OUR FUTURE MOTOR HOME.

[TJBi]

I'm not sure why the drop-down beds over the lounge always seem to have to be electric? The pull-down beds over the A-Class cabs from what I have seen are simple manual ones and probably quicker to setup and to put away as well as being a lot less potential trouble.
Why not the same approach for the lounge beds? Or is that too simple and people expect tech for the sake of tech?

I've seen some with hydraulic rams to assist in raising/lowering; issues can occur with age, but it tends to be a gradual reduction in efficiency, so one has some warning to source replacement, unlike electrical failure.

 

[Mtbcol]

Anyone on here got an Auto trail excel 640 G ? What do people think of them? Is there room for solar panels on the roof? We've looked at some pictures and specs ( 2010) and looks like it could be a good possibility for our future purchase.
Thanks
Colin.

 

[wildebus]

Anyone on here got an Auto trail excel 640 G ? What do people think of them? Is there room for solar panels on the roof? We've looked at some pictures and specs ( 2010) and looks like it could be a good possibility for our future purchase.
Thanks
Colin.

I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 2007 Model and think it is a very well built Motorhome. (Many slate any British brand Motorhomes as inferior but while I have not owned any other brand I have worked on lots of different brands and found only one brand I thought better in their build).

If you get a bit creative, you should be able to get a decent amount of Solar on the roof. On my 6.7M Van, I have a lot of roof space taken up by the front dome, plus a large roof light, two roof vents and a satellite dish but still have 450W of solar panels fitted.

 

[The laird]

I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 2007 Model and think it is a very well built Motorhome. (Many slate any British brand Motorhomes as inferior but while I have not owned any other brand I have worked on lots of different brands and found only one brand I thought better in their build).

If you get a bit creative, you should be able to get a decent amount of Solar on the roof. On my 6.7M Van, I have a lot of roof space taken up by the front dome, plus a large roof light, two roof vents and a satellite dish but still have 450W of solar panels fitted.

Come on David what did you find superior qaulity/build we're eagerly waiting

 

[wildebus]

Come on David what did you find superior qaulity/build we're eagerly waiting

Malibu by Cathago. And Malibu is the "cheap" brand in the Cathago family.
But of course, even though the quality was superb, still had issues and upgradability potential .... 600Ah of Lithium, Full Victron system including Multiplus, B2B, MPPT, Cerbo and Touch Screen and around 550W of solar even with a big Satellite dish on the roof.
Not saying the other brands were a lot worse than my Autotrail, but I have seen nothing overall that has made me think say "Oh, I think I have to get a Hokey-Cokey Coachbuilt". Generally all pretty much of a muchness with different pros and cons, and the German brands to me have not shouted "buy me, buy me".


Now I will say I have not done anything on Motorhomes suchlike Concordes or N&Bs and I would expect those to be a cut above the general offerings given you could be spending a quarter of a million or more there.
If I had a free choice with a don't care budget, I think N&B would likely be my choice.

 

[Mtbcol]

I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 2007 Model and think it is a very well built Motorhome. (Many slate any British brand Motorhomes as inferior but while I have not owned any other brand I have worked on lots of different brands and found only one brand I thought better in their build).

If you get a bit creative, you should be able to get a decent amount of Solar on the roof. On my 6.7M Van, I have a lot of roof space taken up by the front dome, plus a large roof light, two roof vents and a satellite dish but still have 450W of solar panels fitted.

Thank you wildebus, that's very encouraging. The one we are interested in does seem quite cheap at just over £14000 Inc vat, for a 2010 van with just over 30,000 miles on the clock ( checked gov site and Mots back this up) the photos show a scuff on the front d/s bumper and some paint damage to the passenger side door. ( Earlier MOT points this out as an advisory, only that and tyre wear and sidewall cracking are the only advisories since new and it's never failed an mot) The interior is slightly "worn" ( as opposed to damaged) but then it's a 14 year van. We are realistic. Most others we've looked at on sites, with slightly more mileage and slightly better condition inside and out, are £10- 15000 more!! and are "sold" Anyone's thoughts?

I have an Autotrail Cheyenne 2007 Model and think it is a very well built Motorhome. (Many slate any British brand Motorhomes as inferior but while I have not owned any other brand I have worked on lots of different brands and found only one brand I thought better in their build).

If you get a bit creative, you should be able to get a decent amount of Solar on the roof. On my 6.7M Van, I have a lot of roof space taken up by the front dome, plus a large roof light, two roof vents and a satellite dish but still have 450W of solar panels fitted

 

[wildebus]

Thank you wildebus, that's very encouraging. The one we are interested in does seem quite cheap at just over £14000 Inc vat, for a 2010 van with just over 30,000 miles on the clock ( checked gov site and Mots back this up) the photos show a scuff on the front d/s bumper and some paint damage to the passenger side door. ( Earlier MOT points this out as an advisory, only that and tyre wear and sidewall cracking are the only advisories since new and it's never failed an mot) The interior is slightly "worn" ( as opposed to damaged) but then it's a 14 year van. We are realistic. Most others we've looked at on sites, with slightly more mileage and slightly better condition inside and out, are £10- 15000 more!! and are "sold" Anyone's thoughts?

that is incredibly cheap IMO. If it has been up for sale long and not sold yet it would be surprising.

