cmac160 Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Went to see two van conversions yesterday, an Elddis CV20 and a Chausson 594. The main differences are that the Chausson doesn't have long sofas that permit single-bed sleeping (but gains some storage and cooking space as a result) and that the Chausson seems better put together. Chausson only do two van conversions, and it's hard to get much information and detail on them. So I'm wondering if anyone has one of these, or its longer partner, or if anyone has experienced one of them? Looking for opinions on what they are like to own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Hmm, where to start! OK, so our Chausson 646 Flash isn't a panel van conversion as the 594 is, but a regular motor caravan; even so....... Main problem we've had is water ingress, from window on rear wall, skylight above top rear bunk, kitchen window, and join between wall and roof of over-cab bed. So much in fact, that the dealers who repaired it would have sent it back to the factory if they'd known full extent at the outset. I reckon they had the apprentice on the job. As well as that, though, I'm dismayed by a myriad of minor things, call me picky, but they point to a lack of attention in manufacture and pre-delivery checking. This includes screw-points through a bulkhead into bottom bunk, not what you want where your grandchild is sleeping; edging on shelves coming off; caps missing on screws around window; ladder bracket coming off; shower screen set too low so hit the floor. Hope this helps. Good luck, whatever you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmac160 Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Conrad - 2021-04-25 7:37 PM Hmm, where to start! OK, so our Chausson 646 Flash isn't a panel van conversion as the 594 is, but a regular motor caravan; even so....... Main problem we've had is water ingress, from window on rear wall, skylight above top rear bunk, kitchen window, and join between wall and roof of over-cab bed. So much in fact, that the dealers who repaired it would have sent it back to the factory if they'd known full extent at the outset. I reckon they had the apprentice on the job. As well as that, though, I'm dismayed by a myriad of minor things, call me picky, but they point to a lack of attention in manufacture and pre-delivery checking. This includes screw-points through a bulkhead into bottom bunk, not what you want where your grandchild is sleeping; edging on shelves coming off; caps missing on screws around window; ladder bracket coming off; shower screen set too low so hit the floor. Hope this helps. Good luck, whatever you choose. Thanks! Sounds like yours has been a bit of a nightmare. I assume it isn't representative of the brand, otherwise I'd expect to see more reports of problems. At the same time, I'll be sure to take a really close look at the fit and finish it we decide to take it further? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 cmac160 - 2021-04-26 9:34 PM ...Sounds like yours has been a bit of a nightmare. I assume it isn't representative of the brand, otherwise I'd expect to see more reports of problems. ... Chausson coachbuilt motorhomes are built in a huge factory at Tournon-sur-Rhône in southern France. In this 2013 forum thtread https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Aaaargh-Chausson/31073/ I said Chausson - at least for the lower-price models - seems to opt for sensible design simplicity rather than 'glamour'. However, I've never rated Chausson's build quality greatly and, when we looked at brand-new Flash models at a dealership in France a while back, the condition of all the vehicles was pretty bad, with bits missing and broken. On one - a Flash 10 - the exterior locker doors were appallingly badly fitting and it was difficult to see how this could be rectified. and A French motorhome-magazine article on the Chausson/Challenger factory at Tournon said that it took just two days for a chassis entering the initial construction phase to emerge from the factory as a fully-fledged motorcaravan. It's hardly surprising then if there are build-quality variations. However, my understanding is that - for the last few years - Chausson-branded panel-van-conversion (PVC) models are built in a Trigano Van factory in Italy, where similar PVCs are constructed that bear the Benimar, Challenger, CI, Roller Team or McLouis brand names. https://www.aboutcampbtob.eu/new-production-premises-trigano-van-italy/ There seems to be plenty of online information/reviews on the Chausson V594 33 Line model https://tinyurl.com/ex4p2fkc and - although feedback from an owner would definitely be useful - there may not be many UK buyers of this model given how much competition there is in the UK PVC market. (I’m not sure what the “33 Line” relates to, but I notice that the V594 is built on a 3300kg base.) A “What Motorhome” review of the Elddis CV20 model (apparently on a 3500kg base) is here https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews/motorhomes/details/motorhome-review-elddis-autoquest-cv20-campervan/1029964 and 2020 forum comments here https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/New-Elddis-panel-van-conversion-how-good-/55418/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Derek Uzzell - 2021-04-27 8:12 AM However, my understanding is that - for the last few years - Chausson-branded panel-van-conversion (PVC) models are built in a Trigano Van factory in Italy, where similar PVCs are constructed that bear the Benimar, Challenger, CI, Roller Team or McLouis brand names. ISTR a number of the UK-specific PVCs from the Trigano Group have (since take-over) historically been built in the Auto-Trail factory at Grimsby. It was certainly the case for Chausson, and I also think the Benivan has/had the same origins. Given that both the above are marketed in the UK as UK-handed versions (sliding door), I'd rather think they are still being built here. And ....... "the 33 Line. Named in honour of the shortest distance across the Channel between France and England (33km)" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmac160 Posted April 27, 2021 Author Share Posted April 27, 2021 I read one review that said these particular models are built in the UK. The Chausson webpage for these (https://www.motorhomes-chausson.co.uk/modele/v594-33-line/) is very sparse on detail, so I have to assume that the van doesn't include much at all. Chausson appear to be trying to sell it on style rather than substance, and that doesn't interest me. So I think I'll pass on these. Not enough information = too much risk. And the dealer hasn't responded to my questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Robinhood - 2021-04-27 8:27 AM Derek Uzzell - 2021-04-27 8:12 AM However, my understanding is that - for the last few years - Chausson-branded panel-van-conversion (PVC) models are built in a Trigano Van factory in Italy, where similar PVCs are constructed that bear the Benimar, Challenger, CI, Roller Team or McLouis brand names. ISTR a number of the UK-specific PVCs from the Trigano Group have (since take-over) historically been built in the Auto-Trail factory at Grimsby. It was certainly the case for Chausson, and I also think the Benivan has/had the same origins. Given that both the above are marketed in the UK as UK-handed versions (sliding door), I'd rather think they are still being built here. And ....... "the 33 Line. Named in honour of the shortest distance across the Channel between France and England (33km)" Thanks for that information - this 2019 Practical Motorhome article goes into more detail. https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/news/chausson-2019-season-preview Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 cmac160 - 2021-04-27 9:11 AM ...The Chausson webpage for these (https://www.motorhomes-chausson.co.uk/modele/v594-33-line/) is very sparse on detail, so I have to assume that the van doesn't include much at all. Chausson appear to be trying to sell it on style rather than substance, and that doesn't interest me.... Although it’s true that the website relating to the Chausson V594 33 Line is light on detail, you ought to be able to get a satisfactory picture from dealership adverts. For example this one (that mentions that the model is built at the Auto-Trail factory) https://www.tcmotorhomes.com/new-motorhomes/immediate-delivery/Chausson/N760 and this one that has good photos and gives the cost of some of the optional extras https://www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk/products/motorhomes/HCCQF104930/2021-chausson-33-line-v594 The fact the model is converted in the UK by Auto-Trail SHOULD mean that, if there were problems, these should be easier to resolve than if the motorhome had been built in France or Italy and - as Robinhood has touched on - the V594 has a ‘proper’ UK-specification with the sliding side-door on the UK nearside. (If the V594 is still in the running for you, you might want to check its warranty terms and conditions to see how they compare with those of the Elddis.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 We had a 640 from Hayes leisure and the only fault we had was the electric bed, this was not a chausson fault. The rest of the MH was very good with a little of the French flare. We also had the slide out BBQ fitted which was excellent and Hayes was superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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