Sullivan Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 We are about to buy our first motorhome and are considering a 1999 Swift Suntor 590 RS. Would really be glad of anyone's experience of this model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Hi Sullivan - welcome to the mad house! :-D We had a 2001 version, just before they changed the design, so I think it would be the same as the one you're looking at. Good points: - Nice comfy lounge, full cooker, could make 2 single beds or 1 very large double, plus a smaller overcab double. - Good bit of worktop at the side worktop between the door and the settee. - Good amount of under settee storage and storage generally. Bad points: - Overcab double had very restricted headroom so couldn't sit up in bed. - Heading was terrible, all it had was a basic convector heater (no blown air option) so all the heat went up to the ceiling and left the lower area freezing. - Some of the finish left a bit to be desired, especially the shelf edging strips which were bubbling and coming away from their backing. - Indoor 'swimming pool' under side settee (due to leak round gas store drop out vent) was not appreciated! - We only had the 2.8 diesel (non-turbo) engine and whilst it would go on forever, it wasn't very fast especially into a head wind where overtaking was a no-no, and we got a lot of buffeting from passing traffic. - We had some problems with the base vehicle (part of the exhaust needed replacing as it had 'failed', and the brakes squealed badly). We kept it 18 months then changed it for a Rapido 709F which we loved, but that was partially down to our preference for the new type of layout (fixed rear bed), not a reflection on problems with the layout of the Swift although I simply could not stand being frozen during our winter jaunts anymore as we use our van all year round. Hope that helps! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Hi We have a Swift Sundance 2006,590RS so not your model but I believe very simular. We are more than satisfied with our van,. We go away for three months at a time and find it plenty big enough for us two..We personally like this layout, as it gives plenty of room to move around , should we not be able to get outside much. Good luckwith your purchase, and enjoy your motor homing. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I could be wrong but I believe that SUNTOR is made exclusively for Brownhills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullivan Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Thanks for your replies, very helpful. Don't like the sound of the poor heating! has anyone else had experience of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Clive, you are correct, the Suntor was a special for Brownhills and had different soft furnishings from the norm. At the time we bought ours they also had a special Swift Millenium edition in but we chose to get the Suntor version. Sullivan - check if the van has the blown air 'add on' for the convector heater - I believe it was an option at the time. If it has this, then the heating should be okay as this is what we had in your Rapido and it soon made it nice and toasty. If the van is a good price and what you want, you could consider putting in a diesel heater instead, but it would need to be a VERY good priced van to make this worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullivan Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Thanks Mel B. This van doesn't have blown air. I wonder if it is possible to have it fitted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Hi Sullivan I am reasonable sure Swift will have fitted a Truma Water Heater. Have a look here for what’s available in the Truma range http://trumauk.com/products-heating.asp Depending on what Water Heater is fitted & available space, this may be suitable. http://trumauk.com/products-heating-fans.asp?jid=61&jStart=0&jsearch=&jorder=&jprod=&jseries=&jname= Typical price range http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/Caravan/gas/Truma_fires/Trumavent_Fan__Spare_Parts.aspx but you will also need the ducting & connectors. If it's suitable ask the Dealer for a Price to install and that gets a warranty on the installation also, if you do not feel capable of DIYing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Sullivan - 2010-10-14 10:19 PM Thanks Mel B. This van doesn't have blown air. I wonder if it is possible to have it fitted? We had a Sundance 590rs a later model than the one you are looking at. This did not have blown air and it was fine, the heator was rated at 3kw and in a small space warmed the van pretty quickly. Blown air, which we have in the current van, together with convector is only really effective in the bathroom, does not make any differance in the main living part of van. In a larger van blown air probably would be better but providing the convector is rated high enough you should be fine. What is the heater rated at, if 3kw no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharon davies Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 hello we have had a swift suntor 590rs 1999 2.8 ltr for five months, absolutely love it !!! true it is not fast 50 mph is comfortable in it and yes it gets buffeted by HGVS , but we have found it very very comfortable ours has the blown air system and its very warm, only problem we have had is the second radiator fan runs on sometimes for ages and can flatten the battery ? cant find any mechanic to explain why they just scratch their heads :-D , cured that by turning the heater control to hot when we arrive at our destination. appart from that can thouroughly recomend it. storage space is huge beds comfortable and drives well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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