Message Forums

I posted a similar question in the Motorhome section, on behalf of my parents. I didn't get a huge response, but I hope that this helps:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=12&TopicID=121538&PagePosition=4

We are just about to buy a MH.

Most engines are 2 or 1.9 Turbos. offering about 100 or 115 HP. The equivelant car engine will give 130 to 150 HP (Torque figures are in ratio to the HPs)

No real problems with these engines although they can be chipped giving a 10 to 25 increase in output.(Again a car engine would see a greater increase).

Bear in mind that 20 or 30 and even 40 years ago the same vehicles travelled at the same speed as today with a lot less power.

My old Peugeot 504 (about 75HP) towed at 100% and averaged 50MPH over thousands of miles.

It certainly managed all the passes in the Alps on more than one occasion.(See my Gallery)

HTH

Right, most motorhomes run at almost thier limit ALL the time. Most vans do not.

Most of the modern engines are designed to meet the latest emisions regulations and as such are 16v and produce less torque. The older engines are 8v and are normally better for pulling a heavy load up hills.

Most modern German engines are no better than any other manufacturer these days, that was true in the past but no more. I would however say stay clear of the Dura-torq engine in the 2000-5 transit, but consider the 2006 one, it's a peach.

Personally speaking, and I will no doubt get shot down in flames here, would go for a yank motorhome everytime. I regulary go out with my friends and thier RV. It's a four winds on an E350 ford base, 30foot long with every luxuary you could ever dream of in a British built. Plus it has a 6.6 ton gross so you don't go over weight when you fill all the fluids up and shove all your bikes and rubish on the back, it has a 7.5litre V8 diesel and returns 17mpg. All this for les than 25bags of sand. Can't get that with a British built one!!!

Must have turbo if you want more grunt get it chipped or re-mapped

mick

Hi Simon 59

I also live in Leigh On Sea!! and drive a 2.0L aircooled VW, I have lots of vans over the years and driven lots more, unless you are going to buy a brand new van like a renault or Transit, none of them drive like a car. The latest generation of  light vans(ie: Transit/Renault/Fiat) are specifically designed to be 'car like', (before anyone comments, I know this because I work for Ford product development).

Of the older vans, VW's always had a reputation for being the most car like, this is because the engine is in the rear, so quieter and they are reasonable light on steering even at low speed with no power steering.

Really you need to drive a few in your budget and see what you like, and engine wise 1.9/2.0L is ok in a petrol but if your going for an older diesel go fo at least a 2.5 TDI, ( maybe something like a Bongo).

Hope this helps a bit

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=12&TopicID=114697&PagePosition=6&ThreadPage=2&ReturnPage=Search&search=&searchIn=

If you follow the link i give quite an explanation of what is involved and what to expect.

What I would say is if possible buy the bigger engine to avoid having a chip done. We had it done simply because the set up we wanted was ace but we neglected to look in to engine performance. However now completely sorted with a chip. got everything we want in a motorhome + a decent engine to pull it along.

Hi, Simon

The engine size will depend upon a number of factors some of which have been mentioned above,  I know you stated 3/4 berth but before you can decide or people can give you advice on engine size there are a number of variables that you need to answer

(1) What age/cost vehicle are you looking at and what fuel, as the engines development has come a very very long way over the last 10 years?

(2) What style of motorhome are you looking at "A" Class, CoachBuilt, Van Conversion with or without luton/over cab bed,  all of these will effect the wind resistance and ultimately the engine size

(3) What weight vehicle are you looking at ??

I think if you give some thought to these questions, people will be able to provide you with a more informed opinion of the engine size and type

Hope this helps

Brian

Hi,

I've got a coachbuilt 1.9td Fiat, so a big front area, but it had to be a SWB model to fit on the drive, and this was the standard engine then for that chassis.

It's the 97 model, and is severely underpowered.

The 2.5 is a better choice, depending on what age you are thinking of, and what type of body.

Oh, and it's definately a truck, not a car to drive.

Mike

I also used to have the 1.9td in a small coachbuilt. DO NOT GET THIS ENGINE. On the hills you can get out and walk faster. It is a miserable experience to drive.

I've now got the 2.3JTD and its a flyer and a real joy to drive. However this is on a LWB panel van high top 3,300kgs, how it would perform on a coachbuilt i dont know.

All the new panel van conversions, whilst not exactly like a car to drive, are certainly as easy to drive as a people carrier IMO.