Motorhome Makers: Stop Doing This!

Nikwilko said:
Overcast skylight, gives real healing of space when viewing. Reality they all leak, suffer wind noise and aren't practical in summer or winter
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Ours doesn’t leak or suffer from wind noise, I think the problems arise when they try to make them openable. The Malibu Van one is a fixed skylight with no moving parts.
 
Jim said:
It's one of the best things about a panel van.

For years, no matter what the weather, hot sun, pouring rain, I loved sitting under my awning, whether it's that first cup of tea in the morning, a beer in the afternoon, or tapping away on a laptop or chatting with friends in the evening, that under-the-awning feeling is fantastic, we are camping after all (remember!)

Except now, I don't have to put the awning out, just slide open that big door and it's like you are outside. If it's raining, I will push out the awning just a foot or two to stop rain coming in.

Woosh Bangs - just like being under the awning but in comfy seats. '\
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Same here. (y)

Added to that is the sliding fly screen that stops winged biters getting inside in the evening. Well worth the extra cost. It may be a bit fragile, but used with care our screen is still in good shape after 7 years.
 
Brains said:
I was about to say this.

Why fit a sliding woosh bang door ?
especially when half the exit is blocked, usually by the cooker or sink unit.

I'd have thought it was actually cheaper for the manufacturers to replace the sliding door with a panel and a conventional low hab door.
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Think either I.H. or Timberland did that with the door..it was 18 k More expensive than the sliding whoosh bang model.BUSBY.
 
With a drop down bed, there would be limited light at the front of our van but there are problems of heat, light and cleaning to consider. Our van has a (pealing) painted roof skylight with the opening part a little further back.

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rosalan said:
With a drop down bed, there would be limited light at the front of our van but there are problems of heat, light and cleaning to consider. Our van has a (pealing) painted roof skylight with the opening part a little further back.
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There are also some very good films around that protect against UV and heat gain
 
Hedgewitch said:
I appreciate it can be a small game of Tetris to design & fit everything we might want into a PVC but the silliest thing I have seen recently are the van conversions with the shower tray in the MIDDLE of the van.

You would be standing on it whilst at the sink, walking over it every single time you went to the bed area, probably tripping over it in the night. How much of that sort of abuse can a moulded plastic tray take before it cracks?
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After 11 years, the shower tray in the middle of our Globecar Campscout is still fine. Mind you, you don't stand on it at the kitchen sink, only at the shower/loo/washbasin. Very efficient use of the limited space in any PVC.
 
Jim said:
just slide open that big door and it's like you are outside. If it's raining, I will push out the awning just a foot or two to stop rain coming in
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my pvc has 2 whoosh-bang doors so if it rains, I just close one and open the other :smiley: both have extendable seats just inside so either can be used as a chair or, when the weather's good, a sunlounger

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Back to the original question though:
- problematic design is having to access the toilet cassette from the barn doors - especially the left one - impossible to do in a wind when you're on your own
 
I love the big front skylight in our coach built as we have a drop down bed over lounge, and as mentioned by someone earlier in the thread, it would be depressingly dark without, if the silver screens were in use.

However I might have a different opinion if we had a van conversion because of the different layouts, and we like plenty of storage opportunities too

Got to agree about the pop tops, just weird. Imagine they are made to order though and someone might want one!

Keen to read Jim's review of why he loves van conversions, always felt a bit small to me, but could be persuaded. Loved the description of sitting in the van with the whoosh bang door open whilst raining.
 
Jim said:
Another show season has come and gone! I've trudged around most of them, poked around hundreds of vans, and subjected my wallet to imaginary spending sprees. In the past I've owned it all; from behemoth RVs with two 12ft slide outs to dinky 6m A-Class Hymers. I know what I like.

A few years ago we transitioned, (as many of you will) to the panel van conversion. And it's these that I've been giving much of my attention too. And honestly, I love them. I'm about to write an article on why I think everyone should own one..

But before I start waxing lyrical, I've been looking at my photos and I need to address two design sins that motorhome manufacturers seem hell-bent on committing. Seriously, it's like they're copying each other's homework. badly. So, dear motorhome makers, stop this now.

