Which would you choose and why

[colyboy]

Dreamer D62

Rapido 68

Swift Select 164

Mrs C likes a small oven!

Colyboy

 

[The Coops]

None of the above! I take it money is no object? Have a look at the £550,000 Concorde just released!

 

[Barclaybasher]

I have a 1991 Eribacar and a 2001 Mobilvetta A class - both have everything - and both do what I want and can be used anywhere - can't make my mind up whether to keep both or sell one.... work out what you need and be happy.....

 

[peterc10]

Yep, I would not buy any of those as well. But can't help you any more because you have not really explained what you are looking for in a new motorhome. Like size budget layout etc.

 

[CazPaul]

It would be between the 2 Rapidos for me and the 62 has a much better use of space. If you don't mind the French bed and climbing over which I don't.
Too much space for me in a small van is taken over by the 2 singles in the 68.

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[bigtwin]

Your hyperlinks are not working for me.

Ian

 

[colyboy]

All of the above are about 640 long and are PVCs priced between 50 to 60k
should have said that before I started. Would still like you comments

 

[Barclaybasher]

All of the above are about 640 long and are PVCs priced between 50 to 60k
should have said that before I started. Would still like you comments

Why do you want to spend 50k ?

....apart from the base vehicle little has changed in 20 years and most MHs are low mileage...

 

[Blue Knight]

Dreamer D62

Rapido 68

Swift Select 164

Mrs C likes a small oven!

Colyboy

It sounds to me as if you're in a world of pain when it comes to choosing a PVC.

There's a world of difference between the Swift and the Rapido/Malibu/Globecar/Dreamer and whatever else you've scrutinised in the last few days.

All I'll say mate is good luck with the selection of a van with an oven.

 

[TM59]

Rapido V68. Order with a small oven fitted. I have a V55 and am happy with space, layout and storage. Great shower and bathroom. Have the mid size engine. Down sized from a swift Bolero. Suits our needs.

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[Cheshirecat57]

Sorry, I seriously don't know how a Swift 164 and a V68 can be on the same short list ( echoing Blue knight)

Personally, i would hit the pause button

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't waste my hard earned cash on a Brit built van.
French beds in a PVC compromise the shower area so out of those it would be the Rapido.
Personally I would be looking at a Malibu.

 

[movan]

Also, please be aware where the oven is and how to light it.

Mine's too low for this old woman.

 

[berni109]

I would add globecar and adria to your list as well as some of the more exotic brands and make sure you have a good poke around in any PVC you are considering.
The bathroom is usually the most compromised space but there are some very ingenious solutions now adays.
Will u be happy with a dinette and driving seats as your only lounge area?

 

[CazPaul]

Best value by far if looking for a quality PVC would be to buy Blue Knight globecar, its still like new.

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[gus-lopez]

Dreamer for me.

 

[bobnick]

Each individual will chose what suits them, it may not suit you.
Knowledgeable people on here could probably tell you which is the better made, ie the German ones, but layout only you can choose...i think.

 

[stevewagner]

Kemmerton is worth a look

 

[mikebeaches]

Since we've got a V68 with comfortmatic (and an oven ) and had it four years from new, I'd vote for that.

Time might prove me wrong, but I also reckon the residual value on a Rapido should be good.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

I think you'd be better off working out which layout you want first and then comparing different vans with your chosen layout. Its a bit like asking us whether we prefer pears or potatoes.

For instance, I'm happy with a transverse bed but others like singles or a large double, some like the French bed, others don't mind making up the bed(s) from the lounge every night. A transverse has more storage than a French bed, but only you know what would suit you both best.

If you can't make up your mind then maybe hire the different layouts for a weekend and try them out?

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[colyboy]

Thanks for all your replies.

we have single beds now and like them
we have had double bed as long as one of us can get easily get outlike them
we don’t like transverse beds.
She wants a Small oven
She can manage with two rings
Shr would be prepared to use a double skillet if she could get some every day recipes. Skillet would be in place of oven!

colyboy

 

[63720]

Never owned a PVC but on spec published I'd go for the Dreamer, it has larger gas storage and prewired for lithium.
Tough decision.

