Poppy Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Anyone with one? Any comments about it good or bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 dont know nufink..... except a quality product with a tough GRP skin :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 Thanks thats what I thought! Well thought they were a quality product the grp skin is a bit techy for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Rapido make van conversions, low profile coachbuits and A-Class coachbuilts. They stretch from 6m to 8.5m, are two berth to six berth, some have double floors and prices range from about £40k to over £90k before options ...................so lots to choose from. Any clues as to your type/style/berth/price requirements? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 We want something of around 6 metres.They used to do a nice coachbuilt 703 with fixed transverse bed but now they only seem to do this layout as an A class.We have a Hobby van with this layout which we like but the Rapido with its adjustable bed looks just that bit better.Our bed is quite high and sitting up in it not terribly comfortable.Good van otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 They now do a 903df A-Class double floored model at 5.99m. I looked at this at the NEC and my wife was very taken (so was I really) but we felt the longer 983df would suit us better due to the much better washroom and kitchen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith T Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Had a 710F for serveral years...Rapido Van conversion looks excelllent,though not to our taste.Only wish they would go back to the 710 style! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delfin Driver Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Hello Poppy, Despite our avatar, we are the extremely happy owners of a 5.99m 2009 Rapido 707F. We have been absolutely delighted with this van, having had it from new. We love the layout- fixed longitude bed-and the quality of the build. Absolutely solid and problem free from new. We are really interested in this posting as we have spent the last two wekends looking at vans to replace it next year. The only reason we wish to change is to have a newer van when I retire. BUT there is nothing out there to compare! We would quite like to have a garage version (the 710 would have been great) but they do not make that now. The Rapido 6s are longer and not built to the same standard and the 700 has no storage for large items like loungers, kayak etc. The drop down bed also does not suit anyone over 6' or a couple who want to go to bed at different times. We have looked at Laika, Burstner and Knaus garage versions but they don't quite cut the mustard for us in the same way as our Rapido. Unfortunately we are going to have to compromise somewhere and we think it is a pity Rapido have no motorhome in the 6m range to suit. Obviously others think so too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t5topcat Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Hi Poppy We have just bought a 987f A class.07 model having looked at hundreds of different makes and models. We have only had it a week so have not been away yet but the build quality and detail seems excellent. It certainly ticks all our boxes. Its 7m long which is fine for me but as previously mentioned there are many different models and layouts. TC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I believe the only current 6m-long coachbuilt Rapido motorhomes are the 903DF A-class and 700FF low-profile models at 5.99m. There were some 2011 forum comments on the 700FF here: http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Rapido-V-Burstner-any-help-appreciated-/24575/ Although Rapido has historically produced coachbuilt motorhomes with all-GRP body panels, that's not the case with every Rapido coachbuilt model nowadays. GRP is comparatively heavy and, in recent years, Rapido has begun to use Alufiber to keep the weight down. http://www.rapidomotorhomes.com/html/tech_spec.html Rapidos and Alufiber are mentioned in this MHF thread http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopic-117388-days0-orderasc-0.html There seems to be a misunderstanding in the MHF thread as to the nature of Alufiber that is a layer of polyester material bonded to a thin sheet of aluminium. An Alufiber skin used as part of a leisure-vehicle body-panel has the aluminium 'facing out'. Alufiber is lighter than an all-GRP skin, allows the smooth finish of an all-aluminium skin to be achieved, and offers better resistance to dents/scrapes/hail than an all-aluminium skin. Alufiber was used for the body panels of Lunar Champ (Home-Car) motorhomes marketed in the UK in the early/mid 2000s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thank you very much Derek.It would be the 903DF that we would be interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Delfin Driver - 2013-03-09 11:04 PM Hello Poppy, Despite our avatar, we are the extremely happy owners of a 5.99m 2009 Rapido 707F. We have been absolutely delighted with this van, having had it from new. We love the layout- fixed longitude bed-and the quality of the build. Absolutely solid and problem free from new. We are really interested in this posting as we have spent the last two wekends looking at vans to replace it next year. The only reason we wish to change is to have a newer van when I retire. BUT there is nothing out there to compare! We would quite like to have a garage version (the 710 would have been great) but they do not make that now. The Rapido 6s are longer and not built to the same standard and the 700 has no storage for large items like loungers, kayak etc. The drop down bed also does not suit anyone over 6' or a couple who want to go to bed at different times. We have looked at Laika, Burstner and Knaus garage versions but they don't quite cut the mustard for us in the same way as our Rapido. Unfortunately we are going to have to compromise somewhere and we think it is a pity Rapido have no motorhome in the 6m range to suit. Obviously others think so too! A little off-topic perhaps but........I'm rather intrigued as to why, if you're so happy with your MH, you are thinking of exchanging, it at only four years of age, next year? Surely four years old is nothing in MH terms...it's probably little more than run-in. Would it not be better to keep it for the next 10/15 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Poppy - 2013-03-11 5:22 PM Thank you very much Derek.It would be the 903DF that we would be interested in. Looks good. Even though it's a quite compact vehicle, you might need to be careful over its payload as A-class and double-floor designs tend to be on the heavy side. A good deal wider than your present Hobby "Van" of course, but much roomier inside as a consequence. When you obtained your "Van" in early 2010 I did wonder whether you'd be happy with it long-term, as the model you really wanted (but Hobby suddenly decided no longer to build) was a good bit larger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Our experience with our Rapido dealer and the Rapido Factory in France (once a week delivery) has been good. As any M/home purchase your purchase experience is only as good as the dealer, and as any M/home Rapido buy in a lot of bits that are commonly used in M/homes so spares for heaters, cookers, fridges etc should be readily available, despite some stories some Dealers seem to tell. Rgds . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Well we have enjoyed our Hobby actually and the payload on the Rapido does concern me a little.Its quoted as 490kgs with the plus minus 5% bit.The bed looks lower and more convenient than the Hobby,Ours is quite high and sitting up to read etc. not always the best plus we aRE Ex caravanners so used to changing every 3 to 4 years.We shall see.Might just keep the Hobby.Just interested in the Rapido.The extra width will be better on site. we will have to see the van to see if we think we can drive it comfortably in tighter spaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 the Hobby with the book shelf bed over a garage never appealed to me either, far to claustrophobic.....I dont think the + - 5% such a concern with a modern high tech build (no wood *-)) Rapido also do some really nice panel van conversions and a nice one with twin single beds....Come on you know it makes sense! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs T Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 We had a 987m Rapido, the only problem was us, we've had enough of camping. Going back to hotels as its simpler. We also live in a pleasant part of the country so why look elsewhere? and the amount of use it now gets reminded us its cheaper ! I forgot to add that it was very good. 6.5 Mtrs. An easy vehicle to drive. Plenty of internal space for two allowing us a seperate space each. A large 6ft bed each. Toilet and shower seperated. Cooking facilities good. Not easy to keep clean, a common problem. Mrs T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 Our first van was a Hymer Van.It was a cracker for first timers in many ways.We liked the layout,the size and the build quality.We also liked the bed with the nice little proper little steps up to it and the head room.What we couldn't stand was that the wardrobe was in the lounge area which blocked one of the front seats and the abysmal lack of lighting natural and artificial.It made the lounge a dismal place to be in at times.The Hobby, even though it is the same size and layout is a much much better van.Wardrobe under the bed to begin with.Lighting massively better.Only downsize is the hight of the back bed and the ladder.We can manage but the rapido arrangement looks much better.Like everyone, looking for the perfect van I supose.Don't supose it exists really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 whoops........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leake Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 We had a Rapido for six years and loved it. Virtually problem free for all that time. We have changed to an AutoTrail now as our requirements changed and Rapido did not do the layout we required plus we now try to buy British where ever possible. For the record the quality of our AutoTrail seems to match that of the Rapido. If you do go for one with a GRP body use a good quality marine polish to maintain the the GRP. Most car polishes contain silicon which can damage the gel coat, we use Starbright polish. Its also worth noting that Rapido use what they call an American gel coat that does seem to give a very hard and durable finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 This is an earlier discussion on polishing GRP surfaces: http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Pledge-Polish-Motorhome/22058/ Regarding the Polyglace glass fibre skin with "American gel coat" finish Rapido has been using to make body-panels for over 10 years, I asked a Rapido agent once what was so special and secretive about the materials and procedures involved. He just grinned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.