Do you really get that much more space in an integrated Motorhome?

[Louie25]

We have a Hymer B600 semi integrated motorhome, 2 berth, twin beds at rear with a large garage.

We have recently started to pay more attention to the A class motorhomes around us and wonder what the attraction is? Some are the same length as ours (7.1m) or not much longer. Surely they only provide a bit more headroom in the cab?

Give me reason to want to upgrade!

 

[Lenny HB]

On our second A Class and another one on order. So much more spaceous in the cab, far better view driving and parked.

Better insulation, easier to drive as body the same width as cab, easier to reverse.

If you want more headroom order without the drop down bed.

 

[Louie25]

On our second A Class and another one on order. So much more spaceous in the cab, far better view driving and parked.

Better insulation, easier to drive as body the same width as cab, easier to reverse.

If you want more headroom order without the drop down bed.

Thank you, think I read the other day you are changing to Cathargo? I’ll need to start looking at them, like the N&B too

 

[Rapido925M]

Our Aclass is 5.99m and features swivel front seats, a side settee and a full dinette. When family members joined us in their 7m and 7.5m Cclass vans they always congregated in our van because of the space. Now that they have 7.5m PVCs with fixed beds they have difficulty getting anyone in other than themselves.

Gordon

 

[nicholsong]

On our second A Class and another one on order. So much more spaceous in the cab, far better view driving and parked.

Better insulation, easier to drive as body the same width as cab, easier to reverse.

If you want more headroom order without the drop down bed.

I totally would make same points.

I would add that 'white van man' is more likely to give way as one looks like a 16-seater coach.

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[Wh05apk]

Our Aclass is 5.99m and features swivel front seats, a side settee and a full dinette. When family members joined us in their 7m and 7.5m Cclass vans they always congregated in our van because of the space. Now that they have 7.5m PVCs with fixed beds they have difficulty getting anyone in other than themselves.

Gordon

A 7.5m with fixed beds has the same space as a 5.5m van with. 2m bed tacked on the back

 

[emjaiuk]

After 20 years with an American RV we moved to an European MH based on a Fiat chassis cab. I was surprised at how spacious the cab area felt, and with the front seats swivelled they truly felt part of the overall interior. We moved to a Hymer A class, primarily because of the bed layout, but from a personal point of view we didn't notice any real feeling of extra spaciousness. I think it is a very subjective issue, and personally we wouldn't choose an A class purely on the feeling of space around the front seats.

 

[dunnah01]

Viewed loads of A-Class when buying but couldn't see the benefits and also none had the layout we wanted so saved a few grand and when low profile coachbuilt.

 

[scotjimland]

one possible downside.. not mentioned.

small hatch to work on engine.. some garages are not interested or charge more

also
very expensive windscreen.. think mobile phone number ..yikes

 

[VXman]

I'm not sure if posters above are suggesting A classes are unique in having swivel seats. Most coach builts and pvc' have swivel seats nowadays.

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[VXman]

Our Aclass is 5.99m and features swivel front seats, a side settee and a full dinette. When family members joined us in their 7m and 7.5m Cclass vans they always congregated in our van because of the space. Now that they have 7.5m PVCs with fixed beds they have difficulty getting anyone in other than themselves.

Gordon

Not sure how our 7.5 metre with fixed bed at rear could have less room in the front area when yours is 1.5 metres shorter. Is yours made by Dr Who? Ours seats 6 with 2 swivel seats and 2 bench seats.

 

[BusyBuilder]

People are always amazed at how much actual living space there is in our Hymer B544 with the bed up. And only 6.5m

 

[HugoBNB]

When we moved from a caravan to a motorhome five years ago, I really did not consider an A-Class. Now, five years later, how wrong I was. We have had our Hymer B MCI-690 for a month, and have been out in it twice. I now feel like my original opinion short changed us and we should have gone for an A Class from the off. As Lenny HB said, the feeling of space, considering our new one is 9cm shorter than our Ardia, is remarkable. The view from the driving seats is so, so, much better. The quality of the ride and sound insulation is in a different league. Mind you, so was the dent in our bank balance! So saying, we had lots of great trips in our Adria, so my regrets are minimal.
Whatever you decide, the experience will be what you decide to make it. I am sure you will make many happy memories.
Safe and happy travels.

 

[Marie-Claire]

We found the coach built swift a shelf around the top of the windscreen and quite often bumped heads on it when the swivel seats were facing forward. On the a class with the windscreen being a lot further forward it's not a problem

 

[PP Bear]

I’ve looked in many A class vans and to me, the front ends all look the same. The kitchen areas are tiny, no draining boards and can’t recall seeing one with a decent oven.

I get the appeal, but I’m far to grounded and handsome to be a snob when driving and not waving

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[Russell's Dad]

Ive not had an integrated but went from a 6m pvc to a 6.4 m A class ( ickle baby Carthago).The feeling of space at the front end makes it all worthwhile. I felt claustrophobic in the old van. Not now. It's got loads of headroom too. Nicer view when driving as well.
Negative points are, probably more expensive to service, definitely don't want a broken windscreen and I could only get RHD so I don't have a door in the cab.

 

[shrek snr]

Size isn't everything

 

[Lenny HB]

small hatch to work on engine.. some garages are not interested or charge more

Our Fiat professional doesn't discriminate.

very expensive windscreen.. think mobile phone number ..yikes

Same £75 excess on insurance so what does the cost matter.

