What to do when we got our best motorhome first time?

[Pantouffle]

We bought our third van first and love it to bits - a Chausson 640 Premium. But getting a last chance to raid the pension pot and more time to travel. Ours is 4 years old, so only 3 years habitation warranty left and feel we should sell soon. Getting very good offers for part exchange, as its in 'immaculate' condition and only 14K on the clock.

Have looked & looked to find a rival that gives us the essential things and now considering trading in for same model new, but spec'd up a bit. Are there other suggestions we could look at before we take this easy option?

We love:

• open plan, light and airy feel inside only 7m
• huge luxurious drop down bed. Why have 30% of van space unused all day?
• essential walk-through dog kennel (sorry - garage) large enough for our 2 dogs and all the other bits
• masses of kitchen space, with electric hob in addition to 2 gas burners, huge fridge freezer and overall storage capacity.
• low level step in for us and the dogs.

Downsides are:

• only 1 x 6kg gas locker
• low grey waste drainpipe can snag on kerbs in car parks

We usually go for EHU, but would spec a new one up with lithium battery, larger solar panel and air con unit. Rapido 606F looked in the running until we realised the solid hinged bathroom door invades kitchen and makes van feel small. Roller door is much better. Adria Matrix GT looked good till measured up storage space, and then had to move & store the lounge seat pads to get the electric bed down. We want a fairly local dealership rather than long treks to get a tiny part fixed, so rare breeds are not an option.

Any ideas?

 

[Bucket]

I can't improve on the preceeding advice. We also have our one and only MH, in it's 17th year and ours for 12 +. Also a Chausson, Allegro 83. It gets us around Europe for 3 months a year as well as UK trips and festivals and as I really enjoy making improvements and upgrades meets all our needs and comforts. Sure things go wrong occasionally, but nothing so far that has caused more than a slight delay and bearable cost.
We certainly can't afford the price of anything that would be better.

 

[Mel+Tim]

We bought our third van first and love it to bits - a Chausson 640 Premium. But getting a last chance to raid the pension pot and more time to travel. Ours is 4 years old, so only 3 years habitation warranty left and feel we should sell soon. Getting very good offers for part exchange, as its in 'immaculate' condition and only 14K on the clock.

Have looked & looked to find a rival that gives us the essential things and now considering trading in for same model new, but spec'd up a bit. Are there other suggestions we could look at before we take this easy option?

We love:

• open plan, light and airy feel inside only 7m
• huge luxurious drop down bed. Why have 30% of van space unused all day?
• essential walk-through dog kennel (sorry - garage) large enough for our 2 dogs and all the other bits
• masses of kitchen space, with electric hob in addition to 2 gas burners, huge fridge freezer and overall storage capacity.
• low level step in for us and the dogs.

Downsides are:

• only 1 x 6kg gas locker
• low grey waste drainpipe can snag on kerbs in car parks

We usually go for EHU, but would spec a new one up with lithium battery, larger solar panel and air con unit. Rapido 606F looked in the running until we realised the solid hinged bathroom door invades kitchen and makes van feel small. Roller door is much better. Adria Matrix GT looked good till measured up storage space, and then had to move & store the lounge seat pads to get the electric bed down. We want a fairly local dealership rather than long treks to get a tiny part fixed, so rare breeds are not an option.

Any ideas?

We have a chasson 640 from new and intend keeping it, had the gas flow fitted from new 11kg and it's fine as we are partly on EHU. The only thing I am considering is up plating as we are on the limit most of the time.

 

[CAB96]

Have you considered fitting a Maxxfan rather than Aircon?

Lots of users seem satisfied with them.

 

[CherylnMick]

We have had our “perfect “ motorhome for 5 years in October and we have no intention of swapping our Gin Palace. Had no problems with her since new. The only reason we will change is because we cannot get our C1+E license renewal and then we will likely give up motorhoming as you cannot improve perfection. Keep it if it ticks all your boxes.

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

 

[HKF]

We also bought our third van first and have since looked at others at the NEC and couldn't find a single one we'd swap for. We've upgraded to lithium and done a few other bits and will probably up plate it, too, when we find out how to negotiate the French system. It's perfect for us; spacious, airy, above cab double, end double over the garage, large lounge area and lots of light with two large skylights and big windows. I can't imagine a better layout for us.

You say you thought about upgrading for the sake of warranties but, in my experience, warranties are worth less and less. Plus, the newer versions of anything are often much lower build quality, so things break easier and need replacing. Stick with what you already have. You may regret not doing

 

[Garveypeter]

We bought our third van first and love it to bits - a Chausson 640 Premium. But getting a last chance to raid the pension pot and more time to travel. Ours is 4 years old, so only 3 years habitation warranty left and feel we should sell soon. Getting very good offers for part exchange, as its in 'immaculate' condition and only 14K on the clock.

Have looked & looked to find a rival that gives us the essential things and now considering trading in for same model new, but spec'd up a bit. Are there other suggestions we could look at before we take this easy option?

We love:

• open plan, light and airy feel inside only 7m
• huge luxurious drop down bed. Why have 30% of van space unused all day?
• essential walk-through dog kennel (sorry - garage) large enough for our 2 dogs and all the other bits
• masses of kitchen space, with electric hob in addition to 2 gas burners, huge fridge freezer and overall storage capacity.
• low level step in for us and the dogs.

Downsides are:

• only 1 x 6kg gas locker
• low grey waste drainpipe can snag on kerbs in car parks

We usually go for EHU, but would spec a new one up with lithium battery, larger solar panel and air con unit. Rapido 606F looked in the running until we realised the solid hinged bathroom door invades kitchen and makes van feel small. Roller door is much better. Adria Matrix GT looked good till measured up storage space, and then had to move & store the lounge seat pads to get the electric bed down. We want a fairly local dealership rather than long treks to get a tiny part fixed, so rare breeds are not an option.

Any ideas?

Buy an A class motorhome. Bar swivel seats, 1/3 of the length of every low profile is wasted space.

 

[VXman]

Not sure how long solar would run an air con unit for.

Solar doesn't run anything - it will charge the batteries that run it. So it really depends how big your batteries are. If course the lower you drain the battery then the more solar (and/or driving) you need to do to replenish.

 

[VXman]

Buy an A class motorhome. Bar swivel seats, 1/3 of the length of every low profile is wasted space.



View attachment 926323

Not a 3rd! (I assume you mean the cab) A proportion of the 3rd is lost (or to be precise gained by the A class) You gain maybe 3 or 4 inches of width and space around the windscreen/over the dash.

It's not particularly useful space. It's benefit is more the feeling of openness it gives.

Personally I'd rather spend the extra money on a bigger coachbuilt. Ours is bigger than many A classes and cheaper.

 

[1967bowesj]

Buy an A class motorhome. Bar swivel seats, 1/3 of the length of every low profile is wasted space.



View attachment 926323

That depends very much on your priorities, I hated making beds up, climbing into what is a bed in the sky to me would be hell, no lounge space with bed down, no separation if one is lying in and one up.
Each layout suits different people for different things.

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

 

[1967bowesj]

Not a 3rd! (I assume you mean the cab) A proportion of the 3rd is lost (or to be precise gained by the A class) You gain maybe 3 or 4 inches of width and space around the windscreen/over the dash.

It's not particularly useful space. It's benefit is more the feeling of openness it gives.

Personally I'd rather spend the extra money on a bigger coachbuilt. Ours is bigger than many A classes and cheaper.

View attachment 926329

Almost the same as ours




No wasted space, and no beds to make up

 

[Garveypeter]

Not a 3rd! (I assume you mean the cab) A proportion of the 3rd is lost (or to be precise gained by the A class) You gain maybe 3 or 4 inches of width and space around the windscreen/over the dash.

It's not particularly useful space. It's benefit is more the feeling of openness it gives.

Personally I'd rather spend the extra money on a bigger coachbuilt. Ours is bigger than many A classes and cheaper.

View attachment 926329

If you measure from the front bumper to the rear of the cab doors it’s definitely 1/3 the length.
In this space the A Class has its drop down bed. The drop down bed in your preferred motorhome is in the living space.
The A Class bed makes no intrusion to the living space.

 

[Garveypeter]

That depends very much on your priorities, I hated making beds up, climbing into what is a bed in the sky to me would be hell, no lounge space with bed down, no separation if one is lying in and one up.
Each layout suits different people for different things.

No lounge space with bed down? But that’s the whole point, the A class bed makes no intrusion into the living space. It utilises the area cab doors forward to give you a large double. It’s not in the sky (A C Class bed is) and it’s already made up.
The time to fold seats and drop is circa 30 seconds.

 

[Garveypeter]

Almost the same as ours



View attachment 926337
No wasted space, and no beds to make up

A permanent bed

 

[1967bowesj]

No lounge space with bed down? But that’s the whole point, the A class bed makes no intrusion into the living space. It utilises the area cab doors forward to give you a large double. It’s not in the sky (A C Class bed is) and it’s already made up.
The time to fold seats and drop is circa 30 seconds.

As I said each to there own, you telling me the bed doesn’t impact the lounge yet takes time to set up as you drop the seats, we use the rotated seats so that wouldn’t work very well.
But as I said each to their own, the OP likes his van not anyone else’s and probably won’t be changing it on the say so of anyone on here.

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

 

[1967bowesj]

A permanent bed

Mostly in your opinion, thankfully others would disagree or we would all be sheep with the same A class

 

[Garveypeter]

Almost the same as ours



View attachment 926337
No wasted space, and no beds to make up

No wasted space and no beds to make up ?

The permanent beds and cab area are wasted space. All low profile campers have this compromise, its all in the price.

 

[1967bowesj]

No wasted space and no beds to make up ?

The permanent beds and cab area are wasted space. All low profile campers have this compromise, its all in the price.



View attachment 926339

As I said again, to you it is wasted.
Skylights, vents wrap round cupboards to me are worth not having a bed you fold up and down.
But you enjoy our ideals

 

[Garveypeter]

As I said each to there own, you telling me the bed doesn’t impact the lounge yet takes time to set up as you drop the seats, we use the rotated seats so that wouldn’t work very well.
But as I said each to their own, the OP likes his van not anyone else’s and probably won’t be changing it on the say so of anyone on here.

I’m giving my opinion as you are. The OP posted here asking a question. I’m quite entitled to comment and give “my opinion” If it’s not what you would think or choose that’s just fine.
No the bed had absolutely no impact on the lounge area and if you read the OP he also had a drop down bed but it’s in the lounge.
30 seconds is not an impact on any space. It’s a time take to pull a lever.

 

[VXman]

If you measure from the front bumper to the rear of the cab doors it’s definitely 1/3 the length.
In this space the A Class has its drop down bed. The drop down bed in your preferred motorhome is in the living space.
The A Class bed makes no intrusion to the living space.

Sorry to mislead - we don't have a drop down bed (it's an option we didn't take) - just lots of living space. We use our swivel seats to chill in of an evening and the other lounge seats to put our feet up on!

Anyway - my point is you don't have a 3rd more space. You have some more space in that 3rd and you may have better use of that space but that will vary from one make to another. I have seen some A classes where the dropdown bed takes up the whole of the lounge and the driving area. Depends how long the A class is and how high the roof over the driving area is. There is no one 'A class'

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

 

[VXman]

No wasted space and no beds to make up ?

The permanent beds and cab area are wasted space. All low profile campers have this compromise, its all in the price.



View attachment 926339

Permanent beds aren't wasted space. I can sleep in them at anytime of the day. I can go to bed when the wife is up late in the lounge, I can get up and have a cup of tea in the lounge while she lazes in bed. You can put stuff on them when travelling. Above them are 9 cupboards for all out clothes, beneath are 2 wardrobes and a garage for the motorbike, outdoor chairs and tables, bbq and everything else.

 

[HKF]

Buy an A class motorhome. Bar swivel seats, 1/3 of the length of every low profile is wasted space.



View attachment 926323

Not with ours, it's not.

 

[Tony50]

We have had our “perfect “ motorhome for 5 years in October and we have no intention of swapping our Gin Palace. Had no problems with her since new. The only reason we will change is because we cannot get our C1+E license renewal and then we will likely give up motorhoming as you cannot improve perfection. Keep it if it ticks all your boxes.

I think if you have never had any problems you have one exceptional motorhome.

 

[Pantouffle]

Have you considered fitting a Maxxfan rather than Aircon?

Lots of users seem satisfied with them.

No but I will now look at them! Thanks.

 

[Pantouffle]

wasted space

We would consider an A class if could find one around 7m, only 3500kg, only one huge bed (as only ever 2 of us), internally accessed dog garage etc. but still lots of daytime space.
I too refuse to make up a bed each night, so the 1900 by1600mm Chausson dropdown bed with sheet, mattress topper & duvet permanently on is ideal. All you do is get the pillows out of the wardrobe. It’s not in the sky as it glides down to seat level.
Yes everyone has their needs & opinions - that’s why I asked! Thanks to all. Lots to think about.

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

 

[dunnah01]

Almost the same as ours



View attachment 926337
No wasted space, and no beds to make up

That's pretty much the same layout as ours. We bought our 1st motorhome 3rd

Rented one like the OPs but couldn't live with the electric drop down bed at 3.00 in the morning. The second rental was the regular rear fixed double bed with bog and shower amidships - didn't like the loo and shower next to the kitchen.

Rear proper bathroom with fixd singles has worked for us full time for 4 years and wouldn't change it for anything.

 

[1967bowesj]

That's pretty much the same layout as ours. We bought our 1st motorhome 3rd

Rented one like the OPs but couldn't live with the electric drop down bed at 3.00 in the morning. The second rental was the regular rear fixed double bed with bog and shower amidships - didn't like the loo and shower next to the kitchen.

Rear proper bathroom with fixd singles has worked for us full time for 4 years and wouldn't change it for anything.

Yes looked at your model when we was hunting but not many about, then the Pilote came up, bought it 36hrs later lol