ON TEST - Out and About Live · one person on the forward-facing seat and one on the swivelled cab passenger pew. Four folks could eat here, but again it’s gonna be ‘cosy’

136 I DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY136 I DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY

SPACE RACEHymer Van 522 and Rapido le Randonneur 709F

ON TEST:

Words & pictures by Dave Hurrell

HYMER VAN 522

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Hymer’s Transit cab is very well equipped.

■ OVERALL WIDTH: 2.07m (6ft 9.5in)

■ OVERALL LENGTH: 5.97m (19ft 7in)

LAYOUT PLAN

Big storage and fi xed-bed convenience has a new look

in the form of Hymer’s compact Van. This month’s

rivals rumble sees the German baby

meet a traditional

French alternative

136-143 head-to-head.indd 1 11/3/06 11:32:45 AM

HEAD-TO-HEAD TEST

RAPIDO LE RANDONNEUR 709F

MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY DECEMBER 2006 I 137

bed aft and big storage locker beneath.

The Hymer breaks the mould by turning the bed sideways across the rear and offering a large garage-style locker beneath - something that’s uncommon in a motorhome of these dimensions.

■ OVERALL WIDTH: 2.26m (7ft 5in)

■ OVERALL LENGTH: 5.56m (18ft 3in)

LAYOUT PLAN

Already an award-winner, the compact coachbuilt Hymer Van seems to have it all - modest dimensions, a fixed bed and big

storage. At a shade under six metres long the Van sits comfortably in the compact low-profile class: the advantage over rivals is its width - it’s less than two inches wider than a Fiat panel van and a big eight inches narrower than its low-profile stablemates.

A sub-six-metre body length motorhome has advantages including being easy to drive and park. It’s also a money saver when the time comes to book a ferry as ‘vans over the six metre mark attract surcharges - on some ferries big surcharges. Width, in this context, will not affect the cost of your ferry ticket but it’ll sure make driving even more of a pleasure as you venture into some of the narrower places in the UK and Europe.

Rapido’s 709F is the smallest ‘van produced by the French company - offering less length but more (standard coachbuilt) width than the Hymer; it’s another driver-friendly package and will be just as cheap on the cross-Channel hop.

Base vehicles differ completely but have one big thing in common - new models are on the way. Soon the Ford Transit-based Hymer will be graced with the brand-new Transit chassis. And Rapidos, too, will be riding comfortably on the radical new Fiat Ducato.

Both ‘vans’ interiors feature half-dinette front ends, plus compact kitchens and good-sized washrooms. Fixed beds and main storage provision, however, are deliciously different.

The Rapido is entirely traditional for a Continental ‘van with longitudinal fixed double

Rapido’s familiar Fiat cab offers a high specification as standard.


138 I DECEMBER 2006 MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY

FROM THE TOP: Hymer’s galley offers a Continental menu.

Hymer’s front end half-dinette is compromised by the wardrobe opposite.

Midships kitchen and washroom with a transverse bed above the garage in the rear.

Meal times will be most comfortable with two diners.

HYMER VAN 522 AND RAPIDO LE RANDONNEUR 709FON TEST:

Outside, things are very different too. The Hymer is the company’s first foray

with Ford, and the Van is completely different to other Hymer models. With sleek, simple lines that suit the Transit chassis well, it looks superb, especially as here in silver (an optional colour finish - red or blue is also available).

Instantly recognisable as a Rapido, the 709F appears chunky and tough, resting easily on the Fiat Ducato base. It looks perfectly fine in white (with the usual squiggly graphics) but it can’t match the Hymer for sheer style.

MOTIVE POWERIn the Hymer, Ford’s Transit is present in platform cab, front-wheel drive form and with the 2.4-litre turbodiesel pushing out 125bhp it makes an attractive proposition. The Transit cab offers potentially excellent ergonomics with all-important ABS, ASR (traction control) and driver and passenger airbags as standard. On the test vehicle, the optional Elegance pack (£2150) added cab air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors and faux wood dash trim as well as the stylish silver paint finish.

Disappointments cab-wise include the floor-mounted gearchange (moved to the dash on the new chassis) and (arrgh) an over-high driver’s seat, thanks to the fitted swivelling base. The centrally-located handbrake previously fouled any swivel, so the unit has now been located on the right-hand side of the driver’s pew. Is this the first Transit with this arrangement, I wonder?

