Posted: 21 September 2015 8:04 AM Subject: Rapido v56 and using it in winter
Just joined
Posts: 9
Hi.
Just want some advice on the Rapido v56. Me and my partner are thinking of purchasing a Rapido v56 and just wondering are these vans fully winterised. Eg. Double floor, insulation around pipes/water containers.
Posted: 21 September 2015 11:56 AM Subject: RE: Rapido v56 and using it in winter
Location: Wirral - 2013 Hymer BClass 504 130bhp
Doubt it will be double floored because panel van conversions rarely are. I can only think of La Strada. The V56 can probably be winterised enough for the UK. No mention of winterisation on the Rapido website or even the insulation rating. Best check with the dealers and then view the model in the flesh.
Rapido do double floor models in other ranges. The higher end coachbuilts and a-classes from Germany tend to be fully winterised. A second hand fully winterised German van is a good option.
Do you really need a double floor? There are some pretty good new coachbuilts/a-classes on the market now which are almost as narrow as a panel van and are winterised without the double floor. If insulation outside the UK weather is required, I would look away from panel van conversions.
Posted: 21 September 2015 1:47 PM Subject: RE: Rapido v56 and using it in winter
Location: MODERATOR - 2015 Rapido 640F LHD 2.3ltr 150bhp
Rapido panel-van conversions have an interior fresh-water tank (under the bed in a V56 I believe) and an exterior waste-water tank. As standard there will be no insulation or heating of water pipes/tanks and I can’t see any indication in the current Rapido brochure that such things are an option.
If buying new, a direct alternative would be Campereve’s Magellan 642 an example of which is shown in this Highbridge Caravans advert
This is built in the same factory as the V56 and has the same layout. The insulation used in the Magellan 542 is said to be “XHP” and there’s a photo here
I’d guess that Rapido PVCs are built using much the same techniques, but the Magellan evidently has the option of an insulated waste-water tank.
As Brock warns, if you are looking for a vehicle that can be used continuously in very cold weather (eg. on an extended skiing holiday) everything that can freeze will need to be heatable and that’s essentially going to exclude mass-market panel-van conversions.
Posted: 23 September 2015 2:29 PM Subject: RE: Rapido v56 and using it in winter
Just joined
Posts: 9
Hey thanks guys. Advice very much appreciated . Think we will still be tempted to go with the Rapido van. We won't be going abroad in the winter only in the UK.
I have skied from my old panel van (tribute 650) extensively in Scotland, it froze a few times, but was OK down to -5 for long periods, -8 for a weekend. We used it down to -15 (froze solid!). The Tribby was not well known for its insulation qualities - I improved it where I could gain access - I am hoping the Campereve will be better.
