Hi guys! We downsized from a Burstner coach built to a Autosleeper Warwick XL. We had fault after fault with the Burstner after everyone said buy German and don’t buy British! We’ve had the XL over three years and it’s been great! It has a separate full size shower👌The bathroom would suit you perfectly! The biggest bonus is the ease of driving and a big plus is how quiet it is compared to the coachbuilt! Hope this helps if you are thinking of downsizing?! Keep up the good work!👍
We downsized from a twin axle 7.5m x 2.4m caravan to a 5.9m Ducato panel van campervan. Suggest you take a look at the Dreamer D55 ltd select which was our choice. Separate Shower I.e. not with the loo & washbasin which are separate across the aisle, decent day area at the front, fix double bed at the back withe loads of garage doom below the bed. We love it & don’t miss the huge caravan! Proper sized kitchen sink, oven & grill & massive fridge freezer to boot.
Hello Bob, we’ve just downsized from the Swift Bolero 724fb to a Autotrail 540 V Line which we purchased from Brownhills last week, the reason for this is we can be more practical and for ease of parking whilst out and about, obviously this is a big change and we’ve had to compromise on the washroom and storage but can see the positive’s long term. The driving is more enjoyable in the Autotrail and we found this out this weekend on a night away in Carlisle traveling from Leeds. Looking forward to the future 👌🤙🚍
Hi Bob we decided to downsize from the Adamo 69/4 to a IH panel van. There are compromises but so far we are very pleased with the decision, mainly use sites for a night or 2, shower, wash pots on sites amenities. We have rear lounge which is superb. A bit tight for our Labrador turning in the aisle but all doable, awning makes a big difference, and we only take what we are going to need, the wife will also drive the van whereas she wouldn’t drive the Motorhome. Keep up the good work.
Hi Bob & Jenny, we downsized from a four berth Dethleffs to a two berth IH Motorhome (PVC) there is of course a compromise and it is in the bathroom and storage as others have mentioned. We were looking for a 6 or 6.3m van but to get the best washroom and have both front seats swivel we chose a 6.8m, which was only marginally shorter than the Dethleffs. The bathroom is very nice with a small fixed washbasin set into a cupboard, as far as we are concerned the main compromise was having a shower curtain but we have had the van over two years and during Covid we had to use the washroom continuously and dress outside of the washroom. The van has a much smaller garage or should we say boot so you have to plan where everything you need is stored but it can hold a table and two chairs, water and electric cables, small tool and accessory box plus a small Cadac. Where the van comes into its own is in the driving of, it handles beautifully and being a VW it feels more like a car and of course is narrower than the previous van which reduces the squeaky bum situations on narrow roads, we just love it, all the best Brian & Sandra
We have a 6m Citroen Relay conversion by East Neuk Camper-vans , really good quality & use of space! We even have a ceramic loo in ours 🫢 We don’t use site facilities since covid, when we’ve used the shower, I use Karcher to help get rid of the water & then a quick wipe with micro fibre cloth. We have come from a caravan & can safely say, we would never go back. The long sofas are just great for relaxing & are you finding you get to see more of the outside than in a Moho? You’re welcome to have a look at ours anytime, it’s quite unique in its layout 😎 Best wishes Em xx 😘
There are too many negatives for me about this van. Of course some can be remedied such as fly screens etc. I also hate curtains and much prefer black out blinds, but that's just me and I recognise some people like curtains. The outside of the van looks good and I do like the lounge seats. It's nice to know that the washroom is being re-designed. Someone very slim indeed must have designed that sink and it was my biggest put off when I saw it. I would much rather have smaller cupboards and a bigger washroom. Good to know that your feedback has been taken on Bob and Jenny as you gave an excellent review.
We down sized from a 7.4 mtr Bailey 765 to a ih Nclass 630RL , and we think it was the best thing we ever did , the wash room in the ih is not such a squeeze/ compromise as this van but as you say tidiness is key everything has to have a place , hope to see you at Norfolk
Hi both plus Poppy & Tara of course. To downsize to the magic 3500 figure you would be hard pressed to find an outfit better than the Auto-sleeper Broadway EB. Easy to set up the beds , three gas & one electric hob , microwave at a sensible level and a massive end washroom/dressing room. It would make for a great revue sometime Bob. Wait until we have got ours though!!!
Good to see you both sampling a panel van conversion. Pity you couldn’t drive it. You are always welcome to drive Smirf if you would like to. It’s a bit longer than the Peugeot with 4 metres between the wheels but the VW offers real comfort behind the wheel. Hope to see you at the Norfolk show 🚐👍🏻 Trev
We currently own a Pilote P740. I liked the campervan as it would fit on my drive instead of overhanging liked our current one does when we bring it home from storage. We both like the Swift Select 164 with the side french bed. The new model had all the heating etc built underneath so the bed is ideal for storage. As you both said.. You have to compromise somewhere. I could save £500 a year of I kept it at home ...
I think if I were to look for a smaller van, I would go down the smaller coachbuilt option, I'm not a fan of the campervan style with those swish-bang slidy doors. That one does look very good though. I worked in the motor trade for 15 years or so, and you can drive on trade plates provided an employee is with you - just like if you were wanting to buy it, you would need to drive it. Unless laws have changed in the last 10 years or so, the dealership could have had a staff member in the passenger seat and you could drive, so seems to me its more a local issue with the dealer not wanting others to drive, which is a little strange! Thanks again though for a very open and honest review. Its the perfect van for someone out there.
