Coachbuilt or A Class?

[Sidders]

Hello Funsters,
After some advice please.
Currently got a Laika as per pic below. Always had coachbuilt Motorhomes and this one really is lush for an old girl.
We spend much of our time in the Highlands of Scotland. I noticed on our last jolly that the view out the front windscreen was somewhat limited height-wise. Got me thinking that an A-class with a large windscreen screen would suit our needs better….something along the lines of a Hymer, Rapido or this one….

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It’s at least a 10k jump from what we currently have and just want to be sure I’m not looking at it through my rose tinted glasses…
Has anyone done the same or vice versa that could give some input?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Hello Funsters,
After some advice please.
Currently got a Laika as per pic below. Always had coachbuilt Motorhomes and this one really is lush for an old girl.
We spend much of our time in the Highlands of Scotland. I noticed on our last jolly that the view out the front windscreen was somewhat limited height-wise. Got me thinking that an A-class with a large windscreen screen would suit our needs better….something along the lines of a Hymer, Rapido or this one….

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www.autotrader.co.uk

It’s at least a 10k jump from what we currently have and just want to be sure I’m not looking at it through my rose tinted glasses…
Has anyone done the same or vice versa that could give some input?



View attachment 899923

The view from our Le Voyageur is superb. Very commanding and a superb marque of van with the backing of the Pilote group

 

[Wh05apk]

We've just gone from 2 a classes over the last 6 years to a low profile coachbuilt hymer, reason being I wanted easier access to the cab - 2 doors, and maintenance, also comfort wanted an extra £1,000 to insure an a class just because of the cost of replacement windscreens.
The view is similar, I prefer the coachbuilt as the glass is closer, so you don't notice it so much, on our a class reflections in the side window were horrendous.
On site you will feel more cramped in the cab seats as obviously the body is not so wide, but if you are used to a coachbuilt this is not an issue.

If you do a search there was a long thread on this a month or so ago.

 

[Wh05apk]

The view from our Le Voyageur is superb. Very commanding and a superb marque of van with the backing of the Pilote group

Thats what we had, superb build.

 

[Pausim]

I found A Class far easier to drive than Coachbuilt. You are sitting in a space that is the same width as the box behind you.

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[dunnah01]

£10k to avoid the Scottish midges outside seems like a bargain

 

[WESTY66]

First thing I noticed when I set off in my first A Class was the panoramic view out of the windscreen

 

[Lenny HB]

Our first van was a Low profile Hymer Tramp, last van a Hymer A Class as is the current van and we are picking up a new Carthago A class in a couple of weeks, I think that says what we prefer.

After the first A Class didn't want anything else. Love the view, the better ambiance inside, warmer as the front end is properly insulated, quieter when driving. Easier to get through tight spaces with the flat sides & easier to reverse. Better mirrors also makes driving easier.

I don't like the cramped feeling in a standard cab always feels like you are going to hit your head on the screen when you lean forward & on a CB don't like the sticky out bits inside where the cab joins the body.

 

[VXman]

Hello Funsters,
After some advice please.
Currently got a Laika as per pic below. Always had coachbuilt Motorhomes and this one really is lush for an old girl.
We spend much of our time in the Highlands of Scotland. I noticed on our last jolly that the view out the front windscreen was somewhat limited height-wise. Got me thinking that an A-class with a large windscreen screen would suit our needs better….something along the lines of a Hymer, Rapido or this one….

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

It’s at least a 10k jump from what we currently have and just want to be sure I’m not looking at it through my rose tinted glasses…
Has anyone done the same or vice versa that could give some input?



View attachment 899923

By the way -A coachbuilt without that over cab bed would have a much better view too.

 

[DangerMousy]

By the way -A coachbuilt without that over cab bed would have a much better view too.

Not really Our first MH was a Bailey with no overcab. But the standard windscreen really limited the view, especially for high up road signs. Maybe if we were short people it'd have worked, but for us it got annoying very quickly.

We're now on our 2nd A Class, don't think we'd go back to a coachbuilt now.

