Bigger vans

[soulstyledevon]

So many campervan manufacturers choosing Merc Sprinter base.
Why is this?
Maybe because its the best?
and yep the JC 600 is my fav.
Although the new Adria Supertwin 600 SPB4x4 looks great too.
I really like the dethleffs Globebus performance 4x4.

Because when you command over £100k for a van. Do you really buy a Volkswagen base….?
Sprinter everytime IMO

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The problem is mercedes is now in bed with Renault/Nissan which means you have to be careful otherwise your sprinter might be a crafter body with a nissan engine, Renault ancillaries with a mercedes badge, the brand is being watered down especially lower power fwd models

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Because when you command over £100k for a van. Do you really buy a Volkswagen base….?
Sprinter everytime IMO

Are Sprinters generally regarded as the best large vans? I know Fiat Ducatto probably wouldn't be the best built even though they're very popular.

For smaller vans I know VW Transporters are regarded as the very best, not sure if the VW Crafter has the same quality for larger vans.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The problem is mercedes is now in bed with Renault/Nissan which means you have to be careful otherwise your sprinter might be a crafter body with a nissan engine, Renault ancillaries with a mercedes badge, the brand is being watered down especially lower power fwd models

I believe the Fwd van will no longer be used by Hymer.
All 2025 Hymer Sprinters will be either RWD or 4x4.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Are Sprinters generally regarded as the best large vans? I know Fiat Ducatto probably wouldn't be the best built even though they're very popular.

For smaller vans I know VW Transporters are regarded as the very best, not sure if the VW Crafter has the same quality for larger vans.

The Crafter is a decent drive. Theres not much between the two vans. I thought the Sprinter had better damping and a nicer finish.
Having experienced both, the Sprinter is a nicer place to sit when at the helm…

In contrast the Fiat is awful.
Its only popular and used by converters because it’s cheap.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

The Crafter is a decent drive. Theres not much between the two vans. I thought the Sprinter had better damping and a nicer finish.
Having experienced both, the Sprinter is a nicer place to sit when at the helm…

In contrast the Fiat is awful.
Its only popular and used by converters because it’s cheap.

Have you driven a Fiat before, I'm guessing they're not in the same league but I've not personally driven one.

 

[larrylamb]

Its only popular and used by converters because it’s cheap.

Not just that, they're reliable and a good size and shape internally, no need for side pods etc.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Are Sprinters generally regarded as the best large vans? I know Fiat Ducatto probably wouldn't be the best built even though they're very popular.

For smaller vans I know VW Transporters are regarded as the very best, not sure if the VW Crafter has the same quality for larger vans.

No. They are regarded pretty equally. In most head to head comparisons the Crafter usually just edges it. See this Parkers review.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Have you driven a Fiat before, I'm guessing they're not in the same league but I've not personally driven one.

This was my previous van.
I genuinely hated it, worst vehicle I’ve ever owned…

 

[Dasteknoviking]

Why did you hate the X250 so much? Is it the driving position?

I have driven them only as semi integrated campers and I thought they handled quite well if not better than the Crafter/Knaus I recently had rented.

From my perspective the 2.3 engine was the best choice in terms of reliability amongst any van on the market. Only better engine was the older 3.0 Iveco in the 160/180 vans.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

 

[Wondering Star]

The reason most choose the Sprinter especially in 4x4 mode is because the ground clearance.
Crafter is to low, although a lift kit can be added at a cost.
Its also about image, the WV California may be iconic but the Crafter does not have the same following, a lot easier to personalised a Sprinter with a larger choice of specialist accessories for the off road community.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Why did you hate the X250 so much? Is it the driving position?

I have driven them only as semi integrated campers and I thought they handled quite well if not better than the Crafter/Knaus I recently had rented.

From my perspective the 2.3 engine was the best choice in terms of reliability amongst any van on the market. Only better engine was the older 3.0 Iveco in the 160/180 vans.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

Noisy, very poor suspension and damping, engine felt gutless and general interior quality was awful.

The gearbox was pretty decent, but otherwise an utterly dreadful van…

 

[Californication69]

It’s interesting to see what’s one persons poison is another’s enjoyment.
Same with alcohol with me.
Have 1 beer, and my throat is like I’ve sucked a nettle all night.
I have a massive bong, with enough hash to knock a horse out and I’m absolutely fine and drive for 15 hours no problem

 

[Dasteknoviking]

It’s interesting to see what’s one persons poison is another’s enjoyment.
Same with alcohol with me.
Have 1 beer, and my throat is like I’ve sucked a nettle all night.
I have a massive bong, with enough hash to knock a horse out and I’m absolutely fine and drive for 15 hours no problem

Which camp site are you visiting next? I wanna join!

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

I like following this thread as periodically think about a bigger van. I still conclude that our California is right for now but one day suspect this will change. Going to take a look a some over the next year, at the moment I like the sound of:

- crafter hard top i.e. Grand cali 600 (like single point for warranty) or Knaus box drive (better bed up top)
- Sprinter based pop top: as someone new to this there seems to be a range of models (e.g. GCS, free S, westfalia james cook variant, etc) that all have the same layout but very different prices - has anyone seen a side by side comparison of capabilities / options please?