The Rapido’s very traditional Fiat Ducato base is also in front-wheel drive, platform cab guise with the excellent 2.3-litre mid-range motor under the bonnet. In line with Rapido’s ‘fully equipped’ approach to motorhome provision, the 709F includes driver’s airbag, ABS, ASR, cab air-conditioning, Aguti captain’s seats, electric windows and mirrors, and remote central-locking that extends to the caravan door.

The Fiat traditionally suffers from over-high cab seats too, when swivels are fitted, but the inclusion of the lower Aguti seats not only improves cab comfort but goes a long way to solving the seat height problem. Drivers can see under sun visors, while passengers of a more modest stature now find their feet reach the cab floor.

ROAD MANNERSIn typical Ford fashion the Hymer’s motor is a willing, but slightly harsh-sounding unit. It revs freely and produces more than enough power to propel the Van at traffic-friendly velocities. Aside from the aforementioned high driving seat, cab ergonomics are spot on although (thanks to that swivel) stooping to see under the sun visor is still an issue. Steering and brakes are both up to very high standards and good acceleration makes for an enjoyable drive. Changing gear using the long, floor-mounted lever is slightly strange - so used am I to dash-mounted levers - but the action is sweet enough; good gearboxes are something that’s always been a feature of the Transit and this one was no exception. Handling proved to be an antidote to the Ducato’s very firm ride, as comfort was excellent with good straight-line stability. Only when pushed hard through country lane bends did the Hymer start to show nervousness, with a slight tendency to lean and wallow. Even so, this chassis offers a very good compromise between ride and handling and felt safe and predictable at all times.

The short-bodied Rapido proved to have a very nippy character - all the characteristics of the Ducato being firmly in place. With those Aguti seats making for a comfortable cab, the

HYMER VAN 522 I LIKED■ Good looking design

■ Narrow body

■ Build quality

■ Stylish, clever washroom

■ Comfortable, convenient bed

■ Capacious garage storage

■ Generous payload

I WOULD HAVE LIKED

■ A shorter wardrobe

■ Ceiling-mounted lighting

■ A padded headboard for the bed

I DISLIKED

■ Over-high driver’s seat

■ Floor-mounted gearchange (2007

model Ford has dash-mounted

gaerchange)


FROM THE TOP: Galley has one less hob burner but a bigger fridge than its rival.

The Rapido’s front end half-dinette shares space with the kitchen.

Conventional layout sees kitchen and dinette ahead of rear longitudinal bed with washroom

alongside.

Rapido dining space is enhanced by a swing-out table extension.

HEAD-TO-HEAD TEST HYMER VAN 522 AND RAPIDO LE RANDONNEUR 709F


709F was impressive. Fiat’s mid-range motor offers 110 eager horses in a package that’s more refined than the Ford and easily powerful enough to push the baby Rapido along at motorway speeds plus. The stiff suspension makes handling very good, at the expense, of course, of ride comfort. Superb brakes, steering and dash-mounted gearchange all conspire to produce a fun drive that’s more akin to a panel van conversion than a coachbuilt motorhome.

Travel seats in the rear could be seen to be superfluous in these two-berth ‘vans but both offer three-point belts on the forward-facing sections of the dinettes. Of course, these could be very useful for occasional passengers or maybe taking the grand-kids camping.

LOUNGE AND DINESwivelling cab seats and half-dinettes are lounge and diner to both Hymer and Rapido residents.

The presence of the wardrobe directly behind the driver’s seat makes the Hymer front end feel a touch claustrophobic, but in the test vehicle this feeling was diffused somewhat by a big sunroof fitted into the overcab. This comes as part of the Elegance option pack and helps to make the compact main living area a more pleasant place to relax and eat. Lounging here is very much an upright affair but four people can sit and socialise. Aside from the presence of the wardrobe it’s the smaller (than the Fiat) cab that makes things seem a tad cosy. Even swivelling the seats is a touch tricky, and, once in place, they have little room to move. Mealtimes are spot on for two campers, with one person on the forward-facing seat and one on the swivelled cab passenger pew. Four folks could eat here, but again it’s gonna be ‘cosy’.

