Which base vehicles make the best motorhomes?

[enark]

Ahh yes but you haven’t got 3 or 4 tons sat on top of it

How do you know?

 

[bladerunner]

I liked the way the old merc E class had a mileometer that had 7 dials, suggesting over 1,000,000 miles was possible.
Our Landcruiser V8 is sweet at 130k, we rode in one in Dubai that had 750000km and still felt new.

If I had the money I'd have a merc Actros base.

Happy with my sprinter V6, but the abs sensors go too frequently.

 

[gwyntaxi]

I'll give that a miss, it won't have any indicators.

Very true.

 

[Dutch 68]

Surprising as the weight is over the wheels I'm the sprinter and not in the fiat.


I'd bet money that was down to driver and tyres

Or they where confused as lots of the new sprinters are fwd

 

[Mr Librium]

I love older mercs but from what I gather the newer ones as as common for issues as other brands.

That's what I hear, although mine is a relatively low mileage 2008 long wheelbase Sprinter.

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[royw]

mercedes sprinter 519 based i would like to say mine when no issue runs really well , but i had a early egr replacement , had recent speed sensor issue, rear left went then rear right. all replaced and just back from france

 

[Northernraider]

Or they where confused as lots of the new sprinters are fwd

That's more than likely .

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

How do you know?

Probably a good guess that a Volvo V 70 car chassis will not take 3-4 tonobviously every day is a learning day if you know better?

 

[enark]

Probably a good guess that a Volvo V 70 car chassis will not take 3-4 tonobviously every day is a learning day if you know better?

Exactly ….a guess.

And humour……

 

[ChrisL]

Going back to BMW for a minute, perhaps a motorhome is not that far away, they have been involved in the production of an electric bus in partnership with a Turkish company.

BMW ENTERS PUBLIC TRANSPORT WITH ELECTRIC BUS PROJECT

AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER BMW – through its BMW i brand – has formally entered into the world of public transport and

www.busnews.com.au

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[Dazzola]

Sounds as if the Renault is really a Nissan!!

I must admit it has surprised me, I expected occasional problems, but apart from pulling the odd door handle off (rubbish plastic design) it has been faultless, no dpf, injector or engine issues, not a single dash light and it's my only vehicle so it's used everyday.

 

[busby]

Talking to a lorry driver a few weeks back and he has a Volvo tractor unit rated to tow 160t, it does 0.5 miles per gallon when loaded he only had 80t of crane weights on the back when I spoke to him.
Surprisingly it only has 550bhp

Only 550 bhp..Years ago prime movers for low loaders were lucky if they had 180bhp..Its down to torque and low gearing pulling those weights..BUSBY.

 

[Tony50]

We had a 2023 Fiat Ducato 140bhp 9 speed automatic, great motor
Now got a 2024 Ford transit based motorhome, 170 bhp.6 speed automatic good motor ,but I think the steering feels more inprecise.

 

[georgio]

Renault base vehicle for me. The engines seem burstproof but I have ducato pvc which the shape availability suits. I am a great believer in preventive maintenance anyway.

 

[john prince]

Hypothetical question but if you could have the vehicle (say any made since 2018) of your choice on your current or future MH which brand would it be...and why?

Happy with my Mk7 Transit, reliable and cheap ish parts ( 6 speed manual diesel, -with a Burstner Nexxo t625

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[Peter_Cooke]

Third generation Renault Master. Had our motorhome since new, seven years on, 45000 miles of absolute reliability and 31 to 34 mpg(essential to a Yorkshire man), such a smooth delivery from its 2.3 turbo engine.

 

[Garfields]

If you want a PVC of 6m or less, then Ducato (/Peugeot/Citroen/etc). Because it's a little wider, the bonnet and cab are compact and the sides are nearly vertical. The bit of extra space makes it far more livable. The latest Transit 6m with the highest roof is also fairly practical.

Longer PVC, then recent Sprinters or recent VW/MAN. They're a good drive. Probably still need a side flare if you want a transverse bed though.

For coachbuilds up to about 4.5t, I'd take Merc if I had a choice.

The new transits have the wet cam belt system.
With synthetic oil this should not be an issue but with diesel contamination due to regen problems things can go pear shaped very rapidly.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Third generation Renault Master. Had our motorhome since new, seven years on, 45000 miles of absolute reliability and 31 to 34 mpg(essential to a Yorkshire man), such a smooth delivery from its 2.3 turbo engine.

Totally agree had my master 4 years now not new to me but 127k on the clock and does 30 to 34 also a mark 3 and cam chain is the icing on the cake

 

[Steve-N]

Just taken delivery of our 4 Motorhome on a Ducato don't have any problems with them. The new 2.2 engine is much smother & quieter than the 2.3 and the 9 speed box is a dream, it's so smooth.

I also have a series 8 Ducato with a 2.2ltr 9sp auto, after we quickly got rid of a 6sp comfortmatic, what a difference, and a real dream to drive, for once . . Well done Fiat

 

[RM_Marine]

If only SAAB did

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[bigwood]

Before we bought our Transit PVC I hired a Fiat based coachbuild. After driving Transits for work I wasn’t impressed by the Fiat. Yes it was a used hire van but it wasn’t for me.
We have had a Transit coachbuild now or eight years and it feels right. Even though it’s 55 plate with 65,000 on the clock it seems to get us were we want to go all be it slower than newer vans.