Swift Sprite Major 6TD - Any experience of brand or model?
Discussion
Rosscow said:
The fixed bunks for the kids are great, as is the large end bathroom, etc. But making your bed every night is a frigging pain in the rear.
You need one of these 
https://youtu.be/fjzbm-Hpguc?t=1m08s
hornetrider said:
Yeah, that looks superb! We have the layout you are looking at in a 2013 Swift 586. It works well with our two kids (9 & 6) who generally lay claim to the back end of the van. We sometimes make up the front bed but often chuck a sleeping bag on the front sofas and use them as two singles (removing the corner cushions at the front). Less to do in the morning before the bacon goes in the pan that way!
Build quality wise, I think its a bit of a lottery! These things are hand built and nowadays that means there is scope for problems as much as it should mean well crafted!
Ours is just over three years old and in the last 12 months I've had it, a £5 bulb above one of the lockers has went and the fridge door latch spring has burst - £9.99 for a new latch from e-bay and I'll fit it at the weekend when we have it away again. In the future, who knows but its done us fine so far.
My only observation to anyone looking at the same floorplan in a swift is the subsequent exterior size of the thing. This is a first van for us and I found the first couple of trips out something of a mission, given its the best part of 25ft long. On hard lock the back has a tail swing of a good metre anyway.
Build quality wise, I think its a bit of a lottery! These things are hand built and nowadays that means there is scope for problems as much as it should mean well crafted!
Ours is just over three years old and in the last 12 months I've had it, a £5 bulb above one of the lockers has went and the fridge door latch spring has burst - £9.99 for a new latch from e-bay and I'll fit it at the weekend when we have it away again. In the future, who knows but its done us fine so far.
My only observation to anyone looking at the same floorplan in a swift is the subsequent exterior size of the thing. This is a first van for us and I found the first couple of trips out something of a mission, given its the best part of 25ft long. On hard lock the back has a tail swing of a good metre anyway.
Cheers Aly, that's good to know you like the layout.
Our current Bailey 546 is of similar design but has 3 fixed bunks, which coupled with a sliding solid door makes things a little cramped for headroom and just a touch gloomy.
The new van is much more open in that regard, which is a definite plus point.
Our current Bailey 546 is of similar design but has 3 fixed bunks, which coupled with a sliding solid door makes things a little cramped for headroom and just a touch gloomy.
The new van is much more open in that regard, which is a definite plus point.
Against the current set up you have, you'll be pleased to know that the storage area under the bottom bunk is big, if narrow. I have four windbreaks, four folding chairs, a folding stool and a bucket & sponge under there and there is still space. Weight is as much of a limitation as anything with it being well out back.
Also, rather than the solid sliding door, ours has a concertina screen which still affords a degree of privacy and is remarkably good at maintaining a temperature differential, given my vertical blinds at home are made of a not dissimilar flimsy material!
As a general point of note, to be ignored if that second photo is merely a library picture, is our bunk mattresses are around 2 inch thick one piece items. The one on the bottom bunk of that picture looks like the thin folding rubbish that goes on the make up bunk at the rear dinette.
Also, rather than the solid sliding door, ours has a concertina screen which still affords a degree of privacy and is remarkably good at maintaining a temperature differential, given my vertical blinds at home are made of a not dissimilar flimsy material!
As a general point of note, to be ignored if that second photo is merely a library picture, is our bunk mattresses are around 2 inch thick one piece items. The one on the bottom bunk of that picture looks like the thin folding rubbish that goes on the make up bunk at the rear dinette.
Excellent.
Yep the new van has a concertina door and thicker mattresses. It was a library shot I used for both images.
Will be good to have that storage space, I currently can fold up the bottom bunk but it's not particularly handy for anything other than when travelling to put waste water containers there etc.
Chairs and stuff will go there in future, water containers in the front locker as it's much bigger in the new van.
Keeping the whole thing balanced with an awning over the axle, should see me right.
This van also has provision for a Thule bike rack too on the rear, which I'm dubious about using, but might be tempted to put the kids bikes on there and adjust the awning accordingly to keep weight forward but low down wherever possible.
Yep the new van has a concertina door and thicker mattresses. It was a library shot I used for both images.
Will be good to have that storage space, I currently can fold up the bottom bunk but it's not particularly handy for anything other than when travelling to put waste water containers there etc.
Chairs and stuff will go there in future, water containers in the front locker as it's much bigger in the new van.
Keeping the whole thing balanced with an awning over the axle, should see me right.
This van also has provision for a Thule bike rack too on the rear, which I'm dubious about using, but might be tempted to put the kids bikes on there and adjust the awning accordingly to keep weight forward but low down wherever possible.
ALY77 said:
We have the layout you are looking at in a 2013 Swift 586. It works well with our two kids (9 & 6) who generally lay claim to the back end of the van. We sometimes make up the front bed but often chuck a sleeping bag on the front sofas and use them as two singles (removing the corner cushions at the front). Less to do in the morning before the bacon goes in the pan that way!
Build quality wise, I think its a bit of a lottery! These things are hand built and nowadays that means there is scope for problems as much as it should mean well crafted!
Ours is just over three years old and in the last 12 months I've had it, a £5 bulb above one of the lockers has went and the fridge door latch spring has burst - £9.99 for a new latch from e-bay and I'll fit it at the weekend when we have it away again. In the future, who knows but its done us fine so far.
My only observation to anyone looking at the same floorplan in a swift is the subsequent exterior size of the thing. This is a first van for us and I found the first couple of trips out something of a mission, given its the best part of 25ft long. On hard lock the back has a tail swing of a good metre anyway.
Thats the one we have as well. Build quality wise, I think its a bit of a lottery! These things are hand built and nowadays that means there is scope for problems as much as it should mean well crafted!
Ours is just over three years old and in the last 12 months I've had it, a £5 bulb above one of the lockers has went and the fridge door latch spring has burst - £9.99 for a new latch from e-bay and I'll fit it at the weekend when we have it away again. In the future, who knows but its done us fine so far.
My only observation to anyone looking at the same floorplan in a swift is the subsequent exterior size of the thing. This is a first van for us and I found the first couple of trips out something of a mission, given its the best part of 25ft long. On hard lock the back has a tail swing of a good metre anyway.
We tend to keep the adult bed up and use the awning to eat in. I cant be arsed to put up and down the main bed and tbh like lounging around on the bed reading or crashing out when coming back to the van. Most of the time we are out and about or in the awning or if chilly snuggled up on the bed as a family - its great. perhaps we are a bit of slobs
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