Why all the hate for overcab coachbuilts?

[Jon and Shell]

Ever since the dawn of time, the overcab/Luton/alcove motorhome has been a staple of most manufacturers' ranges. The overcab concept adds much-needed interior volume without increasing overall vehicle length.

Then, in 2008, along came the Burstner Quaddro. It came in a few different layouts, but all replaced the over cab bed with a drop down bed over the lounge.

Since then, manufacturers have forced the drop-down bed onto the buyer, even using it in 6 or seven berth family motorhome layouts, sacrificing practical space for a more appealing exterior design.

The Radfords changed their Swift Kontiki low profile for an overcab Dethleffs tag axle recently. The comments on YouTube were extremely negative, with many criticising the exterior looks without a thought for the practicality of the family-friendly design.

So, have we got to a point where we have Stockholm syndrome where buyers have sub-optimal designs pushed onto them and are thankful for it, or am I missing something about the concept of a family van without any space in it?

 

[Jon Stewart]

... the concept of a family van without any space in it?

I find A Class with the drop down front bed fulfills the criteria for space.

I don't see why c class, especially with the bubble, is appealing at all. Fuel economy can't be great, and the narrow cab part at the front (with the bulkhead behind, when it's actually attached (!)) feels very constraining in space, on any I've sat in.

 

[WESTY66]

I find A Class with the drop down front bed fulfills the criteria for space.

I don't see why c class, especially with the bubble, is appealing at all. Fuel economy can't be great, and the narrow cab part at the front (with the bulkhead behind, when it's actually attached (!)) feels very constraining in space, on any I've sat in.

I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Concorde Alkoven

 

[Gellyneck]

Is it because the overcab bed takes the overall height above Continental road toll limits?

 

[Janine]

The only van that I would swap mine for is exactly the same year and model but with the overcab for sleeping.

That way, I wouldn’t wake up spooning with the dog every morning

 

[Jon Stewart]

I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Concorde Alkoven

But think how much extra space you'd have if it was an A Class!

(Especially on an atego chassis!)

 

[funflair]

I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Concorde Alkoven

You can't have full air on the Alkoven though and I am pretty sure the front won't be as well insulated as a A Class, they did do a Concorde Alkoven on IVECO daily 4x4 but only for one year I think.

Thinking about it though I think the rear wheel drive chassis with raised floor and underfloor storage are more suited to overcab beds as you can retain a sensible roof line.

 

[WESTY66]

But think how much extra space you'd have if it was an A Class!

(Especially on an atego chassis!)

I’d be more than happy with an Alkoven on a MAN chassis

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[benhb]

We have two young children and the overcab bed suits us fine. We have rear bunks for the kids and then the overcab bed for us and can't see us ever wanting to change it.

I can see why going up and down the ladder might be a bit of a pain for those with mobility issues however me and my wife are thankfully in good health and so it's not an issue for us. I have read a few things suggesting overcab beds tend to be small but ours in absolutely enormous.

We quite like the separation of the overcab bed and it means if one of us wants to go to bed early and the other stay up we can still use the lounge space without any issue.

We've never had any issues with height and although we are about 3.1m we get away with Class 2 on the French toll roads.

Granted the aerodynamics probably aren't great but we happen to think our motorhome is aesthetically pleasing from the outside even with the overcab, although naturally we are bias.

 

[WESTY66]

You can't have full air on the Alkoven though and I am pretty sure the front won't be as well insulated as a A Class, they did do a Concorde Alkoven on IVECO daily 4x4 but only for one year I think.

I’ve seen used ones on MAN, Mercedes chassis Martin

 

[PaulW2]

It's fashion, I think, which people then rationalise. (You can make an argument for or against anything, if the mood takes you.)

Why are SUV cars so popular now? What happened to the estate car? Mullet hairstyles? Bell-bottom trousers? Fashion. Rationalised, of course, but fashion.

I had one for a long time, even when we mostly travelled as a couple. I could argue for or against it

If it is a strong fashion trend, though, then resale values will probably be affected.

 

[Jon Stewart]

I’d be more than happy with an Alkoven on a MAN chassis

Just go the whole hog and get a 4 x 4 overlander.

The fuel economy will probably be much the same!

 

[meanders]

Only ever had an overcab. With children or on my own, it works well. This one is a king-size bed and very comfortable. Our original Autoquest and then the Bessacarr I struggled due to teh lake of height but the youngster loved it and it meant he could go to bed and we didn't have too. This one I can sit up in, and despite having a dodgy ankle have no problems getting up and down. The 3.3M height has never really been a problem (3.1 on the previous), Never been changed more that a 'camping car' at tolls, not that we use them generally.

 

[Jon and Shell]

Is it because the overcab bed takes the overall height above Continental road toll limits?

I agree it can be a factor.
Our old single floor overcab van was sub-3m however.

Our current one, with a double floor is 6cm over.

 

[Jon and Shell]

It's fashion, I think, which people then rationalise. (You can make an argument for or against anything, if the mood takes you.)

Why are SUV cars so popular now? What happened to the estate car? Mullet hairstyles? Bell-bottom trousers? Fashion. Rationalised, of course, but fashion.

I had one for a long time, even when we mostly travelled as a couple. I could argue for or against it

If it is a strong fashion trend, though, then resale values will probably be affected.

It's mad all those gains in economic, low emission drivetrains iare ruined by people driving tall boxes.

 

[Jon and Shell]

I find A Class with the drop down front bed fulfills the criteria for space.

