A Class v Coachbuilt?

[ValkyrIe]

The more I research motorhomes the less sure I am on what I want! I want something relatively small to fit in my drive so started off looking at PVCs. Then started thinking that coachbuilts seem much more spacious inside for only a little extra width. Now I've noticed that the coachbuilt I saw and liked yesterday (a Rollerteam T-Line 590) is also available as an A-Class. Almost identical dimensions and layout but the A-Class Pegaso 590 costs around £9k more. What are the advantages of going to A-Class rather than coachbuilt?

 

[Pausim]

I usually drop the overcab bed half an hour or so before going to bed to let the warmer air circulate.

I dropped the overcab bed when I specified the motorhome, saved 40kg, gained some useful cupboards and more headroom (not that I need headroom).

 

[Lenny HB]

On our 2nd A class wouldn't want any other type of van now. Warmer, quieter (less road & engine noise), more spacious. Easier to drive & reverse.

even if she also feels that being sat 3 feet away from the windscreen in an A Class is not ideal, especially when I get "if I sit any further back I might as well put the kettle on"

It's all an illusion front bumper to the steering wheel is exactly the same distance.

 

[ValkyrIe]

To comapre the two vans you mention...The Pegaso 590 has 50kg more payload - 77kg if you buy the drivers pack & thermo pack for the T _Line which is standard on the A class variant.

You have the ability to use the bed, which is wider, and the dinette seating at the same time.

If you spec the T-Line to match the Pegaso the figures are £55k and a (brochure) MIRO of 2915 kg.

Standard Pegaso 590, £59.6k and a published MIRO of 2838kg.

If you're considering finance and a new reg, the average cost per £1000 a month is around £11. The Pegaso for a larger payload and the chance to have a bit of two zone living is around an extra £45 a month.

Many hire firms use the full range of Roller Team vans due to their durability and reliability which means there is usually a good choice of 12 month old discounted examples out there with the advantage of the cheaper road tax.

Hi Jonno, thanks for the info. I hadn't realised that the bed position was different in the Pegaso, that does look like a real benefit. The dog could sleep in the lounge when we were in bed! I can't find a picture with the bed in the Pegaso fully down, how low does it go? The driving seats are pretty tall, do they have a quick release to fold them down?

 

[TinaLes]

On our 2nd A class wouldn't want any other type of van now. Warmer, quieter (less road & engine noise), more spacious. Easier to drive & reverse.


It's all an illusion front bumper to the steering wheel is exactly the same distance.

Hi Lenny, yes I maybe get your point about an A class being warmer or even quieter in most cases, however I think Carthago get the same results with the C class vans by sticking loads of heat and sound insulation on the cab floor and inside the bulkhead. I will look at doing the warm feet mods to the lower RHS foot well heater vents though.
I cant say whether an A class is easier to reverse or not, as I can see right down each side of ours with the long extended wing mirrors, plus I have twin cameras to see whats behind.
I was recently caught out with the rear long overhang though when doing a forced U turn. Even radar, cameras, or mirrors cannot spot a one off rusty 12 inch spike hidden in overgrown unkempt grass verges
It really does take some getting used to sitting in the front of an A class, they may be the same overall length as a C Class, but the windscreen bottom seems Soo Far away,with that very deep dash top (That Carthago Brag about) in that its sooo low you get a better vision of whats immediately in front.
That being said, its the blind spot with the long A pillars, plus the width of the coach style rear view mirrors in addition seems enormous.
I am told that you do get used to it, but have to make more allowances for that blind spot when approaching junctions & roundabouts, especially in town I guess.
They must be OK once you get used to them, as there are so many about, and there is a lot more width in the front cab, allowing easier front seat swivelling

But! I would still have to get over & sell, even dispel "The Bread van" ideology with TinaL, guess she would be ok when inside one, just dont let her see the front from outside, or that strange driver only entrance door, I can just hear her "Oh I see, just cos I dont drive the damn thing, I dont deserve a door then"
I realise they can come with two front doors, but can you imagine the additional costs on a Carthago

Cheers Lenny, you still away, or on you way back, dont rush its still crap weather here.
LES

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[tonyidle]

"Oh I see, just cos I dont drive the damn thing, I dont deserve a door then"
I realise they can come with two front doors, but can you imagine the additional costs on a Carthago

On the two RHD Continental A class vans I've had the passenger gets the door not the driver.

 

[TinaLes]

On the two RHD Continental A class vans I've had the passenger gets the door not the driver.

