A class access to engine

[Anesta]

Hi, nearly signed contract for an A-class, but having all sorts of doubts: is it really that difficult to find a garage for maintenance versus a coachbuilt? Is it so much more expensive?
Maybe just nervous about coughing up the money....

 

[tonyidle]

That's a load of tosh Alex. Had a low profile and now on our second A class wouldn't want any other type of van now.
Cab is more spacious, with the drop down bed down you can still use the lounge can't do that in a low profile. Better insulation better driving experience better view of the road easier to reverse and get through tight spaces due to parallel sides, quieter when driving.

A couple of weeks ago at our dealers while killing time went in every van in their showroom, I hated the standard cabs, felt like you were going to bash your head on the windscreen, they felt so claustrophobic and I hate the bit where the side bits intrude where can and body join.

And the forward screen isn't a waste of space. On a coachbuilt that's the bonnet so it may as well be indoors as out. The forward screen is there to improve the looks from the outside. For me the biggest advantages are two completely useable rotated seats and the drop-down bed.

 

[tonyidle]

And the forward screen isn't a waste of space. On a coachbuilt that's the bonnet so it may as well be indoors as out. The forward screen is there to improve the looks from the outside. For me the biggest advantages are two completely useable rotated seats and the drop-down bed.

Of course there's also the feeling of total superiority when it's parked next to its less classy relatives ..................

 

[Lenny HB]

@Anesta just go for it you won't regret it. Changing to an A Class was the best thing we ever did.
Generally servicing costs aren't any more providing you take it to a company that is used to working on Motorhomes. Our local independent charges approx £120 for light service £250 for a full service.

 

[funflair]

Where exactly is that internal space? Just above the dash board? Just what I need.

Not much space on this dashboard,

Martin

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[Steve and Denise]

I must admit I prefer the look of a coach built and easy access to cab parts,
But we have an A class never will use the above cab bed, but is nice and spacious.
Horses for courses comes to mind.

 

[CazPaul]

We went around in circles with our choice this time looking at layouts and advantages/disadvantages of each type. Went with A class 6.48 metres, deceptively large compared to same length coach built or PVC.

 

[Southdowners]

You don't have to have the drop down bed. Ours doesn't have one which means that we can stand up in the whole of the vehicle and we have seven overhead lockers where the bed would have been.

I can't see why folk would think it an ego trip to go for an A class... its just a matter of choice (a choice the OP is trying to make). Having said that, obviously some folk here do see it as an ego trip which makes me think that they know A class vehicles are better.

 

[Bognor Saint]

I

We love ours. A fantastic panoramic view. It works better for us as my husband is disabled and he can access the habitation area really easily.

I may be wrong but the A class vehicles that I've seen only have one front cab door, usually on the passenger side.

 

[Southdowners]

Most A class vehicles have one door only - the habitation door. This means that the security is much better, there is more room in the cab, less chance of draughts and the vehicle looks far more streamlined.

You can get them with doors in the cab but I can't see why you'd want them there and they're usually an extra, so therefore cost more.

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[jongood]

The seats are in the same place, they have to be because of the steering wheel and pedals attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
The front of the dash is in the same place, it has to be as its attached to the bulkhead/firewall.
So apart from a very large shelf and panoramic window where's the extra space, you can't walk about in it or sit in it.

No You are wrong again.

Have you never wondered why its a bit more of a climb into a Concorde or Morello & some others? The manufacturers raise the floor so the hab level is above the engine, this means that they can move the dash and seats forward, so you are able to use the space where the engine normally is.

Its just needs a bit of design and engineering forethought. This might help



Or if you are at a loose end mid november you can visit the N&B factory near Koblenz and take a factory tour.

 

[Anesta]

Feel better now. Lenny, where about do you live? Prices seem good. I don’t think Lowshams will be so reasonable...

 

[Lenny HB]

Feel better now. Lenny, where about do you live? Prices seem good. I don’t think Lowshams will be so reasonable...

Lancing on the south coast, I use Lancing Commercial. Always buy in Belgium, can't afford UK prices. Take the van to Belgium for annual damp check, £60 compared to £130-£180 in UK, don't bother with Habitation checks.
Never seen a Funsters say a good word about Lowdams.

 

[Southdowners]

Feel better now. Lenny, where about do you live? Prices seem good. I don’t think Lowshams will be so reasonable...

There's a useful dealer review section on the forum. I'd take a look there as folk are very honest about their experiences. It should give you an idea where to look and, more importantly, which to avoid.

Happy hunting!

 

[wanderer]

We have had our A Class 10 years and have it serviced at Northanfs Motor Services , 2 cam belts changed in that time. I am 6.0 ft tall and when I sat in the drivers seat of coachbullts all I could see was the wheels of the vehicle in front , what waste missing all the views

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[Larrynwin]

All my C class but one have had level floors front to rear and a couple or three inchs each side, well whoopee doo, you have a pair of seats in the way so that ain't going to help much.
As the steering Column and bulkhead can't be moved without massive alteration including moving the engine forwards I don't see how the distance from the dash face to windscreen can be reduced to incorporate a shallower dash.
The only way is to move the windscreen backwards but that reduces all this valuable 'extra' space.

Probably about four inches difference between an Autotrail dash top to my Hymer dash top which is end of the world I guess . I wonder how man European coach builts will seat 8 as my a class will.
Having had a class and b class RVs and now a class European much prefer the space of an a class.
As I said earlier each to his own.

 

[Larrynwin]

Wasn't on mine either....
20% (injectors and plugs) through the floor hatch and 80% sat on a low stool underneath at either side.
Plenty of room around American truck engines and having a steering box you sit in front of the front wheels.....minimal wasted space.

On my Tiffin Allegro a class and Four Winds Hurricane the dash top was twice that in my Hymer. The RVs gain their space with their overall length and width.

