Shopping at the NEC

[wp1234]

So we are looking for our next van having owned two coach builds and two A Class previously.
The plan is to drastically downsize from our 8 meter long Laika A Class to a more manageable 6.4 meter PVC. This type of van is a new world to me so am wondering what I need to look out for and who are the best and worst manufacturers out there . I’m hearing good things about Cathargo Malibu and Adria but what else would be worth looking at in the show next week.

Cheers

 

[Garratt]

Look at the Rapido/ Dreamer vans.

 

[DJIT]

My research has revealed that most 6.4m PVC's follow the same layout - front dinette with 2 rear fixed single beds (most can covert to a double) and kitchen / bathroom between.
If you are happy with this layout then there will be several to choose from, but if you want a different layout then the manufacturer choice will reduce significantly.

 

[Teedubyaa]

We downsized from A Class to PVC - don’t like climbing over each other for the obligatory night-time loo visit so lengthways bed (6.36m van) and also don’t like clingy shower curtain so swing-wall shower. Went to look and front panoramic sunroof made it more light and airy so that shortlisted it down to Rapido V68/Dreamer D68; Adria Twin; Malibu, and I think Globecar - similar quality then down to personal choice in finish and engine/cab - we chose Rapido V68 and opted for auto to stay with Fiat and the newer cab

 

[Puddleduck]

Sorry to hijack the thread but we are also looking to change vans from a transverse bed to longitudinal bed. We need a minimum of 4 berths / travel seats and no longer than 8m, preferably 7.5m. Ideally plated at 3.5kg as long as there is a good payload as Martin is getting towards the 70 age limit and as he has a stent he is worried about the medical and would rather avoid that. Not that he has on going concerns about his heart as he has passed all the follow up tests, it's the delays and DVLA messing he wants to try to avoid.

I also want a comfortable seat as I have a spinal issue. Twin arm rests are a must and it would be wonderful to have a leg / foot rest! I suppose I really want a recliner as I have at home which is probably never going to be an option of course.

As things are we can't get to the NEC October show (and we are in no hurry to change vans) so might have a trip down for the February show.

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[Guigsy]

Sorry to hijack the thread but we are also looking to change vans from a transverse bed to longitudinal bed. We need a minimum of 4 berths / travel seats and no longer than 8m, preferably 7.5m. Ideally plated at 3.5kg as long as there is a good payload as Martin is getting towards the 70 age limit and as he has a stent he is worried about the medical and would rather avoid that. Not that he has on going concerns about his heart as he has passed all the follow up tests, it's the delays and DVLA messing he wants to try to avoid.

I also want a comfortable seat as I have a spinal issue. Twin arm rests are a must and it would be wonderful to have a leg / foot rest! I suppose I really want a recliner as I have at home which is probably never going to be an option of course.

As things are we can't get to the NEC October show (and we are in no hurry to change vans) so might have a trip down for the February show.

While it may be possible to buy a 4 birth 7.5m van at 3500kg, it'll very likely have an impractically tiny payload.

 

[Puddleduck]

While it may be possible to buy a 4 birth 7.5m van at 3500kg, it'll very likely have an impractically tiny payload.

I know.........

Our last Chausson was 4 berth and had a decent payload though. It was 6m long and transverse beds so no longer an option. Perhaps a trip to Knowepark to go tyre kicking might be in order.

 

[davidroxburgh]

We have a Westfalia Columbus which is 6.36 meters long. It has 2 single beds and with an infill a huge double. It has a small double upfront with a swing over bed. LHD. MMM van of year 2015. Now with Simon Select and about to be advertised!

 

[wp1234]

We downsized from A Class to PVC - don’t like climbing over each other for the obligatory night-time loo visit so lengthways bed (6.36m van) and also don’t like clingy shower curtain so swing-wall shower. Went to look and front panoramic sunroof made it more light and airy so that shortlisted it down to Rapido V68/Dreamer D68; Adria Twin; Malibu, and I think Globecar - similar quality then down to personal choice in finish and engine/cab - we chose Rapido V68 and opted for auto to stay with Fiat and the newer cab

That’s exactly what our list is down to at this moment .thank you .

 

[BrochMike]

Check out UK converters - Wildax (10.20) & Devon (11.90) while you are there.

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[pampam]

Puddleduck i was going to ask same question,hubby is approaching 70 and we wont keep his grandfather rights as he has medical issues so was looking for a nice sized van below 3.5 tons

 

[dash300]

Rapido Dreamer have some very interesting variations in a PVC including two variations of a drop down front bed with either a permanent rear double or rear lounge convertible double. We have the latter (Dreamer Living) in which we leave the rear double permanently made up a lot of the time if travelling site to site with short stops or when weather permitting we spend most of our time outside.
When just using as a day van we have a very roomy rear lounge and front lounge as well!

 

[wp1234]

We downsized from A Class to PVC - don’t like climbing over each other for the obligatory night-time loo visit so lengthways bed (6.36m van) and also don’t like clingy shower curtain so swing-wall shower. Went to look and front panoramic sunroof made it more light and airy so that shortlisted it down to Rapido V68/Dreamer D68; Adria Twin; Malibu, and I think Globecar - similar quality then down to personal choice in finish and engine/cab - we chose Rapido V68 and opted for auto to stay with Fiat and the newer cab

Thanks for this and all good pointers. The deed is now done and we bought the Adria Twin Supreme in the end with Fiat auto box plus Fiat and Adria luxury packs. Now come the other big choice - type of bike rack for two heavy e-bikes , I’m thinking the tow ball Thule carrier would be best rather than risk bending the barn doors.

 

[Coolcats]

So we are looking for our next van having owned two coach builds and two A Class previously.
The plan is to drastically downsize from our 8 meter long Laika A Class to a more manageable 6.4 meter PVC. This type of van is a new world to me so am wondering what I need to look out for and who are the best and worst manufacturers out there . I’m hearing good things about Cathargo Malibu and Adria but what else would be worth looking at in the show next week.

Cheers

Hymer are also worth a look if we were to change our Ayres Rock we would be tempted with a longer PVC such as a Grand Canyon or Yosemite ( the free range has slightly different quality fittings, I think they were originally brought out as cheaper range)

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Thanks for this and all good pointers. The deed is now done and we bought the Adria Twin Supreme in the end with Fiat auto box plus Fiat and Adria luxury packs. Now come the other big choice - type of bike rack for two heavy e-bikes , I’m thinking the tow ball Thule carrier would be best rather than risk bending the barn doors.

Our last Adria Twin we had door mounted bike rack with two average weight mountain bikes on. After 6 years of ownership the door had bent slightly out of alignment at the top and I decided that on the next van we would have a tow bar mounted rack.
Our current Adria twin has a tow bar with the Atera strada DL3 bike rack, which with two bikes on the outer rails, allows both rear doors to fully open.

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[wp1234]

Our last Adria Twin we had door mounted bike rack with two average weight mountain bikes on. After 6 years of ownership the door had bent slightly out of alignment at the top and I decided that on the next van we would have a tow bar mounted rack.
Our current Adria twin has a tow bar with the Atera strada DL3 bike rack, which with two bikes on the outer rails, allows both rear doors to fully open.

Thanks for this .Its confirmed that the tow ball mounted bike rack is the way to go , luckily I already own a Thule VelospaceVX2 so it’s just the £500 ish Towbars fitting that’s required .

 

[Grianan]

An alternative is the van memo/Busbiker type of bike rack - swing out of way to give full access to back doors. Bike rack is chassis mounted.

 

[Soycd]

Check out UK converters - Wildax (10.20) & Devon (11.90) while you are there.

I looked at Wildax last year. Lovely build quality but I could not see any models with fixed single beds.

 

[Soycd]

Thanks for this and all good pointers. The deed is now done and we bought the Adria Twin Supreme in the end with Fiat auto box plus Fiat and Adria luxury packs. Now come the other big choice - type of bike rack for two heavy e-bikes , I’m thinking the tow ball Thule carrier would be best rather than risk bending the barn doors.

That’s pretty much what we ordered last year. We went for the 640SLB. In terms of a bike rack we will probably go for Vanstar E cross. It’s chassis mounted and removable. It allows the bike to swing open to allow full access to the rear doors.

 

[BrochMike]

I looked at Wildax last year. Lovely build quality but I could not see any models with fixed single beds.

Agreed but (for us - and I'm over 6ft) the Europa end lounge works well as 2 singles (or easy kingsize) without sacrificing 'fixed' space - and great to benefit from lounging around with clear view out of big rear doors...

Hopefully OP has found something to suit them (sounds like they have)