Smove motorhome review

[@wincrasher2007]

We would love a van like this in the US. Our chassis is 9350 lbs, so it would have sufficient payload and we don't have license restrictions until you get above 26,000 lbs. In our market, an air conditioner is a must, so it would probably need to replace one of the skylights or that open space on the roof.

[@The_Oracle_of_time]

That huge garage / storage space is a massive bonus.

[@toptobottom247]

I don't think the review was fair. These camper vans can be spec to your liking.There IS room for an 800-watt solar panel on top. You can also request the motor home without the sunroof. The drawer is an after thought that YOU can fix that yourself. All I need is extra batteries for boondocking for a week and I'm ready. Love, love, love this model.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I also like the model but I have to be as critical as possible and to put all points forward. I doubt you could get 800W on that roof with current technology.

[@toptobottom247]

I don't need 800W of solar panels. I was told it's over kill for this type of caravan. My only point was there is enough room for solar panels. You could even opt for a fixed sunroof to get more space. My bad.

[@nickjury5198]

Great review Alan very refreshing to hear you shooting straight from the hip as always👌. Hopefully they saw your review and decided to take down the sign about 3.5 ton as I’m sure some customers must have been really interested when they saw that and then found out once they’d done their calculations they couldn’t actually carry much else in that massive garage. Who’s idea was it that said “let’s put the gas compartment there😂”

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Thanks Nick - since this was published, Niesmann and Bischoff have allowed for some changes - and despite what I said here, it is one of my favourite vans!

[@pissedagainlikeiwas]

Excellent analysis as always, clearly explained - why don't these manufacturers employ you as a consultant?

[@davidhayes4814]

Good points all the way through. The payload of luxury vans wishing to come at or below 3.5 tonnes is often poor, with the notable exception of Hymer. The old rule of 120kg per per person plus 150kg seems to be ignored now.Cheaper vans, with less equipment and caravan construction puts expensive vans to shame.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

And I filmed one or two of those cheaper vans with 600kg payload - coming as soon as internet connection permits!

[@eugenekovalov9370]

Hi Alan! Very good and fair review. I also share your opinion. I think this motor home has a best looking in the market, but there the room for improvement of functional part.

[@vod8008]

I really enjoy your reviews. I've learned a lot - even if I don't always agree with you. In your opinion, what would be needed to get a realistic payload? Is it materials? Is it that there is too much equipment installed?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Good question and if I remember the next time I am at a fair then I need to do a whole video on it. The biggest point is the chassis, Hymer for example has introduced a new chassis which will increase the payload. Then it is materials, some furniture today is incredibly light at the same time as maintaining stress levels. On internal equipment, there is not much one can do. A fridge in a motorhome will weigh about as much as one at home for the same size for example. Often lighter materials are more flimsy and in an expensive motorhome that is not what one wants. I hope I have given a good enough answer!

[@szedelgo7327]

Hi. Is this a front wheel drive or can it be ordered with all wheel drive ?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

There is no all wheel drive nor plans to do it as far as I am aware!

[@CarlosBenjamin]

Can you fit two pots with any size on those burners? They look awfully close together. And why not hinge the kitchen open with one larger lid/counter? That left hand piece is pretty much wasted other than being a backsplash.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Carlos I think that the burners are actually further apart than in most vans!

[@HalfAMind]

Maybe if it had a slide out hide-away to make it wider inside. But without one it's to slim. No room to enjoy what's there. I like the design as a normal full size van. That's gotta be it though.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Very few European vans have slide outs and if one were added, I think the cost would increase by around twenty percent.

[@rveurope]

absolutely right, was in it, my wife turned around after 30 sec...a furniture cargo van, they might consult some sensible and practicle people to build a proper class C, W decent kitchen, beds etc...dinette storage and empty shower size my be OK, but to many downsides for it..galley is a box, no storage..good for a tea and a breakfast hamper and why all this aerodynamics, looks great but you need to drive behind lorries and accept the 'no overtake rules' for > 3,5 to in Europe....maybe that design classm C is meant for the Us market to compete with roadtrek or leisure or nexus rv...

[@timogronroos4642]

Install refillable system for the gas and problem solved. And the solar panel installation could be raised like other stuff on the roof. It would be even good for the panel to be raised 15cm, it would stay cooler and provide more energy.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Refillable makes sense always. I could not find supports that raise solar panels 15cms when I looked for them.

[@timogronroos4642]

You would first need to figure out, what size and shape of solar panel would be best fit for this space and then have someone to make custom made brackets for the installation. End result could be nice and working even in this difficult space. BTW thank's for your videos, intresting stuff :)

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Thanks for your words of support Timo!

[@spivvo]

Good video... I'm trying to figure out which of these beasts to buy. The quality of the interior on this thing looks great and I love that you can completely hide the bog for a full,size shower. Are there any other manufacturers that have such a quality finish and such a hideable thunder box?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Paul, there are a number of vans with hideable toilets including from Carthago and Hobby as well as Niesmann Bischoff. In a small van it works well, I think in a large van it is unnecessary and there is the added complication with anything that moves - it can break!

[@bigfoz8465]

Should have done some research - the N&B video shows both the optional 20Kg gas tank (for the aged and infirm...) and the optional solar panels that "won't fit"...

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Obviously you did not check the dates on either of the videos - which just goes to show what little research you did.

[@jamiep61]

This Model could do with some Improvements to make It better

[@mjremy2605]

Good review but you need to work on your voice! Why do you speak so slowly and stop at every word? Its hugely annoying. The solar panels? Just use glass panels and raise them up. Problem solved. However, the weight limits create a problem that is hard to solve.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

The problem with speaking too fast off script is that more mistakes are made. It would of course be easier if I had been allowed to take a second person with me, however the trade fair authorities at Dusseldorf wanted me to pay for it which is a bit annoying given all the free publicity I am giving them.

