need advice please ,,,

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Cemmy074

Joined
Jun 12, 2022
Posts
15
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Location
Blackburn, UK
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89,224
MH
Ducato
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Newbie
hi everybody ,, i just wonder is anyone tell me is it really difficult to drive a class motorhome than normal motorhome,, i drove 2003 model 6.5m around 10k miles and 7.5m for test drive,, i love the a class motorhomes coz of their layout and inside space,, i am looking something similar size what i drove but my worry is i never drove a class are they same with normal motorhomes?
2nd question when i look some motorhomes on factory dimensions like they show weight 3150kg but seller says 4000kg is it possible to downplate or still i can drive with normal licence if i don't fully pack the moho ,, thank you
 
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We changed from Ford Transit based motorhome for 15 years to a fiat ducato a class.

Yesterday was my first proper drive in it from Guildford to peruwelz area in Belgium.
By the end of today we both drove it about 4 hours each mainly on dual carriageway and it already feels very natural after initial thoughts of "this is big".
It's actually 5 cm shorter a little less in height and width but phenomenally more spacious inside.. it looks huge but actually isnt
 
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I converted from a conventional Ducati cab motorhome to an A Class 3 years ago. My first impression was that it was like driving a greenhouse down the road because it is so open and airy. A little different and possibly off-putting but good. I would strongly recommend but do recognise that others might think differently.
 
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Cemmy074 said:
hi everybody ,, i just wonder is anyone tell me is it really difficult to drive a class motorhome than normal motorhome,, i drove 2003 model 6.5m around 10k miles and 7.5m for test drive,, i love the a class motorhomes coz of their layout and inside space,, i am looking something similar size what i drove but my worry is i never drove a class are they same with normal motorhomes?
2nd question when i look some motorhomes on factory dimensions like they show weight 3150kg but seller says 4000kg is it possible to downplate or still i can drive with normal licence if i don't fully pack the moho ,, thank you
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I find A Class motorhomes easier to drive than C Class ones where the drivers cab is narrower than the main body.

As for weight and payload the manufacturers figures are rarely accurate, get it taken to a weigh bridge. If the motorhome is registered at over 3500kg then you can not drive it on an ordinary car licence and reducing the actual weigh to less than 3500kg makes no difference. Motorhomes can be down plated but only if they have a viable payload at 3500kg, one that is plated at 4000kg is unlikely to be light enough to do this.

If you want to drive it on an ordinary car licence I suggest you look for one that is already registered at 3500kg and then get it taken to a weigh bridge to make sure there is enough payload left for you, your family and all the goods you want to take with you.

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A Class is much easier to drive. I don't understand why anyone would think it's more difficult.

The seat is in exactly the same position relative to the front and sides of the vehicle.

Easier to get through tight spaces and easier to reverse as the sides are flat. Better mirrors for rear viability.

Better insulation & soud proofing so more relaxing to drive.
 
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Pausim said:
I find A Class motorhomes easier to drive than C Class ones where the drivers cab is narrower than the main body.

As for weight and payload the manufacturers figures are rarely accurate, get it taken to a weigh bridge. If the motorhome is registered at over 3500kg then you can not drive it on an ordinary car licence and reducing the actual weigh to less than 3500kg makes no difference. Motorhomes can be down plated but only if they have a viable payload at 3500kg, one that is plated at 4000kg is unlikely to be light enough to do this.

If you want to drive it on an ordinary car licence I suggest you look for one that is already registered at 3500kg and then get it taken to a weigh bridge to make sure there is enough payload left for you, your family and all the goods you want to take with you.
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thank you ,, i just saw few they say 4000kg but and giving massive 850kg loading and when i check manufactory list it was actually 3150kg even same model and spec listed 3500kg ,, just made me little confused ,, thank you
 
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Cemmy074 said:
2nd question when i look some motorhomes on factory dimensions like they show weight 3150kg but seller says 4000kg is it possible to downplate or still i can drive with normal licence if i don't fully pack the moho ,, thank you
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Very few A Class vans you can realisticly run at 3500kg. Bear in mind payload is given on a basic van you can't even buy them like that, all the factory extras and customer fitted extras reduce the payload.
 
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Cemmy074 said:
thank you ,, i just saw few they say 4000kg but and giving massive 850kg loading and when i check manufactory list it was actually 3150kg even same model and spec listed 3500kg ,, just made me little confused ,, thank you
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The 3150 is probably the nominal base weight. It may or may not include driver, fuel and water. 350kg is not a realistic payload even if driver etc included in the 3150. And you have no guarantee the 3150 is accurate, it could be more than that if lots of extras are fitted.

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Puddleduck said:
Which is why we had our last van registered at 3850 which worked for us.

The van before that we could run at less than 3500kg.
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Next year the European law change will allow 4.250kg on the B licence. I don't know if that will apply to the UK, but that changes everything for me at least. According to the 'ficha técnica' for my van (which I guess is your V5?) the max weight is 3.850 as it stands, so no changes of tyres or suspension needed and I have another 350 kg available. So as long as the missus doesn't buy too many more shoes, we should be good.
 
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Barriesimpson said:
Basically, let's be honest here, nobody is within the 3.500kg limit.
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My van was when I weighed it a couple of months ago. I would welcome a higher weight limit but there are options below 3500kg you just have to be realistic about getting a smaller van and not carrying too much around with you.
 
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Pausim said:
My van was when I weighed it a couple of months ago. I would welcome a higher weight limit but there are options below 3500kg you just have to be realistic about getting a smaller van and not carrying too much around with you.
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Yes, of course it is possible. But I only just bought the moho, so a bit soon to be changing. Plus we really love the layout and size of the van - there are only the two of us, so we have plenty of space.

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Barriesimpson said:
Yes, of course it is possible. But I only just bought the moho, so a bit soon to be changing. Plus we really love the layout and size of the van - there are only the two of us, so we have plenty of space.
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You said “nobody is within the 3.500kg limit”, I am only disagreeing with that statement not your choice of motorhome.
 
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Well I like mine and it’s easy to drive. (y) Much better vision and layout.
IMG_3746.jpeg
 
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Cemmy074 said:
hi everybody ,, i just wonder is anyone tell me is it really difficult to drive a class motorhome than normal motorhome,, i drove 2003 model 6.5m around 10k miles and 7.5m for test drive,, i love the a class motorhomes coz of their layout and inside space,, i am looking something similar size what i drove but my worry is i never drove a class are they same with normal motorhomes?
2nd question when i look some motorhomes on factory dimensions like they show weight 3150kg but seller says 4000kg is it possible to downplate or still i can drive with normal licence if i don't fully pack the moho ,, thank you
Click to expand...
Why not test drive an A class and try it out?

On the weight thing as others have said you could downplate a 4000 kg MH in some cases but it would probably be unusable due to the limited payload
 
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It looks lovely. Are there internal steps anywhere?

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My A class is a delight to drive. When I first climbed in it I thought it would take a little getting used to. It didn’t at all. The visibility is excellent and personally it was just one of those vehicles you immediately become aware of where the front/back/corners are. As others have said, go for a test drive but don’t be put off before doing that.
 
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cyberyacht said:
AFAICT the only downside to an A Class is the cost of a replacement windscreen. Just don't follow scrap/builders lorries too closely.
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... and, based on another recent thread, possibly accident repair costs and safety in the event of a front end collision in a cab that hasn't been through the NCAP process.
 
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PaulW2 said:
... and, based on another recent thread, possibly accident repair costs and safety in the event of a front end collision in a cab that hasn't been through the NCAP process.
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So, as I understand it, the probable crash safety pecking order is PVC (safest), coachbuilt, A Class (least safe).
 
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