I can just imagine that scenario...Me to TinaL....Come on dear move, I need to get out to fill the van up, or Me again....well as you are just sat there, you might as well go in and pay for the fuel, and can you get me a bar of chocolate while you are at it....Darling
Then the fight started eh?
LES

 

[Neilfg]

Had both and like both, on the whole prefer the look of an A Class and probably the view from the driving seats. Not all coach-built a and A Classes are the same, alot is model and make dependent especially insulation. If we had the choice and layouts the same would go for the coach built.

Coach built pros

• 2 working doors at no extra cost
• Wing mirrors that can be protected
• Wing mirrors that can be folded out of the way easily
• No windscreen angst, can get a new one quickly
• Can access the engine bay and the suspension posts without dismantling the dash, this maybe model dependent. But coach-built fixed price, A class gotta see it first (e.g. replace front springs)
• Electric windows both sides.
• Common front body parts.
• Can block out sun when driving easily
• Body width accurate, do not need to add on extra for immovable wing mirrors.
• Accessories cheaper, cab screens, wiper blades etc..
• Heating and aircon more effective smaller volume air vents generally better placed, smaller windscreen
• Windscreen wipers that work
• No windscreen angst
• Can fit cab screen without steps or mods to body work.
• Oh yes no windscreen angst

A class pros

• Nice view when parked, although 90% of A classes first thing when stopped turn the seats so that view is blocked and look down the back of the van
• Nice view when driving, big windscreen can see the stone chips as they hit the windscreen more easily.
• More space in front when parked up, whether this matters is layout dependent.
• Better insulation, model dependent, although big glass windscreen does negate that, unless you wrap in a blanket which hides the panoramic view

 

[jongood]

The more I research motorhomes the less sure I am on what I want! I want something relatively small to fit in my drive so started off looking at PVCs. Then started thinking that coachbuilts seem much more spacious inside for only a little extra width. Now I've noticed that the coachbuilt I saw and liked yesterday (a Rollerteam T-Line 590) is also available as an A-Class. Almost identical dimensions and layout but the A-Class Pegaso 590 costs around £9k more. What are the advantages of going to A-Class rather than coachbuilt?

My number one piece of a advice is, if this is your first MH do not buy a new one. Regardless of the perpetual argument over A, C, PVC etc as a newbie you are very unlikely to get it right first time and when you want to change you will lose a fortune in depreciation.

 

[Reallyretired]

I prefer Aclass for the driving and the more usable cab area. Unlike Tina I like the look of an A class, more like a motorhome and less like a luton delivery van. Also no steel to rust at the front end.

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[WESTY66]

I can just imagine that scenario...Me to TinaL....Come on dear move, I need to get out to fill the van up, or Me again....well as you are just sat there, you might as well go in and pay for the fuel, and can you get me a bar of chocolate while you are at it....Darling
Then the fight started eh?
LES

All this can be avoided by buying a LHD??????

 

[Allanm]

We considered an A class before we bought our C class. A couple of advantages we were aware of was that the front seems more integrated into the whole vehicle, generally there is a large drop down bed and the large windscreen offers great views when driving and stationary.
We had an RV so we’re well aware of all the above , apart from the drop down bed.
When we considered the practicalities of an A class, based on our use of our RV, there really wasn’t much of an advantage when driving with a huge windscreen. I can see the road just fine in a C class.
When parked, the large windscreen isn’t really a benefit either as we have the seats turned round, and having a rear island bed and an electric drop down double, living space is not compromised.
I don’t think one is better than the other, it’s just a case of what appeals.

 

[tonyidle]

I can just imagine that scenario...Me to TinaL....Come on dear move, I need to get out to fill the van up, or Me again....well as you are just sat there, you might as well go in and pay for the fuel, and can you get me a bar of chocolate while you are at it....Darling
Then the fight started eh?
LES

We never use the door. My the time I'd dug out knitting, crochet work, books. sewing basket, dogs toys, etc. I'd have forgotten why I needed to go out. We just use the hab door.

 

[Pausim]

We make full use of the A class view. My wife usually sits at the table facing forward, sometimes with her feet up on the side seat. I partially rotate the front seats and sit in one with my feet up on the other. The view is all around and much appreciated.

Some people make a point about sun blocking problems when driving an A class. My Carthago has the normal sun blinds but also the front blind can be lowered and locked to act as a coach style blind at the top of the screen. It is by far the most effective sun blocking I have had on any of my 5 motorhomes. On our A class Hymer we had clip on sun blind extensions which solved any problems.

 

[peterc10]

We never use the door. My the time I'd dug out knitting, crochet work, books. sewing basket, dogs toys, etc. I'd have forgotten why I needed to go out. We just use the hab door.