 

[berni109]

Re oven - we dont in the new van but do have a Drew and Cole clever chef which is really versatile. Lots of other similar devices out there.
Obviously need to be on hookup though and if your new van has a compressor fridge you will need that until u get solar fitted.

 

[Blue Knight]

Thanks for all your replies.

we have single beds now and like them
we have had double bed as long as one of us can get easily get outlike them
we don’t like transverse beds.
She wants a Small oven
She can manage with two rings
Shr would be prepared to use a double skillet if she could get some every day recipes. Skillet would be in place of oven!

colyboy

Paul,

Instead of crictiscing you I'll write a few notes on why we went to a PVC.

We went to a PVC because Nicky and I ultimately wanted to venture down the roads and islands of Scotland which wouldn't accept a conventional plastic motorhome. We adhored our Pilote P740GJ Sensation but just couldn't take It to the places we wanted to visit; i.e. we are off-site folk and don't want to be curtailed by campsites if possible.

To this end we based our PVC selection on the following:

1. We bought the Summit 640 because the layout was a mini version of the Pilote - i.e. something which we already loved and could work with.

2. We bought the heavy chassis 4.5T model due a.) The huge payload allowance, and b.) The better axles, brakes, handling capability of the heavy chassis. I would never go back to a light chassis again.

3. Also, be aware that PVCs are often heavier than their plastic box equivalents so a 3.5T 6.34m long van is nearly always overloaded IMO. If you're buying a 3.5T registered PVC to stay under the C1 License category then you will really struggle if you decide to stuff your van to the rafters.

4. We went for a conventional height PVC instead of a high-top variant because we wanted to stay more discreet while off-gridding. The extra 20+cm in height can cause havoc with the trees so it's a consideration (but it has more internal space so you may want that instead as a trade off).

5. Length: It had to be a 6.34m long van for me as anything else was far too restrictive in terms of spec and storage. That said, you soon adjust to your new boxy surroundings whether you're in a 12-metre long Morelo or a 5.4m PVC but, saying that, other outside factors may come into play, such as the space on your driveway or if you need to use your PVC as a daily commuting vehicle etc. Some people don't ever manage the jump from a wider plastic box to a smaller PVC but if you get the right layout then that's most of the battle won IMO.

6. Layout: Our Globecar was the same as our Pilote (rear beds) which meant a.) Nicky and I could have our own private spaces if needed, and b.) No need to make the bed and no need to use valuable storage space for your bedding. The British 'caravan style' vans would be a real storage and sleeping arrangement nightmare to me - but everyone to their own.

7. Oven: We only ever used the oven once in our Pilote and, the previous new van, we didn't use it all all so we thought "why the heck to we need one when we are properly off grid", so we didn't have one fitted. The Brit PVCs are more suited/equipped for caravan sites whereas the foreign manufacturers have given the 'camping-thing' a bit more thought and therefore build and equip their vans accordingly.

8. Washroom: We have a very innovative swing door system in our Summit 640 which really is a fantastic and very usable bit of kit. We could not live with any shower layout that occupied part of the corridor or even a wet room where the loo, sink and shower were all in one. This was a big deal breaker for us so having a seperate sink/loo and a huge seperate shower cubicle is just fantatsic. Once again, we took this requirement from the Pilote style of living.

9. Driving: We went from a few brand new coachbuilts with their slow spongy road handling to a heavy chassis PVC which I now describe to freinds as the race car of motorhomes. A win-win. The handling is really fantastic whereas a light PVC is still spongy by comparison.

10. PVC'ing is not for everyone but a whole load of people seem to like it. We were really crapping ourselves after the purchase of the Globecar (have we done the right thing?) but, after a couple of days away we realised that we had made a fantatsic choice. That said, and knowing what I know now, I would have had a whole load of regret if I had chosen a caravan style PVC or light chassis or one with a dodgy loo and shower.

My advice is to try and take the good things from your Hymer and transpose those to a PVC design. You'll find that you discount about 80% of the PVCs overnight but that's a good thing right!

