Considering a motorhone
Discussion
mattnoss said:
Reading this with interest and apologies if it’s highjacking the thread. Similar situation to the OP except no children here but our budget is similar (£15,000). Looking for a Motorhome for weekends away motor racing but must be capable of towing an open twin axle trailer and car. (car is 1100 Kgs, trailer unknown). My biggest concern is not struggling to tow and not having to constantly stir the gearbox just to jug along. Don’t think I any concerns over weights as passed my driving test in 1988 although happy to be corrected.
Slightly above budget but of any interest?https://www.sheffieldmotorhomes.co.uk/view-informa...
Having just hired one for the weekend (Eldiss 196 Prestige) I would suggest you look at quite a few before buying one. On paper ours looked perfect for the job. However the rear seats are too short, the drop down bed in principle is a great idea but getting up to it and out takes some practice.
Considering the size of the thing it doesn't make the best use of its size, I would also avoid anything built on a PSA platform. If I was to buy anything it would either be a caravan or day van with awning, unless there are better motorhomes out there - which i'm sure there are. Also the rattles as you drive gets on ya tits.
Considering the size of the thing it doesn't make the best use of its size, I would also avoid anything built on a PSA platform. If I was to buy anything it would either be a caravan or day van with awning, unless there are better motorhomes out there - which i'm sure there are. Also the rattles as you drive gets on ya tits.
stevemcs said:
Considering the size of the thing it doesn't make the best use of its size
From what I've seen, space utilisation and design has been steadily getting worse as motorhome manufacturers try to squeeze more and more specification onto a light truck chassis. The vehicles are getting longer, the payloads are shrinking, and for negligible gains in functionality.We're overdue a young vehicle designer having a retro moment looking at late '80s/early '90s models from Hymer/Pilote and wondering, "You know, if we stripped the design right back to the essentials we could make a really good modern touring motorhome".
Coming from my daily driver a pretty much rattle free and deadly silent Lexus LS and climbing aboard my ancient Fiat based Hymer the rattles, creaks and groans can be most disconcerting however as time passes younger used to it. The first few miles of any journey are the noisiest but once everything settles back into its place you stop worrying.
Driving a motorhome also makes you appreciate the silence and general refinement a normal car offers however the feeling of rocking up at an overpriced Italian servo and cooking a mean rissotto for 3 euros to feed 4 people is nice
Buy an old Merc based hymer. Do an engine swap and you will genuinely have one of the best built motorhomes money can buy
Driving a motorhome also makes you appreciate the silence and general refinement a normal car offers however the feeling of rocking up at an overpriced Italian servo and cooking a mean rissotto for 3 euros to feed 4 people is nice
Buy an old Merc based hymer. Do an engine swap and you will genuinely have one of the best built motorhomes money can buy
Watching with interest as currently looking at something similar. Current thoughts are building something myself over a year or so based on a 2018 lwb or xlwb (rare) Mercedes sprinter pref woth auto box. Concept is to be off grid for up to a week at a time.
Most of the motor homes seen so far seem pretty badly designed so I’m studying boat and #vanlife designs to come up with the “perfect” spec.
Most of the motor homes seen so far seem pretty badly designed so I’m studying boat and #vanlife designs to come up with the “perfect” spec.
The rattles and squeaks can often be reduced with judicious use of packing materials /rubber shelf liner placed in all drawers and cupboards if you have time and patience. often it's the glass lids on cookers etc or removable trays. It describe you crackers compared to a car but you can make it much better :-)
Even the luxury built ones suffer from rattles and squeaks as weight and soundproofing are the enemy!
Even the luxury built ones suffer from rattles and squeaks as weight and soundproofing are the enemy!
Eric Mc said:
A motorhome will never be as quiet as a modern car - it's just not possible. The most annoying rattle is the glass cover over the hob. What I've always done is place a towel under the glass. That makes an amazing difference.
Yep, plus it stops the impact when the lid bounces as you go over a speed bump or pothole, or even French level crossing. Non slip matting in the cupboards certainly helps, especially if put between pots and pans, although a few sheets of kitchen roll does the trick with crockery. It's all about how you pack it. Besides, it doesn't matter what you drive, if it's bigger than a car it rattles - one of the worst I experienced was my ex-business partner's VW California. I drove it the day she got it (brand new), it put me off having one for life.
Yes - non slip rubber/vinyl makes a big difference regarding noise from the pots and pans cupboard.
The one thing I can't do much about is the noise of the fairly crude suspension. My vehicle is a 2005 Ducato base and this model was superseded in 2007 by a brand new base vehicle which probably has more refined suspension - although I've never ridden in a later Ducato based motorhome so can't say for sure.
The one thing I can't do much about is the noise of the fairly crude suspension. My vehicle is a 2005 Ducato base and this model was superseded in 2007 by a brand new base vehicle which probably has more refined suspension - although I've never ridden in a later Ducato based motorhome so can't say for sure.
The latest version of the Ducato is excellent. I've driven a few albeit not motorhomes and the difference between the earlier 3 versions (Up to 05/06) is like night and day. Borrowed a new Iveco van with the 8 speed zf box last year and that was an absolute joy to drive. (Dethleffs use them as a base but they cost more than my house to buy)
Sounds good. If I ever upgrade to a newer van it will be on one of these more modern chassis. However, the living quarters of my van are so comfortable that I am reluctant to get rid of it. Swift/Bessacar do a modern equivalent but the internal furnishings and colours are just not as nice as what they were providing back in 2005.