Massive Skylights Over the Cab: Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

Who are these designers who think a skylight above the cab seats in a PVC is a must-have? Have they ever spent time in a motorhome?

They turn your van into a sauna in the summer and a walk-in freezer in the winter. Enjoy those extremes, do you?
They can be noisy and Oh, you didn't want that perfect overcab cupboard, did you? Of course not! Who needs useful storage when you can have a sunroof trying 12 hours a day to give you cancer.

The cab area has a massive windscreen, with a skylight it's bright enough to double as a tanning salon! We don't need more light up there. And you lose that wide overcab man-locker that holds plenty of good gadgets, gaffa and string. Seriously, stop it.

Rising Roofs: Just... No!

Stop it with the rising roof. (Haven't you noticed they are not selling) People who own panel vans tour as singles or couples, and don't want to climb ladders to go to bed. Those beds up top are good for kids, but the van does not have payload or storage for kids. Sorry, kids, the bikes stay home. No Ball and I said just one pair of shoes! Panel vans are for adults, such as shame that these rising roof vans are not designed by them.

/Rant over '\


Anything you want them to stop?
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Fit drawers instead of cupboards in narrow passageways - far easier for access and to see what’s in them than having to get down knees to peer into the depths
 
Jim said:
Massive Skylights Over the Cab: Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

Who are these designers who think a skylight above the cab seats in a PVC is a must-have? Have they ever spent time in a motorhome?

They turn your van into a sauna in the summer and a walk-in freezer in the winter. Enjoy those extremes, do you?
They can be noisy and Oh, you didn't want that perfect overcab cupboard, did you? Of course not! Who needs useful storage when you can have a sunroof trying 12 hours a day to give you cancer.

The cab area has a massive windscreen, with a skylight it's bright enough to double as a tanning salon! We don't need more light up there. And you lose that wide overcab man-locker that holds plenty of good gadgets, gaffa and string. Seriously, stop it.
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I don't have a PVC but my c class motorhome does have a big over cab skylight. I love it. It makes the cab and living area so light. There is also a sky light a little further back on the roof and 4 windows on the sides. If I go into a motorhome with a drop down bed that blocks that area it feels so dark and claustrophobic.

I don't have a problem with heat - if it's sunny the skylight will be open anyway. I just love light/airiness. That's also why I never close the blinds on the windscreen until it's fully dark or use a silver screen.

I like the concept/size of a PVC but in practice I always find them to cramped.

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VXman said:
I don't have a PVC but my c class motorhome does have a skylight.
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They are entirely different things in a PVC. My PVC has a skylight too. But we are not talking about regular skylights

1731497181126.png
 
Jim said:
They are entirely different things in a PVC. My PVC has a skylight too. But we are not talking about regular skylights

View attachment 978019
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Sorry, I am confused. Is the above what you don't like or what you have? My motorhome is similar to the above except that the Skylight over the table is a bit further back on mine. Perhaps post pic of what you dislike?
 
I really don’t understand why anyone would replace the lovely sliding door with the funny little door. PVCs are heavy and potentially expensive, especially the converters that offer this option like Vantage and IH. You’d be far better off buying a narrow coachbuilt or A class. Much more choice.
 
VXman said:
Sorry, I am confused. Is the above what you don't like or what you have? My motorhome is similar to the above except that the Skylight over the table is a bit further back on mine. Perhaps post pic of what you dislike?
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Jim said:
Massive Skylights Over the Cab: Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?
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In PVC's

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Brains said:
Sliding doors are optional.
A lot of vans just come with rear doors

Cut a hole in the side panel and fill it with a door.

