Base Vehicle Types and Base Vehicle Chassis Types

The following MMM article lists and describes the base vehicle types and base vehicle chassis types available for motorhome construction, other than those made in the USA.

March 2008

BASE VEHICLE TYPES

CITROEN BERLINGO: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, platform cab, Multi-space estate. 1.9-litre diesel (71 bhp), 2-litre common-rail turbo-diesel (90 bhp). Power steering, ABS. Differing payloads available.

CITROEN RELAY: Front-wheel drive. Panel van. All common-rail turbo-diesels. 2-litre (86 bhp), 2.2-litre (104 bhp), 2.8-litre (127 bhp).

DAIHATSU HIJET: Rear-wheel drive. Panel van. 1.3-litre petrol (64 bhp).

FIAT DUCATO: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, platform cab, chassis cab, chassis cowl. All common-rail turbo-diesels. 2-litre (86 bhp), 2.3-litre (110 bhp), 2.8-litre (127 bhp). Various payloads/wheelbases available.

FIAT DOBLO: Front-wheel drive. Panel van. 1.2-litre petrol, 1.9-litre diesel, 1.9-litre JTD diesel (105 bhp).

FIAT SCUDO: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, platform cab. 2-litre common-rail turbo-diesel (94 bhp), 2-litre, 16-valve, common-rail turbo-diesel (109 bhp). Power steering.

FORD TRANSIT: Front or rear-wheel drive. Panel van, chassis cab. 2.0-litre turbo-diesels (85, 100 & 125 bhp), 2.4-litre turbo-diesels (90, 115, 125 & 137 bhp), 2.3-litre petrol (145 bhp), 2.3-litre bi-fuel (petrol/LPG 141 bhp). Durashift semi-automatic and six-speed manual transmission available on some models

IVECO DAILY: Rear-wheel drive. Chassis cab, chassis cowl. 3.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesels (136 or 166 bhp). Clutchless manual transmission and various payloads/wheelbases available.

MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER: Rear-wheel drive. Panel van, chassis cab, chassis cowl. 2.2-litre common-rail turbo-diesels (82, 109 & 129 bhp), 2.7-litre, 5-cylinder, common-rail turbo-diesel (156 bhp). Sprintshift auto/sequential manual, or full automatic transmission available.

MERCEDES BENZ VITO: Rear-wheel drive. Panel van, window van. 2.2-litre common-rail turbo-diesels (88, 109 & 150 bhp). Six-speed manual transmission.

PEUGEOT BOXER: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, chassis cab. 2-litre petrol (110 bhp). Common-rail turbo-diesels: 2-litre (86 bhp), 2.2-litre (104 bhp), 2.8-litre (127 bhp). Various payloads/wheelbases available.

RENAULT KANOO: Front-wheel drive. Panel van. 1.5-litre common-rail diesels (57, 65 & 82 bhp).

RENAULT MASTER: Front or rear-wheel drive. Panel van, platform cab, chassis cab. All common-rail turbo-diesels. 1.9-litre (82 bhp), 2.5-litre (100 &115 bhp), 3.0-litre (115, 136 & 156 bhp). Quickshift 6 auto gearbox and various payloads/ wheelbases available.

RENAULT TRAFIC: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, platform cab. 2.0-litre petrol (120 bhp), 1.9-litre common-rail turbo-diesels (82 & 100 bhp), 2.5-litre common-rail turbo-diesel (135 bhp). Quickshift 6 auto gearbox and various payloads/wheelbases available.

SUZUKI WAGON R+: Front-wheel drive. 1.3-litre petrol (74 bhp). Power steering, twin airbags, air-conditioning.

TOYOTA HIACE: Rear-wheel drive. 2.5-litre common-rail turbo-diesels (88 & 102 bhp). Power steering.

VOLKSWAGEN LT: Rear-wheel drive. Panel van, chassis cab. 2.5-litre turbo-diesels (95 & 109 bhp), 2.8-litre turbo-diesel (158 bhp). ABS. Cruise control.

VOLKSWAGEN T5: Front-wheel drive. Panel van, window van, chassis cab. 1.9-litre turbo-diesels (85 & 104 bhp). 2.5-litre, turbo-diesels (130 & 174 bhp).

BASE VEHICLE CHASSIS TYPES

PANEL VAN: Vehicle with full steel bodyshell, low roof or high top.

WINDOW VAN: Vehicle with full steel bodyshell, low roof or high top with factory-fitted side windows (sometimes known as a Kombi).

CHASSIS CAB: Vehicle with ladder frame rear chassis and front driver/passenger cab ready to accept a coachbuilt or low-profile body.

PLATFORM CAB: Chassis cab type vehicle with box section rear end that includes a standard steel floor. This produces a lower overall stance ready to accept a motorhome body.

CHASSIS COWL: Vehicle with chassis, running gear, dashboard (or scuttle) and cab floor ready to accept a fully coachbuilt, A-Class motorhome body.

AL-KO CHASSIS: Specialist rear chassis made by Al-Ko Kober, replacing the standard item fitted to chassis cabs and cowls on base vehicles with front-wheel drive. Advantages can include increased payload, lower stance and longer wheelbase than the standard vehicle manufacturer's item. In addition, this chassis-independent suspension can improve handling and quality of ride of the finished motorhome. Also allows the inclusion of two (tag) axles to further enhance payload and handling qualities.