 

[Lenny HB]

On my Tiffin Allegro a class and Four Winds Hurricane the dash top was twice that in my Hymer. The RVs gain their space with their overall length and width.

You boasting a out your big one.

 

[Larrynwin]

You boasting a out your big one.

Only a little one now, an age thing I guess

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Access for some things in an A-class is much more of a challenge IMO. I think this was highlighted recently when the allocated hourly rate for the fix of an EGR system on a coachbuilt was 4-hours and the same fix for an A-class was circa 8-hours.

Our EGR system was fixed in two hours at a Fiat Professional garage in France last year.

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[pelican]

Of course there's also the feeling of total superiority when it's parked next to its less classy relatives ..................

I think there is a lot a jealousy from coachbuilt owners.

 

[Stealaway]

Cos they look like a motorhome rather than a caravan stuck on the back of a van, ,,,,,,

And that's where we differ. The one door is often on the wrong side and dangerous to get in and out of. I struggle to keep cool in the sunshine in my cab with a small screen and two opening doors and window. I'd be constantly worried about replacing that windscreen. For me all A class look like a bus or icecream van - ugly

 

[scotjimland]

A Class difficult to work on engine .. ?

to quote Oddball from Kelly's Heros..

Big Joe: Well then, why the hell aren't you up there helping them? [fix the tank]
Oddball: answers: (laughs) I only ride em I don't know what makes em work.


proper motorhome.. once you have owned an A class all others are B class

just make sure you have glass insurance cover of £3k ..

 

[gus-lopez]

I

I may be wrong but the A class vehicles that I've seen only have one front cab door, usually on the passenger side.

That's the drivers side on a proper one

 

[tacr2man]

And that's where we differ. The one door is often on the wrong side and dangerous to get in and out of. I struggle to keep cool in the sunshine in my cab with a small screen and two opening doors and window. I'd be constantly worried about replacing that windscreen. For me all A class look like a bus or icecream van - ugly

That says more about your inadequate aircon than it says about A class motorhomes , also windscreen is covered by insurance

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[gus-lopez]

I like A class but the drawbacks for me is that the first criteria is that it must be repairable at the roadside ; so an older one.
The windscreen size would have to be on the smaller side as the large ones I hate as I'm just going to cook whilst driving & I have no wish of a panoramic view.
Doors ,I'd rule out any with only a hab door, in fact I could do without a hab door & just have the one drivers door on the left hand side!

I'd never use an over cab drop down bed , just as I'd never use the over cab bed in my C lass but the benefit of mine is that I can , & do, load it up when I want to increase the weight on the front axle when travelling.
I like the fact that they are more spacious & wouldn't rule out buying one subject to small windscreen.

 

[two]

I

I may be wrong but the A class vehicles that I've seen only have one front cab door, usually on the passenger side.

I think most A-class vans have two doors (habitation one side and driver/passenger on the other). Next come the 'liner' type with just a habitation door, then there a few with three doors.

Two doors at the front are very handy for quick access.
The large dash of an A-class can be handy for propogating herbs.
C-class may be more familiar to mechanics, so easier to repair in foreign parts, but I can't say I've ever noticed the prices being higher for an A-class.

I think most motorhome owners are on some kind of ego trip, whatever the construction or age of their vehicle.

 

[tonyidle]

And that's where we differ. The one door is often on the wrong side and dangerous to get in and out of. I struggle to keep cool in the sunshine in my cab with a small screen and two opening doors and window. I'd be constantly worried about replacing that windscreen. For me all A class look like a bus or icecream van - ugly

The door being on the wrong side is a bit of nonsense really - do you exit your car through the passenger door 'cos it's safer? My driver's door is on the correct side for a passenger to exit. The hab door is on the right. I'll let you know about windscreen costs - a couple of weeks ago a stone chip to the bottom edge caused an 8" vertical crack which is now making its way towards the top. My windscreen is the size of Wales so might just cost a bob or two. The last one I had for a 20+ years old van cost (the insurance company) £2300.

 

[Rapphil]

I like A class but the drawbacks for me is that the first criteria is that it must be repairable at the roadside ; so an older one.
The windscreen size would have to be on the smaller side as the large ones I hate as I'm just going to cook whilst driving & I have no wish of a panoramic view.
Doors ,I'd rule out any with only a hab door, in fact I could do without a hab door & just have the one drivers door on the left hand side!

I'd never use an over cab drop down bed , just as I'd never use the over cab bed in my C lass but the benefit of mine is that I can , & do, load it up when I want to increase the weight on the front axle when travelling.
I like the fact that they are more spacious & wouldn't rule out buying one subject to small windscreen.

With a front roller blind you can choose at any time how big you want your front view to be.

 

[jongood]

The door being on the wrong side is a bit of nonsense really - do you exit your car through the passenger door 'cos it's safer? My driver's door is on the correct side for a passenger to exit. The hab door is on the right. I'll let you know about windscreen costs - a couple of weeks ago a stone chip to the bottom edge caused an 8" vertical crack which is now making its way towards the top. My windscreen is the size of Wales so might just cost a bob or two. The last one I had for a 20+ years old van cost (the insurance company) £2300.

Maybe but I bet it didtn increase your insurance. Ive had 2 go in 13 years, although both only craked and perfectly usable. Each cost £75 excess. FYI my insurance fully comp 10k mile £50K value is less than £300.

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[jongood]

And that's where we differ. The one door is often on the wrong side and dangerous to get in and out of. I struggle to keep cool in the sunshine in my cab with a small screen and two opening doors and window. I'd be constantly worried about replacing that windscreen. For me all A class look like a bus or icecream van - ugly

On the plus side the better insulation on a decent A class will keep the temperature steadier than a tinbox .