Now that I am generally in the van on my own, the noise levels when driving are not of significance to me.
Now that I am generally in the van on my own, the noise levels when driving are not of significance to me.
You're totally right in terms of interior fit and finish. My 93 hymer is mostly made of solid wood inside with very 90's but really heavy duty upholstery. If only it was a bit less of a pain to drive. (Our holidays tend to be at least 1000 miles away and it really is hard work on longer trips)
Its a shame that we live in a lease/throwaway society and that the quality of new products reflects that.
Its a shame that we live in a lease/throwaway society and that the quality of new products reflects that.
'92 Hymer here. Rattles like an ironmongers in an earthquake.
I do think that if these older model designs could just be "transplanted" onto a modern chassis they would be far superior to the current models. Well built, well designed, do the basics really well and don't have fiddly extras to break. Maybe the budget no-nonsense motorhome will return when dealers have the £40k VED target to aim under.
I do think that if these older model designs could just be "transplanted" onto a modern chassis they would be far superior to the current models. Well built, well designed, do the basics really well and don't have fiddly extras to break. Maybe the budget no-nonsense motorhome will return when dealers have the £40k VED target to aim under.
Hi all, I've seen a coach built Burstner A645 I quite like, helpfully the seller sent an extract from the v5, to confirm its GVW. I notice it doesn't have any towing weights on it.
Now it is an import, and doesn't currently have a tow bar,but assuming the weight plate on the vehicle has a max train weight or max towing weight does this mean a tow bar can be fitted regardless of what's on the v5? It's not something the seller has considered so they don't know.
Its based on a 98 2.5 td Ducato so I imagine power wise it isn't an issue. Not sure whether these have an alko chassis or it's standard.
Just trying to get it clear in my head before I go looking at it.
Now it is an import, and doesn't currently have a tow bar,but assuming the weight plate on the vehicle has a max train weight or max towing weight does this mean a tow bar can be fitted regardless of what's on the v5? It's not something the seller has considered so they don't know.
Its based on a 98 2.5 td Ducato so I imagine power wise it isn't an issue. Not sure whether these have an alko chassis or it's standard.
Just trying to get it clear in my head before I go looking at it.
Merry said:
Hi all, I've seen a coach built Burstner A645 I quite like, helpfully the seller sent an extract from the v5, to confirm its GVW. I notice it doesn't have any towing weights on it.
Now it is an import, and doesn't currently have a tow bar,but assuming the weight plate on the vehicle has a max train weight or max towing weight does this mean a tow bar can be fitted regardless of what's on the v5? It's not something the seller has considered so they don't know.
Its based on a 98 2.5 td Ducato so I imagine power wise it isn't an issue. Not sure whether these have an alko chassis or it's standard.
Just trying to get it clear in my head before I go looking at it.
Yes. Coach built vans often don't have a GVW on the V5, 'cos they are just that, coach built on a standard chassis. The weight plate is the important bit. It's in our plan to eventually get a tow bar fitted and take the 2CV with us on a trailer, but at present I have no where to store a trailer . . . Now it is an import, and doesn't currently have a tow bar,but assuming the weight plate on the vehicle has a max train weight or max towing weight does this mean a tow bar can be fitted regardless of what's on the v5? It's not something the seller has considered so they don't know.
Its based on a 98 2.5 td Ducato so I imagine power wise it isn't an issue. Not sure whether these have an alko chassis or it's standard.
Just trying to get it clear in my head before I go looking at it.
Merry said:
So I've been to see it and this is the plate:
The plate in the back from Burstner has no weights on it. Handbook says max towing weight for the model is 1600kg, which is fine for what I need.
Annoying, apart from the towing question mark it's perfect.
I thought they had to put a new plate in if it has been uprated? That looks a bit dodgy to me. What does the V5 say?The plate in the back from Burstner has no weights on it. Handbook says max towing weight for the model is 1600kg, which is fine for what I need.
Annoying, apart from the towing question mark it's perfect.
And there is no Gross Train Weight on there either.
GlenMH said:
I thought they had to put a new plate in if it has been uprated? That looks a bit dodgy to me. What does the V5 say?
And there is no Gross Train Weight on there either.
^ that, the original plate should not have been defaced. A second plate should have been added showing the new weight. The second plate would identify who was approving the weight up-rate. Is there paperwork to support the up-rate? - if there is, follow it up and confirm; if there's, not walk away.And there is no Gross Train Weight on there either.
It's normal for there to me no GTW on a motorhome plate.
GSalt said:
^ that, the original plate should not have been defaced. A second plate should have been added showing the new weight. The second plate would identify who was approving the weight up-rate. Is there paperwork to support the up-rate? - if there is, follow it up and confirm; if there's, not walk away.
It's normal for there to me no GTW on a motorhome plate.
It is imported, if that makes a difference. It's normal for there to me no GTW on a motorhome plate.
There is no paperwork to say its been uprated at all as far as I can see. The v5 itself still shows 3500kg.
The plate from the convertor near the back door shows no weights at all. Despite being spaces for it.
Unfortunately I think I'll be walking away in this instance. Its a shame, the layout is perfect, but there's no room for uncertainty if you're dropping £14k.
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