I'd have thought it would be a cheaper option than a sliding door,
and you gain valuable space, and more to the point you don't have a Woosh Bang door!
(Speaking as the ex owner of two VW camper vans)

View attachment 976872
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We are currently in the process of selling our business and will be moving to different houses once the process reaches the completion day (if ever!).
In preparation for this we have been out and about collecting / delivering fridge freezers, washing machines, furniture etc etc.
Having the whoosh bang door has been really useful as there is room for two white goods boxes behind the drivers / passenger seat. Both stand upright and only have to be lifted up to the level of the van floor to fit them in.
Although we have the twin back doors, there are two built in benches adjacent to the doors, leaving a gap of only about 30 / 40cm floor space. Making up the double bed provides lots of room but only for lighter items I can lift to that height.

As a side effect I have been through the lockers / cupboards and emptied out everything not needed in furniture van mode to keep the weight down!

I wouldnt have been able to do either of these in our last 6 berth coach built as the door was too narrow and anything long would not go in and round the fitted units to lie on the floor.
 
VXman said:
Sorry, I am confused. Is the above what you don't like or what you have? My motorhome is similar to the above except that the Skylight over the table is a bit further back on mine. Perhaps post pic of what you dislike?
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I think Jim is referring to the extra one above the windscreen which is in addition to the standard one over the table. See picture below. On Malibu Vans it is an option and doesn’t open.
IMG_0632.jpeg
 
I thought I wasn't that tall at around 5'6", but I still have to dip my head to see fully through the windscreen. I know in our Ducato the seats are raised to fit the hab batteries, but couldn't something be done to ensure you don't get a crick in your neck from trying to see just how low that branch coming up is. And don't get me started on how far down the brake handle is....
 
poppycamper said:
The exact reason we had our van professionally built to our own design and specs.... we looked and looked but could not find a suitable mainstream converter that had everything we wanted.... oh and it was cheaper as well!!
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Sounds good, be interested to know the convertor.
 
Anjistar said:
I thought I wasn't that tall at around 5'6", but I still have to dip my head to see fully through the windscreen. I know in our Ducato the seats are raised to fit the hab batteries, but couldn't something be done to ensure you don't get a crick in your neck from trying to see just how low that branch coming up is. And don't get me started on how far down the brake handle is....
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designed for orangutans.

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simsy56 said:
Also on the inside a handle on the latch part would make it a lot easier to pull shut.

Craig
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Definitely, like this one What illustrates this is how much easier they are to shut from outside. I've done this and clambered in via the cab when arriving back late on site, to avoid those embarrassing multiple 'whoosh BANGS' to get the thing locked.

I've thought about adding a handle like L'Hobo, but hesitated at dismantling to locate where is safe to screw.
 
Boldly said:
You might be on a slope.
If you don't mind the door swinging open why have a door at all?
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Sorry for the delay in responding.

I love the fact the door has two openings to accommodate in use.

I did try to have the door closed to the bedroom when driving in the hope that the AirCon wouldn't have as much
air to cool in warmer climes but unfortunately the movement of the van caused the door to open when on the move.

Plan B is to put the lock onto the 'other' side of the door. In that way I'm hoping that the
lock will cause the door to stay put when on the move.
 
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rosalan said:
There may be efficient door retainers but to date I have not had one. One or two small screws into bodywork and retainers that need annual replacement if you visit hot places do not seem to have evolved over the last 30 years. Garage and habitation doors that slamm onto walls is not good enough.
While I am at it, why do garages in most mid-range vans have a limit of 150kg? Many van chassis' are capable of upgrading with little more than a paper excercise.
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Similar rant, our garage door had an albeit low pressure gas strut to turbo charge the opening speed when confronted with a light breeze. Utter madness, I replaced it (after it broke first breeze) with a strut that has a rotating sleeve that can adjust the friction and prevent the garage door from hammering into the bodywork.
 
Anjistar said:
I thought I wasn't that tall at around 5'6", but I still have to dip my head to see fully through the windscreen. I know in our Ducato the seats are raised to fit the hab batteries, but couldn't something be done to ensure you don't get a crick in your neck from trying to see just how low that branch coming up is. And don't get me started on how far down the brake handle is....
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Interesting. I am slightly shorter than you and don’t experience that problem. As you say maybe because of seats being raised. Our lithium battery is under the passenger seat, but no adjustment was necessary.
Oh, and I can read the speedometer etc, which I know some have issues with.

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