A Class Advantages?
Discussion
About a year ago, I started a thread about motorhome options. Since then, as for most of us, nothing has moved on.
Anyway; what are the benefits of an A class over a semi-integrated? There are two of us, and a dog.
It seems to me that the advantages of an A class are a pull-down bed over the cab, which we don't need, and being slightly easier to rotate the front seats to face the lounge.
The advantages of the semi-integrated seem to be the safety features (radar cruise, lane keep, blind spot etc) and being easier to place on the road. And they are significantly less ugly than integrated alternatives.
So why are A classes more popular? What are we missing?
Anyway; what are the benefits of an A class over a semi-integrated? There are two of us, and a dog.
It seems to me that the advantages of an A class are a pull-down bed over the cab, which we don't need, and being slightly easier to rotate the front seats to face the lounge.
The advantages of the semi-integrated seem to be the safety features (radar cruise, lane keep, blind spot etc) and being easier to place on the road. And they are significantly less ugly than integrated alternatives.
So why are A classes more popular? What are we missing?
Not quite sure what you mean by "semi integrated" but assuming you're talking about a traditional motorhome, of which I own one, then I do indeed hanker after an A class.
My m/h, an Eldiss 196 is fine but to me these things look like what they are - converted vans whereas an A class just has more of an air of designed for the purpose. The worse looking is the older bubble roof m/h's and we had one of those before, a Swift Lifestyle and even before we bought it I thought it looked wrong. More like a converted horse box
https://www.leisurekingdom.co.uk/new-elddis-autoqu...
https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/motorhomes/swift-edge...
One of the nicer A class m/h is:
https://www.pilote-motorhome.uk/motorhome/galaxy-r...
though at £120k a little out of my budget.
But the best has to be
https://www.motorhomes.co.uk/manufacturers/niesman...
Assuming I've got the meaning of your "semi integrated" right
My m/h, an Eldiss 196 is fine but to me these things look like what they are - converted vans whereas an A class just has more of an air of designed for the purpose. The worse looking is the older bubble roof m/h's and we had one of those before, a Swift Lifestyle and even before we bought it I thought it looked wrong. More like a converted horse box
https://www.leisurekingdom.co.uk/new-elddis-autoqu...
https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/motorhomes/swift-edge...
One of the nicer A class m/h is:
https://www.pilote-motorhome.uk/motorhome/galaxy-r...
though at £120k a little out of my budget.
But the best has to be
https://www.motorhomes.co.uk/manufacturers/niesman...
Assuming I've got the meaning of your "semi integrated" right
Thanks Colin, by semi-integrated, I mean B class, or low-profile.
This time last year we had priced up a Niesmann Bischoff Smove to around €160k, IIRC. They don't do that model any more, and it seems we get more choice if we go back into A-class territory. I struggle with the fact that they're all plug-ugly, but that's the compromise, I guess.
We don't need or want a pull down bed over the cab (although Hymer do a cool storage thing to replace the mattress) we'd sooner have the headroom and a skylight..
Options were (all low-profiles) Laika Kreos, N&B Smove or Hymer ML T, all around 7.5-8m. Options now look like (all A class) Laika Kreos, N&B Arto or Hymer ML B, probably the same sort of length, but ther temptation is to stick another metre on
I suppose I'm looking for reasons to save 20k and buy a better-looking low-profile, even though I think I know I'd be better of with an A class.
This time last year we had priced up a Niesmann Bischoff Smove to around €160k, IIRC. They don't do that model any more, and it seems we get more choice if we go back into A-class territory. I struggle with the fact that they're all plug-ugly, but that's the compromise, I guess.
We don't need or want a pull down bed over the cab (although Hymer do a cool storage thing to replace the mattress) we'd sooner have the headroom and a skylight..
Options were (all low-profiles) Laika Kreos, N&B Smove or Hymer ML T, all around 7.5-8m. Options now look like (all A class) Laika Kreos, N&B Arto or Hymer ML B, probably the same sort of length, but ther temptation is to stick another metre on
I suppose I'm looking for reasons to save 20k and buy a better-looking low-profile, even though I think I know I'd be better of with an A class.
I have had both coach-built and A class (N+B Arto).
We found
Better insulation in A class, everything froze in the cab of our Kreos coach-built when we took it to Austria over winter.
Better integration/space with the front seats in use in A class
Better security, especially N+B with just one door. Had someone try to break into the Laika (Sprinter base) in France, but we were parked overnight in an Aire.
My wife much preferred the much bigger screen in the A class when travelling/parked in scenic place, however I hear downsides of the windscreens in A class if it needs replacing, much easier in a chassis cab of low profile/coachbuilt.
