Buy a Hymer, they said...
Discussion
smifffymoto said:
Twin axles are just not as manouverable and the rear axle scrubs alot,thats all.
Still a nice camping car though.
i found our old 8.2m tag axle easier to get in and out of our tight gates (you have to fold a mirror) than our new single axle 7.4m van Still a nice camping car though.
it was also more stable.
but also much slower
Well it's here. Got dropped off yesterday. Got it levelled up on the drive and have started attacking the jobs list today.
First job is to empty out all the kit it came with. The previous owners have left all their camping gear in it, which is mostly great, but we'll have a good go through it all and get shot of the things we've already got or just don't need.
Next up is the fresh water level sensor. What an utter b
d of a job this is. An incredibly tight plastic nut inside the tank, that took me the best part of an hour to get undone and off the threads. Sadly it doesn't look to be a nice easy "just descale the sensor" fix, so I'll be trying to get hold of another one. No so easy when there's absolutely nothing on the sensor in the way of a part number.
Noticed there's no 12v to the fridge today. This worked when we bought it, so hopefully shouldn't be too hard to fix.
First job is to empty out all the kit it came with. The previous owners have left all their camping gear in it, which is mostly great, but we'll have a good go through it all and get shot of the things we've already got or just don't need.
Next up is the fresh water level sensor. What an utter b
d of a job this is. An incredibly tight plastic nut inside the tank, that took me the best part of an hour to get undone and off the threads. Sadly it doesn't look to be a nice easy "just descale the sensor" fix, so I'll be trying to get hold of another one. No so easy when there's absolutely nothing on the sensor in the way of a part number.Noticed there's no 12v to the fridge today. This worked when we bought it, so hopefully shouldn't be too hard to fix.
Personally speaking - I prefer Mercedes. The drivetrain really is lovely (torquey & creamy 5-pot vs. more rattly 4-pot) and I think the build quality is much better too. Although certain bits remaining of the Mercedes bodywork when doing the A-Class conversion are a bit more susceptible to rust.
You'll often read about how wallowy Mercedes chassis are vs the Fiats and that the roadholding is better but I think this is people confusing soft & hard suspension and almost "sportiness". Both my Hymer and my current Concorde handle absolutely supremely considering what big beasts they are. Admittedly I've put a lot of effort into both to ensure that they were riding on good quality, matched, new tyres and that suspension alignment was done. But they handle and ride far better than they have any right to do so, given what they are as base vehicles.
Unless you go for a tag axle (which comes with its own issues), then Mercedes have the higher weight capacity and I would seek out a 4.6t chassis if you're able (although not many were optioned new) which has the twin wheel rear axle and a monster weight capacity. It's worth waiting for IMO otherwise you'll be limited by between 3.5-3.85t.
You'll often read about how wallowy Mercedes chassis are vs the Fiats and that the roadholding is better but I think this is people confusing soft & hard suspension and almost "sportiness". Both my Hymer and my current Concorde handle absolutely supremely considering what big beasts they are. Admittedly I've put a lot of effort into both to ensure that they were riding on good quality, matched, new tyres and that suspension alignment was done. But they handle and ride far better than they have any right to do so, given what they are as base vehicles.
Unless you go for a tag axle (which comes with its own issues), then Mercedes have the higher weight capacity and I would seek out a 4.6t chassis if you're able (although not many were optioned new) which has the twin wheel rear axle and a monster weight capacity. It's worth waiting for IMO otherwise you'll be limited by between 3.5-3.85t.
agent006 said:
Noticed there's no 12v to the fridge today. This worked when we bought it, so hopefully shouldn't be too hard to fix.
I'm sure you know this already, but the fridge should only work on 12v with the engine running and alternator supplying a D+ signal to a relay, assuming it's a 3 way fridge.Given the choice, I'd have Mercedes. But there isn't really a choice. You choose the layout and size you want and the base van is dictated by that. There's nothing really wrong with the Fiat vans. At least I wont spend my entire time worrying about the injector seals.
We wanted something big so it's tag axle Fiat, or nothing; or something utterly ridiculous like an S820 (which manage to feel tiny inside despite being huge).
We wanted something big so it's tag axle Fiat, or nothing; or something utterly ridiculous like an S820 (which manage to feel tiny inside despite being huge).
Last week we went to the motorhome show at the NEC as virtually motorhome virgins, apart from a very bad experience in Oz that only lasted a week.
