Hymer MLT 560 - one of my favourite motorhomes

The Hymer MLT comes in four versions, MLT 560, 570, 580 and 620. One has a widthwise double bed and three have the German layout. The numbers have nothing to do with their sizes, the sizes in fact are 674cm for the 560 and 570, the 580 is 698cm and the 620 is 764cm. There is very little difference in the price, the price for the 560 starts at around EUR70k and the 620 is around EUR74k but as always remember that the base price often has nothing to do with what the vehicle is going to end up costing - which could be a lot more because of the options.
This vehicle has been produced since 2014 so it may be possible to find one on the used market. The used model may cost more than the base price of a new one and once more that is because of the options. And remember that as always I urge anyone not to buy new but to buy used.
One feature of this van is that it can be on a 4x4 basis. Obviously that is going to add a stack to the price but might come in handy should you want to drive down a road like the one my navigation sent me down yesterday! In March 2021, Hymer introduced a MLT570 Crossover which you can see in this video. It is on a 4x4 basis and costs EUR125k, however I would have thought getting a non cross over version and taking the off road option would make more sense. At the time of doing this video, the cross over only appears in the 570 - that is to say with the German layout at the back.
As far as I am concerned, I would want the MLT560, the one with the widthwise bed and for the rest of this video I shall be talking about this motorhome, no doubt in the future I shall talk about the others.
Even in a ready to go state, there is over 600kg of payload and the vehicle can be put on a 4,100kg basis if necessary which would give 1.2 tonnes.
What I like about the van is that it has very good insulation, it is of a size which is easy to handle being only 222cm wide and it has a very nice wetroom.
What I would want more of is more storage - for example in the bedroom there are storage lockers only on the rear wall. Although there are two wardrobes - one under the bed, both are small. I would like more wardrobe space but if something is made bigger then something else has to be made smaller and that is part of the compromise of a motorhome. The garage at the back though, is very large, it has a 121cm door at both sides and can take up to 450kg which is very impressive in this class.
I would also want a bigger table although the table in this vehicle is quite typical for its size. I like to have plenty of room to spread my things about on either whilst working at my computer or whilst eating, if there are two of us in the van. The table does move around and there is seating against the wall too so you have a place to put your legs whilst you have your feet up under the table.
The insulation is really good, something I found out by sleeping in a van in very cold temperatures. The van has a double floor in which the tanks are located and this can be heated which will stop them freezing. There is not a huge amount of storage in the double floor but one good aspect of it is that it means the floor inside the van is flat and not cold in winter.
The fresh water tank is 120 litres and waste water 100 litres. You can dump the waste water electronically.
The standard battery is 95A which is not much use if you are going to be spending time off the grid. You can get a 270A lithium battery as an option which is more like it - then get the appropriate solar panels to go with it.
The motorhome comes with four USB sockets, 2 12V sockets and four 230v main plugs. You can have more, although rather than take it as an option, they are not difficult to install and that might work out cheaper.
One of the features of the motorhome is that it was one of the first RVs to be equipped with cross wind assist. Strong crosswinds can make driving dangerous. Crosswind Assist detects when a crosswind has affected your driving line, and corrects the course of your vehicle1, reducing the chance of you moving into another lane or off the road. This video from Mercedes shows the Hymer MLT being tested with this feature before it was introduced onto the market. I also note the rather nice Westfalia campervan conversion which I think comes from the 1980s. I think that this is something we have all experienced, in my opinion, it is particularly noticeable in Italy where one can be in a tunnel then come out onto a bridge where the wind may be strong. However I have also noticed it in places on a motorway where the acoustic barriers end and suddenly a gale comes in.
There is also lane keeping assist which is an acoustic warning when you stray from your lane.
Collission assist is available which initiates braking when one is too close to other vehicles. On the latest models it works at speeds of as little as 7kmph.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon : / alanheath

[@tedthorngren]

Lovely camper van. I agree with you - a favourite!

[@terryhere3889]

I’ve been looking for the perfect motorhome for me a single guy for some time my top prioritise was installation, transverse bed, good integrated bathroom/toilet double floors on and good chassis and thanks to you I think I’ve found it! It needed to look cool too lol

[@GaryATC]

Just what I needed, (looking for 570) been searching for a video showing the swinging shower wall. Can't find one anywhere. Keep your vids coming.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Glad I could help Gary! If you are happy with left hand drive, I could point you towards a 570 or 580 which is now available.

[@GaryATC]

@@VanlifewithAlan Not sure about LHD for re-sale reasons.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

@@GaryATC Is there less interest in LHD motorhomes? I understand of course why someone may not want to drive on the other side of the vehicle!

[@lolavan7750]

I've got the MLT630 7.8mtr long, with an island bed which means you get a cupboard either side of the headboard . Nowhere to put the cupboard with a crossways bed. Sliding door to bedroom means you get two separate rooms. You're right about the extras mine came to 33k.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I will do my view of the MLT630 in a future video

[@jetblackjk]

😍😍❤️👌🏼woww... Beautifull

[@annic7995]

I like how it drives on dirt terrain!

[@marklittler784]

Probably surprise surprise a question of payload as well as storage space no doubt.

[@kolkane4622]

Thanks A, I like to see the demonstration of the safety features. Thanks.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I think that was good but it is hard to get such footage.

[@m80116]

I was expecting active lane keeping assist from Mercedes. If a driver has fallen asleep I highly doubt a beep could wake them up in time.

[@g.galordy9853]

I will own this camper one day

[@denizyildiz9924]

thanks

[@gasgas2689]

I know this is an old video Alan but I am going to view a 2015 model so it's interesting to me. When you opened the fridge in the video there were no shelves in the door, but it looks as if there are in reality because there are the indentations in the inside door moulding. Does the door have shelves?

[@jurgi1103]

Does the ML T really have the Double floor?

[@JohnsDeb]

I would love to have this one.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

So would I!

[@m80116]

For 4 wheel drive there once was a kit from the firm Dangel which was readily applicable to campervans with minor modifications (mainly relocating waste water tank), I am wondering if there still is a kit to retrofit 4WD to a Fiat Ducato chassis

[@VanlifewithAlan]

As far as I am aware Dangel still can do this.

[@m80116]

@@VanlifewithAlan Interestingly enough they list the Jumper but not the Ducato, their FAQ states " a conversion costs between 1 790 and 8 310 Euros excluding VAT." which even the latter would be a very manageable price when one considers the cost of ownership of a motorhome.

[@fairdinkum9454]

There are plenty of new models available, both 2021 and 2022 MY. No 15 month wait as you claim.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Really? You are claiming that one can order one of these motorhomes new and get one immediately?

[@philipellis7039]

Possible payload of 1.2 tonnes. Looks down at lockdown stomach - yep that's the motorhome for me.

[@knockemstiff7584]

Why not fit your own lift kit ? A lot cheaper and interesting to witness the process .

[@mziwendukuntsele671]

Are they still using the old Merc Sprinter?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I noticed that too - and the motorhome had the word 'Neu' written on it!

[@davemccorquodale5148]

Hi Allan Great video as always!! Can i ask? What is one of your favorite 4 person sleeper Vans?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I will have to think about that one. It would have to be one where the dinette converts into a bed. Or perhaps the Affinity : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXekaYePequkpqs

[@davemccorquodale6514]

@@VanlifewithAlan Thanks so much for your response!!

[@g.galordy9853]

So if the 560 and 570 are the same size but the beds are different. What other space in the vehicle is bigger/smaller? Is it the shower and closets?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Shower closets and kitchen!

[@marklittler784]

A year ! You didn't need to wait that long for a Britain Leyland vehicle or even a Range Rover.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

That was because no-one wanted them!

[@marklittler784]

@@VanlifewithAlan The Rover P6 was quite popular, the Austin Maxi was like the first hatchback, the mini was always going strong, Land Rover took off as well as Range Rover, Triumph Stag was a nice looking car, Jaguar was doing well.

[@Komodoto2010]

shower. not. so. spacy