The Rapido locates its kitchen on the offside opposite its lounge but it doesn’t seem to encroach on the lounge/diner as much as the Hymer’s front-located wardrobe - due, in part, I think, to the fact that the kitchen unit’s bulk doesn’t extend up past your natural eyeline when seated. The Aguti cab seats are easy to swivel and, once in place, they’re more comfortable and (thanks to the Ducato’s more spacious cab), easier to adjust for lounging.

The forward-facing dinette seat is comfy too, but it’s a tad upright for real relaxation to take place here. Come mealtimes, the table has a trick up its sleeve as a generous extension pivots from under the outboard end to serve the driver’s seat. Here four people can eat in comfort, but the proximity of the galley means cook will need to have finished all culinary activities before a full contingent of folks sit down to eat.

Both ‘vans do very well at providing dining and lounging provision in compact areas. In the Rapido it could be the cook’s style that’s cramped, and, with this design, there’s not a lot that can be done to change that. However, in the Hymer I’d have preferred to see a low-level wardrobe. A half-height unit would not only increase the feeling of space up front but also provide a handy dumping/ buffet/ low-level TV surface to boot.

COOK’S QUARTERSA compact, typically Continental kitchen: this sums up the galleys in both ‘vans. Location, as mentioned, is different.

The Hymer’s galley is amidships, on the offside, opposite the washroom and away from the table where diners can be seated while the cook slaves away.

Even though the Rapido’s upfront galley makes things more tricky for the cook, with two on board their style shouldn’t be cramped too

I LIKED■ Short body length■ Van-like driveability■ Good handling■ Smooth engine■ Spacious feel to lounge■ Versatile table■ Easy-access bed

I WOULD HAVE LIKED■ A separate shower■ Bigger underbed storage■ Better ride quality

I DISLIKED■ Shorter bed■ Lack of mains electric space heating

option

RAPIDO 709F

136-143 head-to-head.indd 4 11/3/06 3:46:41 PM


ABOVE TOP: The washroom is brilliantly lit and designed.

ABOVE: Getting into this over-garage bed may be ’upstairs’, but it’s worth the climb.

much. My partner Suzanne would, I know, be more than happy to occupy the cab passenger seat and (drink in hand) watch while I produce gourmet beans on toast!

Hob, drainerless sink and good-sized fridge are all you get should you become owner of either Hymer Van or baby Rapido. For once we’re saved the option of ovens that scorch the ankles or threaten the pate, as in both cases there’s no room to fit a potentially disastrous afterthought oven, low down or high up. Grills are absent, too, for the same reason and (as I’ve said before) I would invest in stove-top toaster, grill pan and double skillet to increase these kitchens’ abilities. In addition (and while wandering through a branch of the ‘every little helps’ supermarket chain) I spotted an electric toaster for just over a fiver.

Compact and unlikely to threaten the strength of even the more feeble hook-up provision, it was in my trolley in a flash.

The Hymer kitchen boasts one more hob burner (again an option pack feature) than the Rapido’s two, which counters with 10 more litres (96) of fridge space than its German rival. Both fridges are the more unusual Thetford models, notable for their auto-locking doors - there should be no screams of anguish in these ‘vans as a forgotten-to-be-locked fridge door swings open on the first bend after the campsite!

Both kitchens are on a par storage-wise with cupboard and drawer space below and a couple of high-level lockers above. The Rapido offers an extractor hood over the hob which sounds useful but, that said, the example fitted to my


own ‘van gets little use. Worksurface in these kitchens is scarce and hob and sink lids will have to be carefully utilised for meal preparation. Only the fact that the Rapido’s table is nearby will give its galley an edge when cook is busy pan juggling and can use its surface.

BATHING SPACEThe Hymer’s washroom fills the gap twixt half-dinette and rear fixed bed on the nearside. Slide open its door and you’re confronted with a light, bright space that’s immediately very appealing. This is due in no small measure to the big Hymer-branded rooflight above, allowing loads of natural light to flood in. This unit is part of the optional (£950) Comfort pack and, as this room has no window, I consider it to be an essential.

