have the standard struts on the front on ours and they're fine.

Would it be worthwhile, given the additional expense, etc, looking at the 4.2t version of it? I know it'll be more money but maybe less faffing about.
Or have I got it all wrong?

Trouble is he will likely still want the semi-air anyway so even more cost so if the 3.5kg version uprated with semi-air will provide what's required why pay more for even more payload that's not going to be used?

 

[Lenny HB]

Trouble is he will likely still want the semi-air anyway so even more cost so if the 3.5kg version uprated with semi-air will provide what's required why pay more for even more payload that's not going to be used?

Semi air will limit the rear axle to 2240kg which is a bit low, on the maxi it's 2500kg

 

[Minxy]

Semi air will limit the rear axle to 2240kg which is a bit low, on the maxi it's 2500kg

Yup I know, but we don't carry as much crap treasures around as you ...

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Andrew & Clair have Malibu A Class Wanders from Glos

Ours is a Carado. To be fair we would have bought a Malibu six years when got it, but we couldn’t wait for delivery.

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[Lenny HB]

Ours is a Carado. To be fair we would have bought a Malibu six years when got it, but we couldn’t wait for delivery.

I must be going daffy.

 

[Gellyneck]

I must be going daffy.

Going?

 

[CaptainPaul]

I know a couple of people with Malibu PVC's both very pleased with them.
CaptainPaul last one was a disaster but I think he was pleased with the one before.

Definitely Lenny my 1st one 2020 was superb but the 2024 was genuinely a disaster, ive no idea how it was so badly made, everything was just so flimsy and rubbish, although I think the OP may be talking about their other models not the PVCs which I have no experience with....

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Definitely Lenny my 1st one 2020 was superb but the 2024 was genuinely a disaster, ive no idea how it was so badly made, everything was just so flimsy and rubbish, although I think the OP may be talking about their other models not the PVCs which I have no experience with....

Yes when we looked in 2020 build quality was very good. It’s a shame if they have slipped. We chose the Carado in the end partly due to availability and layout but also build quality. We lived in it for six months and have done nearly 30,000 miles. It is still as solid as ever with no build issues at all

 

[Graydo]

Yes when we looked in 2020 build quality was very good. It’s a shame if they have slipped. We chose the Carado in the end partly due to availability and layout but also build quality. We lived in it for six months and have done nearly 30,000 miles. It is still as solid as ever with no build issues at all

Strange,
I think the newer Burstners (mines a 2019) have cut a few corners too, and dont seem so well finished.
Haven't looked at Carado's will check them out.

Graydo

 

[Graydo]

In the not too distant future I think that fixed beds and a (sort of) secure garage is the way to go.
Adding 1 mtr to the van doesn't seem excessive for those points but will obviously have a cost implication not just to purchase price but for ferries, tolls etc.
It's taken me 7 years to gey my van just the way I like it too!

Bugger!

Graydo