Personally I think some of the A classes look quite nice, the Knaus looks good to me.
Our Arto was 6.3m so that I could get it on the drive, but was on a 4T chassis so had about 1T payload.
We found
Better insulation in A class, everything froze in the cab of our Kreos coach-built when we took it to Austria over winter.
Better integration/space with the front seats in use in A class
Better security, especially N+B with just one door. Had someone try to break into the Laika (Sprinter base) in France, but we were parked overnight in an Aire.
My wife much preferred the much bigger screen in the A class when travelling/parked in scenic place, however I hear downsides of the windscreens in A class if it needs replacing, much easier in a chassis cab of low profile/coachbuilt.
Personally I think some of the A classes look quite nice, the Knaus looks good to me.
Our Arto was 6.3m so that I could get it on the drive, but was on a 4T chassis so had about 1T payload.
Edited by Russ T Bolt on Monday 5th July 14:45
Russ T Bolt said:
Doofus said:
As I said, I think I know the A clas is a better option. We hadn't looked at Knaus, they seem quite well-equipped.
Just taken the configurator to £174,000 though...
Blimey, you must have selected a lot.Just taken the configurator to £174,000 though...
Knaus are normally good value for money.
Our 2nd MH was a Knaus
In the case of Knaus, their top model has a base price of £131,000. 
We started off with a normal motorhome that had the standard Fiat front end and a coachbuilt back end before moving to an A-Class (We have a Pilote as linked earlier).
Whilst the A Class does have the standard Fiat Dash etc it does feel so much larger towards the front. I'm not sure how much wider the A Class cab is than a standard Fiat cab but it does give a massively more spacious feel. As we have a couple of kids we also use the overcab bed and in an A-Class its not actually that high as it pulls down quite low into the cab area, whereas our old one had the big bulge overcab bed which needed a ladder to get in / out of. We still have a ladder for the A-Class but can get into bed by stepping off one of the sofa benches just as easily.
If you don't need the pull down bed most manufacturers offer a delete option from new, but it may limit resale.
As for the features such as hill hold / lane assist etc I think most of these are available on A-Classes as most use the standard Fiat (or Merc) engine / electronics / bulkhead etc.
If I were to buy another motorhome I think I'd want to go for another A Class, but I wouldn't rule out a non A Class if it fitted our requirements.
Whilst the A Class does have the standard Fiat Dash etc it does feel so much larger towards the front. I'm not sure how much wider the A Class cab is than a standard Fiat cab but it does give a massively more spacious feel. As we have a couple of kids we also use the overcab bed and in an A-Class its not actually that high as it pulls down quite low into the cab area, whereas our old one had the big bulge overcab bed which needed a ladder to get in / out of. We still have a ladder for the A-Class but can get into bed by stepping off one of the sofa benches just as easily.
If you don't need the pull down bed most manufacturers offer a delete option from new, but it may limit resale.
As for the features such as hill hold / lane assist etc I think most of these are available on A-Classes as most use the standard Fiat (or Merc) engine / electronics / bulkhead etc.
If I were to buy another motorhome I think I'd want to go for another A Class, but I wouldn't rule out a non A Class if it fitted our requirements.
Edited by dtz on Monday 5th July 16:29
Doofus said:
About a year ago, I started a thread about motorhome options. Since then, as for most of us, nothing has moved on.
..
Anyway; what are the benefits of an A class over a semi-integrated?
Top one has got to be insulation, potentially quieter when driving too (depends on the build as its not uncommon to have fairly minimal sound deadening where the dash has been stretched over the engine)...
Anyway; what are the benefits of an A class over a semi-integrated?
Much better visibility and I think with time much easier to park nose in when in a tight spot. That said there is also the front blinds and how durable they are and how expensive they are to replace should they break (they can if handled improperly!). Plus the cost of getting insulated blinds to wrap around if that's the sort of thing you'd look for.
Doofus said:
..
So why are A classes more popular?
Couldn't say they are more popular tbh.So why are A classes more popular?
I've just taken delivery of my first Motorhome, which was chosen for the layout, which was two belts, twin single beds, separate washroom, twin sofa's didn't want something with a dinette and no clambering over anyone to get out at night.
It also has a flat floor throughout and the ability to close both the living area, sleeping area and washroom individually with proper doors.
I spec'd it with two TV's, enhanced media pack, habitation aircon, winter pack and upgraded to 4000Kg, all in the cost was a not insignificant amount of £74000.
It's a long vehicle at 7.75M but I managed to reverse it down my drive without any issues, the other advantage is the habitation door is on the nearside.
Yes I would have liked to have a Liner-for-two or a Smove but I had to draw the line somewhere on cost so I ended up with what I was most happy with.
https://www.auto-sleepers.com/motorhomes/peugeot-a...