PRICE ■ From: £30,695 OTR ■ As tested: £34,385 OTR

BASICS (*manufacturer’s figures) ■ Berths: 2 ■ Three-point belted seats: 4 (including

driver) ■ Warranty: 2 years base vehicle and

conversion, 6 years water ingress ■ Badged as NCC EN1646 compliant: No ■ Construction: Low-profile alloy-clad

sandwich construction coachbuilt with alloy skirts and ABS plastic moulded panels

■ Length: 5.97m (19ft 7in)* ■ Width: 2.07m (6ft 9.5in)* ■ Height: 2.75m (9ft 0in)* ■ Wheelbase: 3.30m (10ft 11in)* ■ Rear overhang: 1.73mm (5ft 8in) ■ Maximum authorised weight: 3500kg* ■ Payload: 930kg* (In standard trim. After the

vehicle in working order, driver (75kg), gas, fresh water and fuel tanks at 90 per cent of capacity)

THE VEHICLE ■ Engine: 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing

125bhp ■ Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-

wheel drive ■ Brakes: Front discs, rear drums ■ Suspension: Front: Independent. Rear:

rigid axle ■ Features: Twin airbags, ABS and ASR,

remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, radio/CD player, cab air-conditioning, faux wood dash trim, passenger door bin

INSIDE ■ Layout: Swivel cab seats ahead of nearside

half dinette, offside wardrobe, centre nearside washroom, offside kitchen, rear transverse double bed above garage storage

■ Insulation: Floor 38mm, walls and roof 35mm ■ Interior height: 1.89m (6ft 2.5in)

KITCHEN ■ Sink: Circular stainless steel drainerless

unit with drop-in cover and single lever mixer tap

■ Cooker: Three-burner hob with electronic ignition and hinged glass lid; no oven or grill fitted

■ Fridge: Thetford N90, manual energy selection, internal illumination. Capacity 91 litres

WASHROOM ■ Toilet: Thetford swivel bowl electric flush

cassette

■ Basin: Hymer-specific circular unit with single lever mixer tap/pull-out showerhead

■ Shower: Basin/mirror unit swings across toilet to form semi-separate shower compartment

BEDFixed transverse double ■ Length: 1.94m (6ft 4.5in) ■ Width: 1.30m (4ft 3in) ■ Headroom: 850mm (2ft 9.5in)

EQUIPMENT ■ Fresh water: Inboard. 100 litres (22

gallons) ■ Waste water: Underslung. 80 litres (17.6

gallons) ■ Water heater: Truma Combi EH boiler,

gas/mains operation ■ Space heater: Truma Combi EH blown-air,

gas/mains operation ■ Leisure battery: 80 amp hr ■ Gas: Capacity 2 x 11kg cylinders ■ Lighting: Adjustable halogen stalk light

and fluorescent light in lounge, four-spot task lighting in kitchen, twin adjustable halogen reading lamps above rear bed, two halogen downlighters in washroom, auto-illumination in wardrobe, awning/porch light

■ Sockets: 230V: Four (in lounge, above wardrobe, in kitchen, in washroom cupboard), 12V: Two (in cab, above wardrobe)

OPTIONAL EXTRASFitted to test vehicle ■ Base vehicle: Elegance pack: silver, red or

steel blue paint finish, window above cab, faux wood dash trim, cab air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors (£2150)

■ Conversion: Comfort pack: Cab blinds, flyscreen door, larger capacity fridge, Hymer brand rooflight in washroom, pre-installation radio, awning light, 3-burner hob, cab seats in matching fabric (£950). Truma Combi EH heating system upgrade (£382), additional garage door (£208)

Other options: ■ Base vehicle: Plus pack: includes all items

as Elegance pack but body colour is white with Torino blue cab (£1300). Sport pack: sports wheel arches and door sill, front and rear spoilers, alloy wheels (£1250). Reversing camera (£841)

■ Conversion: Child bed conversion for dinette (£116), removable carpets (£116), towbar (£733), roof rails and ladder (£578), two-bike rack (£201), motorcycle rack (£964), additional socket (£58), external gas point (£139), insulated, heated waste water tank (£382)

E&OE

HEAD-TO-HEAD DATA – HYMER VAN 522



The Comfort pack includes seven other desirable goodies (flyscreen door, reupholstered cab seats, cab blinds etc) and seems very good value - I’d make it part of my Hymer Van for sure.

