Driving an A-Class

[whisturx]

After seven years of driving an 8.0 metre Hobby with a towbar mounted bike rack taking the length up to 8.8 metres I have increasing problems parking.Most aires seem to be designed for 6.0 metre vans So thought its time to change to an A Class with a garage.

I wondered how easy it is to adapt to driving with the windsceen seemingly miles away and the huge dashboard.

I know the vehicle width is the same but without being able to see the front corners I do wonder how I will manage with my gateway .

And where do you mount your sat-nav ? Binoculars maybe !!

 

Ian

[Pelicanpete]

I don't think you'll have a problem! It's amazing how quick one can adapt to different vehicles. Also remember that all A classes are not the same.

 

In some the windscreen is admittedly far away. In others it is close.

 

The only place for a Stanav isn't only the windscreen! The mount can be attached to any smooth surface, even the side window. I own a large A class and place my satnav sucker close to my left hand (it's a LHD vehicle).

 

As far as seeing the 'corners' is concerned, you can fit mirrors that look down towards the front two corners. Take a look at some lorries (and similarly equipped MHs) to get the idea.

[trooper]

Hi, in my view the a class is easier to judge widths than the others, I have had both mind you I have driven HGVs etc. AS for the sat nav, I lift up the flap in the centre of the dash and stick it on there, much closer than normal on screen, I wouldnt go back to normal type unless I had to for age and wieght reasons.

Cheers

[mirage]

I agree with the previous post the "A" Class is actually easier to drive because you can see the full width of the vehicle in front of you. I used to side swipe roadside vegetation far more in a coach built. The adjustment to driving an "A" class took me about an hour.

[whisturx]

Many thanks for the encouragement ! The van I have been looking at is a Frankia Comfort Class on a Mercedes rather than the risk of a Fiat. With the credit crunch there are some bargains around in Germany on LHD vans. Main problem is I don't think the dealer will take an Icelandic cheque from my Icesave account for the foreseeable future !!!!

 

Ian

 

[ron.]

Something to consider Ian is the fact that a Frankia A Class is going to be at least a foot wider than the same body on their Low Profile and Couchbuilt models, due to the wing mirrors not being included in the published width figures. The mirrors are mounted set back into the body on low profiles and coachbuilts whereas on A Classes they are not. This applies to all makes of course and not just Frankia.

 

Personally I found the extra width a real pain on narrower roads, such as those in the West Country, and far more of an issue than length. This is just one of the reasons we reverted back to a low profile and are glad we did. Our next van is on order and will be a low profile - a Frankia!

 

I have never found judging the width on either versions a problem.

 

 

[Archiesgrandad]

When I started driving an RV I had trouble positioning it on the road.

 

I parked on the left hand side of the road, and then stuck a bit of white sticky tape to the inside of the windscreen, lined up with the kerb.

 

I did the same parked on the right side of the road, and I found that it enabled me to avoid clipping the kerb or frightening the CO in the righthand seat.

 

The tape was easily visible in the dark.

 

AGD

[whisturx]

Hi Ron

Which Frankia have you ordered ? I was looking at the A Class comfort

I 7400 BD . There was a low profile model at the NEC with the electrically raising bed over the garage which saved the climb up to bed when bikes/scooter were unloaded. Unfortunately the van Bundesvan has found in Germany has a fixed bed. Its the ingenious design of the bathroom wall turning the bedroom into an ensuite that sold me

Ian

[Brock]

I'm on my second A-class and have 9 years experience of driving them. Width can be an issue until you get used to it. It is difficult to judge where is your passenger side front 'wing', more so at slow speeds in crowded areas. The gap to the front takes a few miles to get used to but the only trouble I've had, and just with my current van, is judging where the front is when trying to park close to an obstacle.

 

Visibility needs to be checked carefully. Large wing mirrors are great but some seating positions mean that you can have blind spots, particularly approaching roundabouts. Driver doors may be a boon for entry and exit but seriously adversely affect visibility. Visibility at angled junctions, eg on the left in a rhd, can be a problem. You may need addtional mirrors to cover blind spots up and down the sides.

 

Sun streaming in through large windows can increase heat and dazzle. I've never found the sun visors any use but a golfing cap, or similar, is great as it can be angled to cut out side glare.

 

Servicing an A-class can be more difficult because access to the engine bay is not as good as on an ordinary van. Most of the regular checks are OK but I have found changing bulbs time consuming and knuckle wrecking.

 

Do I recommend driving an A-class? Absolutely! The additional space in the cab immediately relaxes. The great forward view to the distance is fantastic. You know the width at the front is no different to the 'caravan body', bugs are easier to clean off. The whole experience is in a different world. It's a bit like thinking Bournemouth (cab based) is sunny and then going to southern Spain (A-class)!

 

 

[davenewellhome]

Having driven motorhomes of all types for a good few years I've possibly more experience of a variety of A class vans than most. The truth is that although the windscreen is further from the driver the actual frontal extremity is about the same as a standard van. Its the width that throws people for the first few miles but of course the wheels are in the same positions and you can't see them from either a panel van or an A class. I don't think you'll have much trouble after the first couple of miles.

 

 

D.

 

[carolh]

We have looked at A class vans in the past, and I must admit the dash does seem so long and wide, but my trouble was being unable to fully depress the clutch - being vertically challenged! 5' 2", and probably shrinking now!

The drivers seat just would not travel far enough forward to allow me operate the clutch to change gear!

[trooper]

Hi Carol H

The driving and controls on an a class are just like a normal M/H, Its just that the box around you is differant, as these are supplied to the M/H manufacurer with no bodywork at all so will vary.

[ron.]

Ian

 

Obviously great minds think alike as we have also gone for the 740BD. We really favoured the longitudal single-bed layout in the GD model but the extra length needed for these compromised all the other areas of the layout so its the BD for us. The perfect van isn't out there is it?

 

We saw the 740 at the NEC but thought the asking price high for a show demonstrator. It also had blown air heating which, if paying that much money, I would have expected it to have had Alde central heating. We had the Alde system on a previous van and found it so superior that its at the top of our 'must have' list now.

 

To save boring the life out of others about Frankia, which is not the subject of your post, I will send you a personal message.

 

Have fun.

 

Ron