It also has a flat floor throughout and the ability to close both the living area, sleeping area and washroom individually with proper doors.
I spec'd it with two TV's, enhanced media pack, habitation aircon, winter pack and upgraded to 4000Kg, all in the cost was a not insignificant amount of £74000.
It's a long vehicle at 7.75M but I managed to reverse it down my drive without any issues, the other advantage is the habitation door is on the nearside.
Yes I would have liked to have a Liner-for-two or a Smove but I had to draw the line somewhere on cost so I ended up with what I was most happy with.
https://www.auto-sleepers.com/motorhomes/peugeot-a...
wilksy61 said:
I've just taken delivery of my first Motorhome, which was chosen for the layout, which was two belts, twin single beds, separate washroom, twin sofa's didn't want something with a dinette and no clambering over anyone to get out at night.
It also has a flat floor throughout and the ability to close both the living area, sleeping area and washroom individually with proper doors.
I spec'd it with two TV's, enhanced media pack, habitation aircon, winter pack and upgraded to 4000Kg, all in the cost was a not insignificant amount of £74000.
It's a long vehicle at 7.75M but I managed to reverse it down my drive without any issues, the other advantage is the habitation door is on the nearside.
Yes I would have liked to have a Liner-for-two or a Smove but I had to draw the line somewhere on cost so I ended up with what I was most happy with.
https://www.auto-sleepers.com/motorhomes/peugeot-a...
Does it have a garage?It also has a flat floor throughout and the ability to close both the living area, sleeping area and washroom individually with proper doors.
I spec'd it with two TV's, enhanced media pack, habitation aircon, winter pack and upgraded to 4000Kg, all in the cost was a not insignificant amount of £74000.
It's a long vehicle at 7.75M but I managed to reverse it down my drive without any issues, the other advantage is the habitation door is on the nearside.
Yes I would have liked to have a Liner-for-two or a Smove but I had to draw the line somewhere on cost so I ended up with what I was most happy with.
https://www.auto-sleepers.com/motorhomes/peugeot-a...
Doofus said:
Does it have a garage?
No it doesn't have a garage although it does have enough storage for my current requirements, I have a Tern folding E Bike that will live its bag until I need to use it, whilst travelling it will just be laid down in the bathroom, it has external access to storage under one of the beds as well as storage under both sofa's, plus plenty of locker storage.As there is just the two of us plus our two (very) small dogs we didn't want steps up to the bed area, when we were looking I went into a Bailey and completely forgot about floor levels and tripped up what was quite a small step but christ it hurt so level floor it was after that episode.
If I decide to go bigger (more money) in 5 years time I will probably look at the Liner-for-two and like you go LHD as that would spend more time in Europe than the UK.
Doofus said:
We don't need or want a pull down bed over the cab (although Hymer do a cool storage thing to replace the mattress) we'd sooner have the headroom and a skylight..
I'm looking at these at the moment - the Hymer centre in Stafford have a N+B Arto without the front bed & has the skylight & storage - https://www.motorhomes.co.uk/stock/niesmann-bischo... They have a near identical one with the front bed too.I thought it was nice, but can't justify the extra cost. Front runners at the moment for us are Carthago eLine 64 XL or Burstner 920 G.
I'd also prefer a left hooker as it will live the majority of it's time on the continent, but not finding it that easy to find decent web sites in France or Spain so may have to search in Germany instead.
Carbon Sasquatch said:
I'm looking at these at the moment - the Hymer centre in Stafford have a N+B Arto without the front bed & has the skylight & storage - https://www.motorhomes.co.uk/stock/niesmann-bischo... They have a near identical one with the front bed too.
Apart from our desire for LHD, the queen bed puts me off, becuase we have a dog, and he's a selfish f
kpig, so it's either two singles with an infill between, or I'm on the bloody sofa. I'm not spending north of £150k to sleep on a camp bed.wilksy61 said:
I've just taken delivery of my first Motorhome....https://www.auto-sleepers.com/motorhomes/peugeot-al-ko-coachbuilt/corinium-duo
We quite liked those, but the beds were just too short for me - head touching one wall & feet the other. My wife also prefers a double than singles and in that format the bed is really narrow too - so it was not to be.Doofus said:
Apart from our desire for LHD, the queen bed puts me off, becuase we have a dog, and he's a selfish fkpig, so it's either two singles with an infill between, or I'm on the bloody sofa. I'm not spending north of £150k to sleep on a camp bed.
kpig, so it's either two singles with an infill between, or I'm on the bloody sofa. I'm not spending north of £150k to sleep on a camp bed. our dogs are used to being shut out of the bedroom at night - thank God Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff