cabiex Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Hi all, We are looking for a motorhome for long terming and are thinking of a rear transverse bed layout, over a garage, with a maximum length of 7 meters. We had a Hobby van which we spent 6 great months in touring Europe but at 6 meters it was to cramped. We were looking at a A class of around 6.5 metres (with no fixed bed) but there are not many about and storage is limited. We have looked at the Auto-trail Apache 632 which we like but wonder whether anyone knows of other motorhomes that would suit. Our budget is around £40k Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 5 minutes ago, dealer phoned to say the Apache 632 we have bought has arrived, and we're off to give it the once over this afternoon. What we liked was it was just under 7m., had the transverse rear double, and the lounge makes up into another double. Both are quite narrow, 4 feet, but we bought fully intending to use mostly as 2 very big singles. Whoever is last to bed gets the lounge, either of us can get up to the loo easily. Wife doesn't sleep too well either, so she can get up during the night, make a cuppa, read etc. We looked at some A Classes with transverse rear double, plus the usual drop down over the cab. Hymer and Rapido come to mind. All lovely vans, but there was something about sitting in that big cab which just felt a little intimidating. Probably something we'd get over quite quickly, but just felt a step too far at the moment. Maybe next time. We were also put off by the big fixed table in most of them, which seemed to steal too much space. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogher Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 If full-timing, space will be important. I’d look for an A-class with cupboards in place of the drop-down bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will H Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 We had a Rapido 987M 6.5 Mtrs. Bags of room with a double drop down bed and a fixed double. Most importantly it gave us our own space at any time. We couldn't fault it for that. The drop down bed covered the front seats, not cupboards. Storage was never a problem as we never took any excess clutter. A few changes of clothes and a few toys and we're off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiex Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Thanks for the feedback Chris, hope you enjoy the 632. Miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Cheers Miles. Had a good look over it this afternoon, lovely van, can't wait to start using it. Dealer is doing a couple of things we agreed as part of the deal, bring it home next week sometime. Good luck with your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughmer Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Hymer S660 A Class 6.8m lhd transverse bed over garage . L shaped sitzgruppe swivel cab seats allowing 6+ around the table. Winterized to - 26 C. 4.600kg max weight over 1100kg payload ( That's a lot ) Merc 5 cyl ( Euro 2) auto for sale at 60% of you budget. Please send a Private message if you'd like to discuss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiex Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thanks everyone for advice. What we were thinking was to either get an A class with a drop bed but no fixed bed ( like Rapido 9048 or Hymer B544 ), or a Coach-build with a transverse bed above garage. As there are not many A classes around we were wondering if there any other coach-builds similar to the Apache 632 ( upto 7 meters with transverse bed ). We are intending to full-time, Europe and probably further afield. Thanks Miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogher Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Look at Euromobil 636 (and similar) They come on Merc or Fiat Chassis and the drop down bed is accessible without a ladder. Solid German build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 candapack - 2015-10-27 12:03 PM All lovely vans, but there was something about sitting in that big cab which just felt a little intimidating. Probably something we'd get over quite quickly, but just felt a step too far at the moment. Maybe next time. We were also put off by the big fixed table in most of them, which seemed to steal too much space. Cheers, The cab is the main reason for buying an A Class, once you have had one you won't want any other type of van, great visibility when driving, flat sides making van easier to position and makes reversing much easier. Although the cab may not be that much wider the feeling of space is enormous. As for a fixed table I wouldn't buy a van without one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candapack Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 lennyhb - 2015-10-28 10:45 AM candapack - 2015-10-27 12:03 PM All lovely vans, but there was something about sitting in that big cab which just felt a little intimidating. Probably something we'd get over quite quickly, but just felt a step too far at the moment. Maybe next time. We were also put off by the big fixed table in most of them, which seemed to steal too much space. Cheers, The cab is the main reason for buying an A Class, once you have had one you won't want any other type of van, great visibility when driving, flat sides making van easier to position and makes reversing much easier. Although the cab may not be that much wider the feeling of space is enormous. As for a fixed table I wouldn't buy a van without one. Appreciate what you say Lenny, just didn't feel right for us at the time. Probably if we used one for a few days, we'd soon realise the benefits. So, we've got a new coachbuilt arriving shortly which we'd better use for a while. When (if) the time comes to change it, and if you've still got an A Class, maybe you could let us borrow it for a week? Actually, yours is LHD, right? Make that a month, would want to see how it felt abroad too. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrie Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 If you can go the extra 40cm, an AutoTrail Cheyenne 696G has a rear transverse with garage underneath - I think an AutoTrail Mohawk is its more up to date equivalent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddies104 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 candapack - 2015-10-27 12:03 PM 5 minutes ago, dealer phoned to say the Apache 632 we have bought has arrived, and we're off to give it the once over this afternoon. What we liked was it was just under 7m., had the transverse rear double, and the lounge makes up into another double. Both are quite narrow, 4 feet, but we bought fully intending to use mostly as 2 very big singles. Whoever is last to bed gets the lounge, either of us can get up to the loo easily. Wife doesn't sleep too well either, so she can get up during the night, make a cuppa, read etc. We looked at some A Classes with transverse rear double, plus the usual drop down over the cab. Hymer and Rapido come to mind. All lovely vans, but there was something about sitting in that big cab which just felt a little intimidating. Probably something we'd get over quite quickly, but just felt a step too far at the moment. Maybe next time. We were also put off by the big fixed table in most of them, which seemed to steal too much space. Cheers, Hi, hope you enjoy the 632, have just replied to you pm, Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinghigh Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I have a A class just a smidging over 7 M and find it ticks all our boxes, as been said, great view out front with two swivel seats the cab area becomes part of the lounge so no waisted space, far better insulation all round in comparison to a coach built , Large garage with full size double bed above with a full size drop down bed if needed,. I personally wouldn't go back to a coach built as we would have too compromise on too many features that the A class gives us, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerC Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 RollerTeam 600G. Large garage, transverse bed over the garage which is height adjustable. I note you say 7 mtrs max but if you can manage the extra, this one is 7.2mtrs it does meet your garage/transverse bed needs. Also if you strike lucky your budget should get you a new one if that's what you require or a good used one for much less. Also if on the Transit twin wheel chassis it is upgradeable from 3.5 tons to 4 tons which is a massive help in increasing available payload......oh and it reduces the road fund fee to £165.00. Additionally it has a decent size freezer/fridge combination which, as you know, will be a boon if you intend long terming. PM me if you need more info in the 600g....we have one bought from new in 2010. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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