stevebrookman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Hello all, We have been caravanning for nearly 20 years and are looking to change to a motorhome. Would like to try a Ford Herald Aragon or Valencia initially to see if it is for us. Any advice on these models or information on any for sale would be greatly appreciated. Regards Steve Brookman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 The Ford Tranny bit that'll prolly be the Mk 4 or Mk 5, so cheap spares, easy to fix, just check that the rust worm hasn't been to busy........and the rubber .....ie tyres and when the cambelt was changed ;-) ....... Regarding the Moho bit on the back, does it smell damp?......does it look original?.......does it look in good condition?.......Basically the same questions you'd ask yourself if you were buying another caravan :D ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums, Steve. You can find background information about the Herald brand here https://compassandheraldmotorhomeclub.weebly.com/a-short-history-of-the-club.html I owned a 1996-built Herald Templar from 1998 to 2004 and I’m still fairly familiiar with the Aragon and Valencia models. Both models were built on a specialised 3300kg Ford Transit chassis, so there was not a huge amount of spare payload if an owner started to add heavy accessories (eg, tow-bar, awning, extra batteries). You’d need to be particularly careful if buying an Aragon, as the standard heating appliance (located in the wardrobe’s base) was an Italian-made Atwood Confort 3 combination air/water heater that could be problematical. This 2015 forum discussion refers http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/heating-issues/40287/ Herald build-quality was probably as good as any other brand of motorhome being constructed in the UK back then. The Templar was our first motorhome and I don’t regret choosing it. Any Aragon/Valencia is now going to be 20 years or so old, so obviously that needs to be taken into account. I still have (Can’t think why!) a monochrome copy of a 9-page MMM report on a Valencia and an (incomplete) 4-page colour review of an Aragon. I notice that you’ve provided an email address. Assuming that address is valid, if you’d like copies of those articles just say. I should be able to scan them and email them to you, but I can’t promise to do that immediately as the articles’ print quality is not wonderful and I’ll need to fiddle with the scanning to improve legibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 Many thanks both, Thanks Pelmetman-I'll have a good look for rust and have bought a damp meter. Derek it would be wonderful if you could scan the articles in. I like the look of the Heralds, there is one local to us. Thanks for the detailed reply. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-transit-motorhome/192551276549?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 But trying to get a viewing is proving difficult-so will give it a miss. Many thanks again both. Kind regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 6:45 PM I like the look of the Heralds, there is one local to us. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-transit-motorhome/192551276549?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 But trying to get a viewing is proving difficult-so will give it a miss. Kind regards Steve The seller of that Herald has a phone number on his other live listing for a car if you want to try and get in touch with him. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 6:45 PM Many thanks both, Thanks Pelmetman-I'll have a good look for rust and have bought a damp meter. Derek it would be wonderful if you could scan the articles in. I like the look of the Heralds, there is one local to us. Thanks for the detailed reply. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-transit-motorhome/192551276549?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 But trying to get a viewing is proving difficult-so will give it a miss. Many thanks again both. Kind regards Steve Good idea as he/she is hiding the number plate so you cant check its MOT history *-) .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 I've got the reg number-but he is not very forthcoming with viewing-he's had it listed for nearly a week and is saying we may be able to see it tomorrow-it ends on Saturday. Reg is m979utv. Good MOT history-but would need to view beforehand. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 7:51 PM I've got the reg number-but he is not very forthcoming with viewing-he's had it listed for nearly a week and is saying we may be able to see it tomorrow-it ends on Saturday. Reg is m979utv. Good MOT history-but would need to view beforehand. Regards Steve Sounds like he's had a rush of viewings........It does look like it's had some work done on the cab and the skirt has been resprayed, but that said with a good MOT history 6.5k seems a bargain ;-) ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 Not keen on the blue-would respray it grey. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 7:51 PM I've got the reg number-but he is not very forthcoming with viewing-he's had it listed for nearly a week and is saying we may be able to see it tomorrow-it ends on Saturday. Reg is m979utv. Good MOT history-but would need to view beforehand. Regards Steve That MOT history is not just good.....It's Excellent B-) ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 8:01 PM Not keen on the blue-would respray it grey. Steve Now you're being picky :D ........Just re done my brown plastic trim again, got quoted a grand 8-) ....... Cost less than 30 quid in spray paint ........Although a few days in preparation ;-) ......... I'm a slow worker now days due to my knees :-( ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 Thanks Pelmetman, If he gets back to me on viewing, I'll have a look. It starts at £6500-reserve not met. He reckons he's got others coming to look-must be a used car salesman. I do like the look of the Herald Aragon and Valencia and an earlier diesel hasn't got any of the modern diesel issues (I hope). Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-05-31 8:19 PM Thanks Pelmetman, If he gets back to me on viewing, I'll have a look. It starts at £6500-reserve not met. He reckons he's got others coming to look-must be a used car salesman. I do like the look of the Herald Aragon and Valencia and an earlier diesel hasn't got any of the modern diesel issues (I hope). Regards Steve It's the MK4 and a turbo B-) ............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Steve I’ve now sent copies of the Aragon/Valencia stuff to your email address - hopefully you’ll get them OK and they will be readable. The vehcle shown on the ebay advert has clearly had some work done on it, as the uphostery fabric and cab seats are non-original. As pelmetman says, the ebay Aragon was built on a Transit Mk 4. There’s a Mk 5-based version shown in this advert https://picclick.co.uk/2000-Ford-Herald-Aragon-4-Berth-Motorhome-LOCATION-332314664802.html The Aragon and Valencia models were available with a ‘bulgy’ overcab moulding or a lower-height design. In both cases it was possible for people to sleep over the cab, but the bulgy version had better headroom over the bed. Aragon and Valencia could also have an automatic geabox (example in this advert) https://www.becksmotorhomes.com/vehicle/1995-herald-valencia but the vehicle then came with a non-turbo motor. On-road performance was lack-lustre and owners often had turbocharging retrofitted. Perhaps best to avoid automatic Heralds... Auto-Sleepers produced the Transit-based “Amethyst” and “Legend” motorhomes, which competed with the Aragon and Valencia models but had a glass-fibre monocoque body (instead of the Heralds’ alloy skin on wood skeleton construction) and were more expensive. Some of the comments on this 2011 webpage would also apply to Aragon/Valencia. https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/30465-used-van-buying-advice-1995-2000-auto-sleeper-legend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 Many, many thanks Derek. I'll print them off. I'll have a look at the other makes and will definitely avoid an automatic. The one I was going to look at is being relisted as he "was ill all week and would like everyone to have a look next wee". So the search continues. Many thanks again, Kind regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazdog6007 Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 We had a tranny herald nine campers ago and remember it being a trouble free vehicle.back then things were more basic so none of the agro of the mostly unnecessary technology today.If it was me i would take a look at a/s models suggested in previous post.Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 tazdog6007 - 2018-06-02 10:11 AM We had a tranny herald nine campers ago and remember it being a trouble free vehicle.***back then things were more basic so none of the agro of the mostly unnecessary technology today***.If it was me i would take a look at a/s models suggested in previous post.Good luck :D ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Derek Uzzell - 2018-06-01 1:48 PM but the vehicle then came with a non-turbo motor. On-road performance was lack-lustre and owners often had turbocharging retrofitted. Perhaps best to avoid automatic Heralds... I wish Horace was automatic now my knees are going :-( ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 Going to have a look in the week , hopefully at these two. https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/motorhome-herald-aragon-4-berth-on-mk-5-ford-transit/1299947335 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Ford-Legend-Motorhome-New-MOT-FSH-33000-Miles-Ready-To-Go/323283770212?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 Second one a bit pricey I think. any thoughts, as always, greatly appreciated. Regards Steev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Regarding the Herald Aragon, the MOT-test history is pretty good but you’d need to check the age and condition of the vehicle’s tyres. (You should also do that with the A-S Legend, or any motorhome over 5 years old). The Aragon (fortunately) must have had its original Atwood heater replaced at some stage with a Truma equivalent, and it’s built on a Transit Mk 4 rather than the Legend’s later Mk 5. I don’t recall seeing an Aragon with the dinette layout, which should be preferable to the Legend’s rear U-lounge if you were to be carrying passengers. Conversely, the U-lounge might be preferable when on a campsite. Auto-Sleepers motorhomes have a good reputation and - because of its ‘rot-proof’ GRP monocoque body as much as anything - a good condition secondhand “Legend” should be expected to command a higher asking-price than a good condition Herald Aragon/Valencia/Insignia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 Thanks Derek, Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Steve I’ve emailed you scanned pages that make up a 1996 6-page review of a ‘prototype’ Auto-Sleepers Legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted June 10, 2018 Author Share Posted June 10, 2018 Many, many thanks Derek. These will prove very useful. Again, many thanks for taking the time to do this. Kindest regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 stevebrookman - 2018-06-09 1:30 PM Going to have a look in the week , hopefully at these two. https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/motorhome-herald-aragon-4-berth-on-mk-5-ford-transit/1299947335 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Ford-Legend-Motorhome-New-MOT-FSH-33000-Miles-Ready-To-Go/323283770212?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 Second one a bit pricey I think. any thoughts, as always, greatly appreciated. Regards Steev If I ever wrote ours of I'd be looking to replace it with a Legend.........Autosleeper quality with Transit reliability B-) ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrookman Posted June 10, 2018 Author Share Posted June 10, 2018 Thanks, I take it that Auto-Sleepers are of a good quality? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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