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We bought it yesterday and can't wait to get out in it. It has got the island bed on a single axle and the L shape seating which we love. This is van number 9 and hopefully the last one?? Good points are the above, bad points include a lack of cupboard space compared to the Ace Award Tristar. We are going to the Shetlands in August at Easter.

We have just bought one as well, pick it up on Friday. Googled all the island bed vans to death on t'internet and viewed a few, didnt like the build quality on the tristar. The Odyssey 550 won hands down, feels quite open as the divide into the bedroom area is wider than most. Didn't like the ones that had a fixed door to the bathroom as it gets in the way when open and when bending down to access the oven your "rear" makes contact with the door!!!! not a problem on the 550 as it has the sliding door to the bathroom. Only downside to the van is its slightly heavy and pushes the towing limits for our Mundano TDCi.  Roll on Friday!!

Looked at wheel clamps for it at the NEC as there is no clearance at the top of the wheel to get a standard wheel clamp in and was interested in the Diamond lock that goes through the Alloy wheels into the chasis but was informed that they dont fit the 550 as it has larger brake drums than many vans so doesnt fit. (bought an SAS supaclamp instead)

Picked up the van this morning aftert a 3 hour PDI waiting for some defects we noticed to be sorted. Very pleased with it and spent the rest of the day fitting the mover(powertouch) we took off our last van, but why oh why did Elddis take the hot air pipes out under the van right at the place where the mover motor goes!! its a tight fit but got it on in the end.

First negative thing about the van is the noseweight, 100kg without the battery (which is right at the front!!!!!!) or gas bottle. Has anyone else got noseweight probs with this van?

Hi Poshandbecks

We haven't towed fully laden yet. We are going to change to l/w calor soon and not use a 12 volt battery. Further judicial loading to te midle of the van ought to helpnoseweight. What do you tow with? What is the noseweight and MTPLM?

            Gavel.

Quote: Originally posted by poshandbecks on 29/2/2008

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Picked up the van this morning aftert a 3 hour PDI waiting for some defects we noticed to be sorted. Very pleased with it and spent the rest of the day fitting the mover(powertouch) we took off our last van, but why oh why did Elddis take the hot air pipes out under the van right at the place where the mover motor goes!! its a tight fit but got it on in the end.

First negative thing about the van is the noseweight, 100kg without the battery (which is right at the front!!!!!!) or gas bottle. Has anyone else got noseweight probs with this van?

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The Miro of these vans is 1347Kg and we intend to only have 100Kg extra (Batt 27Kg, Mover 37Kg Gas 15kg and 21Kg for the rest of our Stuff, all the rest will go in the car) This gives a tow ratio of about 94% with our TDCi 130 BHP Mondeo Estate. The Max Hitch weight from the van specs is 100Kg, We did not expect this to be the unladen noseweight!! Following the 7% rule the noseweight should be at 94 Kg (unladen van) Our last van a Ranger 510 4L noseweight at 7% was 90Kg but kept to the 75Kg for the car max and it towed like a dream So intend juggling the weight distribution to get it down to 75 Kg and see how it tows.

The weight of even modest vans means in reality  the 7% rule takes most cars out of the towing equation as the vast majority have a 75 Kg limit. But if it tows right that will do us. You know when you have got it wrong so being sensible with experience counts as much as folowing endless "you cant do that rules" ( Tin hat is on waiting for a flaming from the wise people on this forum!!!!!)

Hi Poshandbecks,

I have been towing for 20 years and never taken much notice of the 7% rule. As you say this would rule most tow cars out of the equation. We tow with a Citroen C4 Grad Picasso towing limit 1500kg, kerb weight 1670 kg. The nose weight is 70 kg. With light weight gas bottles either BP gas lite or the new calor lite we can reduce our noseweight. Unless you use a battery for touring without hook up leave it behind, the manual says you can. The load margins for the van are for 4 people if you are using it as we are for a 2 berth you can reduce your weight considerably.

   Try Whattowcar you can adjust what weights you put in the van and what goes in the car BUT don't forget your train weight.    Gavel.

Hi Gavel

We do go to sites with EHU all the time but need the battery for the mover. Cant do without the mover at home as we have to reverse uphill, turn a sharp 90 degs and slot it in between garage and trees, also dont intend burning out the £1100 worth of clutch, Dual mass flywhel etc that have recently changed on the car and mondeos dont like slipping the clutch under load whilst reversing!!.

Hi Poshandbecks

I' m sure you'll be fine. Keeping the car loaded up will help stability, when are you going away? We are off to Hawes in Wensleydale at Easter. You can always strap the battery in the car until needed.

Will probably end up with a list of niggles but just remembered a couple, Does the cupboard door push the radio select knob in when you close it and makes it go to the settings mode? and whilst under the van noticed the path of the waste pipes, the shower pipe goes fwd inboard and then all the way to the back. Shall probably re- plumb it all to just one waste outlet to the side in the middle, less pipe length, easier draining and no problems if you get a pitch that slopes up at the back.

We're off to Ingleton week before Easter as both working over the BH.