Choosing a motorhome

Qashqai

I don't reckon by any stretch of the imagination a Fiat semi automatic will be  anything like a Rolls Royce

My last four cars have been autotmatic and I imagine any future cars will be the same. However my motorhome is on a Peugeot base so the only option is a manual box. I have to say I get on with it OK. It is fairly forgiving in the lower gears which makes it easier to drive at slower speeds. As you have discovered  having a full automatic is expensive. Even the Fiat usually requires an engine upgrade so more cost. Perhaps it might be worth the cost of hiring a manual motorhome for a few days to get a feel for how it drives. If you like it not only will you save quite a bit of money you will also have a wider range of models to  select from.

David

Thanks, a good idea in principle.  In practice I damaged my left knee far too much by driving 1950's tractors with very heavy clutches in the early years of my working life.  Manual gearboxes are no longer an option for me.

the preference for manual ..... I wanna be in control ... gearboxes in general amuses me. What's wrong with selecting D & leaving the gearbox to do its own thing? 

having said that, the automated manual box in my father in laws Citroen C4 Picasso (? .... Citroens version of a Zafira) was dire.

AFAIK, most converters will order the Ducato 130/150/180 engines with Comfortmatic....the new entry level 115 can't be ordered with it.

Are you talking brand new, re autos? If you have knee problems etc an auto is much better, would you be able to find a secondhand auto like we did? Still a bit more money but it's been excellent.

Our friends recently had an Elddis M/H, previously had an A/S, there is a difference in build quality although the Elddis design was attractive.

Thanks again for further suggestions.  We have ruled out the Bessacar 512 as a double bed at 4' 3" is too much of a squeeze even for little ones like us. Bailey don't offer auto so rule themselves out. We really like the look of the Auto-Trail Tracker EKS.  I think I had missed it in my research on the grounds of length but, on looking closer, we think we prefer it to the Auto-Sleeper. It is longer but then it offers larger sofas/bed and plenty of storage.  The only missing factors are built in gas tank (we use very little gas) and an external locker which is hardly an essential.  The similar Swift models don't seem to have as much storage and fewer features.  When mentioning storage we are well aware of weight limitations and have long lists of items we will NOT be taking now that we are switching from caravan to motorhome.

The next stage is to drive a Fiat so we will be getting in touch with our local dealer.  

We have missed our window of opportunity this year so now we are looking forward to 2019.

Qashqui

Both my knees are in pretty bad shape but I seem to manage OK. When I drive the motorhome. I strap my kness up to give extra support. I would probably have to do that regardless of whether I was driving an auto or manual. Obviously you know your body better than me but just wanted to share how I get on.

David

 

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I think autos are great for taking some of the strain away from leg and arm joints. Apart from that I think autos are great, full stop. 

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