Top End Continental Vans (1 Viewer)

Oct 31, 2012
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Could someone please explain to me, why a lot of the Top End Continental Vans, such as N+B, Dethleffs, Pilote, Carthago, Knaus, Globebus, Frankia, etc, all have only one door at the front. Surely it can not be down to cost???
I am thinking purely on the Safety aspect, such as a collision, or a Fire. I would have thought two Doors would have been better than one in such an event, surely?? This has always occured to me, every time I see one of these Continental Vans.Does anybody have an answer, please? Many thanks. BillyS
 
Apr 22, 2015
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Hi,

We have a 2003 Eura Mobil Integra 810HB which is an A Class and that has 3 doors, drivers, passengers and habitation and I personally think they have got it right, only one shortfall though can't get external thermal screens for it, just got to use the internal ones.

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JeanLuc

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I can think of two reasons. Firstly, not having a driver's door improves structural rigidity across the front section near where it is joined to the front fairing - itself usually a single-piece moulding. Secondly, and this applies only to the very large 'liner' motorhomes, having a driver's door would require the construction of some form of stairway. Since there is unlikely to be much space inside next to the driver, this would probably have to be external (like a lorry cab) and would not be in keeping with a luxury passenger vehicle. It is a fair way down from the driver's seat of an A-class based on a MB Sprinter or Iveco Daily; on a larger chassis such as a MB Atego or MAN TGL one would need steps.
 

DP+JAY

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I can think of two reasons. Firstly, not having a driver's door improves structural rigidity across the front section near where it is joined to the front fairing - itself usually a single-piece moulding. Secondly, and this applies only to the very large 'liner' motorhomes, having a driver's door would require the construction of some form of stairway. Since there is unlikely to be much space inside next to the driver, this would probably have to be external (like a lorry cab) and would not be in keeping with a luxury passenger vehicle. It is a fair way down from the driver's seat of an A-class based on a MB Sprinter or Iveco Daily; on a larger chassis such as a MB Atego or MAN TGL one would need steps.

The one door at the front IS on the drivers side on a LHD?
I think the answer is that it's a lot cheaper to just move the controls over than to build the body differently for the very limited RHD market
 

Gellyneck

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The one door at the front IS on the drivers side on a LHD?
I think the answer is that it's a lot cheaper to just move the controls over than to build the body differently for the very limited RHD market
But, in line with your original question would not all LHD and RHD have two "cab" doors if the manufacturer changed their philosophy?:confused:

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JeanLuc

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The one door at the front IS on the drivers side on a LHD?
I think the answer is that it's a lot cheaper to just move the controls over than to build the body differently for the very limited RHD market
I know - the original question referred to 'Top-end Continental vans'. I did not even consider the UK market in my response. I was thinking about A-class vans, like mine which is a LHD Hymer B-class Star-Line.
Until comparatively recently, a UK-specified Hymer B-class still had a 'driver's door' on the left-hand side even though the steering position had been moved to the right. This was because the right hand side next to the British driver still contained the gas locker and to move that would have required major modifications. As you say, it was probably not worth the trouble for the British market. However, many larger A-class vans do not have a driver's door option and I believe that is for the reasons I gave in my first reply.
 

DP+JAY

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But, in line with your original question would not all LHD and RHD have two "cab" doors if the manufacturer changed their philosophy?:confused:

On some it would require major alteration to the original design
Also I know some who's passenger almost always get in & out of the jab door even on coach built vans which have 2 can doors
 

JeanLuc

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Also returning to the original question, some top-end motorhomes have quite complicated driving arrangements that would preclude the fitting of doors at the front. For example, some Concorde's have a floor in the driving area that is raised when parked so that it is at the same level as the rest of the internal floor, but lowers when the vehicle is ready to be driven.
The internal floor in some big 'liners' is a metre off the ground.

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funflair

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Weakens the structure, potential cold and draught spot, interferes with the fitting of radiators all round.

I don't see that they are required so why bother, I would say that as we only have the one door.

Martin
 

StefAndDi

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My Hymer is right hand drive, so I have a door on the passenger side and obviously the habitation door on the offside.
I was told that there was an option to also have a door on the drivers side but that would have been a costly option.
Stef.
 

scotjimland

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I can think of two reasons. Firstly, not having a driver's door improves structural rigidity across the front section near where it is joined to the front fairing - itself usually a single-piece moulding. Secondly, and this applies only to the very large 'liner' motorhomes, having a driver's door would require the construction of some form of stairway. Since there is unlikely to be much space inside next to the driver, this would probably have to be external (like a lorry cab) and would not be in keeping with a luxury passenger vehicle. It is a fair way down from the driver's seat of an A-class based on a MB Sprinter or Iveco Daily; on a larger chassis such as a MB Atego or MAN TGL one would need steps.

