In the market for a motorhome, however, can't decide on which model to go for. In particular, which is the best, most reliable chassis/ engine combination. Fiat, Renault or Peugeot.
Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen all come down the same production line, only the badges are different. Renault/Vauxhall/Nissan chassis all the same as well. Courier driver's high mileage van of choice is of course Mercedes which is same van as VW Crafter.
If choice is between Fiat etc & Renault then I'd go for Fiat/Peu/Cit as there are more about & more places to get them repaired.
When it comes to motorhomes, the quality of the habitation side and the suitability of the layout is FAR more important than which make of base vehicle you have..
Unless you get a lemon, any "modern" base vehicle should do the job fine...although of cause, they all have their "foibles"..
(Having said that, I have never really liked the fact that 99% of MHs are on front wheel drive chassis, as I'd prefer RWD..better traction on damp/muddy pitches)
*We had an X250 Peugeot(2007)and that drove fine, nice and light controls, car-like etc, after which we had a Renault. That was slightly less car like(or more "van-like" ? ), but to me, it felt more robust and planted..but I'd have either of them again as base vehicle.
Do be aware that SOME early X250s had problems with reverse judder(but by now, that should've been rectified?).
But, if you Google hard enough, you'll find horror stories about every vehicle, with people shouting about how the wouldn't touch X,Y..or Z, if you paid 'em .
(*before either, we also had a RWD Transit (Duetto) and that was still fine to drive but that was an '03(Mk6?)so probably too old to be of interest).
are you looking for a coachbuilt or van conversion??? I have a trigano tribute 650 (2008) on a fiat 120, remapped for economy and loaded with extras if interested.
You raise some important points there, the one of GVW, and therefore the need to have a valid licence if you need to go above 3500kg and the one of payload.
Many larger vans that have been plated below 3500kg have pitiful usable payload...especially if they are larger over-cabbed, multi-berth, multi-travel seated, "family" vans.
On the topic of RWD, in an ideal situation there'd be far more with rear wheel drive underpinnings(twin or otherwise) but obviously restricting a search to one containing solely that type would greatly restrict the OP's choice...
When we first switched from the Duetto(van conversion)to a coachbuilt, I was adamant that I wanted RWD..but in our price range at that time, all that really left us was lumbering old Auto-Trails on Mercs.(with their Grannie's parlour décor).
And having since had front wheel drive MHs, although it still "felt a bit wrong", in practise, there has only really been the odd occasion where we've got "stuck" and even then, as it was so muddy(festival sites) it would've been doubtful that a RWD would've made much difference anyway....
Quote: Originally posted by wineciccio on 08/12/2014
are you looking for a coachbuilt or van conversion??? I have a trigano tribute 650 (2008) on a fiat 120, remapped for economy and loaded with extras if interested.
Thanks for the offer, however, I'm looking at low profiles and the ones that have caught my eye and meet my requirements are the Chausson Allegro 95 and not much else so far. Really want the garage space and I am taken by the over garage bed.
I shall be looking to more or less full time in it all over Europe for 7-8 months a year.
Quote: Originally posted by wineciccio on 08/12/2014are you looking for a coachbuilt or van conversion??? I have a trigano tribute 650 (2008) on a fiat 120, remapped for economy and loaded with extras if interested.
Thanks for the offer, however, I'm looking at low profiles and the ones that have caught my eye and meet my requirements are the Chausson Allegro 95 and not much else so far. Really want the garage space and I am taken by the over garage bed.
I shall be looking to more or less full time in it all over Europe for 7-8 months a year.
Any other suggestions???
Also the Knauss Vanti and Sport TI, allegro 97 and the Adria Coral 660SL
Not the layout you're after but we had an '08 Allegro 83(French-bed, low profile, on Renault) up until Feb of this year and build quality wise, I couldn't fault it.(we had it for over 4 1./2 years).
Is there any reason you're just looking at low profiles ?..because if you intend to life out of it for several months at a time, even if you don't need the bunk space, the overcab would come in very handy for additional storage for clothes, coats etc...
Hi Mark,
whatever you settle with, it all sounds very attractive to me. Have a great time choosing, then go enjoy yourselves!
Pepe, what are you changing to? keep us all informed wont you?
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Pepe, what are you changing to? keep us all informed wont you?
Well, we went "back to basics" early this year and we just use our Hiace "camping-van" for now.
We ran both, the Chausson and the Hiace, for a couple of years but we found that the MH was getting used less and less(...a fair percentage of our "summer" use is on festival sites)and what ever "winter weekends away" we are taking,are in B&Bs/country pubs with rooms/"travelodges" etc..
I suppose in hindsight we switched to "motorhomes" too soon really and as we're still working, due to lack of annual leave,we weren't really getting full use out of it..
Ideally I suppose a tidy(but non-bling!) VW T5, as a rudimentary camper, with maybe a cool'n'groovy Eriba caravan for longer stays, would do us..
Not the layout you're after but we had an '08 Allegro 83(French-bed, low profile, on Renault) up until Feb of this year and build quality wise, I couldn't fault it.(we had it for over 4 1./2 years).[IMG]http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley20.gif" width=31 alt=24>
Is there any reason you're just looking at low profiles ?..because if you intend to life out of it for several months at a time, even if you don't need the bunk space, the overcab would come in very handy for additional storage for clothes, coats etc...
Fancying a low profile as I'm thinking about fuel consumption and because I think they look nicer. Want a garage model because of the storage space they offer.
You raise some important points there, the one of GVW, and therefore the need to have a valid licence if you need to go above 3500kg and the one of payload.
Many larger vans that have been plated below 3500kg have pitiful usable payload...especially if they are larger over-cabbed, multi-berth, multi-travel seated, "family" vans.
On the topic of RWD, in an ideal situation there'd be far more with rear wheel drive underpinnings(twin or otherwise) but obviously restricting a search to one containing solely that type would greatly restrict the OP's choice...
When we first switched from the Duetto(van conversion)to a coachbuilt, I was adamant that I wanted RWD..but in our price range at that time, all that really left us was lumbering old Auto-Trails on Mercs.(with their Grannie's parlour décor[IMG]http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley36.gif" width=25 alt=24>).
And having since had front wheel drive MHs, although it still "felt a bit wrong", in practise, there has only really been the odd occasion where we've got "stuck" and even then, as it was so muddy(festival sites) it would've been doubtful that a RWD would've made much difference anyway....
I have a class 1 licence so weights not an issue for me
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Best chassis
), but to me, it felt more robust and planted..but I'd have either of them again as base vehicle.
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