Coachbuilt to panel van...is it painful?

[Minxy]

I have considered downsizing to a PVC when we change either this, or next season. Two things bother me. Where do you keep your lounger chairs and there seem very few with a shower that doesn’t leave the whole toilet compartment wet. We both shower daily so need a separate shower or at least one that is seoerste from the toilet area.

Any recommendations?

If you go for fixed rear double transverse bed or twin single beds you get a massive storage area underneath. One that immediately comes to mind with a separate shower compartment is the Globecar 640DK, @ludo has one.

 

[TM59]

I have considered downsizing to a PVC when we change either this, or next season. Two things bother me. Where do you keep your lounger chairs and there seem very few with a shower that doesn’t leave the whole toilet compartment wet. We both shower daily so need a separate shower or at least one that is seoerste from the toilet area.

Any recommendations?

Check out the Rapido V55

Trevor

 

[DBK]

I have considered downsizing to a PVC when we change either this, or next season. Two things bother me. Where do you keep your lounger chairs and there seem very few with a shower that doesn’t leave the whole toilet compartment wet. We both shower daily so need a separate shower or at least one that is seoerste from the toilet area.

Any recommendations?

Our lounger chairs live in a back box we have fitted on the bike rack on the back door. The shower is in the same space as the toilet but this is not an issue. A curtain covers the loo seat so it doesn't get wet and the last one to use the shower - usually me dries all the walls with a microfibre towel - which takes no time at all.

As an alternative to the classic lounger chair there are now a lot of lightweight chairs you can get at affordable prices. The original was the Helinox which was tiny (I've got one) and very expensive. But now companies like Vango do them in larger sizes and a lot cheaper.

 

[Aly1]

I’ve just downsized from a 6.3 coach built to a 5.5m PVC. I do miss the space I had but this is more than made up for by the big open doorway and also the drive.
It’s an absolute pleasure to drive compared to my coachbuilt.

 

[nicholsong]

I have considered downsizing to a PVC when we change either this, or next season. Two things bother me. Where do you keep your lounger chairs and there seem very few with a shower that doesn’t leave the whole toilet compartment wet. We both shower daily so need a separate shower or at least one that is seoerste from the toilet area.

Any recommendations?

There should be shower curtains. Ours(not PVC) easily keeps the water at the end where the shower and basin are and keeps the toilet and loo roll dry.

Geoff

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Robmac]

I’ve just downsized from a 6.3 coach built to a 5.5m PVC. I do miss the space I had but this is more than made up for by the big open doorway and also the drive.
It’s an absolute pleasure to drive compared to my coachbuilt.

I agree with this having done the same.

There is definitely a noticeable difference due to the tapered sides of a PVC compared to the slab sides of a coachbuilt. This is particularly apparent in the bathroom. PVC's can also be frowned upon on sites due to the louder sliding side doors so you have to take a little care when closing the door at night. We have a transverse double across the back of the van which gives an enormous garage.

All in all though, yes a much more 'car like' drive and the large door is fantastic on a summers day.

 

[nicholsong]

I am a little puzzled be the comments about a PVC being an easier drive(not size) After all they are the same base vehicle and cab layout.

I drove many thousands of miles in vans(not MHs) and I prefered driving 7.5 tonners for the higher position and better visibility, which is what we have in our Arto.

What I was not keen on driving were those car-derivative vans.

But everyone to their own.

Geoff

 

[Bailey 15]

Warwick XL has separate shower and plenty of worktop space which Is limited on most

 

[Robmac]

I am a little puzzled be the comments about a PVC being an easier drive(not size) After all they are the same base vehicle and cab layout.

I drove many thousands of miles in vans(not MHs) and I prefered driving 7.5 tonners for the higher position and better visibility, which is what we have in our Arto.

What I was not keen on driving were those car-derivative vans.

But everyone to their own.

Geoff

I must admit, my old van was a 2.5 non turbo Ducato which would barely get up a hill unless you were in 1st or 2nd, so inevitably the newer Renault would be a nicer drive.

