Part 3

Well, the Promobil magazine proved most useful and we eventually decided on a choice of the following possibles:

Hymer 544
Hymer 555 (a Mercedes-based version of the 544)
Dethleffs I532
FFB Classic 570MS or LS
FFB Classic 660M
Frankia 590HKL
LMC Liberty 5900

Of these the Dethleffs was discarded following adverse comments on the build quality of the older models, and the LMC because it had a 'marine' type toilet rather than the more convenient cassette type. The Hymer 544 was pretty widely available, but we eventually settled on the FFB, partly because the LS version has an L shaped seating area with a bench seat opposite, giving two possible lounging areas, plus the fact that it seemed to have a driver's door as standard which the Hymer didn't, and also that the one-piece GRP roof overlaps the side panels by a considerable margin, reducing the potential for water leaks in this vulnerable area.

The fly in the ointment is, of course payload! All these older conversions suffer with lack of payload, particularly the non-turbo diesel ones which were typically built on a 2.8 tonne chassis. Having owned a turbo diesel camper we wouldn't consider going back to a non-turbo one. The FFB 570 on the 2.5TD is quoted in Promobil as having a payload of 500kg and the 660 as only 320kg. Still, there is always the possibility of having the suspension uprated to give a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes on the Peugeot/Fiat chassis.

So there we have it, we will have to compromise in one way or another, being on a limited budget we are inclined to go for an FFB 570LS although the 660, being that bit longer at 6.7m would give a bit extra room, but would be a real squeeze to get onto the drive.

Then it was a case of scanning the adverts on the internet to see what was available. We heard that there are likely to be more motorhomes advertised from the end of March onwards as the 'season' gets going

18/03/01
Saw an FFB 660 advertised at a dealer in Koln - not the ideal layout, but low mileage and a good price, and emailed the dealer asking for more info........

Part 4 ------->