I don't see why c class, especially with the bubble, is appealing at all. Fuel economy can't be great, and the narrow cab part at the front (with the bulkhead behind, when it's actually attached (!)) feels very constraining in space, on any I've sat in.

It keeps the lounge made up, which is important for parking bodies during the morning routine.
However, the kids won't be able to have their own permanent space, unless mum and dad use the drop down and the kids are in the back.

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[Gone south]

I find A Class with the drop down front bed fulfills the criteria for space.

I don't see why c class, especially with the bubble, is appealing at all. Fuel economy can't be great, and the narrow cab part at the front (with the bulkhead behind, when it's actually attached (!)) feels very constraining in space, on any I've sat in.

Yeah but the windscreen isn't 5 grand to replace

 

[Lenny HB]

Converters build what people want, if a range isn't selling they ditch it.

I can see the point of them but they are a bit ugly and don't handle very well on the road.

 

[Gone south]

We have two young children and the overcab bed suits us fine. We have rear bunks for the kids and then the overcab bed for us and can't see us ever wanting to change it.

I can see why going up and down the ladder might be a bit of a pain for those with mobility issues however me and my wife are thankfully in good health and so it's not an issue for us. I have read a few things suggesting overcab beds tend to be small but ours in absolutely enormous.

We quite like the separation of the overcab bed and it means if one of us wants to go to bed early and the other stay up we can still use the lounge space without any issue.

We've never had any issues with height and although we are about 3.1m we get away with Class 2 on the French toll roads.

Granted the aerodynamics probably aren't great but we happen to think our motorhome is aesthetically pleasing from the outside even with the overcab, although naturally we are bias.

Totally agree my overcab bed is kingsized plenty of space for me and my better half and I am a big chap. Get up the ladder for me is still ok for me however I could see it being a challenge for the older person

 

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah but the windscreen isn't 5 grand to replace

Oh, it's often more than that, but that's what the insurance is for.

The main issue is whether it is available in decent time.

 

[PhilG]

Ever since the dawn of time, the overcab/Luton/alcove motorhome has been a staple of most manufacturers' ranges. The overcab concept adds much-needed interior volume without increasing overall vehicle length.

Then, in 2008, along came the Burstner Quaddro. It came in a few different layouts, but all replaced the over cab bed with a drop down bed over the lounge.

Since then, manufacturers have forced the drop-down bed onto the buyer, even using it in 6 or seven berth family motorhome layouts, sacrificing practical space for a more appealing exterior design.

The Radfords changed their Swift Kontiki low profile for an overcab Dethleffs tag axle recently. The comments on YouTube were extremely negative, with many criticising the exterior looks without a thought for the practicality of the family-friendly design.

So, have we got to a point where we have Stockholm syndrome where buyers have sub-optimal designs pushed onto them and are thankful for it, or am I missing something about the concept of a family van without any space in it?

You are bang on.
So much space, all the bedding can live up there in the day, drop down beds are the armpit of MH ownership, its a novelty that compromises everything in the whole vehicle, and just like self levelling, and air suspension, turns something that should just 'be' into something that can break.

Dont start me on 'French' beds.

 

[Jon Stewart]

Totally agree my overcab bed is kingsized plenty of space for me and my better half and I am a big chap. Get up the ladder for me is still ok for me however I could see it being a challenge for the older person

That's why we chose the A class with the fixed rear bed. Somewhere between king sized and super king.

Breaking bones falling off a ladder while going to the loo in the middle of the night is not my idea of Motorhome Fun!

 

[Jon and Shell]

It's beginning to sound like an overcab van is the sign of young fit occupants, usually with kids.

 

[Gone south]

Oh, it's often more than that, but that's what the insurance is for.

The main issue is whether it is available in decent time.

Yeah true I am only jealous lol

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[Gone south]

It's beginning to sound like an overcab van is the sign of young fit occupants, usually with kids.

Yeah my kid is 23 now lol and flown the nest but I am tight and sticking with my old hymer over cab lol

 

[Gone south]

That's why we chose the A class with the fixed rear bed. Somewhere between king sized and super king.

Breaking bones falling off a ladder while going to the loo in the middle of the night is not my idea of Motorhome Fun!

French milk bottles have a wide neck so there handy I find

 

[RoRoTraveller]

Yeah my kid is 23 now lol and flown the nest but I am tight and sticking with my old hymer over cab lol

Perfect for the grandkids coming your way

 

[Gone south]

Perfect for the grandkids coming your way

Yeah I forgot about that lol

 

[WESTY66]

Breaking bones falling off a ladder while going to the loo in the middle of the night is not my idea of Motorhome Fun!

That depends on whether it’s you falling off the ladder or somebody watching you fall off the ladder!!
The latter could be so much fun

 

[Jonno1103]

It's design integration as most of the builders are owned by groups - European groups, which share components & designs.

As an example Trigano use the same furniture boards on Auto Trail, Chausson, Challenger & Benimar. The Auto Trail A Class has a front cowl designed by Adria & Mobilvetta coach style mirrors.
6 years ago Auto Trail began to use a low profile design, based on the Benimar for the Tracker range, it killed it. For 2026 they've just done the same with the Imala range too which has led to many prospective new purchasers looking elsewhere.

The overcab is still very popular. Auto Trail offer a 'highline' so too do Swift and the Roller Team overcab on both the 675 & 746 is class leading at 5ft wide and particularly popular with families & hire companies.

I can understand the ethos of a dropdown bed in a 6m coachbuilt but for me, that's about it.