Xtra lwb Van conversions

[howie]

With many of these new van conversions now approaching the 6m mark i,m wondering what the advantages are of owning a v/c are anymore.

Width apart, you might just as well buy a similar sized coachbuilt, with all the comfort that comes with them, of which there are plenty to choose from and usually a lot cheaper as well.

Ours is 5.55 in length and about the maximum we want for dual purpose and getting to those out of the way places we like to visit, and increasing the length seems to me self defeating.

[icelander]

Yes I agree dear chap

 

4.8m VW Topaz v 5.4m Knaus Traveller

 

Topaz go anywhere because narower but once you are there it is all Knaus for comfort

[BGD]

Howie - anyone would think this is actually a Motorhome related topic!!!!

 

What on earth possessed you to post it in Chatterbox.....rather than Motorhome Matters.

 

You know us children in Chatterbox aren't allowed to play with the grown-ups over there...........

 

 

 

[howie]

Always take an interest with the main forum Bruce but its just that I prefer using this one.

Owned a VW once Amy but just a little to small for our needs i,m afraid.

[colin]

o.k. I'll rise to the bait :D

1 wheelbase, compare a Adria Twin with the same lenght Adria Coral Compact, Twin w/b 4.035m Compact 3.45m, this has couple of affects, it is much easier to load a Twin as more weight goes to front axle, the Twin is more stable on road as wheels are closer to the corners, if towing then the shorter leaverage of tow bar on twin gives better handling.

2 Structural Integraty, I have seen a c/b totaly destroyed in a accident on M2, the same would not have happened to a v/c, the previous owner of our van tried to drive between a bollard and house and got it wedged in place, if he was in a c/b he would proboly have made it but only have the cab left, I drive about 10,000 miles a year in van, due to local conditions the sides often get a wack from branches, wouldn't like that to happen in a c/b.

I have thought long and hard about choise of v/c or c/b and for the use I give it then v/c wins out.

[icelander]

Yes good ponts there Colin

[howie]

No bait offered on this one Colin and I agree with your comments. The pros and cons between van and coachbuilt have been discussed a few times on this forum and I do prefer the v/c we now own, but if the option was only between v/c and c/b, both at 6m, then the extra room and luxury afforded with the c/b would possibly have me favouring the latter, of which i,ve owned a few, and found to be far more comfortable once on site.