Have the opportunity to buy a 1993 model any advice on rust and mechanical issues appreciated. Thanks. PS. It's done less than 40k.
Fiat autoSleeper Talisman
- Thread starter Happyhacker
- Start date
Hi Happyhacker. At risk of getting my wrist slapped, can I suggest that you google Talbot owner's club, and join their forum?
The knowledge on there about our vans is phenomenal.
The base van is also known as a Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen and Talbot. They are all the same except for badges, and they all rust as you watch, and all in the same places, mainly around the lower edge of the windscreen.
Re mechanicals, they suffer from weak synchromesh on 2nd gear, making it difficult to select 2nd on the move, and the gearchange is absolutely awful!
My own van is a 2.0 litre petrol panel van conversion, as I do not like diesel, but whatever body style you have, the mechanical bits are all the same.
Mine is also low mileage, but 2nd gear is shot, and I'm awaiting the opportunity to get it repaired by a Talbot gearbox specialist in Somerset.
I've already had the gearchange done.
Lovely old vans, quite pleasant to drive, but won't break any performance records, but they're fun!
Enjoy!!
The knowledge on there about our vans is phenomenal.
The base van is also known as a Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen and Talbot. They are all the same except for badges, and they all rust as you watch, and all in the same places, mainly around the lower edge of the windscreen.
Re mechanicals, they suffer from weak synchromesh on 2nd gear, making it difficult to select 2nd on the move, and the gearchange is absolutely awful!
My own van is a 2.0 litre petrol panel van conversion, as I do not like diesel, but whatever body style you have, the mechanical bits are all the same.
Mine is also low mileage, but 2nd gear is shot, and I'm awaiting the opportunity to get it repaired by a Talbot gearbox specialist in Somerset.
I've already had the gearchange done.
Lovely old vans, quite pleasant to drive, but won't break any performance records, but they're fun!
Enjoy!!
Thanks for pointing Happyhacker in the right direction - you won't get your wrist slapped by me!
There are LOTS of forums and groups which different people find helpful, and I reckon part of our role is to help people find advice and info anywhere in the big world of motorhoming.
(but it's Sunday afternoon, and I'm a volunteer - maybe I'LL get my wrist slapped when the staff are back in the office!)
There are LOTS of forums and groups which different people find helpful, and I reckon part of our role is to help people find advice and info anywhere in the big world of motorhoming.
(but it's Sunday afternoon, and I'm a volunteer - maybe I'LL get my wrist slapped when the staff are back in the office!)
Thanks, being an older enthusiast I may need to avoid really old vans as i am not into repairing and mtnce. now and the cost would be prohibitive. I am also wondering if vans with the overhead cabin are also somewhat wider than say the Harmony type which can be used around town without parking restrictions so will focus on that van type.
You're quite right that coachbuilt motorhomes are usually slightly wider than van conversions. More to the point, they're also longer (at least than a SWB van like the Harmony), which means they rarely fit into a marked bay in a car park.
On the other hand, SWB van conversions nearly always require making up the bed each night, which is what convinced me also an "older enthusiast!") to make the change to a coachbuilt when I retired.
This one is 6m long (not too bad for parking) and has what's called a "French bed," permanently in one rear corner, with the bathroom next to it, kitchen and dinette amidships, and swivel front seats to complete the "lounge."
Everything is a compromise in motorhomes, you need to list what's absolutely essential to you. Then look at lots of examples and try to visualise how each layout would work for you.
On the other hand, SWB van conversions nearly always require making up the bed each night, which is what convinced me also an "older enthusiast!") to make the change to a coachbuilt when I retired.
This one is 6m long (not too bad for parking) and has what's called a "French bed," permanently in one rear corner, with the bathroom next to it, kitchen and dinette amidships, and swivel front seats to complete the "lounge."
Everything is a compromise in motorhomes, you need to list what's absolutely essential to you. Then look at lots of examples and try to visualise how each layout would work for you.
Agreed Tony. I would have prefered a small coachbuilt, but ours is our daily driver, alternating with the Range Rover, so needed to be smallish.
But you're dead right, making up the beds is a chore, but in our Camelot I have made it a little easier by using a cordless drill and 13mm socket to raise and lower the front seat backrests. Makes things just a little easier, and as we don't use the double due to Herself's disability, your layout would not suit us.
I do keep looking though........................!
But you're dead right, making up the beds is a chore, but in our Camelot I have made it a little easier by using a cordless drill and 13mm socket to raise and lower the front seat backrests. Makes things just a little easier, and as we don't use the double due to Herself's disability, your layout would not suit us.
I do keep looking though........................!
Yes, we were only able to "upsize" when I retired. Until then, "Roxie" (our Horizons Cavarno, SWB Transit) had to be our "car" as well.
Useful stuff there, thanks. Hope your wrist is still intact! I sleep pretty much alfresco so making beds is the chore! I am more interested in knowing if a slightly larger van say over 5m by 2m wide would constitute an infringement of local authority parking rules in the UK?
Facebook
Twitter