mike 202 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I am considering downsizing from my A/S Windsor 2008 coachbuilt this vehicle to a New VW based A/S Topaz. Fiat/Peaugeot PVC's will not be a big enough downsize from the 6.23 mtr Windsor. The Windsor is stored and we would like something that would fit up our drive and that we could use more often especially for short trips (2/3 days) 50% sites with electric and days out. My wife and I are both retired and we spend 6/7 weeks away in France and Spain twice a year, we use some sites and some aires on the journey to and from Spain. For personal reasons a toilet compartment is essential, not a pull out porta-potti. I welcome any fors or against, especially the diesel blown air system reliability and if the fitted 85 A/H battery is good enough, I have my doubts ? Thanks in anticipation Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 If you've been happy with your Ford, you should at least look at Horizons models. A Cavarno like ours would fit on your drive and provide full "off-site" facilities. But if you feel that's too small they do have couple of larger versions now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I think a VW size van a step to far for reasonably comfortable touring. You can get shorter panel vans as well which still have most of the facilities you need.... You can sleep width ways in a ducato Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmold Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 A Topaz is 17' 4", the AS Stratford and Symbol models are 17' 9" and are far more roomier. The beds in VW PVC are narrow compared to the Peugeots if used as singles and the double sizes are also not generous, check them out on the AS website, hit the technical button for bed sizes etc. http://www.auto-sleepers.co.uk/vans/volkswagen/technical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Note that the Topaz is only 5mm narrower than a x250 panelvan and is 70mm wider than the Tranny, so there is a whole range of options open to you of a similier size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Looks like I was being a bit blinkered in my outlook. Tony I am more than happy with my Ford base so will look at your suggestion. I dont know why but I thought that the VW was significantly narrower than Ford ot Puegeot, just shows that looks can be deceptive. I will now look a lot further with the good advice that i have been given. Just proves that the forum members are always ready to help, thank you all. Any further comments will be most welcome Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Tony Jones - 2012-06-18 6:24 PM If you've been happy with your Ford, you should at least look at Horizons models. A Cavarno like ours would fit on your drive and provide full "off-site" facilities. But if you feel that's too small they do have couple of larger versions now.Are you on comission Tony?. You never miss a chance to promote your vans makers. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Mike Not sure if your problem is width or length If width, but you want the additional space of a Coachbuilt, have a look at the Bentley Artisan range on the Renault Traffic chassis - 6' 10" wide. http://www.bentleymotorhomes.co.uk/artisan-range.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hi, my main reason to downsize is to be able to use the M/H on a daily basis, so travelling around in a coachbuilt, shopping and day trips to beach/forest car parks becomes practical as I could keep it at home and not have to travel 15 miles to get it. An overall length of around 16/17 feet and width more panel van and less coachbuilt, but with the essential of a toilet compartment. I have looked at the Cavarno and as they are not too far from Portsmouth will go and have a look. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Globecar do an under 5.7 m van on the Ford....well built and insulated for a panelvan. German dealer I used last time had some RHD UK spec ones for under £25K (£36K here *-) ) German has the rear lounge model SMC UK agents (hopeless web site) http://www.smcmotorhomes.co.uk/globecar.html http://globecar.de/de/modelle/d-line/fortscout.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 mike 202 - 2012-06-18 6:17 PM ...especially the diesel blown air system reliability and if the fitted 85 A/H battery is good enough, I have my doubts ? Thanks in anticipation Mike Unreliability should not be an issue with a simple Eberspacher diesel-fuelled blown-air heater, but an 85Ah battery would (in my view) be marginal capacity-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolandrat Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I would think that the Topaz has very few storage lockers and although it is a very good base vehicle if I was considering a downsize then the Symbol would be a far better bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 It's always difficult to find accurate figures for the width of PVCs - some quote the basic body width, some with mirrors folded and some with mirrors extended. My understanding is that the relative, comparable, widths are: VW T5 1,904mm Renault Trafic 1,904 mm Ford Transit 1,974mm Fiat Ducato 2,050mm So the Transit is just under 3in wider than the VW and the Fiat just under 6in wider in old money. The Topaz seems to me to be a touch pricey and when I have sat in one at the shows the seats always feel a bit shallow as if they're van sized rather than people sized. The Vantage Zen on the Renault Trafic is an interesting alternative but it does not have a proper toilet/shower compartment. Other than the Horizons Cavarno on the mwb Transit (5,230mm/17ft 2in long) I can't off the top of my head think of any compact PVCs with a full shower compartment and a similar layout to the Topaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 £53,000 for a small Vdub *-) I'm sorry but its hard to stop laughing.... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolandrat Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 £53000!!! Someone is having a laugh. The AS Excecutive is similar in price as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 peter - 2012-06-18 9:21 PM Tony Jones - 2012-06-18 6:24 PM If you've been happy with your Ford, you should at least look at Horizons models. A Cavarno like ours would fit on your drive and provide full "off-site" facilities. But if you feel that's too small they do have couple of larger versions now.Are you on comission Tony?. You never miss a chance to promote your vans makers. :D I wish! Then I'd REALLY plug them! No, just a very satisfied customer more than willing to say so. And since they're a small outfit, not everyone knows they're around (unlike the "Auto-everything" brigade) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Adria Active. 5.4 metre http://2012.adria-mobil.com/we-en/vans/twin/active here is a video but it is of the Titan model in grey. the standard wood finish more popular, but it gives you an idea what the van is like Proper bed, small bathroom. The bed swings up giving a big load carrying space when not on holiday....4 seats so very practical http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oblOIT52XCw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Is this the one you can have in an "A-Team" paint job Eddie? Always sort of fancied that, but I suspect I'd only need a single bed if I got one!!! 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Grrrrrrrr.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Tony Jones - 2012-06-20 6:37 PM Is this the one you can have in an "A-Team" paint job Eddie? Always sort of fancied that, but I suspect I'd only need a single bed if I got one!!! 8-) No smaller version of mine really but you can have these.... :D DAMN and BLAST Vicar! I cant load pics! *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Always been put off downsizing to a PVC due to lack of storage space thinking we would miss the garage in our present AutoTrail but we have seen a neat little GRP unbraked trailer which would be easy to tow and solve the space for folding bike, chairs, BBQ wine and the Bear etc. Could be the best of both worlds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Colin Leake - 2012-06-20 10:19 PM Always been put off downsizing to a PVC due to lack of storage space thinking we would miss the garage in our present AutoTrail but we have seen a neat little GRP unbraked trailer which would be easy to tow and solve the space for folding bike, chairs, BBQ wine and the Bear etc. Could be the best of both worlds! I get all that stuff (not sure about a bear though) plus more under the rear bed in our panel van..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Colin Leake - 2012-06-20 10:19 PM Always been put off downsizing to a PVC due to lack of storage space thinking we would miss the garage in our present AutoTrail but we have seen a neat little GRP unbraked trailer which would be easy to tow and solve the space for folding bike, chairs, BBQ wine and the Bear etc. Could be the best of both worlds! Sorry Colin, you couldn't carry the bear in there ... you'd have to get one of those expensive dog trailers for him!!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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