Pros and cons of an A class?
Discussion
I'm a Motorhome dealer I've sold most new brands of A class and currently sell the Adria, Rapido, Hymer and Dethleffs ones.
Tbh A classes have slightly been usurped by dropdown bed coachbuilts to some degree which offer the drop down beds without the massive extra expense of an A class.
So here's the pros and cons for me-
Pros-
The vehicle is no wider , despite what people think, but carries the width full length offering a greater amount of internal space so the option of the front swing down bed abd greater feeling of internal space.
The view from the panoramic front windows when driving or stopped is lovely.
Warmth- A classes are the ultimate for insulation as the full van is made of it and there's no drafty cab doors just one airtight caravan door for the cab
Negatives-
Price, as its built on a skeleton chassis up as a motorhome they are typically £10-15k more when new spec for spec than the equivalent low profile.
Rattles- They lose structural rigidity so even the best tend to be a bit noisier and fkexier on the road, like an old convertible car.
Parts- As the front end is all conversion you will pay way more and wait linger for mirrors, lights, panels and windscreen etc, windscreen is covered by insurance tho so cost not a huge concern
Driving- I like driving them, some people find sitting back from the screen weird but yiu quickly get used to it and I love the view and visibility.
Layouts- This is pro and con, there are some layouts you just won't see in an A class or not many, like 6 berth end lounge, bunkbeds etc , the family friendly ones are rare basically in the UK die to expensive family vans not selling.
Budget makes- Don't buy a budget builders A class , they are harder to make and can suffer structural issues so just dodge budget A classes and the odd British one we are inept at making them.
Overall just buy what you like but expect a long wait for anything new.
Nec show next month, lots of premium brands not there but its worth a look still, I'm working on Adria if you're going say Hi
Tbh A classes have slightly been usurped by dropdown bed coachbuilts to some degree which offer the drop down beds without the massive extra expense of an A class.
So here's the pros and cons for me-
Pros-
The vehicle is no wider , despite what people think, but carries the width full length offering a greater amount of internal space so the option of the front swing down bed abd greater feeling of internal space.
The view from the panoramic front windows when driving or stopped is lovely.
Warmth- A classes are the ultimate for insulation as the full van is made of it and there's no drafty cab doors just one airtight caravan door for the cab
Negatives-
Price, as its built on a skeleton chassis up as a motorhome they are typically £10-15k more when new spec for spec than the equivalent low profile.
Rattles- They lose structural rigidity so even the best tend to be a bit noisier and fkexier on the road, like an old convertible car.
Parts- As the front end is all conversion you will pay way more and wait linger for mirrors, lights, panels and windscreen etc, windscreen is covered by insurance tho so cost not a huge concern
Driving- I like driving them, some people find sitting back from the screen weird but yiu quickly get used to it and I love the view and visibility.
Layouts- This is pro and con, there are some layouts you just won't see in an A class or not many, like 6 berth end lounge, bunkbeds etc , the family friendly ones are rare basically in the UK die to expensive family vans not selling.
Budget makes- Don't buy a budget builders A class , they are harder to make and can suffer structural issues so just dodge budget A classes and the odd British one we are inept at making them.
Overall just buy what you like but expect a long wait for anything new.
Nec show next month, lots of premium brands not there but its worth a look still, I'm working on Adria if you're going say Hi
Prior to buying this last September I viewed a fair few ‘A ‘ Clas and dismissed them for all the reasons others have given, in addition a number I viewed that had a drop down bed above the front seats had to have a considerable amount of structural steel work in the engine bay to support both the bed weight and the massive windscreen.
I saw at least 4 with cracking in the engine bay where these supports were attached none of these vehicles were older than 2020. Various makes a couple of Mobilvlettas a Burstner can’t rember the 4th, to be honest in my opinion I just don’t think they’re worth the extra money over a low profile.
So here she is at Hawes Yorkshire back last year our Pilote F740 Evidence 7.5m…..
I saw at least 4 with cracking in the engine bay where these supports were attached none of these vehicles were older than 2020. Various makes a couple of Mobilvlettas a Burstner can’t rember the 4th, to be honest in my opinion I just don’t think they’re worth the extra money over a low profile.
So here she is at Hawes Yorkshire back last year our Pilote F740 Evidence 7.5m…..
Thanks Nag, the better view out is an attraction for me, prices are just mad still, I'd expected my van to be worth around £25k now and pay around £40k to upgrade. I've seen my model and age at nearly £40k and any decent upgrade is upwards of £60k. Looking to move to something with walk around bed.
BR thanks for that as well.
BR thanks for that as well.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Prices won't be dropping any time soon and anything Island Bed or singles that make a big double over a garage used just sell instantly.
What do you have presently?
Bessacarr E560 very happy, great layout but we’ve had it 5 years now and think it’s time for a change. What do you have presently?
tight fart said:
nagsheadwarrior said:
Prices won't be dropping any time soon and anything Island Bed or singles that make a big double over a garage used just sell instantly.
What do you have presently?
Bessacarr E560 very happy, great layout but we’ve had it 5 years now and think it’s time for a change. What do you have presently?
Standing joke in our team is the price of them, I remember in 2014 having an 07 one up for £27995 which was the cheapest we had ever had one and 9 years later an 07 one at £29995 will sell in seconds lol
Aren't the engines more difficult to work on due to being quite far back from the usually smaller than normal bonnet? I've seen eye watering prices quoted for a cambelt change on one of the motorhome forums.
I briefly looked at A classes when we changed our motorhome earlier this year but bought a used Adria Coral with an island bed, loving it so far.
I briefly looked at A classes when we changed our motorhome earlier this year but bought a used Adria Coral with an island bed, loving it so far.
ColinM50 said:
Yes, think you're right about that, chappie on a site we were at last year said he'd paid £4500 for a new screen and couldn;t get cover. I'd check with insurance co before buying.
Other point that worries me is no drivers door
I have had no trouble getting insurance that includes unlimited windscreen. Edited to add, when I was shopping around for insurance to include cover for Morocco at renewal last year I double checked the windscreen cover, the agent said that the cost of a new windscreen on some of the cars they insure is eye watering, so no problem with a motorhome.Other point that worries me is no drivers door
No driver/passenger door is something I looked for when I bought mine, having had someone try to break into one of the front doors on a Sprinter based coachbuilt some years ago in France ( and breaking the lock) I like the security of one (habitation) door. If I need to get out in a hurry it has large sliding side windows.
As Nagshead has pointed out the integration of cab seats into the sitting area and the insulation is why I like an A Class. I took our sprinter coach built skiing many years ago, we had bottled water in the cab area whilst onsite, it froze, we just couldn't get any heat in there.
Edited by Russ T Bolt on Saturday 18th February 14:47
Edited by Russ T Bolt on Saturday 18th February 14:53
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