A few of the things that caught my eye - the amazing use of space in the Adria (the transforming bathroom is pretty neat), the pop-top on the already high roof Serengeti, the easy bed setup on the u-shaped lounge in the Vantage; and the small format Wellhouse Terrier based on the Transit custom (wish this micro-B would catch on here) very much like a VW Westfalia - the sliding seat/bed was a really cool use of space.
Another thing that struck me was the resurging interest in the front lounge. I guess that is a trend that comes and goes. Looks like it's making a come-back in Europe, at least from the videos I'm seeing.
Not sure I'm keen on the rear kitchen idea - probably makes sense from a weight distribution standpoint, but the ones I've seen seem dark - not what you want in a kitchen.
Always nice to see what is coming out from the Euro RVs; they don't seem shy on trying new things in the market, especially layouts, and on some short wheelbase vehicles, too.
Love the "extractor hood" on the Auto Sleeper. Nice add for any RV.
Funny how something like the extractor hood is found on every kind of RV with a gas cooktop, but you never see one on a B van. I'm curious if the vent just blows out the side of the van and what kind of fitting it has.
I have two cooking rules in my van - no bacon and no fish. Both are only cooked outside.
Funny how something like the extractor hood is found on every kind of RV with a gas cooktop, but you never see one on a B van. I'm curious if the vent just blows out the side of the van and what kind of fitting it has.
I have two cooking rules in my van - no bacon and no fish. Both are only cooked outside.
The '04 RT I owned had one. This not my van but here's a photo with the exterior part circled in red:
Funny how something like the extractor hood is found on every kind of RV with a gas cooktop, but you never see one on a B van. I'm curious if the vent just blows out the side of the van and what kind of fitting it has.
Went on the Auto-Sleeper site, where they had HD video of that model. Hood is a Dometic - looks like a CK2000, which is 12v, No outside exhaust. Can find more extractor hoods on the Dometic UK site (called cooker hoods there), some with exhaust. Of course, nothing listed on the USA site.
They are 12v; don't know if one could order one from the UK.
I thought the various units he was displaying was interesting but not a single unit was of interest to me for various reasons.
I was not interested in any of them either, but, still, interesting to see them fitting out some of the smaller vehicles on the market. Nice to have choices, since each of us have different needs, etc. Hey, all are bigger than my '99 EVC!
If you check out the manufacturers' website or other videos posted by Motorhome Magazine, I think you might find one that is of interest. And you will find models with layouts and features that might not be available in standard models in the US.
The point of the posting was not for whether any of these units appealed to you as a package. Certainly some of them have issues. It was to point out the individual features that may be of interest or desired to be included in our models here in North America.
A case in point - I like the idea of the swivel bowl toilet. On the examples, of course, those are connected to cassette systems. Most of you would not want a cassette, and neither do I. But the feature could be useful on a traditional black tank toilet setup.
I also like the "proper cooker" on the Auto-Sleeper - a real grill/oven - and the flip-out splash guards are interesting.
He does call the flip-down bowl on the bath sink "old-fashioned" but it looks handy to be able to flip it out of the way when showering for a bit more room.
Interesting to go on the various websites and see options. On the Vantage Motorhome site, they the usual - more solar, lithium batteries, awnings, but then they have an option to replace the sliding door on the Ducato (Promaster)!
He does call the flip-down bowl on the bath sink "old-fashioned" but it looks handy to be able to flip it out of the way when showering for a bit more room.
It is a very old idea. We had them on Navy submarines for 100 years now.
__________________ Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
There was one I saw last year that was a "swing out" style. I thought that was cool and you didn't have the possibility of it flopping out if you hit a hard bump.
I'd think that these kinds of sinks would be very popular. In most B vans, the bathrooms are barely usuable for showering because the sink is in the way. With it clear, they are more than adequate space for a stand-up shower. Really don't understand why so many insist on the fixed sink.
I also like the "proper cooker" on the Auto-Sleeper - a real grill/oven - and the flip-out splash guards are interesting.
He does call the flip-down bowl on the bath sink "old-fashioned" but it looks handy to be able to flip it out of the way when showering for a bit more room.
The British market must insist on it. Many also have what they call a hybrid cooker - 2 gas hobs plus a electric hotplate element. I really don't get why you'd want that other than maybe some folks only use that for a kettle when they are on a pitch. I for one, would love to have a gas oven. I'd forgo the microwave to maintain the same amount of cabinet space.
Another thing they do is not have a built-in propane tank. They'll have a gas bottle locker. It would be alot more convenient to just carry a 20# bottle to get refilled.
In most B vans, the bathrooms are barely usuable for showering because the sink is in the way. With it clear, they are more than adequate space for a stand-up shower. Really don't understand why so many insist on the fixed sink.
A few years ago Great West switched the sink to the same side as the toilet. This seemed strange, and worried me before the fact. In actual use, though, it turns out to be a great design. Totally out of the way when showering, and not at all difficult to reach for use -- probably even easier than the more typical hip-bumping position.
Interesting to go on the various websites and see options. On the Vantage Motorhome site, they the usual - more solar, lithium batteries, awnings, but then they have an option to replace the sliding door on the Ducato (Promaster)!
Now that is something I really like. Not the best looking, but to get rid of the slider, we would be all over it.
A few years ago Great West switched the sink to the same side as the toilet. This seemed strange, and worried me before the fact. In actual use, though, it turns out to be a great design. Totally out of the way when showering, and not at all difficult to reach for use -- probably even easier than the more typical hip-bumping position.
The sink had always been over the toilet in a Great West Van Sprinter Legend. Before 2012 they had the slide out sink vanity over the toilet. Oh so Euro.
__________________ Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
The sink had always been over the toilet in a Great West Van Sprinter Legend. Before 2012 they had the slide out sink vanity over the toilet. Oh so Euro.
Oh, right. Sorry. That was the one with the leaky drain hose, right?
How did that drawer interact with the bed? Seems like it would have made the driver-side bed hopelessly short.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
More Euro-van ideas!
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