Good luck and ask as many questions as you want but, like Mark and Mindy advised above, make certain that you're happy with the layout first, hence the reason why some of us found the 'Swift v Foreign' quite funny.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[dipsie]

Another knock at don’t buy British. Why do some of you utter “ crap “

Swift, ok maybe some of their coach builds are a bit hit or miss, as Auto Trail, Compass and Auto Sleeper, but the PVC’s are not generally anymore problematic that your Continental models.

When we started to look at PVC’s we looked at Globecar who have a dealer only 7 miles from where we live, we did not like the layouts, none of them. We then went to Highbridge who have one heck of a selection to inspect, and nothing there turned us on and as far as their sales manager not being able to make a realistic offer on a part ex, “ we will give you a call later “ did nothing to encourage us.

Right, maybe we were a bit tainted on what we were looking for as my brother and two sisters all own Swift built Aotocruise Rythm’s, the oldest is a 2012 and the newest 2013. We liked the parallel rear loung layout’s, ok, one has to make up the beds but that only takes a couple of minutes at most and neither of us are that “ knackered “ so it does not ‘ yet’ pose a problem. Now as far as I am aware none of them have experienced any build problems, other than fridge needing servicing and the fitting of solar panels to keep the batteries up in the winter months, they work as the vans are suppose too and they do not leak.

We then went to West Country Motor Homes who as had a good selection of PVC’s. Auto Sleeper, UK Hymer Group vans,Swift and Auto Trail. We dismissed the Auto Sleepers as too “ fussy “ which made them look a little expensive, and they were on Peugeot chassis. The Swift’s were what we were looking for but the salesman suggested we look at the Tribute/Auto Trails, now not wanting to sound “ snobby “ I dismissed the Tribute vans but with in minutes of looking at an Auto Trail V Line 610 we had done a deal !
The layout replicated the Autocruise Rythm and finish was a notch up. The other contributing facts were that the V Lines came with 100watt solar panel, 25ltr underslung gas tank TV aerial and preinstallation, steering wheel media controls.
They reason for buying the PVC was to tow a caravan as the VW T5 (180bhp) did not like the Coachman caravan we had ( only used it three times though, mad idea ! ) anything over 6—mph it had a mind of it’s own. West Country fitted a tow bar before collection so we were all set up, but to run the new van in a bit before towing the caravan anywhere we went off for a couple of days “ san “ the caravan. The next thing we were off to the Netherlands, again without the caravan.
The result, what the hell have we got the caravan for ? but I wish we had bought the longer 635 ! We never did tow the caravan, sold it within days.

We swopped the 610 back with our dealer and ordered our 635 which unfortunately we had to wait six months for. Was it worth the wait, yes, more room at the front with a small cupboard behind the drivers seat, it’s surprising what difference made for storage, as good, if not a better kitchen than many coachbuilds, oven/grill , reasonable work top, microwave ( usefull for storage as well as cooking ) four drawers/3 cupboards. Under the lounge settee’s we have changed the meagre 75amp battery for 2x 115amp one’s, an inverter, plus other bits and pieces. The near side one carries, levelling ramps ( never used yet, due to rear air suspension allowing levelling ) Safari Barbie, 2x hook up cables, full awning ground mat, smaller one as well, Thule roll out wind break, 2x folding chairs, 2x smaller ones, Fiama tripod table base and leg, Wind Blocker , 2x awning rafters, sun blocker, awning winder.
In one of the kitchen cupboards I have 2x10ltr water containers, a waste water bucket that contains water hose and selection of fittings, dust pan and brush, fire extinguisher ( secured )
The van came with main table and a smaller round one that can be used as front dinette or outside.The toilet/shower is quite useable, toilet seat is a bit high though, super fold down sink and mirrored cabinet storeage ( I had to fit fiddle rails to keep things secure though ) Our sleeping bags and pillows fit into the over cab storeage so neatly out of the way during the day.
And we still remain under weight, and we have a tow bar transferred from previous van.

Wow ! Nuff said, you’ll gather I like our TROUBLE FREE British built PVC, this might upset some of you British built haters but do I care !

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