Hi Bob, we always look out for your videos and this one in particular we found interesting as we downsized from our Elddis Avante 550 caravan to a CV40, so we could get to places we were reluctant to tow to. I have to say that it’s the best thing we’ve done. We did consider a larger coachbuilt, but decided we wanted the flexibility that the smaller van offered. We decided on the CV40 because of the dining area at the front and the ability to rotate the chairs the effectively have two areas within the van. We haven’t missed the extra space, as we just pack wisely. Yes, the washrooms are smaller, but that’s a compromise we were ok with. On a lighter note, the kids in my class asked me the other day who my favourite youtuber was. When I said “Bob Earnshaw”, they just looked at me blankly and got on with solving quadratic equations. Hopefully some of them will have looked you up!!!! Keep it up Bob. Love the channel
We have decided our next van will be a downsize to something similar. We like the long sofas and this is always our preferred layout but we certainly couldn’t cope with that washroom. We are pretty confident our next one will be an Autosleeper Warwick XL that has 6’3” settees and a toilet with a separate shower area. They get the extra room by using a under floor whale heater and a refillable gas bottle fixed under the van. It has a narrower wardrobe which is the compromise. Interesting video and helpful.👍
Depends if downsizing is for the length/width or both. The autotrail imala 615 has the long bench seats & washroom isn’t a wet room (screen to shower). Never fill the many cupboards & those over the cab are huge. We love ours 😊
We have a 615 on order - this is the compromise between my husband and I !!! I wanted a PVC but he was adamant he wanted to stick to a coachbuilt (previous van was an autotrail cherokee) only time will tell if we have made the right decision ? X
Hubby says the only thing he would change is the step…..it’s quite a high van & he says it would warrant an electric double step instead of the single. I hope you enjoy yours when it arrives as much as we do 😊
Great Review Bob & Jenny and thanks for coming down to try out the van. All your feedback has been taken on and we are currently re-designing the washroom to make it slightly better plus some other changes! Shame we couldn’t get you to drive the van but unfortunately as you know time constraints meant it was difficult to sort something. However maybe we could get you down to have a drive and see if revised at some point👍🏻 Cheers, Oliver
I have a Possl 5.4m PVC, it's got a clever 'expandable' shower arrangement that works pretty well for regular use........ That bathroom does look a bit pokey and no storage for items? I think it's a shame that a seat swivel is an extra as it makes such a difference in any PVC to the sense of space. I also thought the kitchen storage would be better as drawers than cupboards. Great review (as ever) you two...... Looks like a good van that could do with a bit more refining!
We had a Bailey 79-4 and decided to downsize for more flexibility..we are picking up our new Autotrail vline 610 SE in 2 weeks time..it is a compromise as the Bailey was for us luxury, fixed bed..lots of storage and a good size washroom. However, we lacked the ability to go out and about in her and at times I felt I wasn't seeing enough of the areas we visited. I expect we will have to adjust but like you we are going to love the lounge area, storage and the size of the washroom could be an issue but you know what..we will make it work because ease of getting around for me is what it's about also the Autotrail Vline isn't a bad little campervan. In addition we can fit it on our drive so will use it for more day trips and britstops. I guess time will tell 🙂 we saw this van a while back and agree with your review especially the over sized wardrobe giving way to a smaller sized washroom and why no swivel front seat 🤔 thanks another great review and vlog 🙂
Hi Bob and Jenny, that was a great review, nice seating and sleeping area, but for me the washroom would put me off, I like a shower room. The storage was very well thought out , thank you for sharing x cuddle for Poppy and Tara x
It's clear from both your review and Peter Vaughns reviews that there are some aspects of this particular campervan model which are quite appealing. The kitchen for example seems to be very well equipped, but the washroom leaves quite a bit to be desired, pinch approximately 8" from the kitchen and that would make a huge difference. The downside for me is the fact that the beds are a make up nightly job and also because it's on a Peugeot chassis there is no option to have automatic transmission. I agree with you that I prefer to use the onboard facilities rather than the sites. Overall this is a very nice campervan and a great addition to the existing choices available. Thank you for your honest opinions.
Hi bob and jenny well you said the front seats dont turn around and i think that would be a big miss as the front seats always seem more comfortable the bathroom is small and would be better if bigger for you both so that you are comfortable using it when it rains or no facilities on site covid etc for the price of the van otherwise looks a nice van x
Hi Bob & Jenny, It’s nice to have the chance to do a live in test, even if you can’t drive it. I downsized from a MH wIth a similar layout to yours, ie an end wash room and fixed single beds. I chose an IH 680 crafter, the same as Posh Cats. I love the rear lounge with views all round and the long kitchen. The wash room is smaller than the MH and a wet room, but it has a proper sink with storage below and a medicine cupboard above. IH let you pick and choose your own fittings (at a price of course) Life is all about compromise and after a month long tour I’m about to remove all the stuff that I didn’t really need to take with me.
I loved the seating/sleeping area, it’s the one thing about Madge we are not happy with. What are your thoughts on flip up sinks compared to static sinks. I have to say I’m not fancying a flip up as I fear spillages and difficultly with cleaning. Take care Gill
If you mean the washroom sink, it was OK. What we noticed was water coming up through the shower plug hole when we emptied the full sink. It was too big for the small washroom as well.
Nice honest review as usual, we have opted for the Adria Compact DL you did a quick walk around at the NEC in Feb. Fixed beds, tons of storage a little longer than a conversion at 7m but most importantly nice and narrow.
Hi Bob and Jenny, interesting review, we downsized last year, from a motor Home to a Eldiss cv20 campervan , rear lounge on a 6 metre van , we love it, Fiat Ducato base vehicle , yes it's a compromise ,the space saved is the washroom , but you get used to it, we decided what do you really need to take, and a lot was left behind ,I cannot see the point of the caravan type curtains , we bought a utility tent to put the chairs and bikes in when on site, and for us, it's the business
We went with the K-yacht 80. Love the rear lounge in our van. It is a smaller motorhome than our last one but you can take it anywhere which is a plus. Downside has been the continuing problem with the water, apparently a known problem, unfortunately we didn't know about it before we bought it. It came from Marques in England to New Zealand. I am looking at getting a Ridgemonkey from Amazon UK, do you guys still use yours?
