Recommendations for Rear Lounge Motorhome

Steve+Maggie

Steve+Maggie

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Joined
Jan 22, 2019
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10 years off and on
Hi

Having just had our Motorhome stolen we are now going through the process of deciding what we want to get to replace it.
We loved our Burstner Nexxo T660 but cant even look at one now, and similar layouts, as it brings back to many bad memories of the trauma of it being stolen.

So we are thinking of going for a rear lounge but need 4 seat belts as we take the Grandchildren away with us when we can.

We are going to go bigger with retirement looming and a grand European Tour planned.

All our searches have ended up with an Autotrail Apache 700 - the only thing I find odd is the front configuration where you cant swivel the Drivers seat round - just looks a bit weird??

Weight isn't a problem (not a personal observation!!) as we both have C1 entitlement and I have a Class 1 licence.

Really welcome any suggestions from the Community!!
 
If it is within your budget a Dethleffs Alpa. The 2019 model year has two belted passenger seats as standard , whereas previous years this was an optional extra. We have one if you want to know anything .
 
Recently saw a Hymer Duomobil 634 which has a rear lounge - great looking van inside
 
Steve Thompson said:
Hi

Having just had our Motorhome stolen we are now going through the process of deciding what we want to get to replace it.
We loved our Burstner Nexxo T660 but cant even look at one now, and similar layouts, as it brings back to many bad memories of the trauma of it being stolen.

So we are thinking of going for a rear lounge but need 4 seat belts as we take the Grandchildren away with us when we can.

We are going to go bigger with retirement looming and a grand European Tour planned.

All our searches have ended up with an Autotrail Apache 700 - the only thing I find odd is the front configuration where you cant swivel the Drivers seat round - just looks a bit weird??

Weight isn't a problem (not a personal observation!!) as we both have C1 entitlement and I have a Class 1 licence.

Really welcome any suggestions from the Community!!
Click to expand...
You could always buy a couple of captains chair swivel mounts.. The swivel chairs are nothing special, they just use a swivel plate between the mounting box and the seat :-)
 
Thanks guys - budget doesnt stretch to the Dethleffs but very nice!!
We are lloking at used max £40k ish

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The swivel mounts are a good idea but the layout has a back facing bench seat right behind the drivers seat? You can swivel the passengers seat though! We are off to the NEC on Wednesday so will have a good look around there.
 
Love the 700 ... Great family layout. Had a 2005 model for 5 years and my current van is a 2012 model had from new. Good payload of 730kg, large rear lockers and plenty of internal storage.
Ok .we have had some build issues ref damp / ingress but at least all covered by a 10 year warranty.

Pm me if you get any questions on the 700.

Agree ref the swivel seats, both have them fitted but driver seat cannot rotate all the way around.
 
Selling my rollerteam 746 in June have a look on web PM if you want spec and photos, I would say it’s nicely specd as I’m selling but for example it’s a 180hp with comfortmatic.
 
For us .. We have a 2010 Arapaho, which has the best rear lounge that doubles into the biggest bed, BUT we've been into it for 3rd year now, and are a little tiered of un/making beds (including the diner bed for one of our kids) and desire a fixed bed option, so were now looking into a Comanche, problem is I cannot find one on the second hand market with 4 travelling seats AND over cab bed, past a 2012. :mad:

I know there is a lot of haters for AT's but they DO suit a lot of people and their leisure requirements, and TAG axel options give a lot more room than most other conti brands offer. :D
 
Steve Thompson said:
Hi

Having just had our Motorhome stolen we are now going through the process of deciding what we want to get to replace it.
We loved our Burstner Nexxo T660 but cant even look at one now, and similar layouts, as it brings back to many bad memories of the trauma of it being stolen.

So we are thinking of going for a rear lounge but need 4 seat belts as we take the Grandchildren away with us when we can.

We are going to go bigger with retirement looming and a grand European Tour planned.

All our searches have ended up with an Autotrail Apache 700 - the only thing I find odd is the front configuration where you cant swivel the Drivers seat round - just looks a bit weird??

Weight isn't a problem (not a personal observation!!) as we both have C1 entitlement and I have a Class 1 licence.

Really welcome any suggestions from the Community!!
Click to expand...

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My 2012 will be up soon for £30k. ;)
Just need it to do one more trip to Benidorm and back so we can empty "Tonka towers" after its sale.
 
Robert Clark said:
Recently saw a Hymer Duomobil 634 which has a rear lounge - great looking van inside
Click to expand...

We had a look round one last weekend. Funny sign on front pull down bed .. 100KG maximum weight .. Means you would have to make the rear bed every night. The extra belted seats in the back don't look very comfortable.
 
WHen mums not there we justv leave our bed made up at the rear, saves doing it every night and is fine for just the 2 of us.

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@Steve Thompson You have probably already seen this one, there are 4 inside your 40K budget, but this one looks OK
Broken Link Removed
Good luck
Les
 
So it’s all change!!
Went to CMC near Cannock yesterday and spent a good couple of hours with Dave being really helpful.
We have now (almost) decided on a Zefiro 696 a used one with very few miles on for less than £40k or a brand new one for £44k - it looks like the new 2019 model is meaning that you can get a bargain as I have just seen one through a dealer at £41995 delivery miles only.
Then also a rollerteam Autoroller 746 (Maggies preference - loves the rear lounge)great spec used for under £40k - and I have just seen an Auto 12 months old for £39995 - ex rental and 1100 miles?
So just as we were getting close to the decision after tea and cake at Dobbies we were shown a Chausson Suite Relax 2012 which really blew us away with the quirky design! Obviously cheaper but 6 years old - loved the drop down bed unbelievable that it can get almost down to normal bed height!
The zefiro and Autoroller are both on Ford Transit bases and we are understandably nervousThe Chausson on a Fiat, but a little niggle is that it has had 3 owners in 6 years?
So do I save a bit of money on used or bite the bullet and dig into savings for new,
Or buy a year old!
Once again thanks for all of your replies!!
 