From all the vans we looked at (close to 50) the most impressive was easily Hymer, although slightly retro in looks, the interior was well designed and very well finished. Hymer also seemed to be one the few that offered Mercedes engines as well as Fiat. The driving layout was better in the Merc models and nicer dash although slightly more expensive - peanuts really when looking at £100000+ models.
Second best around? A few in second place but probably Dethleffs.
Just a few comments to contribute to an interesting thread!
From all the vans we looked at (close to 50) the most impressive was easily Hymer, although slightly retro in looks, the interior was well designed and very well finished. Hymer also seemed to be one the few that offered Mercedes engines as well as Fiat. The driving layout was better in the Merc models and nicer dash although slightly more expensive - peanuts really when looking at £100000+ models.
Second best around? A few in second place but probably Dethleffs.
Just a few comments to contribute to an interesting thread!
agent006 said:
Given the choice, I'd have Mercedes. But there isn't really a choice. You choose the layout and size you want and the base van is dictated by that. There's nothing really wrong with the Fiat vans. At least I wont spend my entire time worrying about the injector seals.
We wanted something big so it's tag axle Fiat, or nothing; or something utterly ridiculous like an S820 (which manage to feel tiny inside despite being huge).
Or Turbo/actuator issues.We wanted something big so it's tag axle Fiat, or nothing; or something utterly ridiculous like an S820 (which manage to feel tiny inside despite being huge).
Our Fiat Based has been superb
better on fuel than the Freelander
3.0 170-180hp drives very nicely indeed.
We plan to get one in the future, but not that new or expensive. I plan on looking for an older A class with the end bed. I've seen them for around the 8k mark.
They're mostly LHD which suits us as we live in Mallorca. We plan to get around Northern Spain and Portugal. The nice thing for us is it's a short ferry ride to the mainland, and we can take the dogs
They're mostly LHD which suits us as we live in Mallorca. We plan to get around Northern Spain and Portugal. The nice thing for us is it's a short ferry ride to the mainland, and we can take the dogs
mickrick said:
We plan to get one in the future, but not that new or expensive. I plan on looking for an older A class with the end bed. I've seen them for around the 8k mark.
They're mostly LHD which suits us as we live in Mallorca. We plan to get around Northern Spain and Portugal. The nice thing for us is it's a short ferry ride to the mainland, and we can take the dogs
Just be careful in Catalonia......They're mostly LHD which suits us as we live in Mallorca. We plan to get around Northern Spain and Portugal. The nice thing for us is it's a short ferry ride to the mainland, and we can take the dogs
oblio said:
Spuff, could you explain what you mean?
ta
Perhaps that sounded a little too doom-mongerish! But more about tyre scrubbing and difficulties with tight turns and pulling up grass on campsites. I've heard that some places don't like tag axles because of this. That said, it's probably far less a proportion of sites than those who don't like vans as big & heavy as mine! ta
I can honestly say I have not experienced any of the issues mentioned regarding twin axled MH's so anyone reading this shouldn't be put off.
We have NEVER been refused access to a campsite for having a twin axle MH.
The only issue I would say is that traction is poor on wet grass but this is due to our overall weight being 5000Kg fully loaded.
I'm still not sure what "wheel scrubbing" is tbh...
We have NEVER been refused access to a campsite for having a twin axle MH.
The only issue I would say is that traction is poor on wet grass but this is due to our overall weight being 5000Kg fully loaded.
I'm still not sure what "wheel scrubbing" is tbh...
oblio said:
I can honestly say I have not experienced any of the issues mentioned regarding twin axled MH's so anyone reading this shouldn't be put off.
We have NEVER been refused access to a campsite for having a twin axle MH.
The only issue I would say is that traction is poor on wet grass but this is due to our overall weight being 5000Kg fully loaded.
I'm still not sure what "wheel scrubbing" is tbh...
Wheel scrubbing - go and watch a lorry or any other twin axle (even a caravan) do a tight manoeuvre. We have NEVER been refused access to a campsite for having a twin axle MH.
The only issue I would say is that traction is poor on wet grass but this is due to our overall weight being 5000Kg fully loaded.
I'm still not sure what "wheel scrubbing" is tbh...
The 2 wheels tend to do the turning, and the other 2 tend to be obsolete and so 'scrub' sideways across the ground. Here, just found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFdltJRqoQ
Edited by Rosscow on Tuesday 24th October 11:35
Rosscow said:
Wheel scrubbing - go and watch a lorry or any other twin axle (even a caravan) do a tight manoeuvre.