Great video thanks both, very interesting your opinion coming from a bigger van to try this one 👍 We have actually 5 x 3-pin sockets in our van as a comparison but really like that sliding window in the near side rear as it stops the sliding door hitting a windows which opens out like our van, we have to be very careful 😬
Hi Bob. As usual a comprehensive and useful review. Could I ask you for a rough, off the top of your head estimate of the following annual fixed fees for a van like this? Road tax: £260 (is that right?) Full Insurance (including European cover): ????? MOT and Hab tests: ????? Roadside breakdown cover (including European cover): ????? Storage: not required
About the only thing that won't vary is VED. If it's registered as a motorcaravan, I believe that would be £265. Insurance will depend on a whole host of factors, expect anything! MOT should be same as a car. You'd be better getting a quote, our Breakdown cover is part of the insurance.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Thanks Bob. I thought it might be a 'how long is a piece of string?' sort of question. I appreciate the reply though. Take care and keep up the great content.
What a lovely campervan Bob, and the price, considering todays market is excellent , well worth it even if you put a awning on and other things it brings it well in to the Elddsi CV bracket. Whats the build quality like ?? Looks very good on the video. Shame you could nt drive it though.Still nice review Bob and Jenny
It’s a pity about the washroom as it’s smaller than mine but the van is bigger than mine, very disappointing. My 6 metre van can go just about anywhere, the only thing that causes a problem is height barriers.
I really like that van. We have a 5.4m Devon Colorado which is similar to the AS Symbol but it’s a bit too small so we think we should go slightly bigger. We like the Devon Aztec and the AS Warwick or as everyone has recommended the AS Warwick XL, I’m just a little worried it’s a bit too big for me to manoeuvre. It’s interesting listening your thoughts on the bathroom because we always use the facilities but have used our tiny bathroom in an emergency and it was tight but doable, it’s about a third smaller that’s the one in the RL. I think campervans are more of a camping experience and our current van is luxurious compared to our last Ford Transit pop top with no bathroom at all! 😂😂. I also think a campervan is a bit more hard work than a motorhome would be but I enjoy that. We also have some plastic boxes that hold ground sheets and wind breaks and cables etc and they fit under the van lovely, so we park up open the rear doors and under they go, five minutes and it’s done. I suppose starting small and getting slightly bigger is easier than going from a luxury motorhome downwards. The price of the van is also impressive but I must say swivel front seats are a must for me. Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts, we always value your opinions and for producing another interesting video.
The AS Warwick Duo is a 6m van, but I dislike the layout with the toilet/shower on the sliding door side. If the kitchen and toilet/shower swapped sides (like the Warwick XL) then it would be perfect.
@@y0rkiebar that’s interesting because I was thinking if the XL was the same as the duo I might feel more confident driving the bigger van 😂😂. I have a front sofa in my current van and I like the window above it on the drivers side to check the blind spot when I pull out. That’s why I’m swaying towards the Devon Aztec because it does have a small window above a cupboard behind the drivers seat. It also has the kitchen in the doorway which definitely feels more airy and spacious. Thanks for the information, it’s good to hear from other peoples experiences.
Thank you for this review. I have been trying to see as many motorhomes/campervans as I can before I travel back to New Zealand but the issue i have is there is no stock out there. Well not that I can find!! Do you have any top tips on where I could go to see a good wide selection of vans? I know you show Todds often on your channel, as I am in Wigan I went there, not far away, no stock... very disappointed.. I feel I have exhausted Google... :)
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Thank you very much, great advise, Went along to SMC and Brownhills, was great to look around all their stock, well worth a visit. Thanks again.
Great video from all of you .I understand about the difficulties of the washroom as we have one similar to ourselves we tend to be a bit organised having washed at the sink all over then a rinse with the shower clothes ready prior job is a good un
I'd most probably sacrifice a smaller wet room if I liked the van overall. Luckily majority of the sites you do go to have the facilities, and if they didn't you'd only have to use your own for a week at a time maximum. Plus if you get one you won't want to stay at the same place to long so we all get more videos.
Great video. We had a 6m motorhome and moved to an Autosleepers Warwick XL which is very similar but larger washroom. It is definitely less stressful to drive on narrower roads :-)
I'm always interested in these reviews as a family member is planning on buying a Campervan next year and standing at 6'4" wondering if I'll fit into it!🤣 Good review 👍
The thing you can't do on this test is drive it, because you would find van conversions are much more stable and car like to drive. Even on a windy day you can still cruise at 70 mph and you notice coach builts getting blown about. There is the compromise of size but we take too much away anyway and given the easier parking you may not need to tow a car. It's all about what suits you best.
That's the one thing I couldn't judge, the drive, and we would be able to park in more places. I still see PVCs towing cars though, as you still have height restrictions. Good point about the stability in wind.
Hi just wondering if you have had experience of a SWIFT BESSACARR 542 2019. I am thinking of buying one fitted with a fiat 130 multi jet engine. Is this engine underpowered?
I don't think I've looked at the Bessacarr 542, it's a smaller motorhome, so the 130 bhp engine should be OK, as long as you're not planning on towing something heavy.