I do find though with the PVC that it is (obviously) a bit narrower and so more manoeuverable and I would have thought lighter and more responsive seeing the small payloads that many coachbuilts have compared to my own.

I'm not in any hurry though when in the van so I'm not too bothered about it, and I agree having driven 7.5 tonners that the high driving position is a bonus.

 

[Treeeev]

I have considered downsizing to a PVC when we change either this, or next season. Two things bother me. Where do you keep your lounger chairs and there seem very few with a shower that doesn’t leave the whole toilet compartment wet. We both shower daily so need a separate shower or at least one that is seoerste from the toilet area.

Any recommendations?

Hi

I have a Carthago Malibu DB600 which is a 6m panel van with a transverse double bed at the rear which gives a large storage area underneath.

In our bathroom, the toilet swings under the bed when you use the shower, giving quite a reasonable shower space. It has folding Remis screens that enclose the shower area keeping the toilet, toilet roll, basin and door all dry. We also both shower every day and quickly dry the shower with a small micro fibre mop.

Malibu also do a 6.4m van with longitudinal beds if you prefer.

I see you are in Suffolk, if you fancy a little trip down the A12 you could come and have a look at mine

Cheers

Trevor

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Robmac]

We have used a shower curtain and then the Karcher to mop up any moisture that escapes.

Works well.

 

[iandsm]

Hi

I have a Carthago Malibu DB600 which is a 6m panel van with a transverse double bed at the rear which gives a large storage area underneath.

In our bathroom, the toilet swings under the bed when you use the shower, giving quite a reasonable shower space. It has folding Remis screens that enclose the shower area keeping the toilet, toilet roll, basin and door all dry. We also both shower every day and quickly dry the shower with a small micro fibre mop.

Malibu also do a 6.4m van with longitudinal beds if you prefer.

I see you are in Suffolk, if you fancy a little trip down the A12 you could come and have a look at mine

Cheers

Trevor

Thank you Trevor, thats very kind of you. I have had a look at the Malibu, very nice. However, We would prefer single beds which I hadn't made clear earlier. I do appreciate you offer though.

Thanks

Ian

 

[Treeeev]

Ian

The 6.3m Malibu has two single beds or large double. The rest of the van is the same layout as mine

Cheers

Trevor

 

[iandsm]

Ian

The 6.3m Malibu has two single beds or large double. The rest of the van is the same layout as mine

Cheers

Trevor

Thanks for that, certainly one to consider then.

 

[Electraglide]

Ian

The 6.3m Malibu has two single beds or large double. The rest of the van is the same layout as mine

Cheers

Trevor

How has the Malibu been, had a look at a couple they look good. Need to see a 640le before we choose.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Treeeev]

How has the Malibu been, had a look at a couple they look good. Need to see a 640le before we choose.

Hi Electraglide

We have had ours nearly 3 years now and (touch wood) no real problems (just a minor problem with the chrome coming off the cooker pan supports and a drawer needing adjustment as it was catching - both done under warranty). We like the space in the bathroom for a shower once the toilet is moved under the bed and the Remis screens work really well to keep the bathroom dry when showering. If we was to change ours, it would be for the longer 6.4m version to get the longditudle beds

Cheers

Trevor

 

[Minxy]

Thank you Trevor, thats very kind of you. I have had a look at the Malibu, very nice. However, We would prefer single beds which I hadn't made clear earlier. I do appreciate you offer though.

Thanks

Ian

We have a Globecar Campscout which is 6.36m with longitudinal beds. The shower is in the centre aisle so it is separate from the toilet but you do need to dry it afterwards, doesn't take long though so another option?

 

[Minxy]

I am a little puzzled be the comments about a PVC being an easier drive(not size) After all they are the same base vehicle and cab layout.

You don't get anything like the amount of body roll as you do with a coachbuilt/A-class, PVCs are also more manoeuvrable too.