Thoughts welcomed.

as you've mentioned Rapido, heres a bit of a wild card...the 803f.

only 5.94m long but a normal width van. which may be a negative.

short wheelbase, like ours, supremely manourvable, compared to the typical 6m PVC, which have a larger turning circl.

A- class cab gives much more room to lounge, plus an extra drop down double if required.

usable washroom, large rear fixed bed, good storage, large fridge/freezer, good all weather van, will be one/two year old examples around if you didnt want new.

smart little van...

and another.....the Pilote G600L....as above (sub 6m A-clas) but with larger lounge and no fixed bed....even a double floor...

ooooh, the choices...

The Rapido is another one which does not work for us as parallel lunge seats/bunks are our top priority for comfortable living.

Q, i thought you were 'sorted' with your AS.

thanks for the encouragement, but i was just trying to give Micky a few more inputs

...his requirements are a bit different to yours and he doesn't have a specific fixed idea on lounge layout. some of his 'thoughts' have implied fixed beds (in PVCs) and the consequent small half dinette 'euro' lounges.

i could easily say that twin sofa lounges dont work for us (although we've had two, in both Boleros)....no decent table, no rear seatbelts for grandkids (or others), we dont need it to become a (uncomfortable) bed as we 'dont' make up beds anymore, preferring a proper one, etc.....but thats just me..

M, in addition to the fixed bed 803f, the Rapido 604f is also under 6m and has a large lounge, but a drop down bed above to negate the bed making ritual....best of both words....

similar layouts available from Adria, Burstner, even Swift but (IMHO) not in the same league for design nor quality...

...and if you're looking at Rapido PVCs, you should check out the eqivalents from Malibu (Carthago) with 'disappearing' toilet in the shower room, Adria 640 SPX with the fullsized shower/washroom, La Strada (at Warminster or Reading) Knaus and (as youve mentioned) Hymer.

good luck.

Lots to go at then, cheers folk. Mrssf threw me a surprise yesterday with the suggestion that a rear lounge may be worth considering, just for a complete change. That may rule out continentals. Personally I like the suggestion of the short A class Rapido myself mind but have never driven one of these. Any noticeable change in driving one of these, sitting in them they seem more bus like and I'm unsure about the lack of a driver' cab door in the continentals..

Something a bit different, have you looked at the Moto Trek range of vehicles? I'd post a link, but never seem to get one to go live. Dealers/manufacturers based in Sheffield I think. 

Coincidentally Mrssf was looking at these using the Manchester Show Website link, like you ttda, she could not access from moto-trek's own link. Also had previously looked at the IH motorhomes but they are very expensive and quite a few optionals we would want push the price even higher.

You'll be joining us with a Warwick Duo at this rate, Micky.

Motor-Trek link coming up...quite snazzy, I like their trailers. 

Motor-Trek see here

They are a bit quirky, made with a sporting background in mind, both motor sports and I think they make quality horse boxes as well. The side slide outs are a bit different. Too much leather and gloss for our taste, but they look quality, and price isn't cheap. If you take a look at Classified Ads ( top row, above), I think they advertise via the Club.

M, it took me about a minute to feel comfortable when i first test drove an A-class (a Hymer Exsis-i), the view is so much beter than a normal Fiat cab....windscreen higher at the top and lower at the bottom, as well as wider....a lot less metal in the way.

the seats are in exactly the same position in the vehicle, relative to the front 'extremity'...but with the screen 'falling away' you can see the road much nearer than in an X250 cab.

as in any largish vehicle, the driver will 'note' points that assist with placement on the road, its no different with one of these.

motoring along the wide open spaces the view is terrific, these vehicles are not called 'king of the road' by MH testers for nothing...

to combine this 'open perspective' with an actual slimmer width seems (to me) to give the best of both worlds.

i would try one, it will probably polarise opinion, youll love it or not.