Looks like the dogs like it👍. Shame you couldn't drive it,We have the same van as your friend Alison the wildax aurora leisure but 6 metre not xl, Its a doddle down country lanes and haven't struggled to park up anywhere bar the odd height barrier, perhaps she will let you take it for a spin. Not sure I fancy carrying the gas bottle in and out of the van though
Like Jenny, at 5ft 2 and a bit, lots of motorhomes, caravans and camper vans have challenges re height of storage (especially over fixed bed or above the hob/sink), height of toilet and whoever decided to put a microwave with a turntable above our eyeline height needs serving with a health and safety violation. The air has been blue in the past when trying to refit the turntable plate in the notches when I can't see them. I'm guessing most designers are 6ft men. I have a little plastic step which is invaluable. Mr D has a large tum, due to a kidney issue, so I'd have loved to have seen him trying to use the shower room sink.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Mr D is a retired mechanical engineer and as we have additional seatbelted seats with headrests he manufactured me a table that drops into the headrests and the microwave is fixed to the table. Loads easier and can be used off grid too with the inverter. Lucky girl.
it is a nice van Bob i remember i was once at an agricaultrual show once and they had some camper vans simular layout to the one youve currently got but they just scheemed like they wernt biult properly and like it was real plasticy they were not nice vans
Had to just stop the video and write you a comment. At 5.40 mins, when Jennie was showing the big drawers in the Kitchen area, what is the black shaped tube with yellow ends, in a clear bag? I'm curious, as we got our first motorhome last Tuesday and we had 2 exact pipes and we have no idea what they are.
Great vlog as usual. We have downsized from a very large moho to a much smaller campervan or ( whizz bang ) as they are called in Oz, & we are happy with what we have got (Mercedes sprinter body) We have a combined toilet/shower with much lower toilet than the one in your demo van & a small fixed corner sink which works for us. We still have plenty of storage space. As you mentioned it does take a while to get used to the new layout. We have a compressor fridge but find that its much more versatile because its 12 volt & 240 volt. And, due to the amount of flies & mozzies over here we have fly screens on both the sliding door & the rear doors. We enjoy your vlogs & look out for a new one .
Not sure that's right, (quick Google) It should have drop vents and according to www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome if "the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply: the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply: the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure"
But is that not why we have to go outside to turn the gas in as apposed to having a little flap to put our hand through keeping the gas supply and inside living area separate.
It's something I've not studied, but this might be worth a read, it looks like it can be inside if it's no more than 7kg. But, I'm going to assume the builders of the van know what they're doing as they have years of experience building van conversions. www.campervanlife.com/camping/gas-bottles/#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%3A,be%20displayed%2C%20if%20for%20reward.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo you may well be correct Bob but when Bailey started putting gas over the axle in caravans a asked if they put flap in to save going round van and unlocking door. They told me no sealed unit has to be kept away from inside van as is firewall. But who knows may have hanged the law.
Nice van that, saw Peter Vaughn review it, you should come over to the dark side with all us cool kids…. Or maybe not! Cheers I liked that, shame about the trade plates and not driving it.
Sorry, we can't remember, this was filmed two years ago. I suspect it had a portable fold out table stored above the cab. Here is the link to the website www.webbsmotorcaravans.co.uk/auto-explore/vehicles/auto-explore-rl-6/
@ Thank you . We sold our MH yesterday and I am now in a bit of a panic looking for a new one and we can’t find one that ticks all our boxes yet, probably not possible
Great video, was really interested in your opinion. I think you have to compromise whichever way you go, small van small shower large van can't take it anywhere. You need to decide what you want, sorry let's say that again, you need to decide what your wife wants😆
Hi guys! We downsized from a Burstner coach built to a Autosleeper Warwick XL. We had fault after fault with the Burstner after everyone said buy German and don’t buy British! We’ve had the XL over three years and it’s been great! It has a separate full size shower👌The bathroom would suit you perfectly! The biggest bonus is the ease of driving and a big plus is how quiet it is compared to the coachbuilt! Hope this helps if you are thinking of downsizing?! Keep up the good work!👍
Thank you. There can be problems with all makes.
We downsized from a twin axle 7.5m x 2.4m caravan to a 5.9m Ducato panel van campervan. Suggest you take a look at the Dreamer D55 ltd select which was our choice. Separate Shower I.e. not with the loo & washbasin which are separate across the aisle, decent day area at the front, fix double bed at the back withe loads of garage doom below the bed. We love it & don’t miss the huge caravan!
Proper sized kitchen sink, oven & grill & massive fridge freezer to boot.
I'll let you into a secret - we're not really downsizing, or at least we have a better idea what's involved.
Hello Bob, we’ve just downsized from the Swift Bolero 724fb to a Autotrail 540 V Line which we purchased from Brownhills last week, the reason for this is we can be more practical and for ease of parking whilst out and about, obviously this is a big change and we’ve had to compromise on the washroom and storage but can see the positive’s long term. The driving is more enjoyable in the Autotrail and we found this out this weekend on a night away in Carlisle traveling from Leeds. Looking forward to the future 👌🤙🚍
Thank might be the big advantage of a PVC, but I couldn't say!
Hi Bob we decided to downsize from the Adamo 69/4 to a IH panel van. There are compromises but so far we are very pleased with the decision, mainly use sites for a night or 2, shower, wash pots on sites amenities. We have rear lounge which is superb. A bit tight for our Labrador turning in the aisle but all doable, awning makes a big difference, and we only take what we are going to need, the wife will also drive the van whereas she wouldn’t drive the Motorhome. Keep up the good work.
I can see the advantages if you are using on site facilities and one or two nights a time.
Hi Bob & Jenny, we downsized from a four berth Dethleffs to a two berth IH Motorhome (PVC) there is of course a compromise and it is in the bathroom and storage as others have mentioned. We were looking for a 6 or 6.3m van but to get the best washroom and have both front seats swivel we chose a 6.8m, which was only marginally shorter than the Dethleffs. The bathroom is very nice with a small fixed washbasin set into a cupboard, as far as we are concerned the main compromise was having a shower curtain but we have had the van over two years and during Covid we had to use the washroom continuously and dress outside of the washroom. The van has a much smaller garage or should we say boot so you have to plan where everything you need is stored but it can hold a table and two chairs, water and electric cables, small tool and accessory box plus a small Cadac. Where the van comes into its own is in the driving of, it handles beautifully and being a VW it feels more like a car and of course is narrower than the previous van which reduces the squeaky bum situations on narrow roads, we just love it, all the best Brian & Sandra
Yes, our friends Poshcats Camping have an IH. Very nice.
