robertandjean Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Hi, January issue of Motorhome Monthly (the mag you pick up free at the supermarket) carries a full page ad. announcing that Tribute Motorhomes (part of CI group) are to launch the new 6 and 7 series coachbuilts. These it says will be on the brand new Ford Transit low frame designed just for motorhomes. Thought this might be of interest to those of you not keen on Fiat conversions. Two points. First surprised the news hounds of MMM not picked up on this. Second we think living quarters are more important than cab part (as we spend more time lounging than driving!) so would not be swayed to buy because of badge on front. But know many of you might be so hope info helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 A copy of the Tribute Motorhomes advert can be downloaded from http://www.tributemotorhomes.co.uk/ There's also the following press release "Press Release - Monday 7th December 2009 Project T-T scheduled to make its NEC Debut – First European Motorhome launch of the brand new Ford Transit. Introducing the New 6 and 7 Series Coachbuilt Motorhomes from Tribute. The Boat and Caravan Show, Birmingham NEC 23rd – 28th February 2010 has been chosen to launch the first of the all new Transit -Tribute range of Coachbuilt Motorhomes. This will be the first European Motorhome launch of the brand new Ford Transit, low frame, wide track chassis, specially designed for Motorhome use giving greater stability and overall road handling. With ‘drive away’ prices starting from under £33,000, this exciting new range is designed to appeal to all sectors of the entry level market. Choose from 4 exciting new layouts, all manufactured in the UK in N E Lincolnshire. 6 Series will consist of T-620 and T-625, MWB chassis powered by the new 6-speed 115 bhp 2.2 L Ford Transit. The 7 Series layouts, T-720 and T-725 will use the LWB chassis which boasts the latest 2.4 L 140 bhp ‘power house’. All four layouts have a gross vehicle weight of 3500 kgs. A selection of the new models will be exhibited within the Auto-Trail stand 3040, which is situated inside the main entrance to Hall 3." It will be interesting to find out just what the new "low frame, wide track chassis" involves. An Al-Ko chassis for the FWD Mk 6 Transit was displayed at Continental motorhome exhibitions a few years back but (according to an Al-Ko representative I spoke to) never went beyond the prototype stage as Ford concluded it would not be a worthwhile proposition financially. The engine sizes quoted in the press release appear to indicate that the 6-Series range will be FWD, while 7-Series models will be RWD. Presumably the vehicles will be manufactured in the Auto-Trail factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 A low floor rear drive chassis would involve certain engineering miracles to be performed (or significant compromises), it should be fascinating to see. I genuinely hope the FWD version is what you all need; a genuine alternative to the Sevel chassis. This is could be the kick in the rear that the over confident continentals need. Shame the Ford is not UK made any more, but what is? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Nick A reduced height Al-Ko chassis is available for Mercedes Sprinter-based motorhome chassis. If I remember correctly, it involves replacement of pretty much everything behind the standard cab and has independent rather than live-axle rear suspension. I'm doubtful about the accuracy of the Tribute advert and I'm minded to think that the reference to the 2.4L motor is an error. Conversely, Hobby build on FWD and RWD Transit chassis and somehow manage to keep the overall and interior heights the same for both ranges. No doubt all will eventually be revealed. (At least if the rear wheels stick out further, it might prevent the motorhome manufacturers from hiding the wheels inside the rear bodywork and thus making wheel-changing a nightmare!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I've got an awful feeling ... you know all those 'motorhome chassis' that Fiat produced but due to their 'judder' problem haven't been able to sell ... perhaps they're disguising them as Fords ... 8-) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 A reliable source once told me that, when the SEVEL X/250 project originally began in 2003, the lower-and-wider-track rear chassis was initially intended only for ambulance and horse-box conversions. Only later was it aimed at the motorhome market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duetto owner Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 we have a RWD transit AS Duetto, glad its RWD held the road superbly driving on sheet ice. round here only main rd's were gritted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 robertandjean - 2009-12-20 8:53 PM Hi, January issue of Motorhome Monthly (the mag you pick up free at the supermarket) carries a full page ad. announcing that Tribute Motorhomes (part of CI group) are to launch the new 6 and 7 series coachbuilts. These it says will be on the brand new Ford Transit low frame designed just for motorhomes. Thought this might be of interest to those of you not keen on Fiat conversions. Two points. First surprised the news hounds of MMM not picked up on this. Second we think living quarters are more important than cab part (as we spend more time lounging than driving!) so would not be swayed to buy because of badge on front. But know many of you might be so hope info helps. To see MMM journo's described as "newshounds" makes me smile. Give them a juddery new van to test and they couldn't even find the judder! I think the majority of them wouldn't be able find their own bum using both hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 starvin marvin - 2009-12-22 1:24 PM To see MMM journo's described as "newshounds" makes me smile. Give them a juddery new van to test and they couldn't even find the judder! I think the majority of them wouldn't be able find their own bum using both hands. I don't really blame them, when you consider that over 95% of ALL motorhomes produced are on Sevel X250 bases, by them coming out and saying 'Don't buy them Readers, they Judder in reverse and have a serious fundamental problem that could cause you loads of grief'. They would be basically bringing the market to a 'Juddering halt' and probably face lawsuits from various UK makers (now that WOULD have been interesting !! it's only Libal if if isn't true.) Which is why Andy Stothert deserves a medal for honesty in the 'News-hound world'. otherwise i suspect many more people would have been 'Trodden on' by Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen. Bring on the Ford based conversions I say. :D :D Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Unable to edit above, It is enlightening to note which motorhomes the 'News-Hounds' have chosen for themselves; Dave Hurrell- Mercedes/Rapido, Volkswagen T5 camper,Ford Transit specialist conversion(based on a Nu-Venture campers layout). The Jago's- Ford/Autosleeper Duetto, Renault/Timberland. John Lloyd-Volkswagon/Autosleeper,Ford/Autosleeper Ravenna Clive Mott-Gotobed-Mercedes/Autotrail,Iveco/Concorde. Roger Mechin-Ford/Autosleeper Amethyst. Di Johson DID get a Fiat/Murvi but made sure it had the Auto-Gearbox. So, not many Sevel X250's there, and they DO get to test them all. Looks like Andy warned them Too. ! ;-) ;-) Ray If any of the above are incorrect I apologise, all gleaned from MMM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 starvin marvin - 2009-12-22 1:24 PM To see MMM journo's described as "newshounds" makes me smile. Give them a juddery new van to test and they couldn't even find the judder! I think the majority of them wouldn't be able find their own bum using both hands. Making a statement like this would be acceptable if you were correct, but you are not, and I think it's unfair of you to slate all of the MMM testers in this way. There have been several instances in the MMM mag of the base vehicle being referred to as having some judder problems ... check your facts before writing them all off. As for being able to find their own bum I wouldn't know for sure, I suppose it would depend on the size of their bum and how desparate they are to find it! 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Rayjsj - 2009-12-22 5:06 PM ...Clive Mott-Gotobed-Mercedes/Autotrail,Iveco/Concorde.... QUOTE] Mercedes/Concorde. Clive originally intended to buy an Iveco/Hymer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Incidentally, there is a full-page Tribute Motorhomes advert in the January 2010 issue of MMM (page 155). The MMM advert differs from the Motorhome Monthly one and fails to mention the Tribute Ford-based models - but that's hardly MMM's responsibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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