I would agree with that.. very rarely see a USRV A class with a cab door.. if they do, it's as you say, they have in built steps down the side of the body..
My GeorgieBoy RV only had a habitation door and such is the height of the floor above ground level it had five steps.. three internal, two external..

but I really like the cab door on my Hymer.. not fussy whether left or right hand drive,.. but one of the reasons I didn't buy a right hand drive Hymer was having the cab door at the passenger side..

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Southdowners

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We have a Niesmann @ Bischoff - it doesn't have any doors up front - the only door is the hab door. I've never seen one with cab door/s. The hab door is not far from the driving position and its no problem getting in and out for either driver or passenger. There's a lot of storage either side of the up front seats which you wouldn't have if you had doors. In the event of a fire or accident the front sliding windows are easily big enough to climb out of.
 

Mikey RV

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We have a passenger door and a drivers door on ours and I really like that idea, so does the MOT guy saves getting in the Hab door and walking through to the front.
 

Theonlysue

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Not long enough!
I always use the hab door, as the passage door is too high a step lol
 
Aug 18, 2014
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I use cab doors in my cb as hab door is 30" approx of ground & requires the double electric step to be put down. In fact I usually keep hab door locked from inside when travelling & basically only use it at home.
 
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I have an extra door in my Laika. Wouldn't have specified it but it was a stock vehicle. My Rapido only had a door on the passengers side. Having no door on the drivers allows the builder lots of nooks and crannies for useful cupboards for bits and pieces.

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funflair

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Lots have no doors up front, so only one door to make secure, and as has been suggested already how the devil could you get up into some of the larger "A class" vans as you would need two steps inside to get up to floor level to drive, that would push the seats towards the centre of the van just to make room for the steps.

Martin
 
Dec 21, 2010
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As well as what's already been pointed out, the double floor arrangment has a lot to do with it too. Our old Elegance had double floors and was fitted with drivers and passenger doors getting in and out was pretty bad as the step was too high. The structure suffered too as the walls used to rattle when the front doors were closed. Just having the Hab door as never been a problem for us and can't say I would want to go back to having them again.

Dill
 

Wilderbeast

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Our previous Burstner had only the hab door so no cab doors.
Can't say it unduly bothered us not too happy getting out in the UK with door opening on the traffic side
I found doing any jobs in the cab area (electrical specifically ) a tight squeeze and on one occasion it was easier to remove the drivers seat to give better access.
This van has a door on the passenger side (RHD) so fuel stops and being able to avoid any traffic issues as well as an escape option should the need arise i quite like it.If I had the option on a new van I would opt for it cost dependent of course.
D

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Feb 22, 2008
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I find using the drivers door on our Rhd Hymer a bit of a pain especially when the passenger seat is occupied.
Soon to buy a new a class eurovan lhd/rhd will seriously enter the equation partly because of driver door location.
 

Allanm

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Imagine your motorhome catching fire.:eek:
Are you really going to try and scramble over the front seats, that are probably swivelled round, and try and open one of the front doors and fall out on the floor?
Our van ( as can be seen on the avatar) has two cab doors. The cab is the last place i would be running to in the event of a fire. Same if we had an A class.
 
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BillyS
Oct 31, 2012
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AllanM,
I am purely thinking on the safety aspect, such as a collision side on, in the area of the Hab door, i.e somebody jumping the traffic lights, while you are halfway across, how would you get out then? This is purely a safety question. Such traffic accidents do happen. Also, it has been known for Motorhomes to catch fire while moving, as has been shown on several videos on UTube

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BillyS
Oct 31, 2012
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My thoughts in general, would be, the more exits, the better, this applies as much to buildings as well. The more exits in an emergency of any kind, the more chance of survival.
 

GeebeeJaybee

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Our Adria has only a passenger door and hab door. Several windows are clearly marked as escape routes though.
 
Aug 18, 2014
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Imagine your motorhome catching fire.:eek:
Are you really going to try and scramble over the front seats, that are probably swivelled round, and try and open one of the front doors and fall out on the floor?
Our van ( as can be seen on the avatar) has two cab doors. The cab is the last place i would be running to in the event of a fire. Same if we had an A class.

Even if I dashed for the hab door without the step down you wouldn't want to fall out.:LOL:

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Jun 10, 2010
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One door for us for 2 vans - 10 years.

It is an option on Arto's but rarely taken up.

Its caused a problem once - through somebody elses stupidity I might add. easily solved, and we could have got out of the large side windows if neccesary.

Warmer because the insulation and double glazing extends to a larger area of the cab.

More secure - obviously

looks better

structurally better

and it does feel a bit more special stepping up into a coach not jumping into a 'van'

Jon
 

Southdowners

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AllanM,
I am purely thinking on the safety aspect, such as a collision side on, in the area of the Hab door, i.e somebody jumping the traffic lights, while you are halfway across, how would you get out then? This is purely a safety question. Such traffic accidents do happen. Also, it has been known for Motorhomes to catch fire while moving, as has been shown on several videos on UTube

The sliding glass side windows are absolutely huge - you'd get out through them easily.
 

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