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Subject Topic: Van Conversion or Coach Build? Post Reply Post New Topic
30/6/2008 at 5:49pm
 Location: UK
 Outfit: cherokee 3
View Gnashermatic's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gnashermatic Reply   Quote Gnashermatic Quote  
Joined: 11/10/2007

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After a few months with a tent, I'd like to move to a new motorhome. Main reason is that noisy footballing kids and wannabee DJ's with their boom-boom music seem to be taking over all the sites these days, and my tent obviously lets the noise in a bit much.

After lots of looking, proding and poking, and generally making the salesmen do acrobatics for me, it's sort of come down to falling in love with 2 choices: the Swift Group's Mondial RL or the Sundance 590RS.

Both have so many boxes ticked, I am really struggling to decide. It will be for 2 people using it a lot, including in the depths of winter. Occassionally aboard would be a 3rd elderly person for 'day trips' without overnights. A need for a full-length nap area for a 5'11'' person to stretch out while I come and go is important (hence why I shortlisted the Mondial RL or the Sundance 590RS)

I'd appreciate anyones' comments, especially from those who have owned either vehicle. Again, I adore them both and money is ready. I just need some extra points to consider I mightn't have thought of.

Best wishes & thanks for this great site.



30/6/2008 at 7:46pm
 Location: Ndidis Kraal
 Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar
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Joined: 20/6/2003

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The only thing that I can add to your request is that for my money I'd have a van conversion. I have seen several coach builds involved in crashes over the years. I would not want to be in any of them

I have often wondered if they are required to under go crash tests like normal vehicles. I cannot believe that they do.



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01/7/2008 at 7:54pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan
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Joined: 04/2/2008

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"Gnasher", we have had both coachbuilts and van conversions. Each have there advantages and disadvantages. We prefer van type conversions. For us (and it's different strakes for different folks!) we found a coachbuilt with an over cab bed to be a bit of a liability in narrow roads where there are overhanging trees. Usually you can pull out to the centre of the road to avoid striking branches with the overcab but if you do sufficient miles at some point you're going to run out of luck and thwack the bodywork against tree material. Sometimes you get away with mucky marks or fine scratches, other times you've got a big repair bill. The Mondial is a super, compact and very usable motorhome. It's a little short on storage space but if it's enough for your needs then it's fine. For parking and town access , you will not better it really.The Suntor is also a superb motorhome if you need that extra space then buy with confidence. The only other thing to factor in is fuel economy. All things being equal ( example engine type and capacity) then the biggest factor is overall frontal area. Overcab coachbuilts generally have significantly bigger frontal area to push through the air. A van type will almost always be cheaper on fuel. Try to analyse what you will be doing for the majority of the time. Write it all down and for each "item" judge if the van or the coachbuilt will be better. Sometimes you can surprise yourself with the final answers! Enjoy!

 



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cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


02/7/2008 at 9:25pm
 Location: ery
 Outfit: V-dub Camper OK!!
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Joined: 05/7/2003

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we had a standard mondial a few years ago and thought it was brilliant - except for the base vehicle - Fiat Ducato 10 1.9td, reliable solid and an absolute pain to drive if you were in a hurry!
not sure what the seating arrangements are for passengers in RL

we now have a bilbo VW T4 nektar in it's lwb state it is perfect for a 5'11" kipper - much nicer to drive as well.

whatever you do have fun - a van conversion is ideal for one day trips out as well - easy to park

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But itīs all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya canīt please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
Ricky Nelson


04/7/2008 at 10:28pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: VW T4
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Joined: 02/3/2008

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I love my T4 (lwb)conversion.   We converted it ourselves and have the layout just as we wished.   After a number of trips, it is perfect for us.


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07/7/2008 at 5:21pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: IH Motor Campers Oregon Re
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Joined: 26/7/2006

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We've had a coachbuilt and an A class.  We now have a van conversion (Renault Master LWB) and much prefer this.  Easier to drive.  Easier to park.  Waterproof! (no problems with delamination or anything like that)  Easier and much quicker to obtain spares. More peaceful travel.  Much more solid.

Wouldn'y go for anything else!



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Batman lives on in North Yorkshire


15/7/2008 at 8:21pm
 Location: UK
 Outfit: cherokee 3
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Thanks for the helpful replies.

I have heard the morbidity of crashing coachbuilds before, and hearing that alone again has prompted me to go for the steel cage comfort of the van.

Looks like the van conversion Mondial wins it -but I must check out the VW conversions too and the others mentioned.

Cheers again,

the Gnash


15/7/2008 at 11:51pm
 Location: Morley
 Outfit: Coachman Amara
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Its being so happy that keeps some people going.

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Keep smiling, its later than you think !


16/7/2008 at 1:44pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse)
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Joined: 30/9/2007

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I'm probably a bit late with this...

Although I'd agree with the general opinion that the Modial would be the way to go,I would however do some homework into the much publised "base vehicle" faults(..the water ingress into the engine bay and more importantly,the clutch judder/damage,when reversing up an incline..).Faults which as of yet,don't seem to be fully addressed.

(..I realise that Fiat have produced & fitted covers for some engine components but these do not appear to have been fitted by way of a full "re-call").

 




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