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[VXman]

Look - I'm not saying that a coachbuilt has as good a view as a A class (depends on coachbuilt and depends on A class) but it is a scientific fact that the OP's coachbuilt won't have as good a view as a low profile A class with no overhang, no over cab bed, no dropdown bed. That was all I said.

It's obvious if you just look...

 

[enark]

Absolutely cant fault my Rapido for design, quality and value for money.

Cab is so much more part of the van than our previous coachbuilt.

 

[Shrimp]

We would never change to a coach built, love our A-class!

 

[funflair]

Some advantages of a coach built, might be,

Standard windscreen,
Standard van mirrors,
No double glazed side windows to steam up,
Original cab with all standard safety features, air bags etc,
Cab doors for easy access (OK some A class have cab doors)
Standard van for servicing.

We have a A class and won't be changing any time soon, but.

 

[The Coops]

Gone back to a coach built, could not get on with the A Class, horses for courses, its got a front and side window you can look out from and if you want a 360 panoramic view...............step out of the van!

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[Minxy]

I love my A-class 'conservatory'!

 

[Rob Turner]

A Class for us, we're on our second after having a coachbuilt first and we would never go back.

 

[Sidders]

We've just gone from 2 a classes over the last 6 years to a low profile coachbuilt hymer, reason being I wanted easier access to the cab - 2 doors, and maintenance, also comfort wanted an extra £1,000 to insure an a class just because of the cost of replacement windscreens.
The view is similar, I prefer the coachbuilt as the glass is closer, so you don't notice it so much, on our a class reflections in the side window were horrendous.
On site you will feel more cramped in the cab seats as obviously the body is not so wide, but if you are used to a coachbuilt this is not an issue.

If you do a search there was a long thread on this a month or so ago.

That’s unbelievable re insurance
Will maybe check that first, thanks

 

[Sidders]

Gone back to a coach built, could not get on with the A Class, horses for courses, its got a front and side window you can look out from and if you want a 360 panoramic view...............step out of the van!

Can I ask what you had and what the main reasons were for it not working? I want to be sure before I take the plunge..

 

[M-J]

Our first was a low profile coach built, much prefer our current A-class. Took a couple of trips to adjust (felt like I was driving a bus to start) but already I find it’s easier to drive and more refined so less noise and rattles. Feels more luxurious once parked up too.

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[Mr B]

Just my own personal opinion…..
So, having had a Rapido 2011 9095df (bought and imported from a dealer in France)… loved the space, LHD ( imo, only buy a LHD A class, as the drivers door is on that side, unless you buy the new Autotrail, or your budget can stretch to a Morello, Concorde and the like, as they only have a hab door…plus, when it’s time to sell, your market is Europe wide, not just Blighty if you have RHD drive)
A class vans don’t age that fast, look at Carthago, Hymer, Rapido and the like.
Be careful of your payload, as ours was plated at 3850kg, but was not nearly enough for our likes.
Make sure the windscreen insurance covers the cost… as it’s a specialist item.
There easy to drive, even in our own country.
Headlights are s..t
Make sure (again, imo lol) it’s on the heavy chassis, as the brakes are far superior.
Having said all this, we changed to a coachbuilt in 2019, another Rapido for more payload, 3 litre engine with 180bhp, even though the 2.3 fiat 130bhp performs well enough, you just change gears more…a lot more when in the Alps…
It takes time to find the right combination for your needs… so good luck and happy travels with whatever you end up with

If my numbers come up on the lottery, I’m off for a Carthago S plus

 

[LithiumConvert]

Feels more luxurious once parked up too.

 

[jobla]

Having owned both types over the years I do believe that if I was replacing now it would be a coachbuilt. The improvements to coachbuilts over the last few years mainly in the sleeping department mean that one of the main attractions of an 'A' class is not so relevant. The only other real edge the 'A' class has is visibility but that would not be a deal breaker. Another point not often raised about 'A' class vans is the windscreen. I have had 2 replaced over the years and both have incurred long periods with the van off the road whilst screens were sourced. Not a problem I would think if based on commercial vehicle. At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and how deep your pockets are.
Jobla

 

[The Coops]

Can I ask what you had and what the main reasons were for it not working? I want to be sure before I take the plunge..

Having to use the side *door for the driver, only one door at the front on the passenger side, sitting on/over the gas bottles, the locker directly under driver seat, drop down bed in front, massive dashboard complete waste of space *A pillar caused massive blind spots, replacement windscreens having to wait not an off the shelf item, servicing, really restricted space, MPG much better on a coachbuilt, does not look like a converted bread delivery van! At the end of the day only 6 inches wider but, wait for the comments about 6 inches making all the difference! We tried we didn't get on with it, we changed, its all down to personal choice.

 

[nicholsong]

We have an N&B Arto 'A' Class (2003) which has a very high, and of course wide, windscreen. This gives us views of mountain tops in Alps whilst driving, and wide panoramic feeling in the lounge area.

I have not had a coachbuilt but I have driven lots of vans so I can compare the driving view and also the cab space, which is far superior in an 'A' Class. If driving in a normal cab I would feel I were back at work.

One poster said an extra £1,000 for insurance. Not my experience, either on UK or Poland policy, both were/are well below £1,000, so £1,000 less would be a minus quantity. One just has to make sure the windscreen is unlimited cover above the excess, as some are limited to e.g. £2,500 which is not enough. In 15 years I have had one chip which was fillable within MOT limits.

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[Broadway]

We’ve just changed from coach built to A-Class and after only a few weeks wouldn’t go back.
Easier to drive, no worrying about the lump behind, serene and quiet cab with loads of room, almost no rattles and a stunning view from the windscreen. We love it!!

 

[Gaz n Debz]

That’s unbelievable re insurance
Will maybe check that first, thanks

We have a Bavaria A Class (See Avatar) and our insurance is just over £500 with Comfort - including European Breakdown & Recovery. This was a rise of just over £50 on the previous year when I renewed recently. I actually had to claim for a windscreen in the previous year too so must admit I was expecting a massive rise.
I'm still a bit gutted at the 50 quid rise though after reading WH05APK's post that it's been inflated by a £1000 - Comfort should have paid me £500 for the privilege of being insured with them

 

[jeff4066]

Hello Funsters,
After some advice please.
Currently got a Laika as per pic below. Always had coachbuilt Motorhomes and this one really is lush for an old girl.
We spend much of our time in the Highlands of Scotland. I noticed on our last jolly that the view out the front windscreen was somewhat limited height-wise. Got me thinking that an A-class with a large windscreen screen would suit our needs better….something along the lines of a Hymer, Rapido or this one….

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

It’s at least a 10k jump from what we currently have and just want to be sure I’m not looking at it through my rose tinted glasses…
Has anyone done the same or vice versa that could give some input?



View attachment 899923

We have just got a Laika ecovip A class and love it, we'll worth the money. Coach built never an option for us as I I like the space and the view. Some people say all that space up front is wasted but it makes it fee light and airy

 

[Lenny HB]

Having to use the side *door for the driver, only one door at the front on the passenger side, sitting on/over the gas bottles, the locker directly under driver seat, drop down bed in front, massive dashboard complete waste of space

You only had a passenger door because you bought an A Class with the steering wheel on the wrong side.

Just like a CB gas locker position varies with the layout of the van we have had two A Class's the gas locker as been at the rear so is the new one thats coming.

Dropdown bed leaves most of the lounge useable, unlike a CB where it renders the lounge useless.

Big dash doesn't make any odds as the steering wheel to the front of the vehicle distance is exactly the same as a CB, but has the advantage of the screen being further away so the cab is cooler in hot sunshine.

 

[Lenny HB]

also comfort wanted an extra £1,000 to insure an a class just because of the cost of replacement windscreens.

Comfort are fussy on brands rather than the screen affecting it. I have had Hymer A Class's insured with Comfort for 10 years but they quoted a silly price for the Carthago we are getting.