Aside from a bright personality, the Van’s washroom has practical storage in a neat wooden cupboard, superb big mirrors, and, of course, the omnipresent swivelling, electrically-flushed Thetford ‘throne.’ The basin has ‘designer’ good looks - jutting from the back wall, it’s big and deep enough to let you get a good wash and has one of the two marvellous mirrors above. There’s just enough surface here to place smellies in action and only this unit’s slightly fragile, plasticky character detracts from its stylish and practical charms.

This washroom is very good as far as it

goes, but it actually goes much further, as it has a clever trick up its sleeve. To the left of the basin is a push-in section of the plastic pedestal that supports the tap. Depressing this releases the whole basin unit and, complete with the wall behind, it hinges to the right, protecting the storage cupboard and loo and creating a separate showering area in the process. Sliding the washroom door closed and engaging a final hinged flap with the trailing edge of the door proved tricky, but once this operation is complete you’re left with a good-sized cubicle in which to shower. The Van’s 100-litre water tank ensures that regular use is possible too.

All this innovation going on in the Hymer’s ablutions department might make the Rapido’s bathing space feel inadequate as it offers capable


but entirely conventional facilities. I can vouch for the practical nature of this space as it is identical to the washroom fitted in my own Rapido.

Located alongside the fixed bed and entered by a conventional outward-opening door, the 709’s washroom is ‘practical and plastic’ with a deep basin and plenty of countertop for cosmetics parking. There are two good-sized mirrors and plenty of sensible storage - high and low-level lockers, floor-to-ceiling cubbies, and a big cupboard under the basin will swallow all your washroom kit with ease. No separate shower here, just a wetroom floor and nylon curtain utilising a pull-out tap head for the occasional sluice down. The Rapido washroom works well but its no match for the far more radical, versatile and modern design on offer in the Hymer.

PRICE ■ From: £36,920 OTR ■ As tested: £37,440 OTR

BASICS (*manufacturer’s figures) ■ Berths: 2 ■ Three-point belted seats: 4 (including

driver) ■ Warranty: 2 years base vehicle and

conversion, 6 years water ingress ■ Badged as NCC EN1646 compliant: No ■ Construction: GRP-clad sandwich

construction low-profile coachbuilt with ABS plastic/GRP mouldings

■ Length: 5.56m (18ft 3in)* ■ Width: 2.26m (7ft 5in)* ■ Height: 2.67m (8ft 9in)* ■ Wheelbase: 3.20m (10ft 6in)* ■ Rear overhang: 1.40m (4ft 7in) ■ Maximum authorised weight: 3400kg* ■ Payload: 585kg* (In standerd trim. After the

vehicle in working order, driver (75kg), gas, fresh water and fuel tanks at 90 per cent of capacity)

THE VEHICLE ■ Engine: 2.3-litre common rail turbodiesel

producing 110bhp ■ Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox,

front-wheel drive ■ Brakes: Discs all round ■ Suspension: Front: Independent. Rear:

Rigid axle ■ Features: ABS/ASR, electric windows/

mirrors, remote central locking, driver airbag, cab air-conditioning, Aguti captain’s seats, single CD/radio, cruise control

INSIDE ■ Layout: Swivel cab seats ahead of nearside

half-dinette, offside kitchen, nearside longitudinal fixed double bed, offside wardrobe, rear corner washroom

■ Insulation: Floor 40mm, walls and roof 30mm

■ Interior height: 1.90m (6ft 3in)

KITCHEN ■ Sink: Square stainless steel unit with single

level mixer tap, drop-in worktop lid, no drainer

■ Cooker: Two-burner hob with hinged glass lid, push-button ignition. No oven or grill fitted

■ Fridge: Thetford C11, manual energy selection. Capacity 97 litres

WASHROOM ■ Toilet: Thetford swivel-bowl electric flush

cassette

■ Basin: Oval vanity basin moulded as part of unit with countertop/soap dish, single lever mixer tap

■ Shower: Basin tap includes pullout hand-held showerhead serving single outlet wetroom floor with shower curtain