We never use the cab door either and it stays permanently locked and bolted. The footwell is full of stuff and a long step up and down for SWMBO as there is no electric step. Much easier just to get out of the seat and take the 4 steps to the hab door. The only time we open the cab door is when I need to get to the bonnet release catch hidden behind it.

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[fat haggis]

I’m just getting used to our, new to us Hymer 655 star line. Agreed about the large step down. On passenger door. So o think I’ll make use of the space and just use the Hab door ? at all time’s. And I’m loving the extra liveability of the A class compared to the other fans we have had in the past. ?

 

[Minxy]

A couple of hot water bottles in winter soon sorts that out.

Fortunately hubby doesn't feel the cold like I do so it doesn't bother him ... one reason why he got the front bed and I got the rear one.

I usually drop the overcab bed half an hour or so before going to bed to let the warmer air circulate.

As we don't have such a large lounge as you we sit in the swivelled cab seats to watch the TV then not long after go to bed so its not possible for us to realistically do this.

 

[TUCANO]

Reading posts about not liking/using the only door on the passenger side in an A class, how do people get out to refuel, via the hab door

 

[fat haggis]

Easily actually as you can get close to the pump and use hab door when going into station,left hand side inward. I tried using passenger door but it was difficult to get out and large step down to pump.

 

[Pausim]

Reading posts about not liking/using the only door on the passenger side in an A class, how do people get out to refuel, via the hab door

Am I missing the point of the question? I have never found using the hab door particularly challenging in any situation.

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[WESTY66]

Not had my a class long but I use the drivers door (lhd) for access/egress all the time, especially refuelling. Wouldn’t like to treapse all the dirt/diesel that’s on the forecourt into the hab area, but that’s just me, everyone’s different? I do realise it’s easier for the driver being LHD.?

 

[peterc10]

Reading posts about not liking/using the only door on the passenger side in an A class, how do people get out to refuel, via the hab door

In our relationship it is always the driver (me) that fills up. Not wishing to climb over SWMBO even if she would let me (which she wouldn't) I could not use the passenger side door anyway.

But, in any event, I use the hab door. Only a few more steps around and I need the exercise. It also helps limit the smell of diesel getting into the motorhome, at least until I walk back in when I have splashed it everywhere.

 

[Minxy]

Our MH is RHD but without a door on the UK driver's side as it's not changed over for the UK market so it's on the UK passenger side. Apparently you can spec it if doing a factory order but it costs a lot of £. Hubby does the driving most of the time and misses having a door but like the large cubby/storage locker he's got there instead for all of his crap and it's the ideal place for the fruit baskets! He just uses the hab door to go in/out. We like having the cab door on the passenger side as it means we can get in/out on either side (ideal for when we have to let the dogs out in the UK) and of course I can get out to pay for fuel etc.

The driver's side has a sliding window which he quite likes as he can let just a little bit of air in the rear without blasting us in the front and I like it as I have an electric window but only I can play with it - when we had a PVC he used to be a s*d for opening my window when I wanted it closed as he could control it from his side!

 

[funflair]

Not had my a class long but I use the drivers door (lhd) for access/egress all the time, especially refuelling. Wouldn’t like to treapse all the dirt/diesel that’s on the forecourt into the hab area, but that’s just me, everyone’s different? I do realise it’s easier for the driver being LHD.?

Only ever had 1 door so used to taking shoes off at the first step and never go inside with them on, I have a pair of cheap crocks to slip on/off.

Martin

 

[WESTY66]

Only ever had 1 door so used to taking shoes off at the first step and never go inside with them on, I have a pair of cheap crocks to slip on/off.

Martin

I like your thinking Martin, note to self?
?
Feel free to give me more pointers at peterborough??

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[Lenny HB]

My number one piece of a advice is, if this is your first MH do not buy a new one. Regardless of the perpetual argument over A, C, PVC etc as a newbie you are very unlikely to get it right first time and when you want to change you will lose a fortune in depreciation.

Sorry can't agree, we have only ever bought new we have got it right every time and depreciation has been very low.

 

[funflair]

Sorry can't agree, we have only ever bought new we have got it right every time and depreciation has been very low.

You and me must be lucky getting it right first time Lenny, not everyone does as much research though.

Martin

 

[peterc10]

You and me must be lucky getting it right first time Lenny, not everyone does as much research though.

Martin

He forgets to mention where he buys and sells them ...........................

 

[rolosroller]

We have a Rollerteam T-Line 590 ,2014 model love it.

 

[WESTY66]

He forgets to mention where he buys and sells them ...........................

Lowdhams????

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[tonyidle]

The only time we open the cab door is when I need to get to the bonnet release catch hidden behind it.

Same here for all the same reasons. MoT can be a pain though.