The 2 wheels tend to do the turning, and the other 2 tend to be obsolete and so 'scrub' sideways across the ground. Here, just found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFdltJRqoQ
GotchaThe 2 wheels tend to do the turning, and the other 2 tend to be obsolete and so 'scrub' sideways across the ground. Here, just found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFdltJRqoQ
Edited by Rosscow on Tuesday 24th October 11:35
Makes sense now
Meanwhile, back in the studio.
We've got our teeth well into the bed conversion. We're going for a plywood base rather than slats, mainly as it's much easier and also a lot cheaper. We've been told to be concerned about condensation, but I'm not entirely sure that'll be a problem as the garage below is heated, and the boiler is under the front side of the bed too.
If need be I can always get my hole saw kit out and put a few vents in the base.
Got hold of some genuiine pleather, to cover a plywood sheet headboard in roughly the same colour as the leather of the rest of the furniture.
We're going to be reusing the single mattresses transverse to form the top two thirds of the bed. The hymer mattresses are quite nice, foam outer with spring inner. Then we will get a block of mattress foam to make up the foot end, and a few inch slab of memory foam to go over the whole thing.
Then we'll end up with a bed slightly over 2m x 2.1m. Aside from being lovely, it's also quite practical as it enables us to sleep in any direction to suit whatever slope we might be on (you can't level out on some municipal parking abroad).
We'll need to do some reconstruction on the overhead lockers, as the wardrobe in between the two singles was structural, but that looks simple enough.
The hardest thing of this whole lot has been making it all reversable for when we come to sell it on. It may well as-is but we'll need to offer a refit of the single beds as an option.
A few other jobs around the place, new fresh tank sensor, a few new cupboard hinges. New TV bracket to get it out of the way of the sofa.
Had a chap round to give it a habitation check (it's not had one for ages). All declared fine, no damp (despite my several dreams about it being damp). Only real problem is some really crappy hose routing on the AluGas that's led to the filler hose perishing on a really tight turn.
So, a trip to Dave Newell booked in for next month. A huge jobs list; Cambelt, Aux Belt, Brake Fluid, Gearbox Oil. Plus a load of hab side things. He's very well recommended and surprisingly reasonable on price.
Next step is my class C test next week, so maybe this thing might leave the driveway sometime soon.
We've got our teeth well into the bed conversion. We're going for a plywood base rather than slats, mainly as it's much easier and also a lot cheaper. We've been told to be concerned about condensation, but I'm not entirely sure that'll be a problem as the garage below is heated, and the boiler is under the front side of the bed too.
If need be I can always get my hole saw kit out and put a few vents in the base.
Got hold of some genuiine pleather, to cover a plywood sheet headboard in roughly the same colour as the leather of the rest of the furniture.
We're going to be reusing the single mattresses transverse to form the top two thirds of the bed. The hymer mattresses are quite nice, foam outer with spring inner. Then we will get a block of mattress foam to make up the foot end, and a few inch slab of memory foam to go over the whole thing.
Then we'll end up with a bed slightly over 2m x 2.1m. Aside from being lovely, it's also quite practical as it enables us to sleep in any direction to suit whatever slope we might be on (you can't level out on some municipal parking abroad).
We'll need to do some reconstruction on the overhead lockers, as the wardrobe in between the two singles was structural, but that looks simple enough.
The hardest thing of this whole lot has been making it all reversable for when we come to sell it on. It may well as-is but we'll need to offer a refit of the single beds as an option.
A few other jobs around the place, new fresh tank sensor, a few new cupboard hinges. New TV bracket to get it out of the way of the sofa.
Had a chap round to give it a habitation check (it's not had one for ages). All declared fine, no damp (despite my several dreams about it being damp). Only real problem is some really crappy hose routing on the AluGas that's led to the filler hose perishing on a really tight turn.
So, a trip to Dave Newell booked in for next month. A huge jobs list; Cambelt, Aux Belt, Brake Fluid, Gearbox Oil. Plus a load of hab side things. He's very well recommended and surprisingly reasonable on price.
Next step is my class C test next week, so maybe this thing might leave the driveway sometime soon.
Also, now we've emptied all the stuff out of the lockers; I'm taking the 3900 running weight with a big pinch of salt. We filled two whole rooms in our house with the things that were in this. Tables, chairs, crockery, awning curtains, things we weren't entirely sure what they were. All sorts of.... STUFF.
I suspect we've shaved a good 150KG off the starting weight just by moving on the things we won't want to take.
I suspect we've shaved a good 150KG off the starting weight just by moving on the things we won't want to take.
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