We have a 6m Citroen Relay conversion by East Neuk Camper-vans , really good quality & use of space! We even have a ceramic loo in ours 🫢 We don’t use site facilities since covid, when we’ve used the shower, I use Karcher to help get rid of the water & then a quick wipe with micro fibre cloth. We have come from a caravan & can safely say, we would never go back. The long sofas are just great for relaxing & are you finding you get to see more of the outside than in a Moho? You’re welcome to have a look at ours anytime, it’s quite unique in its layout 😎 Best wishes Em xx 😘
Yes, always liked the look of the East Nuek vans.
I saw on Urban van life channel , they had a fly screen made for the sliding door.
There are too many negatives for me about this van. Of course some can be remedied such as fly screens etc. I also hate curtains and much prefer black out blinds, but that's just me and I recognise some people like curtains. The outside of the van looks good and I do like the lounge seats. It's nice to know that the washroom is being re-designed. Someone very slim indeed must have designed that sink and it was my biggest put off when I saw it. I would much rather have smaller cupboards and a bigger washroom. Good to know that your feedback has been taken on Bob and Jenny as you gave an excellent review.
We down sized from a 7.4 mtr Bailey 765 to a ih Nclass 630RL , and we think it was the best thing we ever did , the wash room in the ih is not such a squeeze/ compromise as this van but as you say tidiness is key everything has to have a place , hope to see you at Norfolk
That's what we'd have to do, put things away. Might be good for me!
Hi both plus Poppy & Tara of course. To downsize to the magic 3500 figure you would be hard pressed to find an outfit better than the Auto-sleeper Broadway EB. Easy to set up the beds , three gas & one electric hob , microwave at a sensible level and a massive end washroom/dressing room. It would make for a great revue sometime Bob. Wait until we have got ours though!!!
We do like Auto- Sleepers.
Good to see you both sampling a panel van conversion. Pity you couldn’t drive it. You are always welcome to drive Smirf if you would like to. It’s a bit longer than the Peugeot with 4 metres between the wheels but the VW offers real comfort behind the wheel. Hope to see you at the Norfolk show 🚐👍🏻 Trev
Yes, we'll see you at Norfolk.
We currently own a Pilote P740. I liked the campervan as it would fit on my drive instead of overhanging liked our current one does when we bring it home from storage. We both like the Swift Select 164 with the side french bed. The new model had all the heating etc built underneath so the bed is ideal for storage. As you both said.. You have to compromise somewhere. I could save £500 a year of I kept it at home ...
I think if I were to look for a smaller van, I would go down the smaller coachbuilt option, I'm not a fan of the campervan style with those swish-bang slidy doors. That one does look very good though. I worked in the motor trade for 15 years or so, and you can drive on trade plates provided an employee is with you - just like if you were wanting to buy it, you would need to drive it. Unless laws have changed in the last 10 years or so, the dealership could have had a staff member in the passenger seat and you could drive, so seems to me its more a local issue with the dealer not wanting others to drive, which is a little strange! Thanks again though for a very open and honest review. Its the perfect van for someone out there.
We did get used to the doors.
Hi Bob, we always look out for your videos and this one in particular we found interesting as we downsized from our Elddis Avante 550 caravan to a CV40, so we could get to places we were reluctant to tow to. I have to say that it’s the best thing we’ve done. We did consider a larger coachbuilt, but decided we wanted the flexibility that the smaller van offered. We decided on the CV40 because of the dining area at the front and the ability to rotate the chairs the effectively have two areas within the van. We haven’t missed the extra space, as we just pack wisely. Yes, the washrooms are smaller, but that’s a compromise we were ok with. On a lighter note, the kids in my class asked me the other day who my favourite youtuber was. When I said “Bob Earnshaw”, they just looked at me blankly and got on with solving quadratic equations. Hopefully some of them will have looked you up!!!! Keep it up Bob. Love the channel
Thanks, interesting to hear about how you get on with the CV40. I'm obviously not down with the kids. 🤣👍
@@BobEarnshawMoHo 👍😄
We have decided our next van will be a downsize to something similar. We like the long sofas and this is always our preferred layout but we certainly couldn’t cope with that washroom. We are pretty confident our next one will be an Autosleeper Warwick XL that has 6’3” settees and a toilet with a separate shower area. They get the extra room by using a under floor whale heater and a refillable gas bottle fixed under the van. It has a narrower wardrobe which is the compromise. Interesting video and helpful.👍
Yes, we were looking at that too.
Depends if downsizing is for the length/width or both.
The autotrail imala 615 has the long bench seats & washroom isn’t a wet room (screen to shower). Never fill the many cupboards & those over the cab are huge. We love ours 😊
Yes, we always love the cupboards in the Auto-Trails.
We have a 615 on order - this is the compromise between my husband and I !!! I wanted a PVC but he was adamant he wanted to stick to a coachbuilt (previous van was an autotrail cherokee) only time will tell if we have made the right decision ? X
Hubby says the only thing he would change is the step…..it’s quite a high van & he says it would warrant an electric double step instead of the single. I hope you enjoy yours when it arrives as much as we do 😊
Great Review Bob & Jenny and thanks for coming down to try out the van. All your feedback has been taken on and we are currently re-designing the washroom to make it slightly better plus some other changes!
Shame we couldn’t get you to drive the van but unfortunately as you know time constraints meant it was difficult to sort something. However maybe we could get you down to have a drive and see if revised at some point👍🏻 Cheers, Oliver
Good to hear about the washroom redesign.
