Considering a motorhome to also regularly work in for a couple

[v23509l]

:D

 

Love reading you. I agree, it is going to be a wind out to start with, and we can always add walls later if need be, if I understood correctly.

[Derek Uzzell]

v23509l - 2021-07-30 11:00 AM

 

And regarding the Adria brochure:

 

What is the point of alko air suspension, why would you need it?

 

-- Al-Ko air suspension is not an option for Adria panel-van conversion (PVCs)

 

I know see that aircon is split in two, cab and habitation. Is this common?

 

-- Yes.

 

Why is towbar so expensive?

 

-- It’s to be anticipated that the cost of a factory-fitted towbar + electrics will exceed £1000.

 

Is metallic point really needed? I would try to aim for inconspicuousness, something not screaming out. I assume white is the best to handle the heat?

 

-- White should reduce the temperature-increase effect of strong sunlight on a motorhome. If you don’t want metallic paint, don’t choose it.

 

What is the use of alde heat exchanger? In particular if you already got heating e.g. via diesel?

 

-- An Alde heat-exchanger allows engine-coolant heat to be used for habitation-area heating when a motorhome has a gas/230V-fuelled Alde heating system, or can allow an Alde heater to be used to pre-heat the engine. Adria PVCs won't have Alde heating.

 

What is this isofix double installation only under 2 dinette seats?

 

-- The ISOFIX system allows child seats to be safely and quickly installed in a vehicle.

 

https://www.fundacionmapfre.org/en/education-outreach/road-safety/key-topics/child-restraint-systems/isofix-system/

 

The forward-facing dinette seats are where children would normally travel and it would be impracticable for the standard cab-seats to be modified to accept ISOFIX fixings.

 

MTPLM to 3800 means a chassis is strengthened for up to 3800kg? How come this comes at no cost and carries no weight?

 

-- It’s probable that the 3800kg option applies only to Adria motorhomes that have an AL-KO chassis (you’ll note that it is not an option for “Twin” PVC models.) The likelihood is that the models to which the 3800kg ‘increase’ option applies are actually built on a 3800kg GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) chassis, but normally marketed as standard with a 3500kg GVW as this maximises the size of the potential buyer population who only have a ‘car’ driving-licence entitlement (like you and your wife) that limits them to driving 3500kg-maximum GVW vehicles. Essentially, the 3800kg motorhome’s GVW is normally decreased (‘downplated’) to 3500kg for marketing reasons, so opting for 3800kg isn’t a technical/mechanical ‘increase’ - the vehicle stays exactly the same, hence there are no cost or weight increases.

It seems to me that you are drowning in detail when you ought to be focusing more on whether your idea to live/work in such a small vehicle for long periods is genuinely realistic.

[v23509l]

No worries, it's a project of mine to learn the most I can :). I know that it comes down to what we need to be comfortable for weeks, and that practice is really the only way to go, I.e. trying it out.

 

Thanks!

[colin]

AFAIK ISOFIX is only ever on the rear seats of any vehicle, or at least only the vehicles I've looked at in any detail.

p.s. just had a look and very few vehicles have isofix on the front passenger seat.

[laimeduck]

It strikes me that what you are thinking of doing is very similar to living on a yacht or even a narrowboat. You might want to check out how those folk that do that get on.

This book may be of interest -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sell-Up-Sail-Pursue-Dream/dp/0713674032

it's probably quite dated now and won't have all the info on the current gizmos you crave, but the basics will still hold true. Try google for other variations eg, barges and narrowboats.

Jeremy

[curdle]

Derek Uzzell - 2021-07-27 3:56 PM

 

Moderators cannot delete forum-member accounts. if you want to have that done you will need to contact the forum Administrator.

 

Before I edited your posting I took a copy and I’ve no doubt whatsoever that the text I excised was downright rude and uncalled for. If you disagree with that opinion, you can tell the Administrator what you said and ask if he/she believes that I should have left the insult in place.

 

Warners “Terms of Website Acceptable Use” can be read here

 

http://www.warnersgroup.co.uk/about-warners-group/terms-conditions/

 

and I refer you to Section 15.4

Aha, I did not of course make a screenshot of my reply. I had no idea that the English equivalent of Stasi had the opportunity to deny the postings of apparent malcontents and remove them from their discourse at your arbitrary whim. I see nothing in section 15.4 to deny my comments. offensive to some or not. You are merely an extension of a tyranny shutting down UK discourse. Shame on you, you pompous jerk.

[colin]

curdle - 2021-07-30 11:25 PM

 

Aha, I did not of course make a screenshot of my reply. I had no idea that the English equivalent of Stasi had the opportunity to deny the postings of apparent malcontents and remove them from their discourse at your arbitrary whim. I see nothing in section 15.4 to deny my comments. offensive to some or not. You are merely an extension of a tyranny shutting down UK discourse. Shame on you, you pompous jerk.

You seem to be a complete innocent to the world of forums, or you are being deliberately offensive.