@Steve Thompson - My personal opinion for what it’s worth is go for a van a year old. Hopefully any niggles from new will have been sorted and you will still have a decent warranty.
My current van is the only one I have had from new (and I’ve had a few!!) and I don’t think I would buy new again even if I could afford. Having to have repairs etc done on something that is brand new no matter how small the problem/repair kind of took the shine off for me. However that is just my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Steve Thompson said:
Hi

Having just had our Motorhome stolen we are now going through the process of deciding what we want to get to replace it.
We loved our Burstner Nexxo T660 but cant even look at one now, and similar layouts, as it brings back to many bad memories of the trauma of it being stolen.

So we are thinking of going for a rear lounge but need 4 seat belts as we take the Grandchildren away with us when we can.

We are going to go bigger with retirement looming and a grand European Tour planned.

All our searches have ended up with an Autotrail Apache 700 - the only thing I find odd is the front configuration where you cant swivel the Drivers seat round - just looks a bit weird??

Weight isn't a problem (not a personal observation!!) as we both have C1 entitlement and I have a Class 1 licence.

Really welcome any suggestions from the Community!!
Click to expand...


The Apache 700 comes as standard with both captain chairs with the swivel bases..

Do you need the 6 belt configuration?
Agreed the drivers captains chair does indeed get taken out of the seating front lounge area due to the required high back head restraints for the rear facing belted seats in the full dinette.
If you only need 4 belts in total then the rear facing seat can be adapted or ordered as a 4 belt option making the rear facing seat a low back, making the drivers seats a visible part of the front seating area.

Of course as already mentioned the rear facing seats would then not be a belted travel seat..

Hope this helps and you can contact me if you want any additional information..


Good luck with your search

James @ Johns Cross Motorhomes

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Hi
Good advice - I am leaning towards the twelve month old automatic - seems a good company they rent out motorhomes and he only has a few which he changes every year - I am guessing he would have had to maintain it to a high standard and it still has balance of Ford warranty - 2 years and Rollerteam 9 years,
Mind you we may change our minds
 
A Transit base shouldn't put you off really, so long as you're happy to add extra security. They can be made secure.

Adding swivel bases - I did this on my van (Ducato X244 base) to the driver's seat, then took it back out again (and sold it on Fleabay for what I paid for it!).

Why? Well, my van just wasn't designed for it, and that became obvious in use. Firstly I have an overcab bed, which makes the headroom getting in and out of the seat from the rear of the van when swivelled a bit tight - not impossibly so, but I am on the tall side and it was a squeeze.

Secondly, it adds height to the seat - and with me being tall, it put me too high and restricted my vision, the sunvisors come too low when down for me as it is! I'm not a giant though - 6'2" - so others must find the same. I could have fitted a lower seat box frame, but under the seat is the leisure battery, no clearance would have meant a smaller battery - in the end I decided it just wasn't worth it.

So a swivel is very easy indeed to add, just make sure the layout and you suit it!
 
Steve Thompson said:
Hi
Good advice - I am leaning towards the twelve month old automatic - seems a good company they rent out motorhomes and he only has a few which he changes every year - I am guessing he would have had to maintain it to a high standard and it still has balance of Ford warranty - 2 years and Rollerteam 9 years,
Mind you we may change our minds
Click to expand...

What kind of mileage has the van covered?

Agreed as an example we have to keep our rental motorhomes very much well maintained and serviced. This gets done everytime a vehicle is returned from hire.

The only thing to look out for is the overall condition because rental motorhomes can be potentially not looked after with the overall care we show to our own vans inside and outside..

Also really look at the spec options with the motorhome as hire vehicles in the norm generally do not have the bells and whistles us owners would opt for when choosing from factory because it is not cost effective when they get put onto hire fleets..
 
Feltwell said:
A Transit base shouldn't put you off really, so long as you're happy to add extra security. They can be made secure.

Adding swivel bases - I did this on my van (Ducato X244 base) to the driver's seat, then took it back out again (and sold it on Fleabay for what I paid for it!).

Why? Well, my van just wasn't designed for it, and that became obvious in use. Firstly I have an overcab bed, which makes the headroom getting in and out of the seat from the rear of the van when swivelled a bit tight - not impossibly so, but I am on the tall side and it was a squeeze.

Secondly, it adds height to the seat - and with me being tall, it put me too high and restricted my vision, the sunvisors come too low when down for me as it is! I'm not a giant though - 6'2" - so others must find the same. I could have fitted a lower seat box frame, but under the seat is the leisure battery, no clearance would have meant a smaller battery - in the end I decided it just wasn't worth it.

So a swivel is very easy indeed to add, just make sure the layout and you suit it!
Click to expand...

And agreed being a Ford Chassis you will need to make sure you have the correct security installed to protect your new pride and joy..

You have only got to read some previous posts on here!
 
Hi
It’s done 11k so not too bad
As for security I have become an expert on theft of Transits (see my other thread), so will factor in new door locks alarm crocodiles and a resident rotweiller

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