 

[funflair]

With most "A class" vans the seats and dashboard will be in the same place as a coachbuilt so it might feel more spacious with the windscreen being further away and the view should be better with the bigger screen, you will get a little axtra room around the seats as the van is the same width all the way to the front, the "A class" may or may not have a front door but either way it should be warmer and quieter with not having the metal cab doors. If you are spending serious money the manufacturers go to great lengths to modify the driving position to create more space up front so seats go up, forward and closer to the outside, this often involves a custom dashboard so you don't get the standard van safety features like airbags and seat belt tensioners etc. Getting rid of the front bed makes a big difference as well.

 

[Figaro]

one possible downside.. not mentioned.

small hatch to work on engine.. some garages are not interested or charge more

also
very expensive windscreen.. think mobile phone number ..yikes

Just make sure you have adequate insurance for the windscreen, AIB prove it as standard.

As for garages not liking A class motorhomes, most of the serious jobs are done from beneath.

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[Aspenshaw]

I am on my third A-class in 24 years. I haven't experienced the spacious cab. The extra width is taken in part storage and/or passenger door. The drop down bed when raised still doesn't give us enough head room. In between the drop down bed and storage there is more room than a tradition cab but spacious? Blind sides on my van are on the front wheel passenger side and between the 'coach style' wing mirrors and windscreen. Almost £3,000 to replace the windscreen (free by my insurers).

Cab seats have to be turned around when the drop down bed comes down. In my current one, I have to lower the steering wheel as well. Then when I decide to drive off, I have to put everything back. No different for the time in making up a bed/seat set up. Drop down beds have limits; mine think I am hiding a child up top not a pillow.

Getting servicing can be a problem. I use to travel 60 miles to get a Fiat Professional service and the same for my dealer to do the habitation. Now its 40 minutes to Fiat Professional plus £4 for toll. I haven't found a firm within 2 hours drive who is capable to service/fix Hymer habitation issues. Some dealers do Fiat Profession work and Habitation.

I could go on as to the reasons why people shouldn't buy A-classes.

Yet I've bought three in 24 years. Why? The drop down bed saves about a metre of space in length, which is important to me. The double floor is great for storage. The quality of build. And the layouts.

Buy an A-Class and you won't regret it - if you do your research of how it will fit your motorhoming.

 

[Barchetta47]

Not sure how our 7.5 metre with fixed bed at rear could have less room in the front area when yours is 1.5 metres shorter. Is yours made by Dr Who? Ours seats 6 with 2 swivel seats and 2 bench seats.

The key to the traditional A class is the drop down bed over the cab. Admittedly that sleeping arrangement is not for everyone but if it is for you then the full length of the motorhome is available to use for anything but sleeping. So to answer your question in our case we have the full 6.8m whereas with your 7.5m owing to your rear beds you only have 5.5m.

The full length of the A class MH at its full width does give you a feeling of space. The interior ‘nip in’ between the cab and motorhome in the semi integrated creates a jarring to the eye in my view. It also as a consequence reduces available space.

I accept that the compromises placed by the drop down bed are not for everyone but in my ownership there have been no other drawbacks (servicing/windscreen cover etc). Try one you might be surprised!!

 

[Larrynwin]

Our B544 at 6.5m can seat 8 but usually the two of us can stretch out and chill on a rainy day with no restrictive dinette in the way .

 

[LithiumConvert]

Disadvantage. The mirrors can not be folded in on an A Class

 

[Lenny HB]

Disadvantage. The mirrors can not be folded in on an A Class

But they don't stick out no where near as far.

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[Rapido925M]

Not sure how our 7.5 metre with fixed bed at rear could have less room in the front area when yours is 1.5 metres shorter. Is yours made by Dr Who? Ours seats 6 with 2 swivel seats and 2 bench seats.

Yes, we often imagine that the engineers of Gallifrey had an input: we refer to our large washroom and separate shower as the Tardis
On several occasions we have had birthday meals (usually fish n chips, cake and a drink) for 8 adults and 6 children. Ok, it’s a squash but we’re all family

Gordon

 

[Northernraider]

Not sure how our 7.5 metre with fixed bed at rear could have less room in the front area when yours is 1.5 metres shorter. Is yours made by Dr Who? Ours seats 6 with 2 swivel seats and 2 bench seats.

Depends on the layout . I remember being in a members 8.5metre carthago with a fixed rear island bed and thinking you couldn't swing a cat in the front lounge. I had an 8.4metre frankia at the time with a huge front lounge.

Some vans are all bed n bathroom and nowhere to relax

 

[Northernraider]

I’ve looked in many A class vans and to me, the front ends all look the same. The kitchen areas are tiny, no draining boards and can’t recall seeing one with a decent oven.

I get the appeal, but I’m far to grounded and handsome to be a snob when driving and n

All my a class vans have had ovens . Not small kitchen areas either

 

[jongood]

A 7.5m with fixed beds has the same space as a 5.5m van with. 2m bed tacked on the back

A Pvc doesnt have the same space as an A class or even a coachbuilt. The extra width and the vertical sides makes a big difference as does the height. The further advantage is that a weel designed A class will always noticeably feel a bit bigger because the dont suffer from the tunnel effect you get with the narrower van cab.

Regarding the windscreens - its mostly something you need to check when changing insurers/vehicle, we've had 3 A classes in 16 years and we've so far had 3 screens and only ever paid the excess. Our Mh is a big heavy thing and Ive just renewed at £350, comp, 10k pa but no breakdown cover.

 

[Mr Colpot]

We found our current perfect layout on a Burstner coachbuilt with an island bed at the back and lounge at the front. We had sat in one at a local dealer and would have buoght it but he sold it before we could sell our Pilote. Previous 3 vans had been A Class. We found one privately though. Probably second or third time out and sitting at one of our favourite beach spots with seats turned round I felt claustrophobic even with a big rooflight over the cab, my elbow resting on the drivers door. My darling wife went straight online and found an A class with the same layout plus an overcab bed at a dealer which we now have.