Motorhome help/advice!
Discussion
Hi everyone. Not sure if 'The Lounge' is the right forum but...am sure the mods will move it if needs be!
So I am thinking about trading the caravan in for a motorhome. This one in particular - 2004 54 PLATE , FIAT DUCATO LUNAR CHAMP A520 4 BERTH, 2ltr TD. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/hints on buying a motorhome etc...
So I am thinking about trading the caravan in for a motorhome. This one in particular - 2004 54 PLATE , FIAT DUCATO LUNAR CHAMP A520 4 BERTH, 2ltr TD. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/hints on buying a motorhome etc...
Edited by lottie on Tuesday 12th May 22:21
Don't mind the naysayers. I have a FIAT based motorhome and absolutely LOVE it. My only regret is that I don't have the time to use it as much as I should.
Ours is a 2005 FIAT based Bessacarr 435, so of similar vintage to the Champ you are looking at. Ours has a 2.8 turbo diesel so has reasonable poke and acceleration. I would probably find a 2.00 litre engine a bit weedy. The Champ is of similar size and weight to the 435. The 435 weighs 3.25 tonnes.
Champs are continental built (French?) and you may find that the cooking facilities might be a bit skimpy compared to a British built equivalent. Ours British 435 has a full four burner hob (one electric ring, four gas), an oven and grill. Continental motorhomes often have two or thre burner hobs only - and often no oven.
Check on permissable carrying weight above the unladen weight. The lower power the engine, the lower the carrying capacity given the overall unladen weight of the vehicle.
I would check out some of the motorhome magazines. The three that will feature vehicle comparisons are "Which Motorhome", "Practical Motorhome" and, most comprehensive of all "MMM" (Motorhome and Motoring Monthly). All are easily available from your local W H Smiths.
Ours is a 2005 FIAT based Bessacarr 435, so of similar vintage to the Champ you are looking at. Ours has a 2.8 turbo diesel so has reasonable poke and acceleration. I would probably find a 2.00 litre engine a bit weedy. The Champ is of similar size and weight to the 435. The 435 weighs 3.25 tonnes.
Champs are continental built (French?) and you may find that the cooking facilities might be a bit skimpy compared to a British built equivalent. Ours British 435 has a full four burner hob (one electric ring, four gas), an oven and grill. Continental motorhomes often have two or thre burner hobs only - and often no oven.
Check on permissable carrying weight above the unladen weight. The lower power the engine, the lower the carrying capacity given the overall unladen weight of the vehicle.
I would check out some of the motorhome magazines. The three that will feature vehicle comparisons are "Which Motorhome", "Practical Motorhome" and, most comprehensive of all "MMM" (Motorhome and Motoring Monthly). All are easily available from your local W H Smiths.
Permissable if using it to travel to motoring events I think?
Always been my ambition when I retire to get one and do Europe for a year (a sort of delayed Gap year). Always like the ones that have a motorbike or micro car on the back to get around locally. Unless of course I am stuck behind them. I intend to take my Elise on the back for local hoons. How good would that be?
Always been my ambition when I retire to get one and do Europe for a year (a sort of delayed Gap year). Always like the ones that have a motorbike or micro car on the back to get around locally. Unless of course I am stuck behind them. I intend to take my Elise on the back for local hoons. How good would that be?
Brown and Boris said:
Permissable if using it to travel to motoring events I think?
Always been my ambition when I retire to get one and do Europe for a year (a sort of delayed Gap year). Always like the ones that have a motorbike or micro car on the back to get around locally. Unless of course I am stuck behind them. I intend to take my Elise on the back for local hoons. How good would that be?
Towing my Caterham was one of my plans as well - so mine has a towbar fitted. As it happens, I've done no towing since buying the vehicle. If towing is beiung considered, you need to be aware of petrmissable rear axle tow weights as well.Always been my ambition when I retire to get one and do Europe for a year (a sort of delayed Gap year). Always like the ones that have a motorbike or micro car on the back to get around locally. Unless of course I am stuck behind them. I intend to take my Elise on the back for local hoons. How good would that be?