I have a Possl 5.4m PVC, it's got a clever 'expandable' shower arrangement that works pretty well for regular use........ That bathroom does look a bit pokey and no storage for items? I think it's a shame that a seat swivel is an extra as it makes such a difference in any PVC to the sense of space. I also thought the kitchen storage would be better as drawers than cupboards. Great review (as ever) you two...... Looks like a good van that could do with a bit more refining!
Yes, it needs a little development.
We had a Bailey 79-4 and decided to downsize for more flexibility..we are picking up our new Autotrail vline 610 SE in 2 weeks time..it is a compromise as the Bailey was for us luxury, fixed bed..lots of storage and a good size washroom. However, we lacked the ability to go out and about in her and at times I felt I wasn't seeing enough of the areas we visited. I expect we will have to adjust but like you we are going to love the lounge area, storage and the size of the washroom could be an issue but you know what..we will make it work because ease of getting around for me is what it's about also the Autotrail Vline isn't a bad little campervan. In addition we can fit it on our drive so will use it for more day trips and britstops. I guess time will tell 🙂 we saw this van a while back and agree with your review especially the over sized wardrobe giving way to a smaller sized washroom and why no swivel front seat 🤔 thanks another great review and vlog 🙂
We really wished we could have tried it out on a day out at least to find out if it did make a difference to where we go in the motorhome.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo I'm sure you will have other manufacturers chomping at the bit to get you guys to try there campervans..watch this space 👀😉
Hi Bob and Jenny, that was a great review, nice seating and sleeping area, but for me the washroom would put me off, I like a shower room. The storage was very well thought out , thank you for sharing x cuddle for Poppy and Tara x
It's clear from both your review and Peter Vaughns reviews that there are some aspects of this particular campervan model which are quite appealing. The kitchen for example seems to be very well equipped, but the washroom leaves quite a bit to be desired, pinch approximately 8" from the kitchen and that would make a huge difference. The downside for me is the fact that the beds are a make up nightly job and also because it's on a Peugeot chassis there is no option to have automatic transmission. I agree with you that I prefer to use the onboard facilities rather than the sites. Overall this is a very nice campervan and a great addition to the existing choices available. Thank you for your honest opinions.
We showed us with the made up bed, but the following nights we slept quite comfortably on just the sofas. However, like you say, it was that washroom.
Hi bob and jenny well you said the front seats dont turn around and i think that would be a big miss as the front seats always seem more comfortable the bathroom is small and would be better if bigger for you both so that you are comfortable using it when it rains or no facilities on site covid etc for the price of the van otherwise looks a nice van x
Yes, shame at least one doesn't swivel.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo if you watch Peter Vaughan's MMM video just out, there's an option to have a swivel seat apparently.
Hi Bob & Jenny, It’s nice to have the chance to do a live in test, even if you can’t drive it. I downsized from a MH wIth a similar layout to yours, ie an end wash room and fixed single beds. I chose an IH 680 crafter, the same as Posh Cats. I love the rear lounge with views all round and the long kitchen. The wash room is smaller than the MH and a wet room, but it has a proper sink with storage below and a medicine cupboard above. IH let you pick and choose your own fittings (at a price of course) Life is all about compromise and after a month long tour I’m about to remove all the stuff that I didn’t really need to take with me.
Yes I could do with doing that exercise myself soon.
Probably brilliant if you're up sizing from vw etcgreat video, thanku 👍 😆 👍
Great vid - at the moment I'd take any van! I'd agree the washroom looks small, but I don't think it would put me off.
I loved the seating/sleeping area, it’s the one thing about Madge we are not happy with. What are your thoughts on flip up sinks compared to static sinks. I have to say I’m not fancying a flip up as I fear spillages and difficultly with cleaning. Take care Gill
If you mean the washroom sink, it was OK. What we noticed was water coming up through the shower plug hole when we emptied the full sink. It was too big for the small washroom as well.
Nice honest review as usual, we have opted for the Adria Compact DL you did a quick walk around at the NEC in Feb. Fixed beds, tons of storage a little longer than a conversion at 7m but most importantly nice and narrow.
Yes, we were quite taken with the Adria Compact but didn't get a chance to have a proper look round it.
Hi Bob and Jenny, interesting review, we downsized last year, from a motor Home to a Eldiss cv20 campervan , rear lounge on a 6 metre van , we love it, Fiat Ducato base vehicle , yes it's a compromise ,the space saved is the washroom , but you get used to it, we decided what do you really need to take, and a lot was left behind ,I cannot see the point of the caravan type curtains , we bought a utility tent to put the chairs and bikes in when on site, and for us, it's the business
Yes, it's about taking what you will need rather than everything you want.
We went with the K-yacht 80. Love the rear lounge in our van. It is a smaller motorhome than our last one but you can take it anywhere which is a plus. Downside has been the continuing problem with the water, apparently a known problem, unfortunately we didn't know about it before we bought it. It came from Marques in England to New Zealand. I am looking at getting a Ridgemonkey from Amazon UK, do you guys still use yours?
Yes, we still use the ridgemonkey, great for quick meals.
Great video thanks both, very interesting your opinion coming from a bigger van to try this one 👍 We have actually 5 x 3-pin sockets in our van as a comparison but really like that sliding window in the near side rear as it stops the sliding door hitting a windows which opens out like our van, we have to be very careful 😬
Hi Bob and Jen
You both look very comfy stretched out on the long sofas . Looking forward to seeing you both again soon .
Those sofas were really comfy.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo they look it :0)
Hi Bob. As usual a comprehensive and useful review. Could I ask you for a rough, off the top of your head estimate of the following annual fixed fees for a van like this?
Road tax: £260 (is that right?)
Full Insurance (including European cover): ?????
MOT and Hab tests: ?????