BEDRear fixed double ■ Length: 1.88m (6ft 2in) ■ Width: 1.26m (4ft 1.5in) max

EQUIPMENT ■ Fresh water: Inboard. 120 litres (26.3

gallons) ■ Waste water: Underslung. 95 litres (20.9

gallons) ■ Water heater: Truma Combi boiler, mains/

gas operation ■ Space heater: Truma Combi blown-air,

gas-only operation ■ Leisure battery: 90 amp hr ■ Gas: Capacity one 6kg and one 13kg

cylinder ■ Lighting: Three adjustable halogen

downlighters in lounge, two halogen downlighters in kitchen, one halogen downlighter and two adjustable reading lamps in bedroom, two halogen downlighters in washroom, auto-illumination in wardrobe, awning light

■ Sockets: 230V: Four (in TV lockers, two in kitchen). 12V: Three (in cab, in TV lockers)

OPTIONAL EXTRASFitted to test vehicle ■ Base vehicle: Cruise control (£240) ■ Conversion: Rear ladder (£280)Other options ■ Base vehicle: Fog lights (£110), faux wood

dash trim (£190) ■ Conversion: Ladder and roof rack (£400),

towbar, (£910), motorcycle rack (£1210), leather upholstery (£1100)

E&OE

HEAD-TO-HEAD DATA – RAPIDO 709F

Cruise control (£240) Rear ladder (£280)

Base vehicle: Fog lights (£110), faux wood dash trim (£190)Conversion: Ladder and roof rack (£400), towbar, (£910), motorcycle rack (£1210), leather upholstery (£1100)

MOTORCARAVAN MOTORHOME MONTHLY

Square stainless steel unit with single

Two-burner hob with hinged glass lid, push-button ignition. No oven or grill

Thetford swivel-bowl electric flush

DECEMBER

Two-burner hob with hinged glass

ABOVE TOP: Washroom is very conventional and very capable.

ABOVE: Rapido’s bed is easy to fall into but shorter than its rival’s.



FROM THE TOP: This compact garage will be one of the main reasons to buy.

Re-siting the Hymer’s handbrake on the right allows the driver’s seat to swivel.

A half-height wardrobe would improve the outlook upfront in the Hymer.


BEDTIMEThe joys of an ever-ready fixed bed will be appreciated every night whether you’re aboard Hymer or Rapido. Of course, their characters are entirely different and its here that the decision to buy, or not to buy, will take place. Size, altitude and the amount of storage on offer beneath are the main differences. Bed length is one of the most important factors in making a choice - a berth that’s too short will make a good night’s sleep impossible.

The Rapido’s bed is a good length (6ft 2in) considering the size of the vehicle, but the Hymer offers what could be a crucial two-and-a-half inches of extra legroom.

Access is also a big issue and the Hymer’s climb up a short ladder to its higher level berth at bedtime is challenged by the ‘fall’ into bed qualities offered by the Rapido’s traditional low-level berth.

However, once you’ve installed yourself in the Hymer bed you may well feel the climb is worth it. Twin reading lamps and a blank offside wall indicate the position for pillows, while a shelf above holds books and night-time paraphernalia. There are fabric pockets attached to the back wall too - something that would find a convenient home for my specs at night. Here, a comfortable mattress rides on a sprung-slat base and only the lack of some kind of padded headboard disappointed. A window at the foot and a rooflight above provide adequate levels of light and ventilation, while a privacy curtain will let one partner stay abed in cosy isolation - all the better to wait for breakfast to be prepared! Aside from the obvious climb up to, and down from, the bed, I found little to criticise.

The Rapido double berth is entirely traditional and very comfortable as its good quality foam mattress also sits on a sprung-slat base. There are reading lights at the head of the bed but it lacks the big overhead shelf of the Hymer, relying instead on a smaller unit attached to the side wall. Two windows let in loads of light, but the one at the head of the bed has the ability to clash with pillows. Here there’s real danger of damage to blind or flyscreen and propped-up-in-bed activities become difficult. Even so, if you need a low-level bed and you’re not too tall the Rapido provides a very comfortable sleeping space in this most diminutive of motorhomes.

STORE ROOMFixed bed motorcaravans almost always include big storage beneath their ever-ready berths and both Hymer and Rapido offer same, again in different ways.

The raised, transverse bed of the Hymer allows inclusion of a garage beneath that offers a big stowage space and the possibility of carrying bikes. The presence of the Truma Combi heater enclosure and gas locker in here robs two big chunks of space but there’s still plenty of room left for all manner of bulky kit. Tie-down rings also allow safe and secure transit. The test Hymer included an optional second garage door that provided convenient access from both sides of the vehicle.

The Rapido’s underbed locker is, like its bed above, entirely conventional. Lower bed means less space and although there’s plenty of room for outdoor kit in here, bikes are out of the question unless they’re of the folding variety. Here, too, Truma’s Combi heater robs a good chunk of space from the area but, considering the modest size of this ‘van, finding so much storage space for bulky items is very commendable.

Storage in the living areas of both ‘vans is very similar, with overhead lockers in lounges and

HYMER VAN 522


FROM THE TOP: Underbed room is generous for such

a small ‘van but the Truma heater

robs some stowage space.

Rapido’s lighting uses top quality

fittings and there’s plenty of it.

Easy-to-use control panel.


VEHICLES LOANED FOR EVALUATION BY:

■ Hymer Van 522: Brownhills Leisure World, A41/A46 Junction, Newark Notts

(tel: 0800 374941; web site: www.brownhills.co.uk)

■ Rapido Le Randonneur 709F: Brownhills North West, Blackpool Road, Preston,

Lancashire (tel: 08008 140300; web site: www.brownhills.co.uk)

above beds. Wardrobes are of good dimensions, the Rapido’s sandwiched between caravan door and washroom, the Hymer’s (as previously mentioned) directly aft of the driver’s seat.

Payloads of over half a tonne for the Rapido and nearly a tonne (930kg) for the Hymer mean that most touring couple’s kit shouldn’t compromise maximum vehicle weights in either case. Indeed, the Hymer’s generous load capacity sits very nicely with its capacious garage and the carrying of a small motorcycle shouldn’t be a problem - subject to maximum rear axle weight of course.

LIFE SUPPORTAlmost as common these days as the Thetford cassette toilet, Truma’s Combi heating unit is a very popular choice for motorcaravan manufacturers as it produces copious quantities of hot water, plus blown hot air for space heating in an easy to install, single unit. Both Hymer and Rapido fit this unit and the test Hymer boasted the optional EH version (extra £382) that offers water and space heating using gas and/or mains power. This unit is excellent, so if you’re planning plenty of off-season camping it’s well worth the extra cash. The Rapido’s Truma is less powerful (but still more than man enough for the job) and includes gas/mains water heating but, sadly, not hook-up-powered warm air.

Aside from good-sized water tanks both ‘vans provide stylish lighting solutions with the Rapido stealing a lead here as it includes ceiling lights, where none are on offer in the Hymer.

CONCLUSIONHymer’s Van may have a rather unimaginative name, but everything else about it proves that its designers’ imaginations were on top form when they dreamed it up. At just under the six-metre mark, it’s not the smallest of small low-profile ‘vans, but the facilities it offers in such a modest package are remarkable. Its other big plus point is the fact that - for a coachbuilt motorhome - it’s slender. This lack of width will make sure it reaches some of the parts that other coachbuilts cannot, and ensure that its driver remains further from a nervous breakdown than may otherwise be the case. A well-designed interior offers adequate seating and kitchen, and a superb, practical fixed bed and clever versatile washroom. The garage storage is a winner and rarely found in a motorcaravan of these dimensions. Then, of course, there’s Hymer’s legendary build quality. My only real criticism is (for me) the over-high driver’s seat - something that may be perfectly OK for someone of different stature. Try before you buy is the maxim as always, and I’d recommend a good-length test drive over all types of roads before you put pen to dotted line.

The Rapido applies traditional low-profile rules and excellent build quality to a truly compact motorhome. It packs a huge amount into a very modest length (no bigger than many panel van conversions). It’s fun to drive and It should be great to live with and in. Indeed, and again, I can back up my conclusion with the fact that my own Rapido (749M) enjoys a very similar layout and it is very comfortable and capable. If you need a very short motorhome with a fixed bed I’d heartily recommend the Rapido 709F.

On the other hand, the Hymer Van 522 offers that all-important garage and, if you don’t mind climbing the ‘stairs’ to bed, it offers accommodation that’s more capacious and versatile than its rival. I may be a Rapido owner but Hymer’s stylish new kid on the block has got me thinking...


RAPIDO 709F


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ON TEST - Out and About Live · one person on the forward-facing seat and one on the swivelled cab passenger pew. Four folks could eat here, but again it’s gonna be ‘cosy’