I wouldn't consider a 2.00 litre engine good enough for towing either.
Since 2007, the FIAT base vehicles have changed and, whilst they are more modern with smoother engines, there have been some issues with turbochargers and gearboxes. The old base vehicles are cruder but much better sorted.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 13th May 08:07
There is a forum very similar to this for motorhomers at:
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/modules.php?name=For...
Log in and ask away!!!
HTH
Phil
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/modules.php?name=For...
Log in and ask away!!!
HTH
Phil
Edited by philmccann on Wednesday 13th May 17:04
I've had both.
I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
Cara Van Man said:
I've had both.
I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
Good grief.I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
You've made a fairly good case.
I like my 'motorhome' though...
Eric Mc said:
Don't mind the naysayers. I have a FIAT based motorhome and absolutely LOVE it. My only regret is that I don't have the time to use it as much as I should.
Ours is a 2005 FIAT based Bessacarr 435
Are Bessacarrs decent Eric? Me and my mate are going to the Tour De France next year for his 30th and taking our mountain bikes to do some off road riding. We don't want to slum it so we were going to hire a 6/7 berth motorhome that has a garage for the bikes and a proper bathroom (rather than a wet room thing) and a proper kitchen.Ours is a 2005 FIAT based Bessacarr 435
At the weekend we were at the Land Rover show and came across an exhibitor who had a 4 berth Bessacarr E725. The layout is such that as it is strictly a 4 berth and not a 4/5 it has the proper kitchen and a decent sized lounge area which converts to a double bed with the other being over the cab, along with a proper bathroom with separate shower. It was so roomy that we are now considering using that one as it would be better on the mountain roads as well. They're quite expensive to hire but the huge ones are only an extra £100 a week. What do you think?
Edited by moleamol on Wednesday 13th May 18:05
Cara Van Man said:
Obiwonkeyblokey said:
OK, its registered in my wifes name....if that helps.
that's almost worse. denial makes you look weak. Embrace it! 
I used the same tactic when I started losing my hair. No combovers for me.
I am a fully paid up member of both MA (Motorhomers Anonymous) and BA (Baldies Anonymous).
lottie said:
Hi everyone. Not sure if 'The Lounge' is the right forum but...am sure the mods will move it if needs be!
So I am thinking about trading the caravan in for a motorhome. This one in particular - 2004 54 PLATE , FIAT DUCATO LUNAR CHAMP A520 4 BERTH, 2ltr TD. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/hints on buying a motorhome etc...
As it's a diesel make sure it is compatible with any low emission zone you may wish to enter. London has one and that model may not be allowed in and it's a £1K fine if you do drive into London.So I am thinking about trading the caravan in for a motorhome. This one in particular - 2004 54 PLATE , FIAT DUCATO LUNAR CHAMP A520 4 BERTH, 2ltr TD. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/hints on buying a motorhome etc...
Edited by lottie on Tuesday 12th May 22:21
I have heard that there were issues with the gearboxes on Ducatos a few years ago so it may be worth enquiring about them before you commit to it.
Cara Van Man said:
I've had both.
I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
Can I just say that it's incredibly brave of you to talk about a taboo subject like this.I would advocate the caravan over the motorhome anyday.
a) You drive at the same speed.
b) You leave the caravan at the site allowing you to visit places unhindered in your car
c) You leave all you stuff in the van as opposed to having to pack it all away every day and cart it around with you.
d) Fuel economy is only bad when towing, not all the time.
e) More room in a caravan.
f) People hate you marginally more in a caravan so I derive some masochistic pleasure in annoying people with my van.
HTH
Many people must be interested in such a facinating, unusual topic.
Just as well it's being taken in good spirit, and the usual hyenas and keyboard warriors haven't turned up to spoil it.
This thread does you, and PH credit.
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