As Derek says if you don't like what he did then complain to the administrator, meanwhile if you want to say whatever you wish on a forum without oversight from others, set your own one up.

[v23509l]

I have stumbled upon a very interesting model: Knauss Boxdrive. I find the circular bathroom very interesting. They will be in Dusseldorf. Btw, in options, they state that it is possible to bring the passenger seats from 4 to 3 or 2, does anyone know what this means? I assume it's just the belts that will be removed?

[SAlexander]

A towbar and electrics for a PVC is unlikely to be anything like £1000-1200. When I fitted one to my Adria twin a few years ago the cost of the bar and dedicated wiring kit was less than £200 and only took an hour or so to fit.

[Derek Uzzell]

v23509l - 2021-08-10 5:23 PM

 

I have stumbled upon a very interesting model: Knauss Boxdrive. I find the circular bathroom very interesting. They will be in Dusseldorf. Btw, in options, they state that it is possible to bring the passenger seats from 4 to 3 or 2, does anyone know what this means? I assume it's just the belts that will be removed?

This 2019 review related to the Knaus BoxDrive 680 ME model.

 

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews/motorhomes/details/motorhome-review-knaus-boxdrive-680-me-campervan/1001555

 

The model is 6.84m in length and used a VW base, but nowadays has a MAN base.

 

https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/camper-vans-cuv/boxdrive/highlights/

 

Apparently there’s also a shorter BoxDrive 600 XL, but this has a more conventional ’swing-wall’ shower room.

 

 

For a lot of their motorhomes Knaus offers the option to reduce the number of ‘permitted seats’. This is mentioned in variors Knaus documents (example here)

 

For certain motorhome models made by KNAUS ..... you have the option of reducing the number of permitted seats in the vehicle when ordering (depending on the model and only on demand). Reducing the number of permitted seats in operation by one seat increases the load capacity or the possibility of ordering additional equipment for your motorhome by a maximum of 85 kg.

 

I don’t know if this option results in Knaus actually removing seat-belts, or just involves putting a label on a seat to indicate that it MUST NOT BE USED while the motorhome is being driven. (A German Knaus dealer should be able to advise you about what Knaus does.)

[Derek Uzzell]

SAlexander - 2021-08-11 10:18 AM

 

A towbar and electrics for a PVC is unlikely to be anything like £1000-1200. When I fitted one to my Adria twin a few years ago the cost of the bar and dedicated wiring kit was less than £200 and only took an hour or so to fit.

That’s undoubtedly the case when it comes to DIY retro-fitting, but in v235091’s posting of 30 July 2021 11:00 AM above he referred to an Adria brochure that quoted a factory-fitted price of £1190 for the towbar/electrics option. To his subsequent question "Why is towbar so expensive?” I said "It’s to be anticipated that the cost of a factory-fitted towbar + electrics will exceed £1000” and I believe that to be the case. Once DIYing is thrown into the mix, factory option prices become irrelevant.

[Brian Kirby]

And from memory, after market towbar fitting specialists fall between the two, so maybe worth exploring - assuming such specialists exist in Germany. I believe the bar and fitting would need to be TÜV certificated for T/A reasons, and the registration document altered accordingly, which, presumably, would carry additional costs.

[v23509l]

Derek Uzzell - 2021-08-12 9:14 AM

 

v23509l - 2021-08-10 5:23 PM

 

I have stumbled upon a very interesting model: Knauss Boxdrive. I find the circular bathroom very interesting. They will be in Dusseldorf. Btw, in options, they state that it is possible to bring the passenger seats from 4 to 3 or 2, does anyone know what this means? I assume it's just the belts that will be removed?

This 2019 review related to the Knaus BoxDrive 680 ME model.

 

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews/motorhomes/details/motorhome-review-knaus-boxdrive-680-me-campervan/1001555

 

The model is 6.84m in length and used a VW base, but nowadays has a MAN base.

 

https://www.knaus.com/en-uk/camper-vans-cuv/boxdrive/highlights/

 

Apparently there’s also a shorter BoxDrive 600 XL, but this has a more conventional ’swing-wall’ shower room.

 

 

For a lot of their motorhomes Knaus offers the option to reduce the number of ‘permitted seats’. This is mentioned in variors Knaus documents (example here)

 

For certain motorhome models made by KNAUS ..... you have the option of reducing the number of permitted seats in the vehicle when ordering (depending on the model and only on demand). Reducing the number of permitted seats in operation by one seat increases the load capacity or the possibility of ordering additional equipment for your motorhome by a maximum of 85 kg.

 

I don’t know if this option results in Knaus actually removing seat-belts, or just involves putting a label on a seat to indicate that it MUST NOT BE USED while the motorhome is being driven. (A German Knaus dealer should be able to advise you about what Knaus does.)

Yes, I will ask about the seats, thank you.