 

[Californication69]

Which camp site are you visiting next? I wanna join!

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

Very welcome, as long as you are knowing of, or related to the Techno Viking
Unfortunately I don’t have a camper van.
But can hotbox in the 6 seater MV

 

[Californication69]

I like following this thread as periodically think about a bigger van. I still conclude that our California is right for now but one day suspect this will change. Going to take a look a some over the next year, at the moment I like the sound of:

- crafter hard top i.e. Grand cali 600 (like single point for warranty) or Knaus box drive (better bed up top)
- Sprinter based pop top: as someone new to this there seems to be a range of models (e.g. GCS, free S, westfalia james cook variant, etc) that all have the same layout but very different prices - has anyone seen a side by side comparison of capabilities / options please?

Me too.
The JC 600D 4x4 is my go to.
With pop top and 4WD when needed.
WestFalia build quality is 2nd to none.
Only seen 2x 2nd hand Sven’s up on AT this year.

 

[Wondering Star]

So many campervan manufacturers choosing Merc Sprinter base.
Why is this?
Maybe because its the best?
and yep the JC 600 is my fav.
Although the new Adria Supertwin 600 SPB4x4 looks great too.
I really like the dethleffs Globebus performance 4x4.

Malibu Genius Performance pack would be my choice.
Initially excited by the Hymer Grand Canyon 700 S as I have a 6M GCS however feel the 6.4M length is better, its also had more useable interior storage and better bed design with the cutout section.
Hope both appear at the NEC?

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I know they're not everyones cup of tea, but I really rate their content. They've just done a review of the first 6 months in the Sven which I agree pretty much all their points.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

This was my previous van.
I genuinely hated it, worst vehicle I’ve ever owned…
View attachment 128583

Wow that van looks pretty new, was it an expensive mistake swapping out of it to your current van?

 

[Wondering Star]

I like following this thread as periodically think about a bigger van. I still conclude that our California is right for now but one day suspect this will change. Going to take a look a some over the next year, at the moment I like the sound of:

- crafter hard top i.e. Grand cali 600 (like single point for warranty) or Knaus box drive (better bed up top)
- Sprinter based pop top: as someone new to this there seems to be a range of models (e.g. GCS, free S, westfalia james cook variant, etc) that all have the same layout but very different prices - has anyone seen a side by side comparison of capabilities / options please?

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Hi Winston this may help you with a snapshot of what's available.
For a quality 4x4 based campervan of any decent quality you need to budget to spend 150k + however do you really need 4x4.
Increasingly popular in Europe as many off road routes are available but in the Uk where would you venture off road?
Also be mindful that 4x4 vehicles are expensive to maintain and have lower mpg.
Mercedes based vehicles are harder to convert due to body shape, offer less interior room than Fiat/Crafter of similar size and expensive to service, expect £1500 to service and replace all transmission oils.
So why is the Sprinter the go to vehicle, brand, customer loyalty and reputation for being the best of its type.
Sprinter has recently been updated to AWD rather than 4x4, the recently introduced FWD is being stopped, the RWD will continue.
In my opinion RWD is a better base vehicle than FWD, offers better traction unlike a car a RWD camper carries most of its weight over the rear wheels.

 

[Wondering Star]

I know most of this content is not Cali based but its really interesting reading all your comments

 

[Razor Crest]

It’s interesting to see what’s one persons poison is another’s enjoyment.
Same with alcohol with me.
Have 1 beer, and my throat is like I’ve sucked a nettle all night.
I have a massive bong, with enough hash to knock a horse out and I’m absolutely fine and drive for 15 hours no problem

I agree with the first sentence, can’t comment on the rest of the post

I haven’t had a Fiat but have had both a GCS 4x4 and GC680 4motion. The Mercedes was nice to drive though I found it clunky, the GC feels more like driving a car to me. Personally I would never go for a pop top again, for me it’s the weak point. My Hymer experience was awful, but the Mercedes dealership were great. That said having both parts in one place plus 5 years carefree motoring even if not up to Mercedes standards, is worth its weight in gold.

A few years ago at CarFest, I saw a Mercedes sprinter converted by Mercedes into a camper. They were asking peoples opinions, shame it never came to anything as it seemed quite good.

 

[Wondering Star]

They may have a reputation for great vehicles, but every interaction with my commercial Mercedes dealer has been painful , unorganized shambles that lack any degree of customer care.
Have since found out its about to close and is not being replaced?
Only option is to travel futher however other MB commercial dealers within 50 miles also have poor reviews, good job I have a camper!
If anyone can recommend a decent MB dealer let me know.

 

[Wondering Star]

They may have a reputation for great vehicles, but every interaction with my commercial Mercedes dealer has been painful , unorganized shambles that lack any degree of personal customer care.
Have since found out its about to close and is not being replaced?
Only option is to travel futher however other MB commercial dealers within 50 miles also have poor reviews, good job I have a camper!
If anyone can recommend a decent MB dealer let me know.