Best motorhome brand for semi full time touring? Possible warranty issues with Roller team?

[SweetPotatoFries]

Hi everyone! I'm considering selling my van conversion and buying a motorhome for long trips around Europe and the UK. I've spent hours searching and looked at what feels like every brand and model on the market already. My head is spinning so I'm looking for some advice regarding which brand to choose for reliability and good warranty service.

Ideally I'd like something compact (less than 7m) with a garage and enough space on the roof for a big solar panel as I'll be working remotely. I'd like it to be as off grid as possible while not too much bigger than my 6.4m van.

I've narrowed it down to the Roller Team Zefiro 665 and the Benimar Tessoro 440 up. The Benimar doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK. The Zefiro I can get quickly but the warranty seems poor. They don't like you staying in it full time which might be a problem depending on how they define "full time". I've also heard nightmare stories about long delays with repairs.

I'm struggling to find anything else that fits my needs under 7m, so might have to look for something larger.

So I guess the question is, which brands should I look at for reliability and good warranty service considering I'll be spending 3 months at a time in Europe plus long trips around the UK? Am I right to be concerned about the warranty?

 

[GMak57]

I‘ve had no issues with my 2018 roller team Pegaso (maybe I’m just lucky). I did notice in Sept Practical Motorhome mag “owner satisfaction survey” that Rollerteam came 3rd in best manufacturer with 84.9% satisfaction (behind Adria and Burstner) and 3rd again in pre-owned motorhomes satisfaction on 87% behind Hymer and Bailey. Make of that what you will.

 

[Lemut]

We took delivery of a new Burstner back in 2020. All I will say is German build quality is a myth. What is more important if buying from a dealer is you need one with a good reputation for customer service and support.

 

[gwyntaxi]

Hi everyone! I'm considering selling my van conversion and buying a motorhome for long trips around Europe and the UK. I've spent hours searching and looked at what feels like every brand and model on the market already. My head is spinning so I'm looking for some advice regarding which brand to choose for reliability and good warranty service.

Ideally I'd like something compact (less than 7m) with a garage and enough space on the roof for a big solar panel as I'll be working remotely. I'd like it to be as off grid as possible while not too much bigger than my 6.4m van.

I've narrowed it down to the Roller Team Zefiro 665 and the Benimar Tessoro 440 up. The Benimar doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK. The Zefiro I can get quickly but the warranty seems poor. They don't like you staying in it full time which might be a problem depending on how they define "full time". I've also heard nightmare stories about long delays with
I'm struggling to find anything else that fits my needs under 7m, so might have to look for something larger.

So I guess the question is, which brands should I look at for reliability and good warranty service considering I'll be spending 3 months at a time in Europe plus long trips around the UK? Am I right to be concerned about the warranty?

What your needs are and what someone else’s requirements are, are totally irrelevant to what will work for you....Just sayin

 

[Rozzer]

I’ve had an Adria 670SL Platinum from new, 2017 going on the market next week at £66k. Might meet your needs although 7.5mtr but fixed bed etc. auto. Just having cam belt/tensioner/water pump replaced today as 5 yrs, 21k miles. No faults and great condition Can send photos etc if you’re interested. I’m in Essex.

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[cyberyacht]

If you are buying new and can wait, the Carthago Compactline can be specced with front lockers instead of the drop down bed. Saves a small bit of payload as well.

 

[Dollysjg]

Just a thought if you go over 3500 the rfl is only 165 per annum a good saving

 

[Dollysjg]

Can I ask why under 3500

 

[cyberyacht]

No C1 category licence required. Bit of a faff when you are over 70 to renew.

 

[Lenny HB]

No C1 category licence required. Bit of a faff when you are over 70 to renew.

But even a CompactLine is near on impossible to run at 3500.
My friend weighed his 138 yesterday 3520kg, him and his partner only weigh 95 kg for the pair of them. No food or clothes or bikes on board. Full fuel & water, garage had spare wheel Paddleboard and a few other bits probably around 55kg of stuff.

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[cyberyacht]

Must admit mine is on the limit with spare wheel +2 electric bikes full fuel, water, fridge. When I change tyres, I'm going to ditch the wheel and just have a tyre.

 

[Lenny HB]

Must admit mine is on the limit with spare wheel +2 electric bikes full fuel, water, fridge. When I change tyres, I'm going to ditch the wheel and just have a tyre.