[v23509l]

Do you guys know of any other sub 7m motorhomes similar to the Le Voyageur 6.8, which is a luxury motorhome for a couple?

[Derek Uzzell]

There will be plenty of current sub-7m-long A-class models that fall into the ‘luxury’ category that the LV 6.8LF aspires to, but these (bought new) will cost far more than your original budget. This UK advert for a SECONDHAND LV 6.8LF quoted an asking price of £95K.

 

https://pullingers.co.uk/motorhomes-search/all-motorhomes/2018-(18)-le-voyageur-lv-6.8-lf.html

 

You’ll also note the 3700kg weight - some A-class motorhomes are marketed at a 3500kg weight, but ‘luxury’ ones either tend to weigh more or have very little realistic payload.

[colin]

Hymer DuoMobil B-DL 534, would do all you want with a decent size lounge for working/relaxing, and the dropdown bed overcab.

[Derek Uzzell]

Comments on the Hymer here

 

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/hymer-b534dl.221703/

[v23509l]

Thanks all

[Derek Uzzell]

Near to the time when the French leisure-vehicle show at Le Bourget is due to take place, the main French camping-car magazine publishes a special issue that focuses on the show, looks at the latest models and the vehicles on which they are based, and lists all the motorhomes currently available in France by type and price with a summary of their specification.

 

For alternatives to a LeVoyageur LV6.8LF, it would be quite easy to confirm from the list the price of that A-Class motorhome and its dimensions and then check what other motorhome manufacturers are offering that come close in price and size. Plainly ‘luxury’ is a matter of opinion, but if the LeVoyageur’s price were (say) €95000, other sub-7m motorhomes around that price would likely be similarly ‘luxurious’. So models from Carthago, Frankia or Hymer might be considered.

 

A-class motorhomes can be very expensive or relatively cheap and it’s likely that price will be a deciding factor. (No point in dreaming about a new sub-7m Carthago, Frankia, Hymer or LeVoyageur A-class if one’s budget won’t stretch beyond €60K.)

 

Don't German motorhome magazines publish similar special issues for the Dusseldorf show?

[v23509l]

I actually do not know what are the leading German or French magazines in this area? And I don't know anything about the French motorhome fair?

[Derek Uzzell]

No reason why you should be interested in the French show at Le Bourget - I just gave it as an example.

 

“Promobil” is probably the most important German motorhome-related magazine

 

https://www.promobil.de/

 

https://www.promobil.de/caravan-salon-duesseldorf/

 

I would have thought Promobil magazine will be very widely available in newsagents/supermarkets throughout Gemany.

 

(As you are a motothome novice and Germany based, if you are relying primarily on advice from this relatively small UK forum to help you with your purchasing plans, it’s no wonder you are having difficulties...)

[v23509l]

That is great, thank you!

[v23509l]

I have found another motorhome similar to the Le Voyageur, even a more compact one:

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews/motorhomes/details/motorhome-review-hymer-b-dl-444-a-class/930237

 

However, it doesn't seem that Hymer is still making this layout (I have sent them a message to ask). Do you know of any other motorhomes with 2 berths only and a similar layout to these models? Meaning, a big kitchen and a roomy bathroom, with a pull down double bed, up to 7m? Price is less important, just to see what is available.

 

Btw. and maybe interesting, I've learned that the entire erwin hymer group will not be present in Dusseldorf.

[Derek Uzzell]

The Hymer B-DL 444 was a pure 2-berth A-class design with narrow (2.22m) and short (5.99m) dimensions. The layout was as shown in the image attached below and there are some good photos here

 

https://www.motorhomedepot.com/vehicle/hymer-b444-dl-rear-garage-end-kitchen-motorhome-for-sale

 

Pure 2-berth A-class motorhomes target a small buyer group and - although many motorhome manufacturers have offered them in the past - the model has usually been dropped after a couple of years.

 

There’s nothing equivalent in the Hymer 2022 line-up (as the brochure shows)

 

https://www.hymer.com/hymer/drucksachen/2022/katalog/motorhomes/hym210524_gesamtjahresbroschueren_motor_caravans_21_22_210x297_en_online.pdf

 

Bavaria and Pilote both made “600L” A-class 2-bert models until quite recently, while Frankia has the F-Line I 640 SD (except that has a 4500kg weight).

 

https://www.frankia.com/wohnmobile-und-reisemobile/frankia-f-line/i-640

 

(If you think a Hymer B-DL 444 would meet your requirements, you could consider buying a used vehicle. As it’s probable that you’ll need to modify significantly whatever you buy (which may well reduce its resale value) paying less at the outset and not being too concerned about potential warranty conflicts might be a good idea).

 

Regarding the Dusseldorf show, the Erwin Hyme Group issued this press release in March 2021

 

https://www.erwinhymergroup.com/en/press/~p~907079

 

 

 

[v23509l]

Interesting that these layouts are so rare. This Hymer might well prove to be really good. If anyone else thinks of anything similar, please let me know.