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Hi. We're going to upgrade from Chausson Odyssee 92 fairly soon, and the model we're looking at has chassis options including Iveco Daily and Eurocargo. I've looked at manufacturers website but all info is geared towards commercial use. Can any one help with info regarding suitability of each for motorhome? The Eurocargo option is more expensive so I should assume it's better, I suppose........but past experience of other things says it's not always the case.
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Ian.
The first and most obvious difference between the two chassis will be weight, the Eurocargo will be heavier.
Iveco has a 3 litre four cylinder engine, eurocargo comes with 4 or 6 cylinder engines at various ratings. The wheels and tyres will be bigger on the eurocargo - 17.5 or 19.5 inch wheels, again depending on spec.
The braking systems will also be different, smaller eurocargo air over hydraulic, bigger ones air only. I think the iveco daily will be hydraulic only.
I have never driven a motorhome with the eurocargo chassis, but have driven the trucks. I suspect that the Iveco Daily will drive more like your current motorhome, the eurocargo will require a different driving style.
If considering the eurocargo, what other truck chassis are available - MAN TGL or Mercedes Benz Atego. That is the real comparison.
One final thing would be access to engine for servicing purposes - is it through the floor of the drivers cab? This could be an issue if mechanics in oily boilersuits are crawling over the inside of the cab?
Sorry, there's more. You need to think about the gear and final drive ratios so that you can achieve a quiet and relaxed cruising speed. This applies to both chassis types. Don't assume that the motorhome builder will have got this right. We test drove a Euramobil 866 on the big sprinter chassis that had the wrong final drive/diff ratio. Speed at 55mph was 3500 revs/minute which is a lot. It could accelerate hard in top gear from 15mph.
If you go down the eurocargo route, you must discuss chassis specification with a competent person (not the salesman). Try the local Iveco truck dealer and see if they will help.
Hi David, and thanks for your words of wisdom. Driving style - I wouldn't be too bothered if it were different as I've driven a few different things bigger than the current motorhome. What concerns me mainly is:
1. Which of these chassis is the more recent design? Presumably the newer one would be technically more capable and sophisticated.
2. The weight issue. The model we're looking at comes with Daily 60C18 or 65C18, Eurocargo 75E18, MAN TGL 8.21 or 8.24 chassis. I don't want to be buying one which is on the limit of the chassis capability, if that makes sense. Eurocargo costs more than either Daily, and weighs more, but may be working more within its capability, whereas the Daily chassis could be stretched a bit. I want something which will last without having to work too hard, because we're planning to live in it for ten years or so!!!!
Ian.
The design life of the 'truck' chassis will be longer that the 'van' (daily) type.
What license do you have? can you drive over 7.5tonnes? The difference in chassis weight and plated weight means that the payload allowance will be similar (though slightly in favour of the 'truck'.
The body width is also important, as the track (distance between wheels on each axle side to side) will be greater on the truck types.
I had a quick look at Iveco truck website this morning and didn't see an automated manual gearbox option, only the allison torque converter auto. This 'box will increase fuel consumption significantly.
Personally, I would go for the most powerful engine I could afford with an automated manual gearbox. In the big MAN's, this is the vehicle of choice in the moment. I'm sure they do a smaller version for the little 'uns.
Definitely go for a six cylinder engine if you can, it will be more powerful, longer flatter torque curve and just as economical (although this is relative!)
Pick up some of the truck mags and look for tests on the Iveco and MAN products (or go to the dealers and blag free reprints!)
What make of motorhome body are you looking at and is it a coachbuilt (retaining vehicle cab) or A-class with fully enclosed bodywork? I'm guessing Concorde or Carthago, or perhaps RS?
I could go on and on about the chassis pros and cons, but would easily overwhelm you - it's quite a specialist area to discuss, but feel free to come back to me with further questions.
David, you're being VERY helpful!!!! I have a car licence so 7.5 at the moment, but I may consider upgrading that if it's a good idea.
We're looking at a Concorde Charisma. I know it'll be great to live in, and I want to make sure travelling in it is just as good. The MAN 8.24 has mpw of 8.8, but the 8.21 can be chassis-downgraded to 7.4 to make it legal for me, though this wrecks the payload. Daily 65C18 and Eurocargo have similar payloads - Eurocargo is 6.7 mpw whereas Daily is 6.0 mpw. Daily has automated manual as an option. Both are 4 cylinder, Daily has 177bhp/400nm from 4l, whereas Eurocargo has 177bhp/570nm from 4.6l. Realistically we're looking at one of the Ivecos; a key issue would be newness of design, I guess, in a rapidly changing technoworld.
Both vehicles ae relatively new designs (2-3 years old max). You can see the difference in torque figures between the 2 vehicles. In reality, the cargo will work less than the daily for the same result, so will be more relaxed, but may be noisier (check this out in finished vehicles if you can).
Alsocheck the gear change whilst driving the cargo if it's a manual. Personally, I'd go for automated manual every time.
The smallest cargo should go to 7490kg gvw no problems.
One other thing to think about is whether you will be towing, as your current licence limits you to 8250 gross combination weight (GCW) so you need to be aware.
My personal view would be to get the best driveline I could and forego other toys that can be retrofitted at a later date (satellite, solar, awnings etc). This is especially true if the vehicle is to be kept long term.
Thanks for all your help. I'll do a little more research, and find out about upgrading my licence - I was told by a dealer the other day I'd be OK towing up to a GCW of 10 tons, but you're right; I checked the DVLA website. We're planning to tow a small car/trailer so would be pushing the limit a bit at 8250.
Thanks again.
Ian.
Hi Ian
I have had two Concorde Charisma and I have had a grate deal of trouble with both. The current one is on the Iveco 65C17 chassis with automated manual gearbox (Agile). Problems have been with both the habitation element and the Iveco element. I dont want to go into too much detail here as I am currently in the process of suing the supplying dealer. However I have sent you a PM with my phone number if you would like to know more details.
Problems with the habitation area can be sorted but with regard to the Iveco chassis/drive train the vehicle has been with Iveco for over a year now and still it is not right. I have been told of others experiencing the same problems including one Carthago also on the Iveco chassis but Euro 4.
Hi....trust you don't me hi-jacking this discussion. Could anyone please explain the Euro classification. We are about to take delivery of a Mercedes Euro 3 and believe private converters are working on a way of upgrading such to Euro 4 in the future; Just what does all this mean ? Help please.....Crindle.
Well my choice would be to go for a 7.5 ton chassis,especially if you intend to keep it for a long time. 7.5 ton chassis will be much more capable.
As for makes...I would definately go for the M.A.N TGL ,probably the 8.240 version (6 cylinder engine...much better) . I believe that M.A.N are about to or already have introduced an 'AMT' type gearbox (automated mechanical transmission),which are brilliant once you get used o them ! A second reason to go for the M.A.N is the 'Euro rating' of the engines AND the method they use to achieve this..... M.A.N use 'EGR' which means that you do NOT need to use 'Ad Blue' (horrible stuff !). Even the latest euro 5 M.A.N's are 'EGR' types. Plus I have always thought that M.A.N chassis are better engineered. You will also be able to get longer wheelbases by using a 7.5 ton chassis. Oh and you can get ar suspension on the rear on these chassis...another bonus !
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