Roadside breakdown cover (including European cover): ?????
Storage: not required
About the only thing that won't vary is VED. If it's registered as a motorcaravan, I believe that would be £265. Insurance will depend on a whole host of factors, expect anything! MOT should be same as a car. You'd be better getting a quote, our Breakdown cover is part of the insurance.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Thanks Bob. I thought it might be a 'how long is a piece of string?' sort of question. I appreciate the reply though. Take care and keep up the great content.
What a lovely campervan Bob, and the price, considering todays market is excellent , well worth it even if you put a awning on and other things it brings it well in to the Elddsi CV bracket. Whats the build quality like ?? Looks very good on the video. Shame you could nt drive it though.Still nice review Bob and Jenny
It felt very well put together.
It’s a pity about the washroom as it’s smaller than mine but the van is bigger than mine, very disappointing. My 6 metre van can go just about anywhere, the only thing that causes a problem is height barriers.
Think the design prioritised cupboard over washroom!
The washroom could be longer is the adjacent drawers opposite the kitchen area were made narrower.
I really like that van. We have a 5.4m Devon Colorado which is similar to the AS Symbol but it’s a bit too small so we think we should go slightly bigger. We like the Devon Aztec and the AS Warwick or as everyone has recommended the AS Warwick XL, I’m just a little worried it’s a bit too big for me to manoeuvre. It’s interesting listening your thoughts on the bathroom because we always use the facilities but have used our tiny bathroom in an emergency and it was tight but doable, it’s about a third smaller that’s the one in the RL. I think campervans are more of a camping experience and our current van is luxurious compared to our last Ford Transit pop top with no bathroom at all! 😂😂. I also think a campervan is a bit more hard work than a motorhome would be but I enjoy that. We also have some plastic boxes that hold ground sheets and wind breaks and cables etc and they fit under the van lovely, so we park up open the rear doors and under they go, five minutes and it’s done. I suppose starting small and getting slightly bigger is easier than going from a luxury motorhome downwards. The price of the van is also impressive but I must say swivel front seats are a must for me. Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts, we always value your opinions and for producing another interesting video.
Thank you, I suppose it is what you get used to.
The AS Warwick Duo is a 6m van, but I dislike the layout with the toilet/shower on the sliding door side. If the kitchen and toilet/shower swapped sides (like the Warwick XL) then it would be perfect.
@@y0rkiebar that’s interesting because I was thinking if the XL was the same as the duo I might feel more confident driving the bigger van 😂😂. I have a front sofa in my current van and I like the window above it on the drivers side to check the blind spot when I pull out. That’s why I’m swaying towards the Devon Aztec because it does have a small window above a cupboard behind the drivers seat. It also has the kitchen in the doorway which definitely feels more airy and spacious. Thanks for the information, it’s good to hear from other peoples experiences.
Thank you for this review. I have been trying to see as many motorhomes/campervans as I can before I travel back to New Zealand but the issue i have is there is no stock out there. Well not that I can find!! Do you have any top tips on where I could go to see a good wide selection of vans? I know you show Todds often on your channel, as I am in Wigan I went there, not far away, no stock... very disappointed.. I feel I have exhausted Google... :)
There is still very little stock around, but things may be starting to improve. Maybe some of the bigger dealers, like Brownhills or SMC.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Thank you very much, great advise, Went along to SMC and Brownhills, was great to look around all their stock, well worth a visit. Thanks again.
Hi Bob, lovely video as always..not enough bells n whistles..like fly screens and separate shower, drop down bed would be a deal maker
Great video from all of you .I understand about the difficulties of the washroom as we have one similar to ourselves we tend to be a bit organised having washed at the sink all over then a rinse with the shower clothes ready prior job is a good un
I'd most probably sacrifice a smaller wet room if I liked the van overall. Luckily majority of the sites you do go to have the facilities, and if they didn't you'd only have to use your own for a week at a time maximum. Plus if you get one you won't want to stay at the same place to long so we all get more videos.
The part that really we couldn't put up with was the toilet, so difficult to use for Jenny, as it was high up.
Just wondering if it has a table. Didn’t see one anywhere.
I forgot to mention the stand alone table.
Great video. We had a 6m motorhome and moved to an Autosleepers Warwick XL which is very similar but larger washroom. It is definitely less stressful to drive on narrower roads :-)
Thanks, I will definitely have to try driving a panel van conversion!
Hi Bob and Jenny. How do you think you would have been able to travel your dogs if you had been able to drive the van
In their dog crates between the rear sofas.
We wouldn't like the wet room, if we down sizing then we would have to have separate toilet and shower like we currently have.
Yes, it was a struggle that wet room.
I'm always interested in these reviews as a family member is planning on buying a Campervan next year and standing at 6'4" wondering if I'll fit into it!🤣 Good review 👍
Head room was good.
The thing you can't do on this test is drive it, because you would find van conversions are much more stable and car like to drive. Even on a windy day you can still cruise at 70 mph and you notice coach builts getting blown about. There is the compromise of size but we take too much away anyway and given the easier parking you may not need to tow a car. It's all about what suits you best.
That's the one thing I couldn't judge, the drive, and we would be able to park in more places. I still see PVCs towing cars though, as you still have height restrictions.
Good point about the stability in wind.
Is there space for a table in the lounge area?
Yes, I forgot to include the table, a free standing table is provided.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo That's good, i was wondering where you had your dinner
Hi just wondering if you have had experience of a SWIFT BESSACARR 542 2019. I am thinking of buying one fitted with a fiat 130 multi jet engine. Is this engine underpowered?
I don't think I've looked at the Bessacarr 542, it's a smaller motorhome, so the 130 bhp engine should be OK, as long as you're not planning on towing something heavy.
Looks like the dogs like it👍. Shame you couldn't drive it,We have the same van as your friend Alison the wildax aurora leisure but 6 metre not xl, Its a doddle down country lanes and haven't struggled to park up anywhere bar the odd height barrier, perhaps she will let you take it for a spin. Not sure I fancy carrying the gas bottle in and out of the van though
Yes, you've got the underfloor LPG tank too.
Like Jenny, at 5ft 2 and a bit, lots of motorhomes, caravans and camper vans have challenges re height of storage (especially over fixed bed or above the hob/sink), height of toilet and whoever decided to put a microwave with a turntable above our eyeline height needs serving with a health and safety violation. The air has been blue in the past when trying to refit the turntable plate in the notches when I can't see them. I'm guessing most designers are 6ft men. I have a little plastic step which is invaluable. Mr D has a large tum, due to a kidney issue, so I'd have loved to have seen him trying to use the shower room sink.
Yes, Jenny thinks the turntable less microwave is a brilliant idea! Just wish we had one...
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Mr D is a retired mechanical engineer and as we have additional seatbelted seats with headrests he manufactured me a table that drops into the headrests and the microwave is fixed to the table. Loads easier and can be used off grid too with the inverter. Lucky girl.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo popped a pic of microwave table on your Facebook.
THANK YOU so much for your invaluable insights! -To live IN a motorhome & to live OUT of a van!! ☺
Thank you.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo I was looking to buy a campervan. But I've UTTERLY changed my mind and want to go back to a "livable" motorhome etc. ☺
Lol, other Panel Van Conversion are available!
@@BobEarnshawMoHo I'm sure they are BUT having had both I much prefer the comfort of a motorhome etc. ☺ ☺ ☺
Hi Bob would you please add if and what charge for a pet (dog .
Thanks jeannette.
Sorry, don't understand what you are asking?
it is a nice van Bob i remember i was once at an agricaultrual show once and they had some camper vans simular layout to the one youve currently got but they just scheemed like they wernt biult properly and like it was real plasticy they were not nice vans
Thanks, the Auto Explore does feel nice inside.
Had to just stop the video and write you a comment. At 5.40 mins, when Jennie was showing the big drawers in the Kitchen area, what is the black shaped tube with yellow ends, in a clear bag? I'm curious, as we got our first motorhome last Tuesday and we had 2 exact pipes and we have no idea what they are.
I'm not sure to be honest, think it is some sort of filling pipe attachment.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo . Thank you.
@@jacquiwebster5344 its for topping up the oil due to the location of the oil fill up point..hubby tells me lol.
Thank you
@@patssp4579 . Oh Thank you. I'll pass the information along to my hubby.
Good video Bob & Jenny, bottom line if you downsize would you buy one?
Not unless the washroom was improved. I liked the lounge and the kitchen.
Great vlog as usual. We have downsized from a very large moho to a much smaller campervan or ( whizz bang ) as they are called in Oz, & we are happy with what we have got (Mercedes sprinter body) We have a combined toilet/shower with much lower toilet than the one in your demo van & a small fixed corner sink which works for us. We still have plenty of storage space. As you mentioned it does take a while to get used to the new layout. We have a compressor fridge but find that its much more versatile because its 12 volt & 240 volt. And, due to the amount of flies & mozzies over here we have fly screens on both the sliding door & the rear doors. We enjoy your vlogs & look out for a new one .
Thank you.
So is the gas locker not in a sealed compartment. I thought by law they had to be.
Not sure that's right, (quick Google) It should have drop vents and according to
www.gov.uk/government/publications/registering-a-diy-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome
if "the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure"
But is that not why we have to go outside to turn the gas in as apposed to having a little flap to put our hand through keeping the gas supply and inside living area separate.
It's something I've not studied, but this might be worth a read, it looks like it can be inside if it's no more than 7kg. But, I'm going to assume the builders of the van know what they're doing as they have years of experience building van conversions. www.campervanlife.com/camping/gas-bottles/#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%3A,be%20displayed%2C%20if%20for%20reward.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo you may well be correct Bob but when Bailey started putting gas over the axle in caravans a asked if they put flap in to save going round van and unlocking door. They told me no sealed unit has to be kept away from inside van as is firewall. But who knows may have hanged the law.
Nice van that, saw Peter Vaughn review it, you should come over to the dark side with all us cool kids…. Or maybe not! Cheers I liked that, shame about the trade plates and not driving it.
Thanks, that was the thing not knowing if we could trade a small washroom for better parking!
@@BobEarnshawMoHo the washroom definitely is an issue, that’s why we love the Auto Sleepers Warwick XL it has a separate shower.
If we were crossing over, the Warwick XL would be on our shortlist.
Is there a table ?
Sorry, we can't remember, this was filmed two years ago. I suspect it had a portable fold out table stored above the cab. Here is the link to the website www.webbsmotorcaravans.co.uk/auto-explore/vehicles/auto-explore-rl-6/
@ Thank you . We sold our MH yesterday and I am now in a bit of a panic looking for a new one and we can’t find one that ticks all our boxes yet, probably not possible
Great video, was really interested in your opinion. I think you have to compromise whichever way you go, small van small shower large van can't take it anywhere. You need to decide what you want, sorry let's say that again, you need to decide what your wife wants😆
Yep, you got that right.
Stick with same size as your swift
Anything smaller you’ll regret
In the long Room
Got to have decent wash room well i. Would want a decent one
For the price tag i think i'd have a 7m motorhome with all the bells and whistles
Good luck finding a 7m new coachbuilt for under £60k!
@@BobEarnshawMoHo Would need more than luck... Prices are crazy... Maybe a good talking point for the channel
Not one but two Lurpacks💰💰💰 in the fridge 🤣😂🤣
Always a spare...
If I was in your shoes I would not not even think about downsizing
To one of them van nice but you would regret it