[@AnGhaeilge]

Don't mind him. I like how you narrate your videos. Easy to understand.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Thanks Sean!

[@AnGhaeilge]

Welcome Alan :) Keep em coming.

[@joshuatree747]

Your vids are really informative and I really enjoy watching them... thnks for al your work!!!

[@robbyinderwiesche6919]

WHY DONT WE MAKE ONE AT GUDBAI MOTORS THAT RUNS ON A PRIUS POWER SOURCE DRIVETRAIN 66 MPH TOP SPEED AND USES TESLA DESIGN MOTORS & BATTERIES TO RUN AT 111 MPG????

[@VanlifewithAlan]

With current technology, that probably will not work due to the weight.

[@landy660]

Looks great, what a shame that it is so poorly designed. Good reporting. I shan't be buying one of those. Thank you Alan.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Thanks for watching. I think that this is the only negative review it has got - but I think I have made my points quite clear!

[@landy660]

You do a great job, I prefer to have someone say what they are actually like, as oppose to saying how wonderful they are. Please keep it up. p.s. Loved the idea that one might be able to use it as a family car.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

landy660 I filmed a lot at Dusseldorf including some very scathing reviews - I hope to get most of it up before the end of the year!

[@edmontgomery9954]

Living on 1800 a month

[@makaynchealhalibbealkhooo9673]

The roof is so bad what happen when it s snow

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I have since learned a good reason for the roof to be in this shape which is to direct water over the front and rear to avoid smears on the side.

[@CoolAccent]

One problem that I have with most of these videos is that the video is taken too close. You feel like you're going to be car sick after watching the video for 5 minutes. How about you use a second person as a photographer, who can actually hold the camera still, and at a decent distance!?

[@terrymcdonagh8497]

Agree it looks every inch as good as other N&B products but is equally as bad in so many ways - the 3500kg holy grail has been missed by a mile - N&B should stick to what they excel at - besides I'm pretty sure UK prices for what is basically a very good looking low profile C class will start north of 70K - at that price point only people who pay for badge superiority will buy into it - I personally have a Frankia so a little guilty of this myself - but whilst I may be called a bit of a snop no one would call me a fool! - Gucci handbag anyone?

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Frankia is very nice - and to the best of my knowledge they don't do anything under 3.5 tonnes! I also cannot see the price of this under GBP70k. The version shown here was around EUR100k if memory serves me correctly!

[@terrymcdonagh8497]

Frankia do a range called Selection Class which can be plated at 3500kg however I assume they would have similar pitifull payloads to the N&B!

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Terry McDonagh I did not see it at Dusseldorf and I cannot remember it from Stuttgart either. I have their disk right beside me as I speak so I shall post that one next on www.MotorhomeFullTime.com and see if it is there!

[@VanlifewithAlan]

SORRY - it was on my own site as well and I wrote the article. Under three tons too : www.motorhomefulltime.com/vehicle/frankia-selection-t72

[@terrymcdonagh8497]

They also now do a Selection 640 A Class on a Fiat chassis with a claimed payload of 325Kg - better keep away from the extra's list if you want to take the wife along with you! www.frankia.de/en/wohnmobile/integrierte/i-640-6400-sd/

[@nagualdesign]

Alan has what I like to call too-many-full-stops intonation. He sounds like he's inserting full stops. Where. He shouldn't.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Perhaps you can remember stacks of information about many vehicles at once but I cannot. However lets see you put your money where your mouth is. Send me professional video editing software plus computer to go with it and then I speak at a faster pace.

[@nagualdesign]

Not sure what money, video editing software or free computers have to do with anything, nor why you're being so defensive. Captain Kirk spoke. With. Too-many-full-stops intonation. At least you're inserting them between words rather than mid-word. Like. A. Da. Lek. ;-)

[@nagualdesign]

I wasn't being sarcastic or complaining. Again, you're being defensive. I'm just amused at your funny speech pattern is all. I watch dozens of KZbin videos almost daily. As I understand it it's a free service, with uploaders earning revenue from advertising. If I have to buy a new laptop for everyone whose videos I've watched then I'm going to need a small fortune! As for you having to pay for information, I'd suggest that if you don't wish to continue doing that then you should stop. I wouldn't want to you to be out of pocket. Especially if it's affecting. Your speech. Patterns.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

If you don't like my speech pattern or my working class accent then I suggest you don't watch what I do. There the problem is solved.

[@nagualdesign]

Who said anything about your accent?! I repeat, I'm not complaining. You uploaded a video to KZbin and this is the comments section. If you can't handle a straightforward observation made without any malice. Then. Good luck. With that! ...One to beam up, Scotty. Energize!

[@john_carter8243]

3:40 dude PULL THE TOILET OUT!!

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I have only got two hands unfortunately, one of which is needed for the camera.

[@bigtrigger8491]

HELP ME ----> Where Can I Get A Brochure Mail To Me In America ?

[@andreasmoll_0924]

No autark living. No way.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Andreas, very few vans offer self sufficiency unfortunately. I think the Smove could be very good - only it needs some changes!

[@randyatlawmedia357]

Useless video - - fly-view is useless and annoying. If product can't be professionally presented then I can't be bothered to consider it further. Good work.

[@jamesohara4295]

Like Akira Kurasawa says, pencil and paper costs nothing, your a user with plenty complaints about designers, get yourself a pencil and start designing.

[@nayala85]

use speed 1.25 to make this guys speak normal and NOT in slowmo.!