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Augustus

I posted this on the Chit-Chat Forum which may have been the wrong spot for it as I received no replies, I will try again here, thanks.

We are new members based away from Europe who are thinking of buying a 2 berth MH to be based in Europe for our use for approx. 5 years.
We are experienced caravanners (oops the C word) who feel we will be comfortable with something around 6 metres & probably an Intergrated or Semi-intergrated layout with the transverse bed at the back.
We have never heard of most of the manufacturers & are unfamiliar with the chassis/motors on offer & seek members opinions on what to look for & to avoid. Quality, reliability & resale are all important to us & I confess a liking to rear wheel drive. From our limited reading one that appeals is the Hymer Intergrated Exsis 522 (from memory) with Ford running gear (this has the appeal of a second bed over the driving area for guests if needed).
With our parameters in mind we ask members opinions on what are the three best MH builders & motor/chassis combinations, reasons for your choice would be valuable.
If our choice of the Hymer/Ford is a reasonable one are there any other manufacturers making the same combinations that we should examine?
All information & opinions gratefully received & thanks in advance.

carolgavin · Quiz Queen

H,i sorry cannot answer your questions directly but just wanted to welcome you to motorhomefacts. Hope you enjoy the site

peedee

You don't say if you intend to buy new or used. If used the year of manufacture may make a difference for instance the recent Fiat chassis seems to have its problems. Hymer have always had a good reputation but I didn't think they built on a Ford chassis?

peedee

ps oopps I see they do.

Augustus

Thanks Peedee, we were thinking new or late model used, perhaps 2006 on.

GerryD

HI, if you are looking at the 6metre range then you are unlikely to find RWD. All chassis other than the heavier Mercedes or Ford are FWD. Marquis Motorhomes have recently intrudoced a range of Mercedes based MHs at around 6m but I believe that they are all FWD. Certainly all Hymers on a Ford are FWD.
Regards,
Gerry

Boff

Salve Augustus, Wink

if we disregard US RVs and only look at European motorhomes, there are four different chassis lines covering more than 90% of the market:

1. The "Sevel chassis": Sevel stands for "Société Européenne de Véhicules Légers" and is the name of a joint venture of PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat to produce an LGV chassis. Built in two factories in Pescara, Italy and Valenciennes, France, the "Sevel Chassis" is sold under the brand names Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer. This means that, besides the logo and sometimes the engines, these three vehicles are practically identical.
The Sevel Chassis is only produced with FWD. The Sevel Chassis's "Power Head Concept" (means that everything needed to drive the vehicle is concentrated in and under the cab makes it extremely flexible for motorhome builders. In addition it is rather inexpensive and special "camping" versions already prepared for motorhomes are available, which makes it by far the most popular chassis for small and mid-sized motorhomes.

2. The "Sprinter" or "Crafter": Again from a joint venture, this time between Mercedes-Benz (Sprinter) and Volkswagen (Crafter), this chassis has always RWD and is considered to be more luxurious than the Sevel Chassis. Which is why it is more likely to be used for upper-class MHs. With the latest version, however, the Sprinter has lost some market share here, mainly because of insufficient payload for the luxury segment.

3. The Ford Transit: The only chassis where the MH builder has a choice between FWD and RWD. Has become more popular for MHs over the last years. Of all mentioned chassis it has the lowest cab roof height, which makes it naturally attractive especially for C-class MHs with their overcab beds. The downside however is that many tall drivers have difficulties with the cab.

4. The Iveco Daily: For heavier motorhomes with more than about 4.5 tons MAM, the Iveco Daily is an alternative to the Sprinter/Crafter.

In the 6-metre class you are looking at, the Sevel Chassis clearly dominates the market. Which means FWD. And in my opinion there are more important criteria with a motorhome than RWD/FWD. Regarding reliability there seems to be little difference between the different base vehicles. All have their advantages, and their niggles.

Now when it comes to the coachbuilt part of the motorhome: I might be biased here because of my citizenship, but in my opinion motorhome building is a field where German thoroughness still has an edge. (Which comes at a price, of course...) So Hymer (or a Hymer subsidiary like Bürstner, LMC or Dethleffs) is clearly not a bad choice, but I would also take a very close look at the other major German brands like e.g. Euramobil, Frankia or Knaus.

With your intended usage, and your focus on resale value, I would not recommend to buy from a small or local brand. The brands mentioned above all have Europe-wide sales and service networks, and are well-known.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

Augustus

Thanks Boff, terrific information & greatly appreciated.
Given that you own a motor home & live in Europe (& I don't) I take on board your advice re FWD/RWD etc. In my defence I must mention that where I live & play the purchase of a FWD vehicle for RV purposes, & a Fiat at that, would automatically qualify you for a bed at the nearest insane asylum.
I have looked at the other European manufacturers you mentioned but keep coming back to the Hymer & Dethleffs Intergrated & Semi-Intergrated models around 6m, I believe the same parent company owns both.
I guess I have to reconsider buying a FWD & realise that road conditions in Europe are going to be a lot easier on the vehicle than here however
I see that one is made on the Ford chassis, I think it's the Dethleffs Intergrated one, & wonder is this perhaps a RWD, I can't find any info regarding this point on their website. I do see Ford Transit vans running around in a commercial capacity here & feel that this testifies to their durability. The stories I read about clutch shudder & water ingress give me nightmares in the Sevel ones.
We have decided to rent a Globus from McRent for a month in May during our next trip so hopefully we will get a bit more experience & knowledge then.

garryb

hi all out there, i've been caravaning for some years now and after returning from a trip last year in our hobby 650 we thought the holiday was good we coverd 3250 miles, holland amsterdam, luxemberg, over to the south of france then into spain. we spent a lot of time looking for sites along the way but it was only through been tired that we stopped in the services. that it seemed a good idea to fulfill a childhood dream.... to make a motorhome out of a bus!!!!!
so after talking it over with my wife we went on the scout for a bus for the job.
i needed one with the back end raised up higher for the bedrooms, after looking i did find one perfect all the seats had beed taken out. im inviting all to check out my site i thought i would start up for all to follow my progress please drop in and see how it all goes.

its only early doors with the site at the moment but it should be all running smothly shortly. there will be a gallery on the site and blog pages so you can but your imput in and any advice would be welcomed
my web site is casamobile.org.uk
come along and please your imput will be welcomed......... garry

arg

Bias of course, but you could consider the Mercedes-Benz Westfalia James Cook. Meets many of your stated criteria:

- available in 2 or 4 berth (Compact vs. Classic),
- just under 6 metres,
- big bed(s),
- rear-wheel drive.

Posted a detailed answer in a similar thread here: