Motorhomes - PVC or 'Wide-body'

[Touringtheworld]

Hi,

I have had both

One word

INSULATION

It’s impossible to insulate a PVC to cope with heat or cold

It’s metal construction just makes them to hot in the summer and to cold in the winter.

I had my PVC 4 years. I bought it brand new and traveled all over Europe up to Nordkapp to Gibraltar and far as the Russian border

I had extra heating and roof mounted air con but it was chasing the almost impossible.

I sold it and bought a Hymer MLT 580 - Instant difference

Hardly need any heating or air con - the insulation and ventilation is beyond scientific.

Can you tell I’m pleased with it.

I’ve been to the Arctic Circle in December at minus 29c

A daft mid summer moment in Spain 40c plus

It’s now coming up to 4 years old and just been to southern Italy via Mont Blanc and stopped at the top still with a bit of snow.

If you are about to part with a chunk of change - buy the best Hymer you can

 

[in h]

I agree. The first winter we had our Hymer, some nights it was -20 outside. We were perfectly warm and comfortable.

 

[SquirrellCook]

And we wonder how viruses spread so fast!

 

[Touringtheworld]

You are absolutely right

I’ll just crawl back under my rock and die

 

[Carrerasax]

No, it's six months of daily use. And it's rubbish.

If you look at the design of the fittings in most motorhomes, they are indeed fairly lightweight and won't last a lifetime, but they will last many, many years of use.

We use our motorhome for between three and four months each year. Had it nine years and no sign of things wearing out yet (so that's three or four years of full-time living). In fact many things are as good as new.

It is now over 21 years old, and some things have got old, such as the double-sided tape that holds the mirrors in place in the bathroom. I had to replace that. But that was just a couple of decades of ageing, not worn out through use.

The hob needed replacing recently, because it was corroding (water from the draining board was designed to run into it), and parts are relatively expensive. It was cheaper to replace the whole lot than three burners and three pan rests.

The motorhome I had before was still in fine fettle after 26 years last time I saw it, despite being a cheap, lightweight build that I'd not describe as a quality van.

Of course in the hands of a ham-fisted clumsy owner who doesn't look after things, a motorhome can be trashed fairly quickly.

There are some bits that do wear out faster than you'd expect.

Apparently, the electric heater elements in Truma combi heaters have a design life of 10,000 hours, and cost about £800 to replace (not sure why). Seemingly a lot of people use them over winter on hookup when the van is laid up, which only takes a few winters to clock up 10,000 hours.

Thetford fridges don't all have stainless steel fridge burners, so they won't last all that long. But they're generally fitted in cheaply-made motorhomes: Dometic are far better, but a bit more expensive.

Our Dometic ones rusted out in 2 years but we’re spotted and replaced under warranty!!!

 

[Millie Master]

Hi,

I have had both

One word

INSULATION

It’s impossible to insulate a PVC to cope with heat or cold

I honestly couldn't disagree more!!!

When I converted my Renault Master I had it professionally closed cell spray foam lined and ever since it has been always toasty warm in winter and cool in summer and that has been when out and about in temps as cold as -15C and as hot as +42C

The problem is that, as far as I am aware, there isn't a single professional PV converter who insulates them properly and believe you me, I have looked at hundreds of them over the years. Some companies such as the always woeful Swift Group are so sparing with their levels of insulation I honestly do find their attitude to customer focus to be more than somewhat of a joke!!

 

[SquirrellCook]

Quality is a dirty word. Profit is king. By the time the customers start to see problems they have had it to long to complain. Rarely they will admit to buying rubbish as they think it makes them look bad. So others keep buying and as long as they do, why make it better?

 

[in h]

It's not difficult to find significantly better quality of build, but people choose to pay a lower price instead.
You can't blame the makers for making what sells.
Personally, I prefer to pay more, less often. So my washing machine is a Miele. It's now eleven years old. Absolutely good as new, and never caused a moment's trouble.
I could have bought a Hotpoint for half the money. And another three years later. And another three years after that. And a fourth last year, probably.
That makes me an unusual buyer, it seems.

 

[davecumbria]

Hi
We owned an Adria PVC from 2010 to 2019. We now have a narrow ("compact") "A-class". (halfway between a PVC and a normal width "motorhome")

We loved the Adria and the only reason we got rid was the fact that Fiat can't put paint onto their vans which stays on, or rust protect them!
The A-class is the same length (6m) and (quoted figures) only 4" wider, but 8" higher (not a problem at all).

The layout of both vans is almost identical but the A-class has much greater capacity to carry more. Overloading? The PVC was a 3300Kg van whereas the A-class is 3500Kg. Two weeks ago we visited a weighbridge, full water, full gas and diesel, loaded up for touring, plus wife. We had 190Kg to spare, so very pleased. The garage also fits both our bikes plus storage boxes for the wife. (No I don't store her in there)

Now to the drive compared with the PVC.
The A-class is quieter and smoother, with the suspension being on the softer side. I am finding that I am going faster because of the far superior ride.
There are less squeaks, rattles, etc., than the PVC.
The turning circle on the A-class is outstanding compared with the PVC; more like a car's turning circle and better than our daughter's mini.
I am not knocking the Adria conversion as it was fantastic and would recommend it to anyone but not the Fiat body!

The PVC was easier and nicer to drive, only because of the reduced width.

Hope this helps.

 

[davecumbria]

WRONG.......... ever since 2004 all Renault Masters (et all) and from 2007 all Sevel vans (Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Relay) have had fully galvanised bodies and since the latest model change the Merc. Sprinter/VW Crafter have also had galvanised bodies.

That may be the case, but our (built) 2009 Fiat Ducato's paint started to fall of in large sheets from 4 1/2 years old. Fiat, quote:" you have been unlucky" when we complained. "Your paint warranty only lasts 3 years".
And at 8 years old rust started to appear round the offside rear wheel arch. At 9 years old, I asked our local garage to make it presentable to sell. It was then that they found all around the windscreen was rusting.
I will NEVER but a Fiat van again!

 

[Millie Master]

I will NEVER but a Fiat van again!

So in truth you would never consider buying a Citroen Relay or Peugeot Boxer either as they are made on the very same production line passing through exactly the same paint shop

As is so often the case when it comes down to paint, from my very hard earned experiences with VW, Ford & Land Rover, it is essential to be ruthlessly aggressive from day one when you spot any problems, even the tiniest of blebs, blobs or paint chips from day one of a vehicles ownership.
Believe me they will always try and fob you off blaming basically you for the damage!

Unfortunately car and commercial vehicle dealerships are bad enough, but from my experience caravan/motorhome dealers are in an altogether different league of mindless non customer focused ineptitude and unfortunately for any vehicle owner buying a new vehicle, your contract is with them and them alone and not the vehicle manufacturer.

My legal battle with VW on paint quality took me 3 long years during which time the finance company Lloyds Bowmaker with whom I had a 3 year interest free finance deal with, blacked both my wife and I as well as our company, so we had to take legal action against them as well (and won). Finally my case went to the County Court and we were taking on the combined legal teams of the truly enormous car dealership group, Lloyds Bowmaker Finance and VAG UK. If we had lost our case which my team were very confident that we wouldn't, the costs against us would have been well in excess of £200k, but we didn't, however all we were legally entitled to receive was the refund of our costs and zero/zilch for the massive inconvenience or stress.

Was it worth it, well in truth no, however when I noticed some paint problems with a new Ford Focus and then some years later with a new L.R. Discovery, in both cases when I initially met the usual brick wall of no interest, I then escorted the service manager and sales manager out to the vehicle, showed them the problems and then also gave them details of my County Court No. and very basic outline details of the case.
To see their immediate change of attitude honestly had to be seen to be believed. The Ford agent, asked me to keep my car for a couple or so weeks but then I was supplied with a brand new replacement to a higher specification and it had paint which was so perfect!!
As for the L.R. dealer, because my Disco had been fitted with some aftermarket extras they weren't able to supply me with a replacement, however with immediate effect I was asked to leave mine with them and they gave me the keys for a top spec. Range Rover which I had for 7 weeks whilst my Disco was sent back to the factory for a total strip down back to bare metal and then repaint. I kept this gorgeous vehicle for 7 years and even when I sold it the paint was like new.

So, unless you kick like bloody hell, I am afraid to say that most owners will be fobbed off!!