I've ordered a 141 on the maxi chassis.

 

[cyberyacht]

The C1 would probably prove the insurmountable bit at my age apart from the shortness of my drive ( 138 only just fits) and the paucity of my finances.

 

[Pausim]

I did manage to run my i143 at 3500kg for a year but I had to be very careful and carried a lot of the heavy stuff in the Toad. I have now upped it to 3850kg which makes life a lot easier.

 

[Lenny HB]

I did manage to run my i143 at 3500kg for a year but I had to be very careful and carried a lot of the heavy stuff in the Toad. I have now upped it to 3850kg which makes life a lot easier.

Was there any problem uping to 3850?
On the light chassis I know the axles are plated at 1850 & 2000 but the gross on the under bonnet plate is 3650, not sure why as most vans with those axle weights it's 3850.

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[Sapper520]

Our van was plated 3300kgs when we collected it, so up plated it to 3500kgs straight away.

I’ve been down to our local weighbridge but they can’t do individual axles, so we could only get an overall weight.

This weight included extras fitted to the van, towbar, two leisure batteries, solar panel, 2 x 11kgs Gaslow system (full), spare wheel and carrier, Jack and brace, 5L Adblue, Thule awning, full fuel and Adblue tanks, about a third fresh water, clothes / shoes etc, all electric leads and water hoses, ramps, 2 x chairs, table, extra beer fridge, various foodstuffs, all the pans and cutlery, Cadac Safari 2, small tool kit and various other odds and sods.

Only things missing were the quilt, bedding, a reading book or two…….and my wife.

Total came in at 3140kgs.

We know we’ve got plenty of spare capacity for when we want to put the bike rack and bikes on (total approximately 45kgs). We’d be near the limit at 3300kgs, but nowhere near the 3500kgs.

I’m not sure what else we’d want / need to fit in……..forgot, my wife’s crafting bag…….better start looking into a further up plating.

 

[Pausim]

Was there any problem uping to 3850?
On the light chassis I know the axles are plated at 1850 & 2000 but the gross on the under bonnet plate is 3650, not sure why as most vans with those axle weights it's 3850.

No problem, I used SV Tech. When it arrived in the UK it had a 3850 plate, when I took delivery a 3500 plate had been added and now it has a third plate at 3850. Perhaps the Fiat plate is based on pre conversion equipment before the Al-Ko chassis is added. I thought they arrived at Carthago with only the 2 front wheels which makes me wonder how it can be plated at all.

 

[Dollysjg]

I had my 70th during the first lockdown so no chance in he'll of getting a doctor's appointment so I had to let my c1 slide
Last month I purchased a my over 3500 simply paid 55 quid for private medical filled in simple forms and a week later new c1 licence
No fuss easy

 

[Puddleduck]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far! I'll have a look round the local dealers tomorrow for some inspiration. I quite like the look of the Sun Living S 70SP. It's a great layout for me and they're made by Adria who seem to have a good reputation. The trouble is actually finding one!!

Have you tried Geoff Cox?

Used Motorhomes for Sale in Derbyshire | Geoff Cox

Used Motorhomes for Sale at Geoff Cox in Derbyshire. Contact us today to view our inventory or arrange a test drive.

www.geoffcox.co.uk

We have one of the older SunLiving vans (2016 plate) and still love it.

 

[Minxy]

Thank you I'll have a look into A class vans, it looks like there's more within the 3500kg limit than I thought. I expect to be on the move quite a bit, visiting different mountain bike trail centres and Aires around Europe so fuel efficiency will be a concern. Not sure how a similar size class A vs class B would perform in that regard.

Budget is up to £70k. I'm used to long trips in a van conversion, so any MH is going to feel spacious in comparison.

Seems like the general consensus is to go second hand and higher quality rather than brand new.

Don't know if you'll see this but there's a Carthago 138 in classifieds:

Carthago c-compactline 138

Carthago c-compactline 138 first registered 12/5/2014 Fiat Ducato 2.3 130 bhp 6 speed manual, RHD 34492 miles, Cab A/C, cruise control, DAB radio/CD. Central locking via alarm fob Cat 1 Thatcham alarm fitted incl movement sensors Alko chassis with rear...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk