New van ordered Forums

Rapide561 · Last edited by Rapide561 on Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi

I think some of you guessed it would happen. After a lot of humming and arrghing, we have finally ordered a replacement for the Kon-Tiki.

I looked at everything, from Hymer (not the right layout for us), Rapido and Pilote (too small), RVs - I am concerned at the insulation values and also my total lack of mechanical skills, Knaus - no layout suitable....and so it went on.

So I looked at the British specs.....

Autotrail - as far as I am aware, they are Grade 2 insulation - we can't chance that due to the temperatures we like to travel in!

Autocruise - well the website is not even upto date, so not much hope there then.

So we decided, you have guessed already, on the Swift Kon-Tiki 669, tri axle thing.

http://www.swiftleisure.com/Motorhomes/Swift/Kon-Tiki/Properties/ModelID-37?scrollLeft=0&scrollTop=0

I feel like I know the van already, I know it's heating capabilites etc and I love the look of the thing.

The downside, I have not seen one. They cannot yet be viewed at the dealers and the proto type is a left hooker.

However, with the excellent help of Scott at Cleveland Motorhomes, and also cooperation from Swift in Hull, I made the decision. I cannot count the number of e mails I have sent asking spec questions, all of which have been answered quickly and with utmost courtesy.

I have been given a very good deal by Cleveland Motorhomes, yet, they did not give the best price. The best price was £150 cheaper, but, I know Cleveland and I know they have looked after me with the initial troubles with this van, and, also helped me resolve a problem over here. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotton...

So the deal is done, a 669 plus tow bar, roof air con and Gaslow. Collection will be late June.

I know some will say, "bloody hell" another Swift, but believe me, after some of the foreign stuff I have seen, I am confident in my choice.

This time, the Bessacarr did not get a look in. The silver sides of the 669 sold it to me.

Russell

RedSonja

Wow Russell congratulations looks like a nice Van and I'm sure Oscar will like the bed at the back.

sharbul

Nice looking Van Oscar will your dad be OK in the luton bed.

Russell what Grade insulation does it have.

Vince

Rapide561

Hi

Sonja - The bed. Well, we have a fixed bed here, but as Oscar sleeps at the "open" side, I have to climb over him in the night etc! Problem solved.

Vince - it is Grade 3 - it technically means that the heating system will maintain a temperature of +20 inside, when it is -15 outside. More than that though, all pipes etc, water tanks are "indoors".

Russell

geraldandannie · Moderator

Brilliant choice, Russell. I think it's a great compromise between European motorhomes and an RV.

Look forward to drooling over it sometime later this year.

Gerald

Spacerunner

Sold by a handful of silver. Wink

. Nice looking 'van, just been looking at the swift brochure, looks fantastic quality, for a British'van.
We've just chosen the registration for our new 'van, a Chausson, fully winterized, but a lot smaller than a Kon Tiki, although we nearly fell for a 2005 Kon Tiki at Shepton show.

geraldandannie · Moderator

fdhadi

Looks brill Russell.

Think the brits (swift) are now looking closer at german built mh's.

I know it wont make a difference to you, but a mh of this size & weight, 5 berth and only 3 passenger travel seats?
Just thinking about the new laws and seatbelts in mh's.

Rapide561

Hi

The seatbelt situation, although as you say does not really affect me is 3 passengers in seat belts plus the driver in the driver seat. Passenger number five presumably is tied to the bed! Any volunteers!

Russell