You would factor in a full service, cambelt change, new tyres all round and probably paint repairs to get it ready to run. So around £2000 maybe? even then still sounds a very good deal.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Most vans of any size will usually (but not always) have room for at least a couple of 100w panels unless it has a lot of roof lights.

I would actually be looking for a van that has had a lot of this done if possible as it's likely to be an enthusiast and has been used rather than sat for 50 or so weeks a year, if you buy the right one that suits you you may keep it 15 years if so the mileage is irrelevant bearing in mind they are designed to do a lot of miles.

 

[Mtbcol]

that is incredibly cheap IMO. If it has been up for sale long and not sold yet it would be surprising.

You would factor in a full service, cambelt change, new tyres all round and probably paint repairs to get it ready to run. So around £2000 maybe? even then still sounds a very good deal.

Yes, that is what's worrying me a little, and we are not normally lucky and get bargains. At this price we are ready to " pull the trigger" as such, as worried we may loose it. I've emailed the dealer a few times and he's not been at all pushy.

 

[Mtbcol]

Most vans of any size will usually (but not always) have room for at least a couple of 100w panels unless it has a lot of roof lights.

I would actually be looking for a van that has had a lot of this done if possible as it's likely to be an enthusiast and has been used rather than sat for 50 or so weeks a year, if you buy the right one that suits you you may keep it 15 years if so the mileage is irrelevant bearing in mind they are designed to do a lot of miles.

Thanks Pudsey.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Make sure you get a proper test drive take no excuses from the seller.

 

[Mtbcol]

Make sure you get a proper test drive take no excuses from the seller.

Well that's another thing that's putting me off ( worried about scams of course) they don't have a manned showroom anymore, so they bring the vehicle to you, you pay them the full price, you then have 3 days,and a maximum of 300 miles to get it inspected test driven etc. etc. If you don't like it they'll give you a full refund as long as you've not done over 300 miles in or damaged it. In this time it's covered by their own insurance. I've checked them on companies house and they seem legitimate, and are in profit.

 

[wildebus]

Well that's another thing that's putting me off ( worried about scams of course) they don't have a manned showroom anymore, so they bring the vehicle to you, you pay them the full price, you then have 3 days,and a maximum of 300 miles to get it inspected test driven etc. etc. If you don't like it they'll give you a full refund as long as you've not done over 300 miles in or damaged it. In this time it's covered by their own insurance. I've checked them on companies house and they seem legitimate, and are in profit.

Personally, I would be cautious on the idea of paying the money and THEN checking it over, rather than the other way round.

But then, I bought my MH and didn't get ANY checks done and paid fair bit more than £15k so i am not an example to follow!

 

[Mtbcol]

Personally, I would be cautious on the idea of paying the money and THEN checking it over, rather than the other way round.

But then, I bought my MH and didn't get ANY checks done and paid fair bit more than £15k so i am not an example to follow!

When I messaged him saying we were a bit worried he sent me a copy photo of his driving licence and the companies register thingy. They been in business for nearly 20 years. The web site is called: ALL- VANS LIST By Springford SP. Anyone ever heard/ had dealings with them?

 

[nabsim]

Is the van registered in the company name?

 

[Mtbcol]

Hi Nabsim, not sure. He said for the test days it would be insured by the company insurance.

 

[Mtbcol]

We've paid for some very basic checks, the vehicles had 4 owners from new, it's not been written off, and there's no finance on it. Mileage seems correct with past most etc. I wonder if there's an auto trail register we could possibly check with ex owners? . Vehicle is probably genuine, just worried about the seller?

 

[wildebus]

We've paid for some very basic checks, the vehicles had 4 owners from new, it's not been written off, and there's no finance on it. Mileage seems correct with past most etc. I wonder if there's an auto trail register we could possibly check with ex owners? . Vehicle is probably genuine, just worried about the seller?

nothing wrong with a healthy doubt. lot of money to hand over so only sensible.
Rather than getting van delivered, can you not go and see it and check it over prior to purchase?

Motorhomes are weird things .... low mileage can be genuine but mean nothing. Could have been lived in full time and left on a site. If you were to check my mileage, it would look like it is hardly used between MOTs - because it is hardly used, but could as easily be used and not moved.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

My worry bone has woken up.

 

[Mtbcol]

This is the email response when I asked to come and look at the vehicle: